Archive Notes: 50s Penney's Rayon Wave & Crane Shirt
This entry in the vintage archive is a Penney's rayon shirt, catalogued as 1950s. It carries the wave-and-bird motif common to Japanese-made rayon shirts of the era — flying cranes and ducks worked across a rolling blue wave ground, with small maple leaves scattered throughout.
The Print
Full back — the wave ground runs continuously across the yoke, with cranes and ducks placed asymmetrically rather than in a repeat grid.Crane detail — layered wing plumage in white, red, and purple, picked out against the wave in fine linework.Duck detail — a second bird figure worked in brown-striped plumage with a long, downturned bill, giving the print two distinct birds rather than a single repeated motif.
Cut & Construction
Full front — open camp collar, short sleeves, two patch chest pockets, and a single button-front placket. The print is railroaded so the wave lines run horizontally across the body. The medium thickness rayon gives a really soft and cool touch, the only problem is it gets wrinkles easily.
Label & Provenance
The interior label reads Penney's, 100% Rayon, Hand Washable, Large (16–16½), Made in Japan.
Condition Notes
Clean overall with even, consistent colour across the print and no visible staining or fading in these photographs.
