the look

an early karl lagerfeld namesake-label blouse in fine wool challis, covered in one of the most charming prints we've handled — smiling brown teddy bears tumbling through a lilac, black, and flame-orange op-art lattice. it has a pleated front, a curved yoke neckline, buttoned cuffs, and buttons down the back. lagerfeld launched his own label in 1984, and its early years were full of exactly this kind of sly whimsy — decades before steiff famously made karl himself into a limited-edition teddy bear.

please note: this one has lived a little — visible mending on the front, sleeve and shoulder, done by hand, a couple of small pulls, and sweetly mismatched buttons. we think the mends give it character; none of it shows when worn, and the wool is otherwise sound.

details

• era: 1980s
• designer: karl lagerfeld
• origin: unknown
• design: pullover blouse in printed wool challis with a curved yoke neckline, soft front pleats, long sleeves with buttoned cuffs, and a buttoned keyhole closure down the back. novelty print of smiling brown teddy bears over a lilac, black, cream, and flame-orange op-art lattice. karl lagerfeld namesake label (torn but legible) with 10/42 size tab. machine sewn. materials and percentages: 100% wool per the content tag; dry clean only.
• condition: good: visible hand mending on the front and near the shoulder, a few small pulls, and mismatched replacement buttons — none of it noticeable when worn. the wool is otherwise intact and sound, and the blouse is fully wearable. we think the careful mends give it character.
• size & fit: tagged 10/42. best modern fit estimate is women's us 8 to 10, with an easy, slightly boxy cut. go by the flat measurements for fit.
• flat measurements: bust 22 in flat, shoulder 17 in, sleeve 22 in, length 25 in