[This piece of from Squamata Shop's newest themed collection, Baby metal ThreadZ.]
Bespoke cheongsam jacket with a Mandarin collar, made of peach-pink silk brocade, woven densely with gold, flowers orange like California poppies, and chestnut brown accents.The gold is light-catching and high-shine. Overall, the fabric is luxurious and rich. Fully lined in soft baby pink (silk or a cotton sateen).
Excellent tailoring, high quality and skill. Form fitting in the waist; darts in the waist, chest, and back; an invisible zipper (metal and baby pink) closes it on the right side. Front panel closes across the chest with snaps and an ornate silk frog closure, hand sewn and knotted. The edges — sleeves, bottom hem, collar, side splits, and front panel — are silk-bound, a finishing technique tailors in Hong Kong were known for (“Hong Kong seam”). It is skillfully stitched on by hand using tiny stitches visible only from the inside. No exposed seams whatsoever. The jacket is lightly padded for insulation between the outer layer and the lining; small blind stitches were added by hand to keep the insulation in place. It’s soft and flexible, but thick and structured from the padding.
Perfect for a cool spring or summer evening.
MEASUREMENTS:
Shoulder, across: 16”
Chest, across: 21”
Waist, across: 19”
Bottom hem, across: 25”
Sleeve, length: 19.75”
Side splits, length: 4.5”
Total length: 24.75”
CONDITION: good; outer brocade is in amazing condition; structurally, it’s in amazing condition; there is light discoloration on the lining near the neck; natural wear spots where the fabric has thinned out or made a tiny hole on some of the edges (sleeves, bottom hem, top of collar); the fabric lining inside of the collar has worn thin in spots and has light discoloration.
NEED TO KNOW: Late 1950s-early 1960s. “Cheongsam” might not be the right term, since “cheongsam” specifically refers to a style of dress. Peach pencil skirt and yellow leather purse available soon.
This item is sold from a vintage boutique in Oakland, California.
