The name Bonnie Cashin may not be as recognizable as those of other fashion greats, like Tom Ford, Donna Karan or Bill Blass, but few designers have made as profound an impact on American sportswear.
Born in 1907, Cashin began her career as a costume designer in the late 1920s, founding her own line, Bonnie Cashin Designs, in 1952. She created uniforms for American Airlines flight attendants and American servicewomen during World War II and collaborated with more than 35 brands, including Ballantyne and Hermès.
Perhaps best known for her work as lead designer at Coach from 1961 to 1974, Cashin also had a fruitful collaboration, from 1951 to 1977, with the leather manufacturer Sills. For Sills, she playfully mixed and matched materials in her work, and her exceptional coats and other outerwear dazzled with bold patterns an exaggerated sleeves.
Cashin created convertible garments using ingenious engineering and is even credited with the modern concept of layering, which won her a Neiman Marcus award in 1950. So, although her work might be a bit under the radar, those in the know covet Cashin treasures — collectors have evidently snapped up examples of a statement coat she designed for Sills during the late 1960s. The piece, which is made of a chunky mohair yarn woven in a vibrant lime-green-and-black oversize houndstooth pattern, is documented in Stephanie Lake’s 2016 monograph, Bonnie Cashin: Chic Is Where You Find It (Rizzoli).
Vintage Cashin pieces, which were informed by the designer’s global travels, have sparked fervent online discussions, with a growing community of enthusiasts sharing tips on sourcing and thoughtful restoration of her timeless works, particularly her Coach bags.
Indeed, fifty years after her departure, her contributions to Coach’s identity remain commercially successful and beloved by collectors. The brass turnlock, introduced by Cashin in 1961, is now a hallmark of the brand. And her clever antique-style metal kiss-lock clasps and inset coin-purse pockets were prominently featured in Coach’s New York Fashion Week presentation in 2024.
Nearly a quarter century after her death, in 2000, Cashin’s designs remain strikingly original. Ironically, a designer frequently overlooked in discussions of mid-century fashion is the visionary talent behind pieces that, once seen, are completely unforgettable.
Find vintage Bonnie Cashin bags and clothing for sale on 1stDibs.
Bonnie Cashin for Sills Spring 1968 Cream Check Wool Tweed Coat, Documented
By Bonnie Cashin for Sills, Bonnie Cashin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Documented, adorable, and highly coveted 1960's Bonnie Cashin wool plaid coat dating to Phillip Sills 1968 Spring Ready to Wear collection. Runway provenance aside, this darling coat...
Bonnie Cashin for Sills Vintage Herringbone Coat
By Bonnie Cashin, Bonnie Cashin for Sills
Located in Oakland, CA
This coat has the "A Bonnie Cashin Design for Sills and Co" label which I believe dates to the 1960s. Giant herringbone pattern in what I believe is wool or a wool blend with black l...
Bonnie Cashin for Sills Vintage Hooded Cape Charcoal Wool Red Trim
By Bonnie Cashin, Bonnie Cashin for Sills
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Authentic vintage Bonnie Cashin for Sills hooded cape, created by the pioneering designer widely regarded as the mother of American sportswear. Crafted in substantial charcoal gray...
Bonnie Cashin for Sills 1960s Bouclé Knit Coat Oversized Trailing Sleeves Rare
By Bonnie Cashin for Sills, Bonnie Cashin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Exceptionally rare and visually striking late 1960s Bonnie Cashin for Sills coat, featuring Cashin’s dramatic exaggerated trailing sleeves and signature architectural silhouette. Cra...
Bonnie Cashin for Sills Blue and Pink Striped Coat & Dress Ensemble, 1960s
By Bonnie Cashin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960s iconic American sportswear ensemble from Bonnie Cashin. Navy blue coat with bubblegum pink striped lining along with simple sheath style dress. All trimmed in designers signat...
