40s Vintage Cropped Jacket Braid Trimmed Asian Influenced Medium to Small VFG Pearl Art Sportswear
This is a charming little 1940s jacket topper! The overall design is fairly simple - collarless, padded shoulders, small pleats across the upper bodice for fit, loose fit below to cropped length with side seam slits. The cream and black braid around the three-quarter length sleeves, with the appliques over each buttonhole elevate the look. It has a vaguely military feel to me, also vaguely Asian.
SIZE: No size label. Despite the generous bust measurement, I would call this a medium due to the smaller shoulder width.
| Measurements | Inches | Cm |
| Bust | 42" | 106.75 |
| Shoulders | 15.75" | 40 |
| Bottom hem circumference | 45" | 114.25 |
| Length | 25.5" | 41.75 |
FABRIC/COLORS: Black rayon, in a slightly crisp weave. There is a tag on the inner side seam that says "Tegra, Labtex Rayon" along with a smaller logo for "Bur-Mil Quality, T.M., Reg."
TAGS: Pearl Art Sportswear, Los Angeles, Cal.
CLOSURES: The jacket closes with five flat black plastic buttons. The horizontal buttonholes are camouflaged by the cream and black machine embroidery appliques.
CONDITION: I found three tiny holes - the largest in the upper left sleeve - shown in closeup in last photo - another smaller in the right upper sleeve, and the smallest in the left midchest. No other issues noted.
I measure the outside of garments, unless stated otherwise.
For menswear, the chest is measured at armpit level.
For womenswear, the bust is measured a little below armpit level, including the room created by darts or gathers.
Waist will be measured if there is one, and hips are measured about 9" below waist level. Sleeves are measured from shoulder seam or an approximation in the absence of a shoulder seam. Garment length is measured from the back of the neck, unless otherwise stated.
The measurement numbers refer to the garment, not the body inside. For best fit, measure a similar type of garment which fits you well and compare.
If the garment is shown on Josephine, my mannequin, her measurements are 31/24.5/34". Sometimes she wears a padded bra. My live models measurements vary depending on the day and year, and I don't ask them to share that.