Penney's Sport Coat

RustySpurVintage

RustySpurVintage

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Hi everyone. I have this Penney's Towncraft sport coat that is very cool looking. Unfortunately, it is in pretty bad condition and needs to be restored. It is full of little holes and needs to be professionally and perhaps un-professionally (i.e. by me) cleaned. I'm trying to figure out if it is worth the time/money/effort or not. The VFG label resource helped a little. Pegged it around late 60s. I know Penney's started using "JC Penney's" in the early 70s, but if I understand it correctly it took them to about the end of that decade before all of their clothes had the new label. So with that in mind, I was thinking that this jacket was probably pre-1970s, but the wide lapel makes me also think that it is possibly a 70s that didn't have the new label yet. The styling is very cool, but it doesn't strike me as terribly 70s though. Does anyone have any ideas of date and/or style?
 

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Your jacket style is very sought after with the self belt back/action back and front saddle bag pockets. Having said that, they aren't too rare so I wouldn't invest too much time or money into fixing/restoring. It is a very saleable style though and, when in good condition, they are quick sellers. I would date to late 60s into 70s.
 
I agree with a late 60s/early 70s rendition of the Norfolk jacket. Here are a bunch of images of such jackets, including lots of early fashion illustrations of them:
http://www.google.com/search?q=norf...54HQBw&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1047&bih=489

If it's full of holes, I'd dry clean first--and quickly! The holes are most likely moth damage, and you'll want to prevent more damage if any eggs/larvae are still burrowed into the fabric, as well as see what the fabric looks like after cleaning (ie whether it's sturdy, and whether more holes have shown up). I agree with jauntyrooster--if you can mend easily and cheaply, it's worth it, otherwise, you may not get your money out!
 
Very cool jacket! I think it's late 60s, but it could be as late as the early 70s. The style of the buttons is very 60s looking to me, but I would need to see them in person to be sure.... And I agree that it's a Norfolk-inspired style.

I agree with jauntyrooster--if you can mend easily and cheaply, it's worth it, otherwise, you may not get your money out!
Click to expand...

Also agree with jauntyrooster and Carrie. I wouldn't spend much on restoration. Fortunately, though, with this weave and fabric, mending the holes isn't as difficult as it would be with a different fabric. If you're handy with sewing, you could probably do this yourself, or if you have a friend who could do it. I don't think it would pay to have a professional tailor or seamstress mend this. I recently sold a similar-era belted Norfolk-style jacket, and it was in near-mint condition. While I did well on it, there wouldn't have been profit in it if I'd had to pay for professional repairs.
 
Thanks everyone! I was not sure if it was a Downton Abbey style Norfolk Jacket since it didn't have the belt loops on the front (or belt for that matter). I've decided not to have a go at bringing this one back to life. I've become a little pickier about what "projects" I'm willing to undertake. It is very cool though. Perhaps someone else will be up to the challenge!
 
Technically, it is not a Norfolk. It is Norfolk-style or Norfolk-inspired. The name for that back style is action-back or sport back. Having said that, some buyers will use "Norfolk" as a keyword when looking for this style and I believe it is a legitimate association.
 
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