“Suse” Sweaters by Susan Dannenberg From the 1940s

These amazing sweaters matching dresses were design by Susan Dannenberg of Los Angeles from the 1940s.

Susan liked sweaters but did not have a sweater figure, knitted some for herself while waiting for a broken leg to mend. She decorated them with bleeding hearts, poodles, flowers and pink elephants with the idea of attracting more attention to the sweater and less to the shape of the wearer.

The scheme worked so well that she made some for her friends, then began selling a few. Some of her best customers were Hollywood women like “Slim” Hawks, Esther Williams, Barbara Stanwyck, and Jennifer Jones.

By now “Suse” (pronounced Susy) sweaters are sold all over the U.S. The sweaters were all handmade, by 20 knitters and three girls who do nothing but cut out the zany appliques. Some are further decorated with beads and splashy fake jewels. The effect is extravagant and so is the price, from $50 to $70 (about $600-$848 today).