Opera Cape Help

Kim Manuel

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I purchased this gorgeous opera cape/jacket a while ago and am trying to figure out what era it is or anything else about it. I am not familiar with opera cape styles throughout the years and tried to research but there are several eras I could see it belonging to. I am guessing the closure is a clue and possibly the material. There are no tags. Any comments welcome. Thanks!
 

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The fabric and general style looks 50's/60's to me but I suspect it could be made for costume as it's not quite 'finished'.
 
Thanks, Melanie. I was leaning to 40s/50s and it also crossed my mind that it was for costume, but the rhinestones are definitely true vintage. Can you please explain what you mean by not quite finished? I did not include a picture of the entire lining and it has been mended with a basting stitch on one side. It does look like it is probably a homemade item but still vintage. The blue fabric is very good quality - feels like a thick silk to me like some blouses or jackets I have had that I know are silk from tags. If there are any other clues I could look for, let me know. (PS red is stunning on you in both lipstick and dress)
 
Thank you Kim.
I am sure it is vintage, what I meant was it could have been made at that time for costume purposes, and so a few shortcuts taken in not finishing it as nicely as you might do for best wear. The edge of the neck there has been pleated and then stitched over to hold the folds in place, this would normally then be folded over twice to form a hem, or sewn into a seam (usually the lining) so the stitches and raw edges were not open, both for appearance, and to avoid fraying.
 
yes, the fabric and style are 50s but i do think the fasteners have been added later, as they look 60s to me. do the cuffs have the same fabric lining for about 5", or is it the same lining as the rest of the coat. this style of opera coat might have had large turn back cuffs, you will be able to tell if the lining matches the coat.

lorraine
 
I agree on a late '50s date (about '58-59) and suspect there was originally a self-fabric rosette on the "unfinished" end of the collar - where the rhinestone buttons are. The frogging and buttons are definitely an update, perhaps in the '60s so maybe the now-out of date rosette (a very '50s feature) was removed. Something like the one on this dress.

Circa Vintage Webshop 061.jpg
 
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