girl’s blue synthetic cape with hood and pompoms, by Snugwear, 1950s

The cape is in a blue synthetic material which is slightly bobbled to resemble lambs wool. There is two cords with a pompom at the end either side of the hood. The hood has a fold back of the same blue material to act as a brim. Inside the hood is quilted with a pale blue satin material. The rest of the cape is also lined with pale blue satin lining. There are two slits at the front on either side designed for hands to go through. In the collar there is fastened (by a length of white wool) and round disk of pale blue card which includes care information. Handwritten in black ink are the words ‘DO NOT DRY CLEAN’ beneath this are printed in black the title: ‘ “SNUGWEAR” below which is printed in black text the words: ‘If these instructions are care-/fully followed, this material/ will retain indefinitely its/ beauty and soft/ texture’, beneath which is written in pencil ‘Blue Cape’. On the back, printed in black, is the text ‘WASHING/INSTRUCTIONS./ BABY-LAMB fabric is made from/ the finest quality wool, and/ should not be subjected either to/ very hot water or an excess of soap./ Wash by continued dipping in luke-warm/ soapy water. Do not rub, and, most/important, DO NOT WRING [underlined]. Rinse/ in tepid water until the soap is/ thoroughly removed, and hang up/ dripping wet. No pressing is/required.’

Given by Daphne Pearce

This cape is part of a larger gift given to the museum by Daphne Pearce who wore the clothes as a young girl growing up in the Northern suburbs of London. The clothes are all in pristine condition and were worn from the 1950s to 1960s and show a range from baby wear to pre-teen years, approx.12. This collection typifies the clothing of the period, and the clothing labels and styles of the middle classes.

This cape is made from blue synthetic material by the children's clothing company Snugwear. Produced in England in the 1950s, the cape has a hood with two pompoms on either side of it. Hands can be placed through two slits in the side in order to remain practical while still keeping the user warm.

B.508-2012