Andrea's 50s Bolero

Ok folks, Andrea wants to knit a bolero to go with her gorgeous 50s style navy blue dress and matching navy blue polka dot heels. She has lovely, 8-ply natural white wool.

She wants to use this pattern.

I'm not so sure. I really like the stitch pattern, its simple and perfect and the border is pretty.

BUT Its all loose and floppy...*nose scrunch* I like the more fitted versions. At my place i have some authentic 50s bolero patterns! I think its the shape around the shoulder that i'm finding most annoying. The looser sleeves and bottom look fine but the vintage patterns all have set-in sleeves, some with a little puffiness at the top. Granted i'm most likely looking at 40s to early 50s patterns when i say that. Anyway i've put a few pictures with explanation here, on my blog,

I'd rather make this:

See its much more fitted. But Andrea doesn't have 4-ply Angora to play with (neither do i)

Now i was complaining about the topdown oversized raglan look. This shape is what was popular in the 40s and 50s

Look how square those shoulders are and the cleaness of the lines. Isn't she perfect? Fine unless you move your arms, of course!

Or you could make the shoulders even pointier and puffier, this is very 40s

I'm not suggesting these patterns in particular, i'm just making a point about the sleeves.
Oh and i really like that angora bolero. Now i'm thinking it might be fun to try it in a simple lace stitch but it does have weird shaping including short rows which might not be lace friendly.

Have fun Knitting Andrea