Bonnie Cashin Sills Vintage Suede Dress Coat
By Bonnie Cashin, Bonnie Cashin for Sills
Located in Oakland, CA
Bonnie Cashin for Sills mustard colored suede dress/coat. I believe this piece dates to the 1960s or 1970s. Leather trim with rear goldtone button closure. There are seven total but...
Bonnie Cashin for Sills Coat Large Pocket Pink Check Wool Lime Leather Trim 60s
By Bonnie Cashin, Bonnie Cashin for Sills
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
A striking example of Bonnie Cashin’s innovative design for Sills, this 1960s swing-style coat combines bold color with Cashin’s signature practicality. Crafted from a vibrant pink-a...
Bonnie Cashin Cape
By Bonnie Cashin
Located in Alford, MA
Bonnie Cashin weatherware cape in tan poplin, c.1960s-'70s. The knee-length cape incorporates two of the designer's trademarks - the large patch pockets and the snap closures. These ...
BONNIE CASHIN c.1960’s SILLS & Co. Olive Green Raccoon Fur Leather Mod Overcoat
By Bonnie Cashin
Located in Thiensville, WI
BONNIE CASHIN c.1960’s SILLS & Co. Olive Green Raccoon Fur Leather Mod Overcoat Circa: 1960’s Designer: Bonnie Cashin Label(s): Bonnie Cashin Design / Sills and Co. Style: Coat ...
Bonnie Cashin for Sills 1960s Yellow Leather Coat Mod Vintage Long Jacket Rare
By Bonnie Cashin for Sills, Bonnie Cashin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
A striking and collectible 1960s Bonnie Cashin for Sills leather coat, crafted from Cashin’s signature brilliantly hued yellow leather. This authentic vintage Cashin design showcases...
1970s Bonnie Cashin for Sills Oatmeal Mohair Knit Cape with Leather Trim
By Bonnie Cashin, Bonnie Cashin for Sills
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Authentic, preowned vintage cape by legendary American designer Bonnie Cashin for Sills, most likely made in the 1970s. Crafted from a soft, oatmeal-hued mohair knit, this beautiful ...
Bonnie Cashin Red Coat with Scarf
By Bonnie Cashin
Located in Alford, MA
An original c.1970s Bonnie Cashin all-weather coat in red poplin, lined in charcoal wool, and with attached charcoal wool scarf. The coat features Cashin's signature toggle closures ...
Vintage Bonnie Cashin Coral Mohair Wool Hooded Coat with Leather Trim
By Bonnie Cashin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Preowned, vintage Bonnie Cashin for Sills mohair wool coat, likely made in the 1960s. Crafted in a brilliant coral mohair wool, this iconic Cashi...
Bonnie Cashin for Sills Coat Black Leather Reversible Raccoon Fur Vintage 1960s
By Bonnie Cashin for Sills, Bonnie Cashin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Preowned, vintage, and authentic Bonnie Cashin for Sills reversible coat, a highly sought-after example of Cashin’s innovative American design. Crafted with smooth black leather on o...
Bonnie Cashin for Sills Coat 1960s Tweed Knit Suede Trim Wrap Tie Waist Vintage
By Bonnie Cashin, Bonnie Cashin for Sills
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Preowned and exceptionally rare Bonnie Cashin for Sills coat, likely made in the late 1960s. Crafted from a structured geometric wool tweed in rust, charcoal, cream, and tan, this be...
Bonnie Cashin for Sills Coat NOH Mohair Knit Leather Trim Museum Piece Rare OS
By Bonnie Cashin for Sills, Bonnie Cashin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Preowned and exceptionally rare 1950s Bonnie Cashin for Sills “NOH” mohair coat, designed circa 1957. This important Cashin piece is the same style NOH coat held in the FIDM Museum c...
Bonnie Cashin for Sills Burgundy Leather Coat Cranberry Knit Lining 70s Rare USA
By Bonnie Cashin, Bonnie Cashin for Sills
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Authentic, preowned, vintage and exceptionally rare Bonnie Cashin for Sills leather coat, dating to the 1970s and originally retailed by Lord & Taylor’s coveted Country Clothes S...
