Snowflake Jumper (1998-2001) aka Serenade Outfit

[scandia]

This outfit seems to have been sold under the names "Snowflake Jumper" first and then "Serenade Outfit". I only got the jumper and blouse on Ebay.

But that alone totally mesmerized me. The blouse is gorgeous. The trunk is made of satin and the sleeves of a more translucent material. The buttons are absolutely cute. It velcroes on the back for ease. The jumper is a beautiful black velvet with gold and silver accents. The jumper feels nice to the touch and the velvet drapes quite well. The design of both the jumper and blouse are absolutely beautiful and work well on a doll that represents a tween. I was able to use white stockings and black patent Mary Janes with it, as well as a gold headband. They look awesome and were easy to find and match with this outfit.

A+++ overall, at least for the blouse and jumper.

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[EofA]

This is one of the earlier holiday outfits offered in the JLY line, and IMO it is one of the nicest for its simplicity and formality. It consists of a black velvet jumper with gold and white thread embroidered snowflakes, over a white polyester satin blouse with gold faux buttons and full sleeves. The outfit also came with black and gold threaded tights, black patent slip-ons, and a beaded headband, but I can't comment since I don't have those. Hopefully someone who does can add a review and photos. I can say that the jumper is substantial and drapes in a cute, little girl way. The blouse dresses up the outfit and keeps it formal but feminine. At first glance it might seem to be fragile and easily snagged, but I've not had any problems along those lines. Both get an A from me. These two pieces show up fairly regularly for below original retail on the secondary market, but it's harder to find a complete set.

[Wickfield]

I fell in love with this outfit way back when it came out in 1998, but inexplicably never got it.
UNTIL NOW!
And it has promptly become one of my absolute favorite outfits for Amanda.

The blouse The blouse is made with a satin bodice and sheer gauzy sleeves woven with gold threads. It is a very elegant piece in clean bright white. The bodice is decorated with three gold beads stitched to look like buttons (although the neckline is a little odd as the hem is very narrow and plain). The sleeves are nice and blousy, similar to Josefina's camisas, and surprised me by snapping at the wrists. I bought my set used so the satin on the back was pretty beat up by the velcro which is very heavy and could snag anything, so it may not be the best for younger collectors. But for looks it gets an A.

The jumper - I like this piece because it looks nearly identical to some of the outfits I had at the target age in the late 90s. The velveteen is so THICK! It is plushy and soft and because of its weight it drapes beautifully. I really like the gold edging which dresses up the jumper and gives it a finished look. I had always been under the impression that the snoflakes had jewels for their centers but they are embroidered from gold and white thread. The pattern on mine is a bit odd because where the waistline is stitched it cuts off one of the snowflakes. :/ It's also nice that, though the outfit is formal and wintry, it doesn't scream holidays. A+

The headband - another quintessential 90s piece. This one is hard but flexible enough to get on the doll's head, and is covered in black woven nylon. It's decorated with individually-stitched beads that match the ones on the jumper and shoes. It's very cute on the doll's head although it doesn't sit quite right without going in the middle of her ears, not like a real headband. I'll give it A-

The tights - These are very similar to the tights that go to the Holiday Dress, but in black/gold instead of all gold. These are thicker than the usual tights but thinner than the similar gold tights; they seem to hold up pretty well. I like the jazzy sparkles and I would have adored these things at this age. They make the dress seem a bit appropriately younger. A

I don't have the shoes but they are just plain black patent flats, with two of the matching gold beads stitched on top. I have found that Nellie's Holiday shoes look really great with the set, and also the black velvet flats from the First Day outfit. I highly recommend this set!

Detail of the headband:


Showing the bead "buttons", embroidered snowflakes, and threaded sleeves:




And just a portrait of Amanda, lol: