A rare iconic vintage full length Afghan coat which has been beautifully embroidered with butterflies. In all our years of dealing with Afghan coats we have never seen butterflies embroidered on one which leads us to believe this was a custom made coat.
Soft sheepskin lined with fleece, edged with shearling, with two pockets and is embroidered with silk floral and decorative motifs.
4 suede buttons fasten the coat.
Size
Pit to pit: 20.5"
Length: 50"
Condition Report
Small areas of patchy shearling on the collar and age related marks including the shearling on the bottom is slightly discoloured from what looks like it has been loved and worn and has touched the floor. Despite being over 60 years old, this coat is in fantastic condition but please refer to the photos.
Please note colours may vary depending on your screen.
This is a vintage piece. Threads may be lose, imperfections may occur. We are always very honest with our listings and will always list any age related issues we notice but please be aware that this coat is 60 + years old.
Afghan Coat History
Sheepskin or goatskin jackets - also known as Afghan jackets - were indeed considered a cult item between the late '60s and the '70s.
Traditionally they came in 3 forms; sleeveless, hip length vests known as Pustinchas. Knee length, long-sleeved coats known as Pustakis and ankle-length coats called Pustins.
Made with the fleece on the inside and the cured and tanned leather on the outside, Afghan coats originated from the Ghazni province, between Kabul and Kandahar in Afghanistan. Men would cure the skin, tan the leather and make the jackets, while women and girls embroidered them with intricate geometric and floral designs.
Western travellers started buying them in the 1950s, but they became more popular in the 1960s when hippies travelling to exotic locations started visiting Afghanistan and spotted them, turning the garment into a staple of their wardrobes.
In the mid 1960s Craig Sams, a young American, travelled to Kabul and started importing Afghan coats to the UK, selling them in hippie boutiques such as Granny Takes a Trip on London's King's Road. Afghan coats became popular with both men and women and The Beatles made the jackets even more popular in 1967.
