The first set of outfits for Sindy were Made in England (commonly called MIE versions by collectors). They have sewn in printed labels which say "Genuine Sindy Made in England". However, we have seen some early garments with a woven label that just says "Genuine Sindy". MIE outfits have flat metal poppers, normally painted to match or to co-ordinate with the outfit. For the most part the poppers are very easy to identify, but we have seen a few very early outfits with a really big flat popper and we do believe that they are original. That is the problem with Sindy collecting; sometimes it is not always straightforward and nothing is 100% certain.
Here are Sindy's first outfits and separates. Clothes that were described as "the kind of clothes every grown-up girl longs for". As well as her eight intricate complete outfits, eight mix and match separates were also available for Sindy. In the first Sindy Bazaar style book they were described as “Sindy has these other lovely 'separates' so that she can go anywhere in any weather”.
The original Sindy was sold (boxed with stand & leaflet) in her trendy bell-bottom (as described in the Sindy 'Bazaar' style booklet) jeans with yellow stitching and a cotton red, white and blue matelot top. She had a red elastic Alice band in her hair and wore white lace-up sneakers. Confusingly, the matelot tops appear to have been made from two types of fabric. The first is made from a fine linen/cotton with the pattern printed directly onto the fabric; the second is made of much thicker cotton jersey which has been 'knitted' with red, white and blue threads. Both these types can have MIE labels and interestingly the pattern of the stripes is upside down on the jersey version (take a closer look at the second photo, the one on the left is the thicker jersey cotton). The top fastened behind the neck with a single white painted metal popper and the trousers have a front-fly opening fastened also with a single white painted metal popper. The bottom hem of the MIE versions is finished with a red over-locking stitch, later versions are folded and hemmed.
A glamorous baby doll sleeveless nightie in pink and white checked cotton trimmed with white nylon lace around the neck and armholes, accompanied by matching knickers with the same lace trim around each leg. The nightie fastened at the back with a single white painted metal popper. She carried a pastel blue drawstring sponge bag containing a white flannel, 3 blue curling pins, toothpaste, soap, brush, comb and mirror. She also had a Penguin 'paperback' (a piece of printed card) called “Sindy by Pedigree”. The brush, comb and mirror set has been found in pale blue, pink and white coloured plastic (the style book is silent on their colour). In addition, whilst some sources refer to a toothbrush, the style leaflet does not refer to a toothbrush nor is one contained in the boxed version that we have. She wore white daisy sandals on her feet.
A sheer dark blue nylon petticoat edged at the top and around the hem with white nylon lace, it had two black silk cord shoulder straps and it was decorated with a pink embroidery flower on the left thigh. The matching strapless bra had a lace trim on top of the cups and it was attached to black elastic at the back. The panties had an elasticated waist with the same lace trim on each leg hole. There was a deep navy blue elasticated roll-on girdle with same embroidery flower and for her hair there was a white lace elasticated hairband. There are a number of variations in respect of the lace trim and for the lace used for the hairband. A baby blue brush, comb and mirror complete this outfit. This outfit is extremely fragile and frays very easily.
The version in the main picture is a later Made in Hong Kong outfit, as the original MIE version is too fragile to use. However, you can see it in the photo on the right, at the bottom. The MIE version is a lighter pink than the later version and the texture and weave of the material gives it slightly more sheen. The lace whilst similar in shape is much more delicate and intricate.
A classic 60s outfit very much in the style of Audrey Hepburn or Jackie Kennedy. A wool all-in-one long-sleeved dress, with a black turtle-neck top and a royal blue, green & black tartan hipster skirt. It had a sewn-on black plastic belt. The dress fastened at the back with two black painted metal poppers. A matching tartan triangular headscarf, black kitten heel court shoes, black shoulder bag with a gold chain handle, and her diary complete the ensemble.
This outfit was shown in the Pedigree style leaflets up to and including 1968. After that year it appears to have been dropped. Perhaps by the late sixties it was beginning to look too dated and old-fashioned for a fashion follower like Sindy to wear.
A number of subtle variations appear to have been made over its five years of production. These variations are mainly due to the slight changes in fabric that were sourced and used over this period. The original "Made in England" (MIE) version was slightly more ornate than those that followed in that a little tie bow adorned the belt. Here are two early examples with slightly different tartans.
