Featured Heavy lined floor length coat/robe... Japanese? What is this?

Discussion in 'Textiles, Needle Arts, Clothing' started by Lucille.b, Jun 29, 2019.

  1. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    This was a bit of a gamble, maybe one I should have passed on, but was $4 at the end of a sale and figured what the heck. Was for resale, so if we can't nail it down, the thrift gets it.

    Its a heavy garment, outer layer is some kind of ("brocade?"), inside lined in a lighter fabric. Two pocket slits on the side, the whole thing has sort of a Japanese feel. No label. I suppose could be homemade?

    Floor length. Sorry for the busy back ground in the photo. Has a bit of an "April Cornell" look, but it is heavy as heck and in a way isn't so wearable due to extreme weight. Any keywords? What would you call this?

    coat3.jpg coat4.jpg
     
  2. SBSVC

    SBSVC Well-Known Member

    Lucille, I know nothing about your robe, but I would buy it in a flash, just for the FABRIC! (Pillows, a stool - I'd certainly find SOME use for it!)
     
  3. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    Not Japanese, more European with a Japanese influence. A textile expert might know for sure when it was made.
     
  4. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    Thanks SBSVC and Evelyb. Feels fairly new. I'm sure 1990s or later, could even be last year.

    I know... the fabric alone is pretty cool. Additional thoughts welcome!
     
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  5. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I love it! If it hadn't had pockets I would have thought Central Asia, the Persian-influenced regions. But with pockets, possibly European, and possibly influenced by Central Asia.
     
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  6. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    Thanks, AJ. It isn't pockets exactly... just a slit in the fabric left and right sort of front hip level or so. (You can see one in the first photo.)

    Ack, I realize I didn't describe it well re-reading my description. It is just a slit that opens -- nothing on the other side.

    Thanks for taking a look.
     
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  7. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    It looks like something from April Cornell - a mall store. If there are pockets the tags may be sewn inside.
     
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  8. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    Funny, Evelb. The print/colors reminded me of April Cornell as well. But the dang thing is ridiculously heavy... 10+ lbs, just estimating, maybe more. It is almost unwearable due to the weight. Seems like April Cornell stuff is more everyday, but going to check online. The pattern sure looks like her stuff.

    There are no pockets. Only an angled slit in the side. I actually tried it on at the estate sale and asked someone if there was a missing belt or something where the slits open, and she said, "No that is to keep your hands warm, like a Japanese garment." Might have been right or wrong.
     
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  9. Jivvy

    Jivvy the research is my favorite

    What makes it so heavy?
     
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  10. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    Okay, turns out I might have over estimated the weight. Just weighed it, more like 5lbs.

    It just feels like you are lifting a rug when you take it off the hanger. It is mostly that outer fabric that is so heavy. Almost like a very heavy upholstery fabric.

    Now thinking this might be a handmade garment. I have a friend who does a lot of sewing and she can look at something in a flash and say handmade or not.

    But not sure when I will see her next.

    Also kind of thinking this might have been some sort of ceremonial this or that. Such as "I have nothing to wear for when I meet the Dalai Lama. Better sew something!" Probably am not going to find another which probably makes it not a great resale item.
     
  11. Jivvy

    Jivvy the research is my favorite

    I was thinking it might have a length of chain in the hem -- old costumer's trick to make to make lightweight fabric "read" as heavy from stage. :joyful:

    But at five pounds, probably not. :p
     
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  12. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    Oh, very pretty. Too bad it's so heavy and not easily wearable.
     
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  13. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

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  14. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Wonderful! Thanks for letting us know.
    The person who made it chose perfect material for the pattern.:)
     
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  15. Jivvy

    Jivvy the research is my favorite

  16. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    Yes, turns out it is reversible. But cannot imagine having the heavy fabric inside.

    It was a FLUKE we found it --less than 5 minutes. We couldn't believe it, just lucky she had that hunch.

    I already have a local buyer (if the sale follows through.) Not making a fortune, but some profit, and would love for it to have a new home.
     
  17. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    That is STUNNING!! :eek:
     
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  18. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    I had a few of those Folkloric patterns back in the day; I used to love them when I still sewed clothes.
     
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  19. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

    Here's a "Lady and Unicorn" Tapestry c1500:
    [​IMG]
     
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  20. Jivvy

    Jivvy the research is my favorite

    EXTERNAL: Nice catch!

    INTERNAL: OMG, HOW DID I MISS THAT???????
     
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