East Meets West — Chinese Jacket with Swallows and Love Notes in Beaks (c. 1930s-40s)

$385.00

Step into poetic elegance with this authentic 1940s vintage jacket—a captivating blend of East and West. Crafted in soft peach-toned satin, this piece features a delicate print of swallows carrying love notes, a romantic motif that evokes timeless storytelling. With a Mandarin collar, elegant frog closures, and decorative tassels, the silhouette is both structured and fluid—perfect for layering over a velvet gown or pairing with modern separates for a striking contrast. This jacket is not just a garment; it's a wearable work of art.

Features:

  • Authentic 1940s vintage

  • Rare East-meets-West design

  • Swallow and love-note motif in intricate satin jacquard

  • Mandarin collar with decorative frog closures

  • Soft tassel ties at neckline

  • Lightweight, flowing structure

  • Beautifully preserved condition for its age

Garment Measurements:

  • Bust: 42-44 inches

  • Sleeve length: 22.75 inches

  • Length (shoulder to hem): 28 inches

Fit: S/M/L/XL

Notes:

  • Mint vintage condition with no flaws to note

A Short History on East-Meets-West Vintage 1940s Fashion:

In the 1940s, garments made in the East began incorporating Western design elements as global exchange intensified during and after World War II. Tailors and textile artisans in countries like China, Japan, and Hong Kong adapted their traditional silhouettes and techniques to suit Western tastes, creating hybrid garments for export and for Western clients stationed or traveling in Asia.

These garments often combined rich Eastern fabrics like silk brocade or embroidered satin with Western shapes such as tailored jackets, blouses, and eveningwear. Common features included Mandarin collars, frog closures, and traditional motifs (like cranes, dragons, or florals), applied to Westernized silhouettes. This cross-cultural fashion trend reflected both postwar global mobility and a growing Western fascination with East Asian aesthetics. Today, these garments are cherished for their craftsmanship, unique design fusion, and historical significance as wearable symbols of cultural dialogue.

Step into poetic elegance with this authentic 1940s vintage jacket—a captivating blend of East and West. Crafted in soft peach-toned satin, this piece features a delicate print of swallows carrying love notes, a romantic motif that evokes timeless storytelling. With a Mandarin collar, elegant frog closures, and decorative tassels, the silhouette is both structured and fluid—perfect for layering over a velvet gown or pairing with modern separates for a striking contrast. This jacket is not just a garment; it's a wearable work of art.

Features:

  • Authentic 1940s vintage

  • Rare East-meets-West design

  • Swallow and love-note motif in intricate satin jacquard

  • Mandarin collar with decorative frog closures

  • Soft tassel ties at neckline

  • Lightweight, flowing structure

  • Beautifully preserved condition for its age

Garment Measurements:

  • Bust: 42-44 inches

  • Sleeve length: 22.75 inches

  • Length (shoulder to hem): 28 inches

Fit: S/M/L/XL

Notes:

  • Mint vintage condition with no flaws to note

A Short History on East-Meets-West Vintage 1940s Fashion:

In the 1940s, garments made in the East began incorporating Western design elements as global exchange intensified during and after World War II. Tailors and textile artisans in countries like China, Japan, and Hong Kong adapted their traditional silhouettes and techniques to suit Western tastes, creating hybrid garments for export and for Western clients stationed or traveling in Asia.

These garments often combined rich Eastern fabrics like silk brocade or embroidered satin with Western shapes such as tailored jackets, blouses, and eveningwear. Common features included Mandarin collars, frog closures, and traditional motifs (like cranes, dragons, or florals), applied to Westernized silhouettes. This cross-cultural fashion trend reflected both postwar global mobility and a growing Western fascination with East Asian aesthetics. Today, these garments are cherished for their craftsmanship, unique design fusion, and historical significance as wearable symbols of cultural dialogue.