This is an incredible fur and the workmanship is of the best possible quality. The designs is typical of the furs being produced during this time period and this one has the extra surprise of being convertible in length. The furs being produced under the Balmain name during this time period were of the best quality and that quality still shows even 50 some odd years later. I am no expert on furs but believe this it is a coyote. The pelts are soft and supple and have a bit of a pale almost blush undertone to them in certain lights. The coat does double duty as it can be worn at two different lengths. It does this by having the bottom portion of the coat attach by a zipper and snaps that are cleverly set along a hidden seam. When they are zipped together there is no break at all in the design. When the bottom panel is in place the coat falls to just about the knee. Once this panel is removed the coat falls to just past the hip. It is done in rows of fur that are interspersed with rows of light taupe leather. The collar is big and oversized and it has a leather tie belt that you can wrap around the whole coat to cinch in the waist or run through the belt openings to leave the back full and just bring in the front as I have shows. Excellent condition with one small note below

Fully lined in an golden taupe silky rayon. There are no front closures, rather it wraps and ties with the belt. The belt came with the coat but is a shade off from the leather in between the rows. Not sure of that is from natural aging or if it is a belt from another coat but you don't notice this when wearing since the fur covers the leather row anyway. Hidden pickets along the top of the row at the hip. The bottom portion zips off. There are a couple of tiny marks to the lining. The wrap style should allow it to fit a variety of sizes. I see no bald spots or shedding, the pelts are supple and soft. For a vintage fur from such an important designer, I still rate this as near excellent. The fur has no odd odor, is still supple and is stable with no signs of excessive shedding that would indicate that it is breaking down. 

Sleeves: 25"
Shoulders: approx 17" on the inside
Inside bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inside waist: approx 19" flat across from side seam to side seam but adjustable depending on how you tie it
Hips: open
Length: 29.5" from neck to 1st hem, 40" to second with the lower panel on

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# C535

Reference Photo: Symphony in Pierre Balmain, 1968.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

I have a small collection of historically important, key designer labelled vintage furs and fur trimmed pieces stored away in my archives that I will be slowly posting on the site over the next couple of years until I have none left. I will no longer be buying furs for the shop moving forward and have not purchased anything for several years now. I feel like times have changed and while there still is a place for vintage furs for some, including collectors and historians, many modern girls are choosing other options. Many of the pieces in my collection are representative of the designer during a set time period in history that was different then our modern outlook. I have decided that the best course to handle this controversial issue is to let the pieces I have go rather then sit in a cold storage unit. Fur coats are final sale.