Description
This black silk and wool evening jacket or lightweight evening coat dates from the mid 1960s. It was made by Helga, a California-based company known for their “better dresses” as well as cocktail and evening clothing (info courtesy of The Vintage Fashion Guild Label Resource).
The below-hip-length, boxy-fit jacket will look great over a fitted dress or mini skirt. The lovely, crisp and lustrous fabric is called alaskine: a blend of silk and wool that was quite popular in the 1960s. Fabulous black rhinestone and metal buttons close the jacket down the front. Vertical seams from shoulder to hem in front add visual interest to the otherwise clean lines of the jacket. The straight sleeves are just a bit longer than elbow length. Diagonal darts shape the shoulders in back. The jacket is fully lined in cream silk taffeta. Beautifully made, this 1960s cocktail suit jacket or lightweight evening jacket is in very good condition. The pale lining fabric has yellowed a bit with age, but is sturdy. The only other issue to note is several replacement black rhinestones in the lowest button, which are a little too small. Neither issue is likely to be noticed when the jacket is worn. It has been freshly dry-cleaned; I definitely recommend removing the buttons before its next cleaning, to protect them. The jacket was most likely originally part of a cocktail suit or worn over a matching dress. It is most fitted at the shoulders and upper arms: it fit well on me (size 4-6 petite) over a lightweight layer.
Size: boxy fit XS-S.
- Bust: 40 inches flat to fit loosely for 37 max.
- Waist: 37.5 inches flat.
- Hip: 42 inches flat, to fit loosely for up to 39 max.
- Length: 30 inches from back of neck to hem.
- Underarm to hem: 20.5 inches.
- Sleeve: 17.5 inches.
- Shoulder to shoulder: 16 inches.
- Label: Helga
