Wednesday 10 February 2016

Topper Talk

What is a topper? Well, apart from a gentleman's hat and a splendid comic I used to read in the seventies, a topper is a woman's loose-fitting coat. Popular in the 1950's and 1960's, toppers were usually short, made from lightweight fabrics and worn as a light cover up, a bit like a glamorous cardigan. During my topper research, I uncovered several different styles:

Some have set in sleeves, separate collars and pockets.



Some earlier versions are collarless and could be belted.


This coat pattern also comes with a topper jacket option on the right.



There were even knitted versions!


But the most popular one seems to have been a short, swing style with kimono sleeves.






I think they're a lovely, stylish alternative to a cardigan, so I've decided to make one. This decision was speeded up slightly after I was very kindly given a copy of vintage Simplicity 3451 last week by Ashley.


The pattern is from 1950 and comes in two lengths, the shorter version having a mandarin collar. I'm going to make version 2 which is fully reversible. Ashley has already made a lovely version from polar fleece here, which I was tempted to directly copy, but I've decided to try out some different fabrics. I really like the navy and white colour combination of version 2 on the envelope illustration, so I'm going to try and re-create it. The fabric's ordered and I'm in the middle of making a toile - look out for an update soon! Have you ever made a topper?! x


40 comments:

  1. I haven't made a topper, but I was looking through my patterns for the Vintage Pledge and one of them had a ladies 3-piece suit with a 'weskit' which I liked!

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    1. I've always LOVED the word weskit! You should make it just because of the name! x

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    2. It's a quaint word for a waistcoat! x

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    3. Oh that is adorable! Feeling a sudden need for a wardrobe of weskits!!! X

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    4. Ha ha, not sure a weskit is quite my style but it had a lovely pea-coat that I might try.

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  2. Love that knitted one! And very useful in our unpredictable climate. Look forward to seeing this Jane.

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    1. Yes, if I could knit I'd be tempted to give that one a go! Thanks Grace. x

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  3. oooh love the others too, will be patiently awaiting your creation...
    love Ashley x

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    1. Thanks again sooooo much for the pattern! Toile isn't too bad and fabric's just arrived, hoorah! x

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  4. that is such a cute pattern! I have been looking at various jacket patterns that don't button up, (they may fall in to the blazer category) and eyeing of the decades of style three's a charm jacket too.

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    1. Yes, that pattern looks like a nice one to try and easy too! x

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  5. I believe in the U.S. (back in the 50s & 60s) that these were called car coats. Your selection is lovely - I can't wait to see it made up and modeled by you!

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    1. Thank you! I think you're right, some of the descriptions on the vintage patterns I was looking at also referred to them as car coats! x

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  6. That knit one is GLORIOUS! I vaguely rember my grandma wearing short jackets for car journeys and longer ones for out and about , she also used to sit on some (can't remember what) to keep creases out of her skirt x

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    1. Isn't it just, makes me wish I could knit! Your grandma sounds like a right glamour puss, mine used to just wear a sort of pinny/dress at all times! x

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  7. I love them all! Infact I reckon I have a couple of patterns that I just had to have and never got round to making them up. I love when they are reversible with one print side and another in a garishly bright solid. I eagerly await your finished garment. I'm t will be super!!!

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    1. I bet you have a couple of pattern squirrelled away too, this style would suit you perfectly! I love the contrast you get with a reversible coat, fingers crossed it will turn out well! x

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  8. LOVE this pattern. I can't wait to see your version!! Navy seems like a great choice for you and reversible is so clever, you get a 2-in-1! I have a couple of topper patterns but because I seem to have an obsession with vintage Pendleton 49er jackets which are toppers, I really have no business sewing one, ha ha!

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    1. I had to look up Pendleton 49er jackets but I had a good idea what they'd look like beforehand. I was right, they're so perfectly you Tasha! x

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  9. They are all so lovely! The glamour to have different coats for all the occasions. The reversible one is my favourite as well.

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    1. It looks like the easiest one to sew too! x

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  10. Reminds me of what my grandmother would have referred to as a carcoat. Lovely, vintage images, will look forward to reading about your finished make.

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    1. Having looked through a few of the pattern descriptions, I think they were also known as car coats. Thanks Teresa! x

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  11. Over here, drooling over that knit one with everyone else... I only seem to hear the term "topper" in the sewing community, and only somewhat recently. I kept wondering if it was regional, because I had never heard about toppers. Thanks for explaining!

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    1. My pleasure, it was good fun looking up all the images! x

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  12. Cannot wait to see this made up, Jane. Yours will be special, as usual; how wonderful to have this project to look forward to.

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    1. Thank you, I'm really looking forward to it! x

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  13. Never made a topper but I have a beautiful summer pattern for a beach one that goes over shorts and a bralette top thingy on a vintage pattern. I wait with bated breath.Jo x

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    1. Oooh a beach one would be fab, so chic over shorts or a swimming costume! x

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  14. I've just had a baby and every time my father in law (who's from Sunderland) sees her he says "eeeee she's topper!" So in a manner of speaking yes I have :-)

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  15. I made a Swing Coat last spring, two actually one in blue wool and the other in red fleece. I love them both. They really add a bit of class to an outfit. Can't wait to see what you end up making.

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    1. Oooh they both sound absolutely lovely! x

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  16. I really fancy making something like this, has anyone seen any current patterns for them? If you google topper patterns you get results for things which you put on the top of a table! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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    1. Hi Julie, there's re-issued Simplicity retro pattern 1319 which might work. Here's a link: http://weaverdee.com/products/s1319?variant=976640911
      Hope this is helpful. x

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  17. Hi
    i havse just sent for boiled wool samples from dragonfly
    Now looking for this pattern .I love this stlyle
    only to find they are all small sizes.
    Do you know of any patterns similar in uk 16to18 in tidays sizes please
    lynda

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    1. You could try Simplicity 1319 which is a modern reissue of a vintage pattern for three 1950's evening jackets. One of the jackets is very similar to the vintage pattern I'm using. The pattern comes in two different size sets, the larger one covering size 14- 22. It seems to be available in lots of places but here's a link anyway: http://weaverdee.com/products/s1319?variant=976640911
      Hope this is helpful! x

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  18. Love the toppers, AKA car coats! Does anyone remember "spring coats"???
    They were very stylish too!

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