Vintage 1940s Evening Jacket Matador Style Bonwit Teller M

This is a vintage matador inspired 1940s evening jacket that was sold at high-end New York based retailer Bonwit Teller.  Bonwit Teller was originally founded during the late 1880s as a millinery shop by Paul Bonwit.  Bonwit partnered with Edmund Teller in 1898 and Bonwit Teller was incorporated in 1907, specializing in women’s apparel.  It gained the reputation of carrying high quality merchandise and eventually became, along with Saks Fifth Avenue, Peck & Peck and B Altman, one of the high-end stores serving the “carriage trade”.  Bonwit Teller gained a reputation for championing young, upcoming designers such as Christian Dior. 

This 1940s evening jacket is made in a cropped style with long sleeves.  It has a jewel neckline, padded squared shoulders, long sleeves that taper to the cuff and a single hook closure at the neck.  It is embroidered with gold metallic and orange silk thread within violet grey panels that decorate the neckline, the opening and the bottom - the panels emanate out across the front of the jacket.  The embroidery on this 1940s evening jacket is further embellished by gold toned metal and faux coral beads.

Label: Bonwit Teller Fifth Avenue New York.

Material:  Silk crepe in a coral orange colour.

Sizing: There is no size label on this 1940s evening jacket, and although this should fit a medium size, please rely on the following measurements for fit:

Shoulders:  15 1/2” across, from one shoulder/sleeve seam to the other shoulder/sleeve seam

Sleeves:  24” from the shoulder seam

Sleeve inseam: 17 1/2”

Bust: 37” around, taken under the arms, with a small gap at the front

Overall length: 16", measured flat

Condition: This 1940s evening jacket is in very good condition with the exception of some colour fading to the outside sleeves - noticeable, but no pronounced.  Personally I think that this 1940s evening jacket is still very usable. 

This is a striking 1940s evening jacket, great to add pizzazz to a plain dress or wear with plain black pants - exceptional quality!