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Vintage 1960s Black Silk Polka Dot Cape Dress High-End French Couture Boutique Unlabeled- (Possibly early Chloé)
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Acquired from a high end estate containing documented French designer clothing including LaCroix, Jacques Fath, Chanel, Elizabeth Arden New York (Made in France), Emma Domb, St. John, and many other luxury garments. The original owner identified this cape as an early Chloé design; however, I have not been able to verify that attribution and therefore it is being sold as an unbranded vintage French designer piece. Please purchase based on the craftsmanship, construction, and quality shown in the photographs. Furthermore, I strongly feel that it’s likely this piece was designed to go with a dress with matching fabric, since it’s missing any labels and it doesn’t strike me as a standalone design.
Unlabeled vintage black and beige oversized polka-dot silk evening robe or belted overdress, approximately 1958–1975, probably early-to-mid 1960s. Designed with dramatic cape, an integrated ivory silk foundation lining, gathered skirt volume and a self-covered square buckle. Extensively hand finished; possibly custom, salon-made or originally sold with a coordinating underdress.
That layered construction is sophisticated and very deliberate.
When the garment is worn, it has a wonderful elegance—but it also has a restraint that reminds me more of a luxury boutique label or salon-made piece than a runway designer piece meant to stand out in fashion editorials.
Construction:
* floating cape yoke over the shoulders
* sleeveless
* attached wrap construction
* integrated sash with self-covered square buckle
* oversized irregular beige dots on black silk faille, lined in silk
* The upper section forms a true flouncy/ruched cape yoke rather than a separate cape attached to a dress
* The belt sits underneath the cape layer, giving the illusion of a floating shoulder cape.
* ✓ Fully lined in luxury silk
* ✓ Entire hem hand finished
* ✓ Self-covered buckle
* ✓ High-quality seam work
* ✓ No evidence of mass production
* ✓ No care label
* ✓ No size label
* ✓ No surviving maker’s label
This garment is unique, and it’s possibilities are endless.
* a cape for a formal hostess gown;
* an evening robe intended over lingerie or a slip;
* an open-front evening overdress;
* a boudoir-to-cocktail garment;
* or an ensemble robe worn over a plain underdress.
* a french bathing cover-up
* surrobe (French overdress)
* overdress
* overlay dress
* evening ensemble over piece
This piece is in excellent condition- the only flaws to note are a few small areas on silk lining that are lightly discolored due to age. I believe with the proper cleaning, this can be easily remedied, but it is not noticeable.
It has not been cleaned or steamed for this exact purpose. We believe it is too important a couture piece to approach cleaning it ourselves.
