1960s Carven Haute Couture Navy Stripe Skirt Suit with Faux Shirt
Renowned for its refined femininity and masterful tailoring, Carven built its haute couture legacy on sculpted silhouettes that balanced structure with elegance. This late 1960s to early 1970s Carven haute couture skirt suit is crafted from navy wool with a narrow pinstripe formed from tiny dashed lines, lending subtle texture and depth to the cloth. Of complex construction, the jacket is beautifully shaped with a wide pointed collar that echoes the curved lines of the design, a tightly nipped-in waist and softly flared hips. A trompe-l’œil white “shirt” is integrated beneath the jacket, rendered in a thick cotton fabric with a shawl collar just visible behind the lapels. It reappears at the centre waist, forming two crossing points that fasten onto the exterior of the jacket with pearlescent buttons. Additional faux white cuffs emerge at the sleeves, finished with matching buttons. The jacket fastens discreetly below the shirt points with tonal hidden snap closures and is lined in blue-grey satin. The matching skirt is cut from the same pinstripe wool in a high-waisted, below-the-knee A-line silhouette. It fastens at the back with a concealed zip and hook-and-eye and fully lined in coordinating blue-grey satin.
This ensemble is in truly excellent vintage condition and you would never know it was over half a century old. It has no size or composition labels being couture made and the fabric has no stretch. The suit would fit up to a size UK 8-10 or US 4-6 with a smaller waist measurement. Our model's sizes are: Bust: 33" (84cm), Waist: 26" (66cm), Hips: 34" (86cm) and Height: 5' 7" (170cm). She's a size UK 6, US 2.
Notes on Designer: Founded in 1945 by Marie-Louise Carven (born Carmen de Tommaso), the House of Carven was among the earliest French fashion houses to take its collections abroad soon after the end of World War II. Carven’s work was especially celebrated for its lightweight fabrics, fresh colors, and garments designed for petite women — a gap she identified from her own experience. Carven staged runway shows internationally, helping establish French ready-to-wear and couture on the global stage. Her 1946 perfume launch for “Ma Griffe” was famously promoted by dropping sample bottles over Paris from parachutes — a now-legendary PR stunt.
MEASUREMENTS JACKET
BUST - 38 in. (97 cm)
WAIST - 34 in. (86 cm)
HIP - 38 in. (97 cm)
LENGTH - 22 in. (56 cm)
SHOULDERS - 16 in. (41 cm)
MEASUREMENTS SKIRT
WAIST - 27 in. (69 cm)
HIP - 38 in. (97 cm)
LENGTH - 27.5 in. (68 cm)
Pickup available at CIRCA VINTAGE
Usually ready in 24 hours
F.A.Q.
Will you set anything aside for me before I come?
We are happy to find anything you may be interested in from our website. We have an extensive offline collection. It is helpful if you can let us know your size, style, favourite colour to wear and perhaps your budget in advance of your appointment.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
Clients may wish to bring modern shapewear. You may also wish to bring favourite footwear. We often find a classic pair of nude shoes work well when trying-on, or gold and silver. We have a huge variety of slip dresses and petticoats to complete your look. Many of which are also for sale.
Do you have a price range?
Many of our lower priced pieces, under £250, are not available to buy online. Dresses usually start at £150 and go up to £30,000 for the very best archival couture. Our bridalwear price points range from £1,000 to £20,000.
Can I bring anyone with me?
Yes but please do let us know the size of your party in advance.
Where can I get alterations?
We offer some alterations in house. Should you need alterations we cannot provide, we can refer you to one of our tried and trusted tailors.
Do you have an after-care service?
We will advise you on the best way to clean and preserve your vintage purchases and can also recommend trusted local dry cleaners.
Can I cancel my appointment?
You are free to cancel but please do give us as much notice as possible.
Where's the showroom?
Our address is Circa Vintage, 87A Lansdowne Way London SW8 2PB
Upon arrival, buzz the 87A button on the gate or call us 020 7736 5038 to let you in.
Do you have parking?
We offer free, secure, off-street parking but it is a tight squeeze – so do let us know in advance if you will be needing this and we can make sure that there is space available.
How do I get there by public transport?
Underground:
Stockwell (7 min walk) - Northern and Victoria Lines
Nine Elms (9 min walk) – Northern Line
Overground:
Wandsworth Road (13 min walk) – Westbound to Clapham Junction / Eastbound to Dalston Junction
What payment methods do you accept?
Cash, credit/debit card, bank transfer, contactless, Paypal
What is archival fashion?
Archival fashion refers to historically significant designer garments preserved for their cultural, aesthetic, or technical importance. At Circa, archival fashion includes couture archive pieces, runway garments, early designer work, and museum-quality vintage that document the evolution of fashion history.
How is archival fashion different from vintage?
While vintage typically describes clothing over 20 years old, archival vintage is selected for its rarity, provenance, and relevance to a designer’s archive or fashion history. Circa specialises in archival pieces rather than general vintage.