Vintage Anthropomorphic Cartoon Cat Terry Cloth Children's Smock Mid Century

This design is a classic example of vintage novelty graphics used on children's terry cloth apparel from the late 1960s to early 1970s.  While the specific artist is not explicitly named on the garment, the style is heavily influenced by the whimsical anthropomorphic trend popularized during that era. Design Elements & OriginArt Style: The long-necked, stylized cat with exaggerated features—like the large, floppy hat and button-like eyes—is a hallmark of mid-century nursery and children’s design.  This big head, small body aesthetic was commonly seen in the work of illustrators like Marty Links, who designed for Hallmark and Riegel Textile Corp, and Joan Walsh Anglund. Production: These tops were frequently produced by manufacturers like Riegel Textile Corp and Cannon. They often used a screen-print on terry technique, where the ink was applied directly to the loopy cotton surface, giving the graphic its characteristic textured and slightly faded look. Cultural Context: During this period, Anthropomorphic (human-like) animals were a dominant theme for infants, often paired with bold, contrasting colors like the bright orange piping and green-on-white print seen here.  Please look closely at photos. Some damage in one spot but overall excellent vintage condition. No tags Photo included of item inside out for condition