Underarm gussets - Still used in the 60s?

[Joanne]

Hi, I have a wool coat with a fur collar which my instincts told me was 1960s. Then I found it had underarm gussets, and wondered whether it may actually be 1950s. It is above knee length, which seems short for the 50s, unless it was 3/4 length I guess. Sleeves are also 3/4 length. Brand is Tonette.

 

[Pinkcoke]

It looks pretty 60's to me, you have to imagine the shape of the garments underneath it would have to cover - this would best suit a shift dress or something without too much volume to the skirt.

 

[Joanne]

That's what I thought. But I also thought underarm gussets were an identifier for the 50s. So maybe they were used in the 60s too, so not much of an identifier.

 

[Pinkcoke]

Underarm gussetts were frequently used in the 50's, but that is not to say they weren't used in other decades. This may be a brand whose customers favoured older styles of tailoring.

 

[Joanne]

Good point, thanks.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Underarm gussets are definitely a '50s thing but I've seen them in the very early '60s in good quality couture. Like '61. I think your coat is very early '60s too and originally had a longer hem - it's been taken up as fashions changed.

 

[Joanne]

Thanks Nicole. That's what I was thinking. The hem has not been taken up. Perhaps it was for a short person.