A two-piece that was designed to work as a complete outfit. The "California" label, a proud New Zealand made fashion brand of the mid-century era, produced pieces with a confident understanding of how women wanted to dress: polished enough for the office, elegant enough for lunch, and interesting enough to be remembered. This abstract print in cobalt blue, charcoal, grey and white has the quality of an impressionist painting caught in fabric.
The sleeveless dress is fitted and tailored through the bodice with a clean round neckline and skims neatly to the knee. The matching bolero jacket sits over it with a slightly relaxed batwing shoulder and three-quarter sleeves that soften the structure beautifully. A self-fabric bow closes at the neckline, which is exactly the kind of detail that separates considered design from mere coordination. Worn together they are a complete and polished picture. Worn separately, the dress takes a blazer or a vintage coat, and the jacket lifts a simple shift or a plain blouse into something worth noticing.
Wear the set to a wedding, a spring racing event, or any occasion where you want to look entirely pulled together. Add nude or navy heels, a structured vintage handbag, and a single piece of jewellery at the ear. The tailored shift silhouette works particularly well if you are consistent in proportion from shoulder to hip and want a clean streamlined line. If you are broader through the shoulder and bust and narrower below the waist, the bolero jacket adds softness to the upper body while the slim skirt keeps the overall silhouette long. If you carry more fullness through the hip and lower half, the fitted bodice and knee-length hem create a long vertical line, and the bolero draws the eye upward to frame the face and neckline beautifully.
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Circa: 1940 - 1970
Origin: Consignment
Label: California, Made in New Zealand
Fabric: Easy Care blend (Poly/Nylon/Acrylic/Acetate)
Condition: Excellent, commensurate with age and love
Care: Hand wash with gentle detergent or dry clean recommended
Modern Size Indicator: 6 - 8
Measurements: Dress: Bust 38 cm, Waist 32 cm, Hip 40 cm Jacket: Bust 40 cm, Waist 40 cm (Laid flat)
Vintage Size Indicator: n/a
Fit: Dress: tailored and fitted through bust and waist, straight skirt to the knee. Jacket: relaxed batwing shoulder, three-quarter sleeve, bow closure at neckline
Fixture: All original fixtures throughout
Features: Sleeveless fitted shift dress, round neckline, matching bolero jacket, batwing three-quarter sleeves, self-fabric bow neckline closure, abstract impressionist print in cobalt blue, charcoal, grey and white, New Zealand made
NOTE: As respectful custodians of fashion history, we do not offer to sell unique items such as this separately. Keeping historical pieces together will assist you in retaining your investment and allows future generations to enjoy the pieces in their original beauty. Sale/Sold/Damaged Items cannot be exchanged, refunded or returned. Colours may display differently on various devices.
