Coats from National Bellas Hess (Fall-Winter 1969)

My theme this month appears to be "coats", so going with the flow here are a couple of pages from the National Bellas Hess catalogue for Fall-Winter 1969.  Catalogue fashions tend not to be the most stylish or trendiest clothes going, but they do illustrate what was worn by the ordinary "woman in the street" at any given date.

5. STUNNING... understated simplicity marks this high-fashion coat with its subtle bands of chic , persian fur-look trim.  Acrylic laminated to polyfoam for lightweight warmth, crease resistance. 

6. ELEGANT... the sashed wrap-coat lavishly bordered with plush fur-look Dynal modacryliuc.  Fashioned of woolen coating... blend of reprocessed wool-silk-nylon; acetate taffeta lined.

7. DASHING... the leather-look , demi-fit mini-coat with smart persian fur-look accents.  Fashioned of heavy vinyl that simulates genuine leather... wipes clean with damp cloth.

4. TERRIFIC VALUE... dark brown, piece-dyed, genuine mink collar tops cardigan collar coat.  Wool coating of reprocessed wool-silk-nylon.

5. GENUINE, brown mouton collar tops shortie coat of expanded vinyl with cardigan neckline.  

6. RICH LOOKING... corduroy shortie has shawl lamb collar with self-collar under it.  Wide-wale cotton laminated to polyfoam; quilt interlined.

7. SMART PLAID has lavish black-dyed lamb collar with self-collar under it.  Reprocessed wool-rayon-silk laminated to polyfoam.

(Dynal, vinyl and polyfoam—apparently artificial fur and synthetic fibres were all the rage in 1969.  If this catalogue had been published today, I might say that these materials were used for environmental or ethical reasons—reprocessed wool! simulated leather!—but as it is, cost was probably the deciding factor.  These clothes imitate more expensive garments made from real persian lamb and real leather.)