Bonnie Cashin Red and Tan Raincoat w/ Gold Closures Vintage 16
By Bonnie Cashin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a stylish raincoat from Bonnie Cashin. It is made of a red cotton canvas with a tan canvas lining. The sleeves can be worn cuffed or down for a different look. The closures a...
Invertec Olive Wool Coat with Cape Detail
Located in London, GB
A lovely coat by Invertec. In a wonderful green , the coat has no sleaves but does have cape detail. It is in great heavy wool with a vent at the back and a pocket either side at the...
Unused blue iris mink fur coat with a hood size 8 ~no duties
Located in Montreal, Quebec
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Brand new luxurious Iris mink fur coat Condition: Brand New Closure: Buttons Color: Iris mink Material: Iris Mink Garment type: Coat Sleeves: Straight P...
1970S Purple Velvet Antique Ethnic Embroidered Cape With Ikat Trim
Located in New York, NY
1970S Purple Velvet Antique Ethnic Embroidered Cape With Ikat Trim
YVES SAINT LAURENT Vintage Chinese-Inspired Passementerie Coat, Spring/Summer 91
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche vintage chinese‑inspired mustard yellow coat with vivid orange lapel and black passementerie - Spring/Summer 1991. This coat reflects the refined exot...
Vivienne Westwood Plaid Jacket 1990s
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Water Mill, NY
A great black, grey and tan plaid wool jacket by Vivienne Westwood from her red label collection. It is double breasted with signature orb etched tan colored buttons along the front...
Thierry Mugler Phenomenal Rare 1985/86 Faux Fur Coat Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Museum worthy piece of Fashion History Breathtaking extremely rare Thierry Mugler creation, 1985/86 Collection. Super soft faux fur crop coat in the most vibrant beautiful colour. Well documented on the Runway as well as several editorials. Made in France Thierry Mugler 1986...
GUCCI BY TOM FORD FW 01 Rare Prototype Shearling Coat
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Milano, MILANO
Fall Winter 2001 rare prototype shearling coat by Tom Ford for Gucci. Handmade embroideries. The composition tag is missing, seems to be made of shearling and wool.
GIANNI VERSACE 1992 Vintage S&M bondage buckle leather bomber jacket IT48 M
By Gianni Versace
Located in Hong Kong, NT
GIANNI VERSACE 1992 Vintage S&M bondage buckle Tiger leather bomber jacket IT48 M Reference: TGAS/E00215 Brand: Gianni Versace Designer: Gianni Versace Collection: FW 1992 S&...
Claudia Srater Black Wool Coat
Located in London, GB
A chic wool coat by Claudia Strater. The coat has great tailoring with a button front and pocket on either side. It has a cutaway collar and is in a wool and cashmere mix. Size 38 M...
Dior coat 'off-duty icons' by John Galliano Fall-Winter 2005
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
DIOR - 2005 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear 'off-duty icons' Collection under the artistic direction of John Galliano. Blended wool coat and white Kalgan collar. Silk lining. Size 40FR. ...
Size: Small / 2 Japan
Issey Miyake 2013 Pleated Ombré Magenta Purple Coat Dress
By Issey Miyake
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Issey Miyake Pre-Fall 2013 pleated coat/dress in a striking ombré gradient transitioning from deep magenta to rich violet. Crafted in the brand’s signature heat-set pleated fabricati...
CHRISTIAN DIOR Boutique Fourrure Coral and Gold "Penny Lane" Shearling Coat
By Christian Dior
Located in Kingston, NY
CHRISTIAN DIOR Boutique Fourrure Coral and Gold "Penny Lane" Shearling Coat. Very vintage shearling on the inside and buttery soft suede on the outside in a peach fashion with metall...
Bonnie Cashin Leather Trimmed Hand Woven Wool Coat with Hood
By Bonnie Cashin
Located in New Hope, PA
This Bonnie Cashin coat is missing the label, but it was retailed by the Country Clothes Shop at Lord & Taylor just like the red leather Bonnie Cashin coat I have listed and they are...
