Lilli Ann Suit - Date Help

jauntyrooster

jauntyrooster

Alumni
Hi All,

Hoping for some better help dating this lovely pale yellow Lilli Ann suit which I picked up today. The label appears in resource as a 60s label (know that isnt set in stone) and the suit also has the red/white/blue ILGWU label. These two pieces of information are causing me a little trouble settling in on date as the style isn't screaming any certain era to me.

Also - pics might are kinda "down and dirty" so not sure if you can get an idea of material - perhaps the label shot is best but any thoughts on material are appreciated.

Thank you all so much - appreciate any assistance.

Maureen

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Maureen -

The red white and blue label was used from 1974-1995 so the suit has to be from 1974- later. The fabric looks like it might be silk shantung or rayon or a rayon blend made to look like silk. I agree with you that it's a tough one to date. My guess would be late '70's - very early '80's but I've tried looking around and have not found anything comparable! My guess is based on the skirt. Hopefully someone else will come along who knows!

It's a really pretty suit.

Linn
 
I agree that it's not 60s. I'm wondering whether Adolph and Lillian Schuman's heirs recycled the older Lilli Ann label after he retired. He died in 1985 and the last "Adolph Schuman for Lilli Ann" label we have in the resource is estimated as 80s.

BTW, our label resource says "The company was sold in the 1990s, and was closed by 2000". While searching on this question, I came across this business page that suggests they may have reincorporated
http://www.manta.com/c/mm2yrp6/lilli-ann-corp
 
Interesting...I wonder if this is that new? It wouldn't be surprising at all.

Thankfully, I only paid $5.00 for it so no harm no foul either way. I looked on my phone while I was at thrift shop to check label resource and knew I was confused right then and there but for the price - figured it couldn't hurt to to take it home and check it out.

I did notice a lot of this label out on internet when I did a general search under Lilli Ann...
 
I wouldn't expect to see that overcast stitching forming the edge of the lapel scallops in the 60s, and probably not the 70s either. I'm not sure when it became so commonly used, maybe the last 20-25 years? This could predate that by a bit though.
 
Is that the top edge of a content/care/size tag I see attached to the brand label?

If so, that might also be a clue that the suit is later than the 1960s.

Jen
 
It isn't. It just references a flower decoration that needs to be removed before cleaning. I don't have decoration nor can I see a spot where it might go. Assuming lapel or breast.
 
We know the suit is later than the '60's because of the RWB Union Label. I guess what Maggie is thinking is that it could be after Adolph Schuman died and when the RWB label was no longer used - so roughly 1985-1995. I was thinking late '70's- early '80's based on the fairly natural shoulders and the length and cut of the skirt. I did read recently that there was an "anything goes" period in the early '90's but it doesn't have that look - to me. I think of '90's as still having huge shoulder pads and either really long or really short skirts.

Did you look at all the seams in the skirt to see if there are other labels lurking - perhaps size?

I have a black cocktail/party dress sold to me as '50's which I believed until I realized it has a nylon zip and found the RWB Union label - and a size label in the skirt of the dress. (80's!)

Linn
 
A Few More Pics - I think will help

Here are a few more photos which I am betting will give some of you some more clues:

1st up - another tag in suit which I cannot believe I didn't see the first go round - found on lower right side of jacket - inside

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2nd: A view of the seams inside of jacket:

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3rd: A view of seams inside skirt (skirt is lined but lining not attached at bottom)

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Last: Few of seams of the pleat found in the skirt

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The more I look - the newer this suit seems but I do not sew a lick and have no clue if the seams help or not. Also, the fabric on the inside of the skirt feels very poly to me...it is weird.

As always - thank you so much. I am getting very interested to see where we land on this...
 
I agree that it's newer and would date it as early '90s. It's a pity there are no other labels, that would make it easier. It's a nicely made suit, in a classic style, perfect for a mother of the bride. I see it as being worn by an older lady.

Nicole
 
This is one that is hard because it's not very trendy and for the middle class, mature woman. That skirt style is one we were wearing the the late 70s and into the 80s - I recall making this skirt style for myself. The bound buttonholes aren't a very 80s/90s detail, but the over sewn edging is. I'd go with early 80s myself since the shoulders aren't huge.

Hollis
 
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