St. John Vintage Black & Gold Sequin Knit Evening Set – Rare 1980s Collector’s Ensemble

Step into the height of 1980s luxury fashion with this extraordinary vintage St. John evening set, a rare three-piece ensemble that perfectly embodies the brand’s most glamorous era.

The set includes a sleeveless gold Santana knit sheath dress, figure-flattering and sculptural, paired with a richly embellished open-front evening jacket. The jacket dazzles with hand-applied black and gold sequins, metallic braid trim, and intricate embroidery, forming bold vertical stripes that capture the essence of power dressing and red-carpet elegance.

Unlike St. John’s minimalist knitwear, this belongs to their exclusive couture-inspired evening wear line, designed for cocktail parties, gala events, and formal occasions. The brand’s proprietary Santana knit fabric provides unmatched comfort, stretch, and structure, ensuring a timeless fit that resists wrinkles and maintains its form for decades.

✨ Why This Piece Matters

• Original Retail Price: This set retailed for over $1,500 USD in the late 1980s — equivalent to $3,800+ in today’s value.
• Couture-Level Detailing: Each embellishment (sequins, braid, motifs) was applied by hand in limited production runs.
• Collector’s Rarity: Few complete sets remain intact; most were separated or altered.
• Fashion Heritage: St. John defined American glamour from Beverly Hills to Washington D.C. during this golden period.

Details

• Era: Circa 1988–1992 (St. John Golden Era)
• Label: Vintage St. John tag
• Material: Santana knit (rayon blend) with hand-applied sequins & metallic trim
• Size: Estimated UK 12 / US 8
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition – minimal wear
• Includes: Sheath dress + matching embellished jacket

This is more than an outfit — it’s a rare collector’s piece of vintage American fashion history, blending 1980s opulence, couture-level detailing, and timeless St. John craftsmanship.

✨ What Most People Don’t Know

• Not just for boardrooms – St. John eveningwear was worn by the elite at private events, charity galas, and luxury functions.

• Every embellishment is applied by hand – the sequins, braid, and motif work were finished with precision in limited production runs.

• The patented knit holds its shape for decades – wrinkle-resistant and sculpted without losing comfort.

• This level of embellishment was a luxury signal – a set like this retailed for over $1,500 USD at the time.

• Few remain intact – most were separated or altered over the years. Complete sets in excellent condition are now highly collectible.

Size: Estimated UK 12 / US 8

Label: St. John (vintage tag)

Era: Circa 1988–1992

Condition: Excellent vintage condition – minimal wear

Material: Santana knit (rayon-blend) with sequin and metallic trim

Includes: Dress + matching embellished jacket

🖤 A true statement piece from American fashion history — bold, beaded, and beautifully made. Rarely seen in such preserved condition.

Designer: St. John

Label: Classic St. John black label with interlocking SJ emblem

Era: Late 1980s to early 1990s

Material: Metallic knit blend (likely rayon/wool/polyester), glass beads, sequins, 

Measurements,

Jacket and top – UK 10–12, Skirt – UK 8–10. Best suited to someone who typically wears UK 10.

Jacket

Shoulders: 42cm

Length: 52cm

Top

Bust: 46cm

Length: 54cm

Skirt

Waist: 34cm

Hips: 44cm

Length: 53cm