50s Cashmere Cardigan Sweater Beaded Ponies Small to Medium Ballantyne of Peebles Scotland VFG
One of the best vintage cashmere sweaters I have ever had the pleasure of owning - alas, always too small for me, and I am prepared to let it go. This is a cardigan, intended to fit fairly close to the body, with three quarter length sleeves and a deeper-than-average section of ribbing at the waist. The front of the sweater is embellished with a diagonally placed undulating track with prancing brown and yellow ponies, each one saddled and bridled and carefully accented with beads and sequins. They remind me a bit of carousel horses! The rounded neckline is set off with a narrow beaded band of brown. From the back, you see a band of yellow and brown pennants across the left shoulder. There is even a tiny beaded saddle on each cuff.
SIZE: No size label
| Measurements | Inches |
Cm |
| Bust |
39.5" |
100.25 |
| Shoulders |
15.75" |
40 |
| Bottom circumference |
25" |
63.5 |
| Length |
22" |
56 |
| Sleeve length |
20" |
51 |
FABRIC/COLORS: Soft cashmere knit in a buttery shade of yellow. The embellishments are felt, yellow and brown, with glass bugle beads, microbeads, and a few sequins, including a star sequin on each pony's bridle.
TAGS: Marshall Field & Company, Made in Scotland by Ballantyne of Peebles
CLOSURES: Nine small yellow cloth covered buttons
CONDITION: The 3rd button from the bottom has a brownish spot - see closeup. On close inspection, I also see two pindot-size discolorations on the ribbed waist section a few inches from the buttoned placket - see other closeup. No holes, tears, or 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.