1970s Knit Tank Dress, Coat & Belt

No one does knits like the Italians do them.  And though Missoni's knits are thought by some to be the standard against which all other knits are measured, they certainly have had a lot of worthy competition over the decades, and this ensemble is a stunning example of what we're talking about.  Woven in strips of variegated wheat colored viscose and acrylic knit, alternating with rust, lavender and brown in an undulating knit textile that caresses the body, but is blessedly un-clingy. Very Grecian in the simplicity of the cut, the dress is a long column suspended from narrow ribbed shoulder straps, with a twisted belt to tie at the hip, the waist, or not at all.  The matching sweater coat has a wide, deep, bound neckline with a single tie closure in front.  The shoulder is raglan cut with a three quarter length sleeve with a ribbed cuff.  The body of both the dress and coat are box pleated off the neckline, which serves to create the sensual, drapey quality. The determining measurement would be that of the ribbed neckline of the dress, just above the bustline, around the decollete, which measures 31", all other measurements are fluid, and the length is 51". The coat is 41" long, with a sleeve length of 19". Knit in Italy by La Squadra, all three pieces are in excellent condition, save for three faint, small spots on the left sleeve and another on the right sleeve near the underarm seam of the coat.  Simply stunning, we might add. $375