Vicuna Topcoat?

[gmanandge]

Recently my dear departed uncle left me a topcoat that seems to be a high quality, well-made coat. My aunt thought that he had it made many years ago by an Italian tailor in the Boston area and that it is 100% vicuna. It does have a label inside right that reads 'Elvicuna' and 'Woven from the finest fibers known to man'. My questions: Is this actually 100% vicuna? and What is it worth?

 

[chobochobo]

Difficult to say on that information alone, but it's a possibility. As you probably know, Vicuna is pricey but somebody else's old coat is never going to fetch as much as you think. Price will depend on the condition and the cut of the garment.

 

[gmanandge]

It's in pretty good condition-no holes or tears, doesn't look shopworn, liner is intact. Have you ever seen a label 'Elvicuna'?

 

[chobochobo]

Nope, but I'm no expert. It's fairly vintage from what you're saying. If you want more opinions, you should post some photos.

 

[gmanandge]

 

[chobochobo]

DIfficult to tell, but the weave doesn't look like typical vicuna and that label is a bit crappy

 

[David Reeves]



DIfficult to tell, but the weave doesn't look like typical vicuna and that label is a bit crappy

I quite like the label!

I did a blog post back in 2011 on Vicuna.

https://davidreevesbespoke.wordpres...ry-cloths-loro-piana-vicuna-ethical-clothing/

 

[chobochobo]

I was referring more to the stitching of the label rather than the logo/ picture.

 

[gmanandge]

Interesting blog post......no wonder anything vicuna is so expensive. What do you think of this coat? Is it worth anything?

 

[chobochobo]

http://www.styleforum.net/t/129135/vicuna-mens-overcoat-rare/0_20

Questions like this pop up now and again on the forum. As I said from the offset, it's not worth as much as you think even if it's pure vicuna. Don't get confused by new Loro Piana/ Oxxford prices, your piece is not in that league just from construction alone. There's nothing so far that convinces me that it's pure vicuna.

 

[David Reeves]



http://www.styleforum.net/t/129135/vicuna-mens-overcoat-rare/0_20

Questions like this pop up now and again on the forum. As I said from the offset, it's not worth as much as you think even if it's pure vicuna. Don't get confused by new Loro Piana/ Oxxford prices, your piece is not in that league just from construction alone. There's nothing so far that convinces me that it's pure vicuna.

Yeah only suit supply holds its value second hand, its like Rolex and Patek that brand.

You may be able to get $500 for it tops I think. Why don't you keep it? Does it feel and look good? I am looking at a small swatch now and on a small scale it looks incredible, on a larger scale it must be truly stand out.

 

[gmanandge]

'As I said from the offset, it's not worth as much as you think even if it's pure vicuna.'

I don't have any notion of what 'it's worth'. That is precisely one of the questions that I am asking. And I'm not confused about Loro Piana/Oxxford prices either since, if you look at my original post I am also asking whether or not someone might know if this garment is actually '100% vicuna'. So you are unconvinced that it is pure vicuna but does anyone else want to weigh in?

 

[gmanandge]

I might keep it....it's a little big but it's most definitely a nice coat. Thank you for your input, btw.

 

[gs77]

If you like it, keep it. You said yourself it's from your dear uncle, may god rest his soul. Something to remember him each time you wear it.

There is something cool in wearing your family heritage, so to speak, reminds you where you come from. All my cufflinks and one nice pocket watch I inherited from my grand-grand grandpa, my wife wears one astrakhan fur coat that's been in the family for over 100 years. You will stand out from fast fashion crowd.

 

[Mark Seitelman]

I don't think that it's vicuna.

If it were vicuna it would say so, plain and simple. There were be no need to be cute and call it something else. There would be no need to hint ("wink, wink") that it is vicuna.

One cannot tell from the photos. It looks like an ordinary wool topcoat. It is worth more for your sentimental value than its value on eBay (perhaps $50).

Good luck.