Vintage 1980s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Navy Pinstripe Skirt Suit France 40

A tailored vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche two-piece skirt suit, dating most likely to the late 1980s, featuring a classic menswear-inspired design with strong, structured shoulders and an elegant, elongated silhouette.

The suit is fashioned in a rich dark navy blue fabric with fine, evenly spaced white pinstripes, giving it a sophisticated, understated appearance. The combination of masculine tailoring and a distinctly feminine silhouette is characteristic of Yves Saint Laurent's celebrated approach to women's fashion.

The Jacket

The jacket features a dramatic double-breasted design with broad, sharply pointed peak lapels, a deep V-shaped neckline and four matching navy buttons arranged in two pairs. The shoulders are strongly structured with padding, creating the distinctive broad-shouldered silhouette associated with 1980s power dressing.

The jacket is tailored through the waist and hips, with a relatively long, straight silhouette that extends well below the natural waist. Two generously sized patch pockets are positioned at the lower front, while a small welt pocket is incorporated into the left breast.

The long, tailored sleeves are finished with three small matching buttons at each cuff. The back is neatly shaped with vertical seams and a centre vent.

The jacket is fully lined in coordinating navy blue fabric and bears the original SAINT LAURENT rive gauche label, marked MADE IN FRANCE / FABRIQUÉ EN FRANCE, with a French size 40 designation.

The Skirt

The matching skirt has a classic high-waisted, straight pencil silhouette, falling to approximately mid-calf depending on the wearer's height.

The waistband has horizontal pinstripe detailing that contrasts with the vertical stripes of the skirt. Small pleats at the front provide additional shaping through the hips while maintaining a streamlined appearance.

The skirt fastens at the side with a metal zipper and buttoned waistband. A centre-back seam and vent provide ease of movement.

The fine vertical pinstripes continue uninterrupted down the length of the skirt, creating an elegant, lengthening effect.

Worn together, the two pieces create a striking example of 1980s French designer power dressing. The jacket and skirt can also be worn separately, making this a particularly versatile vintage ensemble.

Please note that the AI model posing the suit is for illustrative purposes only. Please rely on the other photographs for an accurate representation of the actual garments.

Details

Label: Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Designer: Yves Saint Laurent
Made in: France
Era: Late 1980s
Tagged size: French 40 (approximately US 8; please refer to measurements)
Colour: Dark navy blue with fine white pinstripes
Fabric: Fibre content not indicated, but appears to be fine worsted wool

Measurements

All measurements are taken with the garments laid flat, then doubled where appropriate.

Jacket

Shoulders: 16 1/2" across, seam to seam
Sleeves: 24" from shoulder seam
Sleeve inseam: 17 1/2"
Bust: 41"
Waist: 35"
Bottom circumference: 44"
Length: 27 1/2" at back from collar seam

Skirt

Waist: 27"
Hips: 39"
Length: 27"

Condition

The suit is in very good condition, with no pronounced wear, tears, soiling, staining or odour.

There is a very small area of fraying to the lining at the top of the skirt's kick vent, as illustrated in the final photograph. There is also slight soiling or discolouration to the jacket lining at the interior back neck. Both are minor and mentioned in the interest of full disclosure.

The suit presents very well overall.

A classic example of Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche tailoring, combining sophisticated pinstripe suiting with the distinctive structured silhouette of the late 1980s.