1970s Yves Saint Laurent YSL Black Velvet Passementerie Trim Button Front Coat

At the risk of stating the obvious, Yves Saint Laurent is fashion royalty. Admired throughout his career, this Algerian born Frenchman dished out innovative style from his youthful years at Dior to the decades of presence he maintained under his own powerhouse label. While coats like this may appear staid, they are precisely what kept Saint Laurent current.

Made from a gorgeous black velvet, one’s eyes get lost in the deep luxuriousness of the color. Shoulders are lightly padded, providing elegant support for the gathered full-length sleeves that taper down into a wide velvet cuff. A high Nehru collar sits closely at the neckline, adding impact to sophistication of the shoulder line. Fullness is gathered into both the back and front shoulder yokes, falling without bulk to knee length. Side slits expertly break the heaviness of the coat, with oversized angled pockets adding visual interest and function.

A master with textural variety, Saint Laurent uses a black braided trim on all edges and openings, and fully lines the coat with a burgundy silky satin. The smart style of this coat echoes a 1975 New York Times review of contemporaneous Saint Laurent pieces in which Bernadine Morris says, “No straining for effects. No wandering in an ethnic morass. Just nice, clean clothes to make a woman look calm and controlled as she moves through the anxieties of modern living.”

Size estimate: XS/S

Size: 36

Measurements:

Shoulders:16 inches

Sleeves: 23 inches

Bust: up to 40 inches

Waist: up to 38 inches

Hips: up to 41 inches

Length: 45 inches

This late 1970s coat by Yves Saint Laurent is in excellent condition. Expertly constructed from black velvet, the silhouette is defined by elegantly padded shoulders and rounded sleeve caps. A tall Nehru collar encloses the neck, fastening with an oversized black button. A total of seven black buttons skim along the center front, connecting with button loops on the opposite side.

Deep side slits break the silhouette, which prevents the coat from overwhelming the wearer. Braided trim edges all openings, and large angled pockets provide a function that is essential to any great coat. Full cut sleeves. High-quality vintage pieces like this are yours to live in and love while increasing in value every year. It’s never too soon to start collecting them, as an investment in your wardrobe—and in yourself.