Skirt Suit thumbnail 1
Skirt Suit thumbnail 2
Not on display

This object consists of 6 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Skirt Suit

early 1980s (made)
Artist/Maker
Elbeo (manufacturer)
Margaret Howell (designer)
Kenzo (designer)
Place of origin
England (designed)

The suit of jacket and skirt is of a grey, blue and brown tweed wool with vertical chevron stripes. The shirt of blue check viyella has a round stand-neck with a fly-front button fastening from neck to hem, centre-front. There is a pleat either side of the opening and a box-pleat at the centre-back of the shirt. The cuffs fasten with a single button. The belt of punched leather has brass fittings and rivets. The shawl of blue and brown printed wool is signed in the corner. Worn with blue machine-knitted lace-pattern wool tights.

Object details

Categories
Womenswear
Fashion
Clothing
Object type
Skirt suit
Parts
This object consists of 6 parts.

  • Jacket
  • Skirt
  • Shirt
  • Belt
  • Shawl
  • Tights
Materials and techniques
wool, viyella, leather and brass, weaving and machine lace-knitting,
Wool Tweed
Acetate
Viyella
Leather
Brass
Wool
Machine Sewing
Machine Knitting
Brief description
Grey, blue and brown tweed, Margaret Howell, early 1980s. Worn with a blue viyella shirt, blue and brown shawl by Kenzo, and Elbeo tights in blue lacy wool.
Physical description
The suit of jacket and skirt is of a grey, blue and brown tweed wool with vertical chevron stripes. The shirt of blue check viyella has a round stand-neck with a fly-front button fastening from neck to hem, centre-front. There is a pleat either side of the opening and a box-pleat at the centre-back of the shirt. The cuffs fasten with a single button. The belt of punched leather has brass fittings and rivets. The shawl of blue and brown printed wool is signed in the corner. Worn with blue machine-knitted lace-pattern wool tights.
Dimensions
  • Shirt length: 69cm
  • Belt length: 89cm
  • Shawl length: 86.5cm
  • Tights length: 121cm
Production typeReady to wear
Gallery label
(1998)
Using subtle British fabrics, Margaret Howell designed this fashionable interpretation of the classic tweed suit at a time when country styling was the height of chic. Inventive buttonholing on the jacket lapels and the pie-crust frilled waistband of the skirt are among the defining features of this wearable ensemble. Jill teamed it with a woollen cape purchased from Saint Laurent in the 1970s, sturdy brown lace-up shoes also by Saint Laurent and a patterned wool scarf.
Credit line
Given by Jill Ritblat
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Associated object
T.338:1-2000 (Ensemble)
Other number
142 - Ritblat catalogue
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.337:1 to 6-2000

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Record createdJuly 27, 2000
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O45869/skirt-suit-margaret-howell/
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