Vintage 1940s Peacock Embroidered Parachute Peasant Blouse

Raleigh Vintage

If it is possible to be smitten with a piece of clothing? Because we certainly are smitten with this 40s peasant blouse!  Pale cream parachute silk (lightweight, sheer, luxuriously soft) with golden silk thread embroidery.  The bodice features amazingly detailed peacocks.  Beautiful smocking around the neck and wide waist.  Puff sleeves.  Side snaps (the snaps do not extent onto the peplum, so it is open on the side). 

During and just after WWII, many woman in the countryside of Europe recovered parachutes from fields and reworked them into clothing since there was a shortage of dress fabrics.


  • DETAILS:
    Label:  none
    Fabric:  Parachute silk
    Circa:  1940s (more probably, but could also be late 1930s)

    BEST FITS: S/M (see measurements)

    CONDITION:  Overall very good.  The blouse shows light, normal wear.  There is a small hole (just a bit larger than a pinhole) on the peplum (see photo).  There is a very faint bit of age darkening on one shoulder, but this is terribly difficult to detect unless you're specifically looking for it.  There is some wear to the silk thread tassels.  These are all extremely minor and the blouse is a very wearable piece of history! 

  • Shoulders:  16"
    Bust:  up to 39" (keep in mind the loose fit)
    Waist/hips:  26" - 28"
    Length:  23"
    Sleeve length:  26"
    SIZING INFORMATION

  • CARE:
    Hand-wash; line dry.  Contact us if you need more detailed care instructions.

    STYLING:  We love this blouson fit top with a pencil skirt or fitted high-waisted pants. 

    SHIPPING:
    Rates are determined at the checkout and are based on weight and destination. If our shipping calculator's estimated rate is greater than the actual shipping costs, we will refund the overcharge.