Apologies for this slightly blurry picture but it's from the utterly fabulous Imperial Chinese Robes exhibition at the V&A in London, which you should certainly get to before it finishes on 27 February if you possibly can. It is full of the most beautiful pieces, which are also wonderful inspirations for knit. The floral waistcoat in this cabinet is made of dark blue satin embellished with flowers and butterflies and the colour scheme of the border is known as the "three blues", which was a particular feature of ladies' fashion in China in the late C19th. I had to treat myself to the exhibition catalogue and poster. Even though the pictures can't really compare with the real thing, they are a great reminder of what has been put on display. 