Bonnie Cashin Poncho Boucle Knit Cape with Lime Leather Turnlock Belt Vintage
By Bonnie Cashin for Sills, Bonnie Cashin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Brilliant Bonnie Cashin! Always practical, always stylish and her pieces continue to influence fashion designers to this day. Preowned, vintage Bonnie Cashin for Sills 2pc Poncho C...
Bonnie Cashin for Sills Cape Brown Suede with Curly Lamb Collar 70s Vintage OSFM
By Bonnie Cashin for Sills, Bonnie Cashin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
This incredible long cape was designed by Bonnie Cashin, likely in the early 1970s. Made from a substantial brown suede leather, it's lined in matching brown wool jersey fabric. It ...
Bonnie Cashin for Sills Cape Boucle Knit Leather Trim Shawl Collar Vintage 60s
By Bonnie Cashin for Sills, Bonnie Cashin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
This fabulous Bonnie Cashin for Sills boucle knit cape with shawl collar and leather trim was likely made in the 60s. Made from a soft nubby brown and black boucle knit, it features...
Bonnie Cashin Cape with Hood HBA Furs Raccoon 1970s Vintage Rare OSFM
By Bonnie Cashin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Exquisite Bonnie Cashin for HBA Furs Hooded Raccoon Fur Cape, circa 1974. Lined in black fabric, it fastens with Bonnie's signature brass turn locks and is trimmed in brown leather....
Bonnie Cashin for Sills Poncho Cape Suede Patchwork Pink Olive Vintage 70s S/M
By Bonnie Cashin for Sills, Bonnie Cashin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Preowned, vintage Bonnie Cashin for Sills suede patchwork poncho or cape, likely made in the 70s. Made from shades of dusty rose, butterscotch and olive-hued caramel suede leather...
Bonnie Cashin Leather Jacket with Attached Hobo Bag Size S Mod Vintage 60s Rare
By Bonnie Cashin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Vintage 60s Bonnie Cashin for Sills tomato red (orange hued tone) leather jacket with attached hobo bag, likely made in the 1960s. A super rare piece from the mother of American s...
Bonnie Cashin Leather Jacket with Attached Hobo Bag Size S Mod Vintage 60s Rare
By Bonnie Cashin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Vintage 60s Bonnie Cashin for Sills tomato red (orange hued tone) leather jacket with attached hobo bag. Super rare piece from the mother of American sportswear. Fully-lined in Cash...
Size: no size tag; fits like modern M
Bonnie Cashin for Sills Op Art Blue White Wool Leather Trim NOH Coat, 1960s
By Bonnie Cashin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Incredibly rare Op Art wool and leather coat from the mother of American Sportswear, Bonnie Cashin. This is her NOH style coat, inspired by her travels to Asia, and designed for lay...
Size: No size; OSFM
Rare Bonnie Cashin Boucle Mohair Coat Leather Trim NOH Style Museum Piece OS
By Bonnie Cashin for Sills, Bonnie Cashin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
This fabulous woolly mohair coat was designed by Bonnie Cashin during her time at Sills circa 1957. The same style Noh coat that is at the FIDM Museum collection (google search Bonni...
Size: Unmarked: OSFM
Bonnie Cashin Sills Mohair Cape with Leather Trim Vintage 70s OSFM
By Bonnie Cashin for Sills, Bonnie Cashin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Authentic, preowned, vintage & fabulous Bonnie Cashin for Sills Mohair Cape with Leather Trim. Wheat colored mohair/cream leather trim. Unlined/fastens w/2 leather ties at collar. Pe...
1960s Bonnie Cashin Burnt Orange Mongolian Fur Leather Vintage 60s Swing Jacket
By Bonnie Cashin for Sills, Bonnie Cashin
Located in San Diego, CA
The ultimate rare 1960s BONNIE CASHIN SILLS & CO burnt orange leather and Mongolian lamb fur swing jacket! Beautiful vibrant burnt orange leather with ma...