What is this? Handmade white lace cropped top

plousia

Registered Guest
Normally I wouldn't have given this a second glance, but it reminded me of some of the Edwardian undergarments I've seen posted on this forum. It's (badly) handmade, with some crooked machine sewing and some hand sewing, around the collar. Some zig zag stitching on the side seams, but no serging.
 

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It is clearly home sewn, probably to be worn under a short jacket or bolero. I think it is probably 1960's, judging by the shape and back buttons.
Marian
 
I'm wondering if the eyelet fabric used for the front might have been repurposed from a small circular tablecloth?
 
I'm wondering if the eyelet fabric used for the front might have been repurposed from a small circular tablecloth?

Ah, interesting. It certainly does look like it was repurposed from something else. We have lost a lot of ingenuity and skill since then, haven't we.

Edit: although, looking at it again, the scalloped edging goes all around the neckline, armholes, and bottom. It looks like that's the original shape.
 
Another question about this for anyone who may see it: what kind of undergarment would have been worn under it? The back is quite sheer and the lace has no backing, so I'm assuming something must have been worn underneath other than just a bra?
 
Super cute! I agree with above, looks like a repurposed older fabric maybe household linens/tablecloth repurposed into a 60's summer top.
 
I agree with 1960s (I had a favorite summer top of the same shape!), but disagree about it being repurposed from something else. The scalloping at the neckline, arm holes, and bottom looks original and I doubt could be done at home. I think it looks home-made because it was from a low-end store... mine was from K-Mart. I definitely remember some of my cheap store-bought clothing having an unfinished look inside.
 
I agree with 1960s (I had a favorite summer top of the same shape!), but disagree about it being repurposed from something else. The scalloping at the neckline, arm holes, and bottom looks original and I doubt could be done at home. I think it looks home-made because it was from a low-end store... mine was from K-Mart. I definitely remember some of my cheap store-bought clothing having an unfinished look inside.

Yes, the scalloping indicates that is the original shape. It is definitely homemade though, the collar is tacked down with hand-stitching on the inside and the machine stitching is charmingly crooked (kind of like something I would sew, LOL), and the button bands don't match up - one is higher than the other so they're offset when it's buttoned. There is no evidence of there ever having been a label.

No matter, it's cute and I kept it - it fits and I bought a modern white cotton tank top to wear under it as I don't have the stomach for crop tops, literally or figuratively...
 
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