Koret of California

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Koret of California was founded in 1939 by Stephanie and Joe Koret. Joe was a traveling salesman when he married Stephanie and she often traveled with him, modeling the sweaters he was selling. When customers began asking for skirts to match the sweaters, Koret began making a style they called the Trikskirt. The Trikskirt used a drawstring and a series of stitched pleats to create a well-fitting skirt that was adjustable. In only two years Koret made over a million dollars.

Koret went on to develop other products including pants that had a better fit (Slim Hip Slax) and permanently pleated skirts (Pleetskirt). They developed a full range of sportswear and even more formal attire such as suits. They were a leader in the separates market, producing lines with many different coordinating pieces. They also became known for a special no-iron fabric they developed called Koratron.

In 1979, a year after Stephanie’s death, Koret was bought by Levi Strauss and in the early 1980s Joe passed away. Koret continued as part of the Kellwood Corporation until 2012. The line went on to be sold at mid-priced stores like Macy’s.

Written by fuzzylizzie

from a 1940s sundress - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com
from a 1940s sundress
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from a 1946 skirt - Courtesy of Tillie Lams
from a 1946 skirt
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from a late 1940s/early 1950s camisole - Courtesy of vivianbelle1955
from a late 1940s/early 1950s camisole
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from a 1950s dress - Courtesy of pinupdresses
from a 1950s dress
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from a 1950s bustier - Courtesy of mags_rags
from a 1950s bustier
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from a 1950s dress - Courtesy of Vintagiality
from a 1950s dress
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from a 1950s sweater - Courtesy of listitcafe.com
from a 1950s sweater
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from a 1950s sweater - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com
from a 1950s sweater
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from a 1950s pencil skirt & jacket - Courtesy of amishtaxi
from a 1950s pencil skirt & jacket
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from a 1950s blouse/skirt set - Courtesy of bluewrenvintage
from a 1950s blouse/skirt set
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from a 1950s novelty print jumper - Courtesy of alonesolo
from a 1950s novelty print jumper
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from an early 1960s wool sweater - Courtesy of denisebrain
from an early 1960s wool sweater
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from a 1960s jacket - Courtesy of listitcafe.com
from a 1960s jacket
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from a 1960s skirt suit - Courtesy of mags_rags
from a 1960s skirt suit
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from a 1970s jacket - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage
from a 1970s jacket
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from a 1970s jacket - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com
from a 1970s jacket
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from a late 1970s or early 1980s blazer - Courtesy of VintageAvenue67
from a late 1970s or early 1980s blazer
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from a 1990s blazer - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com
from a 1990s blazer
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