This is an early set from Yves Saint Laurent and it is even more interesting because he repeated the top design for the very next spring collection and the skirt silhouette returned in many variations throughout the entire span of his career. This is also the collection shown before his scandalous Haute Couture collection for spring 1971 and those pieces are some of the most viable pieces of his work that you can find. It's interesting to see that he repeated this exact same dot in his couture collection as he used for this set. So there is a little extra historical tie and that this it has that has to is provenance outside of the other documentation we found. We found some great photos of the skirt and the top in both years so you have a great idea of how it looks once on. I love that having the two pieces makes it extra versatile. These early pieces are sometimes hard to document and it is extra special when we are able to date and document them.
These skirt and cropped top sets really showcase what the early seventies flower power hippie movement was all about. This set is especially fun with its textured weave cotton, dot print and mix of colours. The top is a simple bikini halter type top that wraps and ties into place. When off the body you see that it is two elongated triangles that attach at the point that would go around the neck and then one side on each triangle extends out into long ties. The last tie also extends out but ends in hook and eye. This let you tie it a few different ways and I photoed a couple that I thought of here for you and there are probably more. I also like that it lets you control how short or long it sits on the torso. You can wrap and roll the fabric so it's almost like a bikini top or you can leave it longer to meet the top of the skirt if you want more coverage. The skirt is equally as easy to wear. It has elastic at the waist and slips on. It widens out to the hem from there and is done in a series of tiers that are stacked on top of each other from waist to hem. The fabric is a cotton and it has a bit of a texture running through it and then there is an explosion of dots over both pieces. The colours are amazing on the skirt. Each tier is done in its own separate colour with a contrasting dot on it and then the top is the same colour as the final tier of the skirt. It is gorgeous. Excellent condition
Both the top and skirt are unlined. The top is as described above. The skirt has elastic at the waist and zips to close. The top is tagged a 36 but the easy cut of both and slight give of the fabric should work on a range of sizes
Top
It is flexible in size since it wraps and ties and has coverage across the front
Skirt
Elastic waist: 12-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20-23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 25" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD4386
Reference Photos: (1-3) Spring 1971 Yves Saint Laurent. / (4) Spring 1972 Yves Saint Laurent.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.