1950s Navy Silk Couture Bar Jacket with Button Pocket

This early 1950s navy shot silk jacket is unlabelled haute couture circa 1950-51. Of complex construction, it is cut in a classic New Look 'bar' style shape, with rounded front hem, slender waist and accentuated slope of the basque bodice. It has original padding in each shoulder to create structure, and inside the front of the waist to create volume around the hips. The neckline is high and the front is detailed with a panel of fabric that forms a racer-shape over the top. Four large tonal plastic buttons give the appearance of double-breasted tailoring and, below this, there are two flaps which cross over and two slanted welt pockets. The cuffs are designed to be turned up. At the rear, there are two large tonal plastic buttons which attach a navy shot silk cinch belt. The jacket is unlined at the top and lined in a navy man-made cloth below the waist. It fastens at the rear with a hidden tonal zip and two hook-and-eye clasps. We have attached several haute couture examples of bar jackets from the same period by Dior, Balmain and Balenciaga.

The jacket is in wonderful vintage condition with no flaws to note - truly remarkable. No labels remain but this was made in Paris using haute couture fabrics and techniques. It would be a best fit for around a UK 10 or US 6 with some leeway either side of this.

MEASUREMENTS

BUST - 40 in. (102 cm)

WAIST - 30 in. (76 cm)

HIP - 40 in. (102 cm)

LENGTH - 25 in. (64 cm)

SHOULDERS - 17 in. (43 cm)