The tie-bow then appears to have been dropped leaving just the black plastic belt. (See the second example below.) The outfit was then slightly altered and this dullish black plastic belt was replaced with a shinier black patent plastic version. (See the third example shown below.) These are all "Made in England" (MIE) versions. Lastly production appears to have then moved to Hong Kong and this version is perhaps the easiest to spot because black wool "top" is made of a much softer and finer material, which feels more like a cotton flannel rather than the woven wool fabric used on the earlier versions. It also has the dome-shaped poppers rather than the flat MIE poppers. We don't have an "Empire Made" version of this dress and we would be keen to hear from anyone who has?
Shown above from left to right
1. MIE version with bow 2. MIE version without a bow 3. MIE version with a black patent plastic belt 4. MHIK version
Lastly, here is a lovely French version of 'Lunch Date' which includes Sindy's dog Ringo. How chic and so very French to take your little doggie with you when you go out to lunch. Again the fabric of this outfit is different and although the style leaflet is in French, Sindy's diary is in English and is the same as the one sold in the UK. This outfit appears to have dropped Sindy's shoes and replaced them with Ringo and so we do wonder whether this is actually a prototype? We would again be keen to hear from anyone else who has a French boxed version of this outfit to check what they have.
A lovely outfit comprising a circular felt skating skirt which fastened at the back of the waist with a white painted metal popper. Her cotton knit sweater had a red, white and black stripe design, with white ribbed cuffs, neckband and waistband. It fastened at the back of the neck with a white painted metal popper. She wore a matching hat which can be found with both a red or a white chenille pompom. Her scarf was a complimentary pattern, predominantly red with a white and black design with a chenille pompom at each end, and again they can be found in both red or white. It had matching red cotton jersey tights and she wore white felt mittens with red over-stitching and white skating boots with silver blades. This outfit was slightly revised and re-issued on a 1968 boxed doll called 'Ice Skater' (see 1968 Sindy).
A sexy, contemporary outfit comprising a black, shiny trench coat style rain mac with patch pockets and a tie belt. There was a matching triangular rain scarf which fastened with one black painted metal popper. Sindy wore red plastic knee high boots and carried a fashionable red PVC shopping bag with an integral handle and front pocket. An umbrella, newspaper (The Daily Globe) and three oranges complete the look. As is the case with Sindy, we have seen two MIE versions of this mac; one is the shinier, patent plastic (shown in the photo) with indented seams and stitch lines detailing, and the second version is a heavier, duller plastic with actual sewn stitching. Later versions of this outfit were made overseas and these are also less shiny and have sewn stitching detail.
A smart and beautifully detailed outfit. A dark brown tailored riding jacket trimmed with a black felt collar and faux-pocket flaps with tiny brown buttons and sewn button holes. It came with a pair of beige twill jodhpurs with turn-ups which fastened at the side of her waist with a white painted metal popper. Under the jacket Sindy wore a red, black and white cotton check shirt with a collar which fastened at the front with three white poppers. On her feet she wore brown flat lace-up shoes.
Included was Sindy's hard plastic, black felted riding hat with a painted green lining, silver spurs, riding crop and two blue brushes to groom her pony.
Later versions of this outfit had a slightly different shirt which was a red & white check. The popper on these jodphurs was left unpainted.
A fantastically authentic British 60s outfit. A suedette jacket fully lined with yellow taffeta, fastened with two black painted metal poppers at the front. Under the jacket was a forest green, long-sleeved polo-neck sweater fastened with four black painted metal poppers at the back. It came with a classic wool tweed skirt with a centre pleat front and back, fastened at the waistband at the back with one black painted metal popper. The outfit was worn with brown lace up walking shoes and she was accompanied by her little dog Ringo. He had his own collar and lead, bowl and bone.
This outfit is not listed in any style leaflet after 1965. However, we have established that this outfit was available until early 1969; this is backed up by the fact that the outfit can be found with “Made in England”, “Empire Made”, and “Made in Hong Kong” labels. The later versions have a different skirt pattern (see the skirt on the left in the photo).
An A-line hipster skirt with sewn on braces in a red mock leather made of cotton-backed vinyl. Attached with two white painted metal poppers at the front. Very groovy. Later versions of this skirt were made overseas. Those “Made in the Irish Republic” have unpainted, chrome coloured poppers. Those made in the Far East have much rounder dome-shaped, white painted poppers.
