1950s Soviet 'Telogreika' Thrashed Vest

A mid-century Soviet quilted work vest, shaped by years of use, improvised repair and domestic necessity. Its compact cut appears to have been made for a woman or younger wearer and should suit approximately a modern SIZE S, depending on the desired fit.

The dense, coarse cotton shell has faded into uneven shades of grey, earth and washed black. A small collar, vertical quilting and two modest patch pockets preserve its original utilitarian construction. The front is secured with mismatched buttons and handmade thread loops—simple replacements formed from whatever materials were available.

The interior is heavily aged, with torn lining exposing the old wadding beneath. Among the filling are fragments of patterned domestic cloth, possibly repurposed bedding: an intimate trace of a time when worn garments were rebuilt by hand rather than discarded.

The vest has been carefully cleaned, though its deeply embedded marks, discolouration, abrasions and historical wear remain within the fabric. Dense and structurally substantial, it survives as a raw archival object carrying every stage of its former working life.

The model is ≈178 cm tall and weighs ≈70 kg

Measurements:
• PIT TO PIT – 49 cm / 19.3 in
• SHOULDERS – 40 cm / 15.7 in
• LENGTH – 50 cm / 19.7 in