Monday, November 10, 2008

Vintage Suits - 1959

Two suits featured in the October 1959 issue of Ladies Home Journal as a "liveable, loveable and wearable" garments.

Kimberly was one of the largest privately held clothing manufacturers in the US in the 1950s and 60s. They specialized in wool knits, and would often buy Paris originals and adapt them to knit styles. This suit is fashioned in navy and red buffalo check knit that has the plaid turned on an angle, and a solid navy overblouse. The model wears gold jewelry, white gloves, and has a bow headband by Emme in her hair. The calfskin bag is by Lederer.

This black and white tweed suit is by Traina Norell. Anthony Traina was Norman Norell's backer until his death in 1960. This suit was part of the last collection with the Traina Norell label. In 1960, Norell formed his own company, Norman Norell, and the Traina Norell label disappeared. The three piece suit is trimmed in black braid with black buttons. The model wears a white silk shirt with a bow at the neckline, white gloves, pearl earrings, and also has a bow headband in her hair.