Two pairs of sheer nylon stockings, one pair in black and one pair in tan.
A red pullover sweater made from cotton jersey with a rounded, ribbed V-neck and cuffs. It fastened at the back of the neck with one white popper. Accompanied by a pair of matching knee length socks. Ideal for that casual, lounging about look.
A “tamashanta” beret, matching fringed scarf and muff all made from a fine bright blue wool. These berets have been found with pompoms made from both wool and chenille.
They are usually found with a red pompom but there is also a version of the “tamashanta” beret with a white pompom.
We have received the following information from a Scottish Sindy collector which you might find interesting.
"I note that in Sindy 1963, you refer to a "Tamashanta beret". While this might be Pedigree's interpretation, the hat is actually called a "Tam o' Shanter". It is named after the famous Robert Burns poem, and was the sort of bonnet (as it would have been known), worn by Ayrshire peasants such as Tam and his cronies. Not a very glamorous association, so Pedigree may well have wanted to jazz it up a bit!"
A short sleeved shift dress in orange hued multi-check cotton trimmed at the neck with a green/brown grosgrain bow. It fastened at the back with two white painted or chrome coloured metal poppers. A variation of this dress was issued in 1968 with 'Wardrobe Trunk' (see 1968 Scenesetters or 1968 Sindy).
This was a two piece ensemble consisting of a cotton red & white check shirt and a scarlet red V-neck jerkin made of felt. The shirt had long sleeves with two rows of stitching at the wrist to simulate cuffs. It had a sewn-on collar and turned-back lapels to form a V-shape neckline. The shirt fastened at the front with two painted metal poppers. The sleeveless V-neck jerkin echoed the shape of the front of the shirt and was cut quite deeply enabling the shirt and the poppers to be displayed underneath. The jerkin fastened at the back with three painted metal poppers.
This set was available for a number of years although it was not always shown in the Sindy style leaflets or trade catalogues. The last time it was shown was in the 1970 trade catalogue. In 1969, its description was slightly altered in an attempt to present this six year old outfit as still being the height of fashion. The V-neck jerkin was now described as a "snazzy red waistcoat" and that this outfit was "the gear for action, so Sindy's ready for "all systems go!""
Because it was made for so long, there are both Made in England (MIE) and Made in Hong Kong (MIHK) versions. The shirts normally have labels sewn in at the collar at the back or the neck or sewn into a side seam showing the place of manufacture, but we have never found a jerkin with a label. Even without the labels, this outfit is easy to recognise from its poppers and the pattern of the shirt.
The MIE versions had flat poppers and these were painted either red or white. All combinations appear - white shirt and red jerkin poppers, red shirt and white jerkin poppers, and so on. In addition, this shirt had a very bold red & white gingham check pattern with a white square.
There is also a rather nice MIE variation which had a white felt jerkin instead of the usual red version.
The later MIHK version was just ever so slightly different. The dome-shaped metal poppers were normally always painted white. In addition, the red & white gingham check shirt pattern is reversed with a red square.
Described as a black and white houndstooth check wool cape, collarless and edged in black. Fastened by three black poppers at the front. There are at least two patterns. One appears to be a very fine black and white check rather than a true houndstooth pattern. The picture on the left shows the fine check, but take a close look at the photo on the right. The cape appears to be made of two patterns, a fine houndstooth and then the same pattern but sewn on the reverse.
A beautifully stylish tan felt duffle coat with a hood and two patch pockets. It usually has six little toggles made of imitation wood, four on the fastenings on the front and one at the end of each sleeve. The toggles are actually plastic and on the MIE version they are torpedo shaped. The later “Made in Hong Kong” toggles have flat ends. The coat fastens with wool loops. However, we believe that there are possibly three MIE versions of the duffle coat. The first version is as described above. On the second version, the stitching is much closer to edge of the sleeve, but it has both wool loops and cuff toggles. The third version has the stitching very close to the edge of the sleeve, but there is no evidence of any toggles ever having been sewn onto the cuffs. In addition, we can find no evidence of any cord fastenings. Instead on this third version the four toggles are sewn on with brown thread and the coat has slits for button holes instead of wool loops.
