Embroidered waistcoats & boleros

The Kabyle waistcoat and the embroidered bolero: the statement piece of the outfit

Over a dress, a caftan or simple black trousers, an embroidered waistcoat changes everything. It is the piece that says “occasion”. We offer two takes on it, both sewn and embroidered by hand: the Kabyle-inspired waistcoat in velvet and trim, sleeveless and edged with embroidered trim, and the gold-thread embroidered bolero, short, in black, burgundy or aubergine velvet, in the spirit of the Algiers karakou. The matching bolero and clutch sets complete the outfit in one go.

The Kabyle-inspired waistcoat in trimmed velvet

Velours dense, galon brodé qui dessine l'encolure et les bords, boutonnage ou broche ornementale selon les modèles : le gilet kabyle se porte ouvert sur une robe kabyle moderne, un caftan léger ou une robe unie. Cinq coloris en ce moment : bleu nuit, taupe, gris, pétrole avec broche ornementale, pétrole à doublure rose. Prix : 69 euros. C'est la pièce qu'on sort pour Yennayer, pour un henné, pour une fête de famille, et qu'on garde.

The gold-thread embroidered bolero, karakou-inspired

Le karakou traditionnel est une veste de velours brodée de fil d'or, portée à Alger pour les mariages. Nos boléros en gardent l'essentiel : le velours, la broderie dorée dense (volutes, motif floral ou semis), la coupe courte qui laisse voir la robe. Velours noir, bordeaux ou aubergine, 99 euros. En ensemble avec la pochette brodée assortie, 129 euros, en noir, noir à volutes, bordeaux ou aubergine. Taille unique du 36 au 40 pour les ensembles ; les tailles de chaque modèle sont précisées sur sa fiche.

How to wear it

• Wedding or engagement : a gold-thread embroidered bolero over a plain long dress, a gold-tone beaded set, the matching clutch.
• Henna night : a petrol or taupe Kabyle-inspired waistcoat over a flowing dress, a ceremony belt, amber-tone jewellery.
• Yennayer and family celebrations : a midnight blue or grey waistcoat over a simple top, beaded earrings.
• Evening : a black bolero embroidered in gold over tuxedo trousers and a silk top; the city version.

Handmade, in Paris

Each waistcoat and each bolero is cut from velvet, trimmed or embroidered, lined and finished by hand. The embroidery is neither printed nor heat-bonded: it is sewn, thread by thread or with trim. That is what explains the price, and how well the piece lasts. Two pieces in the same colour show small differences in where the embroidery sits: this is normal, and it is what makes your piece one of a kind.

Caring for embroidered velvet

No machine washing. Store the waistcoat on a hanger, out of direct light. For a stain, dab with cold water without rubbing the embroidery; for a full clean, take it to a dry cleaner who handles velvet and metallic thread. Iron inside out on a towel with gentle steam, never directly on the embroidery.

Prices, delivery, returns

Gilets kabyles à 69 euros, boléros brodés à 99 euros, ensembles boléro et pochette à 129 euros. Livraison Colissimo dès 4,50 euros, offerte dès 49 euros, donc offerte sur tous les boléros et ensembles. Expédition sous 3 jours ouvrés pour les pièces en stock ; 14 jours pour changer d'avis. Pour compléter : les ceremony jewellery sets and the embroidered clutches.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a Kabyle waistcoat and a karakou?

The Kabyle waistcoat is sleeveless, in trimmed velvet, and worn open over the Kabyle dress. The karakou is a jacket from Algiers with sleeves, in velvet embroidered with gold thread. Our embroidered boleros are a short, light take inspired by the karakou; our waistcoats take the cut of the Kabyle waistcoat, reimagined in Paris.

Can I match a waistcoat to a dress I already have?

Yes. Send us a photo of the dress: we’ll suggest the colour and embroidery that go with it, and the jewellery set to match.

What about sizes?

The bolero and clutch sets are one size, UK 8–12 (FR 36–40). For waistcoats and boleros sold on their own, the size is given on each product page; if in doubt, ask us for the flat measurements.