Sleeveless coat

Panels of thick white felt and finer, red felted wool form this striking and bold sleeveless coat for a woman. The garment has been softened by tiny undulations of red silk cord applied over most of the seams and outlining the finger-like decoration that falls over the hip. A panel of red wool has been inserted under the arm - possibly because it is more flexible and therefore more comfortable than the white felt - and it has been edged with red and green silk cords. Five decorative interlaced cords have been placed over this panel and more cords have been twisted into swirls and couched in place. The small roundels are formed by applied pieces of fabric woven with metal threads and bright yellow silk.