Green three-piece summer outfit - in rayon and acetate. Dress 780 by Angela Lansbury.





I tried knotting the top but prefer the way it looks loose.

I  searched on ebay for a three-piece skirt suit. I found several. Most were dull classics, boring fabric, dull designs. 

Advantages of Long Sleeves

Then I saw the green outfit. I wanted long sleeves, not short sleeves. Long sleeves protect you from cold weather and cold air conditioning, and insects, or sun's rays. They hide any imperfections of arms, freckles, age spots, wrinkles, veins, elbows. Longer sleeves are useful when visitong temples requiring you to cover up. I bid from very little.

Bidding Wars & Strategy

I was outbid. I was bidding against one other bidder. I did not want to keep bidding up every day, driving up the price for me, and for my rival if I lost.

But I did not want to forget and lose out on the last day. So on the last day I bid early in the morning then later in the day. Would I still be outbid? 

I decided I really liked the colour and kept bidding.

Perfect Price, plus postage

The set was not a bargain. But if you divide twenty into three pieces, you get about seven pounds per piece, the jacket having short sleeves, the skirt being long. 

Extending Jacket Sleeves

Could I add white sleeves, cut from an old man's shirt with a frayed collar? Could I add a cuff of fabric cut from a hem or seam? Or add a small patch to white cuffs? Or cut the jacket shorter, using the spare fabric for sleeves, godets in the sleeves, or cuffs? 

Or cut the hem off the existing sleeve, insert lace, plain cotton.

You can buy flared sleeves, or bell sleeves, and bridal chiffon sleeves, white, black, burgundy, around 25 pounds.

 A few hours later, a few days after first seeing it, I bought it at under twenty pounds including postage.

Coping With Creasing And Crumpling

It arrived crumpled in the post but I put it on straight away. Because it ceases easily, perhaps not suitable for travelling on a multi-destination and multi-hotel holiday.

I wear socks to protect my feet from rubbing shoes, and insect bites, in both cold and hot weather. Out came my black socks. I only realised this was a mistake after I saw the photo.

Must Match Socks

I grabbed the nearest socks in a hurry when rushing out of the shower into breakfast. I should have chosen matching socks the night before and put them on top of the sock collection bag, or the hanger with tomorrow's outfit.
The black socks did not go. So I changed into cream-coloured socks.

Beautiful Buttons

The short sleeved jacket has seven buttons, six down the front and one on the pocket. The buttons have four holes in the green centre, and white donut shape, plus green edges.

The Short- sleeved Jacket

I liked the one pocket, although I would have liked two even more. 
I liked the contrasting yellowy lime colour.
I loved the contrasting wavy green stripe of the fabric on the collar and the two chest patches. Although I wished the two chest patches had been the same size. I like symmetry. My body is already slightly different each side.  


The Label

The label is some fancy Italic font and hard to decipher. Helene (I had wondered whether it should be Helena!) Designer SPORTSWEAR.

The Slit Skirt

The long skirt is ankle length on me. I am around 5 ft 3 in heels, 5 ft without shoes. The skirt has a zip. When the label is centre back, the slit is in the modern position, not the back nor the side, but off centre at the front, up to the left knee. The skirt is lined.

The Fabric

The fabric is 55% acetate, 45% rayon. 
It is not soft like silk.

Washing Instructions

I did not see any woven in washing instructions. Then the third day I wore it, and inspected the label yet again, I spotted the faint letters dry clean only. 
The outfit doesn't flatter me. Nobody has complimented me on it. So why have I worn it three days running?

The jacket looks better on the hanger than it does on me.

'Dry Clean Only' Dangers

I normally don't buy clothes which say dry clean only. You can often wash them on cold. the risk is that two different fabrics are used, or the cotton thread and the fabric are different compositions so in the heat of the washing machine or if you turn on the tap and warmer water comes out, part of the garment will shrink more, pulling it all out of shape. The other risk is that the colours will run. Or the trimming is delicate. The glue or paint will come off the fabric or the buttons.
\
When your garment has spare buttons and fabric or thread, that is not just for repairs. As well or instead it can be to test the effect of putting it through a washing machine and tumbler.

So what is delicate in my outfit? I could try washing one part of the three, and if that causes damage, I would still have two parts. I would probably wash the tank top. Leaving the more elaborate jacket which has buttons and patches, and the long skirt. Th tank top is not seen so much..

I thought, 'They must be mad. Sports wear you have to dry clean!'
Also the company name is totally misleading. The clothes are not sportswear. They are designer, fancy.

The Label
Helene Designer Sportswear. Made in the USA. 

I was not sure of the name, whether it was Helene with the letter e three times or the more  common spelling of Helena. However, finding one item with the same spelling as well as the words designer and USA seemed to settle the question.
A few items on Ebay. Not to be confused with Saint Helena.

I finally found another item on Ebay, showing the labels I had. The seller said the item was from the 80s or 90s. It had a lining, and the same fabric.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/366304312172

Rayon - what is it?

Rayon is also known as artificial silk. 100% rayon can be called viscose? Likely to shrink. Can be made of plants.
On the one hand it is described as synthetic. On the other hand it can be made of plant fibres such as bamboo. According to one website which I consulted, the risk is shrinkage, dangers being in warm water and when tumbling. 

Summer Sportswear

It is lightweight and water absorbent so chosen for summer clothes - and maybe in this case for the so called sportswear,. I think these clothes pre-date the jogging era. The term sportswear means something like the later named company label Country Casuals.

Acetate - what is it?

According to one website, acetate is often combined with other fabrics. It adds silkiness. However, it is easily damaged by solvents, so hand washing to remove stains is best. Colours may run.

Abbreviations VTG

Another item with the same label had the abbreviation VTG in the  headline. At first glance I thought it was an acronym, each letter being an initial, like VGC, for very good condition. Then reading the text where the word was spelling out I realised VTG in the headline stood for vintage.

Verdict on Vintage Acetate Clothes

1 must wash creased items in cold water before wearing to get rid of creases.
Dry clean only is not mandatory - the garment is safe for a cold water hand wash if you are very careful and don't wring or twist the clothes.
The outfit is not flattering, but had been a great education on fibers and washing.

The Tank Top

Tank tops are usually plain, sleeveless, no bust darts, round necks, wide shoulder strap part of the front. 
The matching tank top is completely hidden when you do up the collar of the jacket. 
For an alternative, wee the next post.

Useful Websites On Fabrics
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayon
https://www.ariel.co.uk/en-gb/how-to-wash/washing-different-fabrics/acetate

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