FABULOUS FIND! A PRETTY KENNEDY ERA 2-PIECE DRESS IN BOUCLE’ WOOL

It’s Oh, so Jackie O! Everything about this pretty 2-piece dress is iconic. Wool boucle’ in pastel colors was very big during the early 1960’s. I have discovered at least 3 skirt suits made of this material. Usually it’s in Easter egg tones, but this pale mustard yellow is not out of sync. The collar and bow on the bodice alone give away its timeline, the skirt is straight but not pencil and has the modest below-the-knee length hem,, the blouse is gently-fitted .and the full-length metal zipper center in the back of the top is also common in this era.

This is a simple and elegant design which could have been home-sewn, as many were, but it has a maker’s label which I don’t recognize. It’s very well-made. Both pieces are fully-lined, the button on the skirt’s waistline in back is fabric-covered and there is a spare button attached inside! One clue is a little unusual in a commercially-made garment:: the skirt has a center back zipper of nylon instead of metal. Hmm . . . . . not likely this was original – probably the skirt zipper had been replaced. That wouldn’t be unusual because of the stress in the hip area that often causes zippers to break.

Not a top-of-the-line piece, but a very nice one and a perfect example of its era. I was thrilled to discover it! . I’ve got a few more new finds in this time-capsule to show before we step back on the LBD train. Put on your pillbox hat and gloves and stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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MOD 1960’S COCKTAIL SHEATH DRESS BY CAROL CRAIG

Here we’ve got a black crepe sheath, gently fitted with a band of op-art bling at the hemline. Notice that the hemline has become shorter than in the previous examples. Although it’s obviously a cocktail party style, there’s nothing dressy here excepting the band of sequins. Classic and simple – could cautiously be described as elegant on that account – but seems pretty “ho-hum” to me though we have to remember that in 1964 or so this would have been seen as fashion-forward in a mid-priced dress.

Carol Craig was a mid-century division of the Loma Dress company and designed moderately-priced frocks in Misses sizes during the 1950’s and 1960’s. In my experience, they’re not “cream-of-the-crop” but very nice and stylish for the time; worth collecting. I’ll see about showing my “new” 1960’s finds from yesterday before getting back onto the LBD and cocktail circuit. Stay tuned . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY’

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS “NEW” TRUE VINTAGE FINDS TODAY!

Wowee!! Had to go out today to an administrative meeting. Afterward, I did an investigation in a known location which often has provided clues. No disappointments there! Two more fabulous 1960’s garments were discovered, though not of the Little Black Dress variety. I will show them soon – either as a divergence from our current walk through LBD decades, or after it’s finished. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S LBD FROM SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Definitely a conservative, go-almost-anywhere style but with an upper-mid-level pedigree as it has a Saks Fifth Avenue label (take my word for it). The hemline still hovers below the knee, but we see a stand collar, which is becoming more popular on ’60’s dresses and tops. The sequin trim on the collar and skirt defines it as a semi-formal cocktail design. Though you wouldn’t be likely to turn many heads on your entrance to the party, that’s exactly the impression that many upper class women have wanted to make, especially in the Mid-West (and this dress likely came from Saks in Chicago).

Excellent tailoring, as would be expected, and perfectly classic in design. The aristocratic heritage is what makes this evidence collectible. Moving ahead into the mid-’60’s we’ll lighten up a little. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S UP-SCALE LBD – SO PRETTY!

“Daring” spaghetti straps, the ubiquitous ’50’s/’60’s grosgrain ribbon bow and a tiered skirt that harks back to the 1940’s plus a solidly early Sixties below-the-knee hemline. Youthful, attractive, classic and conservative at the same time. Looks like this designer was being experimental while styles were shifting. I’d say it was a success!

This is a very well-tailored semi-formal dinner/dance/cocktail frock, probably sold at a department store which carried upscale goods or a smaller women’s boutique. Crepe fabric which drapes beautifully, a well-fitting cut, elegant simplicity with the surprisingly unexpected skirt. A very “modern” design. A first step toward Mod, which wasn’t as avant garde or counter-culture as the styles which followed in the mid to late 1960’s. We’ll keep stepping along the path tomorrow. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BACK TO PERFECTION – TRUE VINTAGE KENNEDY ERA SILK SHEATH LBD

Gorgeous 100% silk cocktail frock. Discovered in Canada, by a Canadian designer. Look at the ruching and draping from the waistline in this very unique sheath style. The cap sleeves and below-the-knee hemline plus the fitted shape place this beauty’s vintage from the late 1950’s to the very early 1960’s. Never will see another one like it.

Tomorrow we’ll be squarely in the 1960’s with a variety of cocktail dresses on the way as a new design era unfolds. Stay tuned. . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A PRETTY LITTLE LBD COCKTAIL DESIGN FROM THE 1960’S – 1970’S

In terms of it’s pedigree, this dress has nothing to brag about. In fact, it’s very cheaply made; But, I decided to include it here because of the bodice design. This sheer panel with small decorative embellishments is something that I’ve seen several times on 1940’s and 1950’s styles. It’s an attractive but conservative way of accenting the shoulders and mimicking a strapless effect without any of the architectural challenges (the dreaded wardrobe malfunction).

The prettiest and most interesting version I’ve seen was a 1950’s beige sheath with a asymmetrical bodice. The sheer part had some little flower motifs worked into the fabric at intervals but everything was a beige skin-tone. The wearer certainly didn’t look nude, but the effect was much more subtle and attractive. If I come across the photo in the archives, I will publish it. Back to finer examples of Sixties LBDs tomorrow. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S KENNEDY ERA COCTAIL PARTY DRESS

Interesting tailoring on this dress. Much more fussy than a true LBD. The lace overlay fabric was commonly used in the early 1960’s but the pouchy drapes attached to the hips almost look like something from the late 1940’s and the pleated bodice looks like many from the early 1950’s. All of this confusion makes a straight-cut sheath style look entirely different and made this frock completely unique.

It seems to me that changes from one decade to the next and significant historical events have often caused interesting and, sometimes, odd shifts in fashion. The early ’60’s also swung back to the New Look nipped waistlines and poufy skirts for a little while. More 1960’s designs on the way – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SPARKLEY 1950’S EARLY 1960’S PARTY DRESS

Nobody who matters will take issue with the fact that this dress is not black. The mauve lurex thread on a black background is gorgeous. Enjoy your martini and party on.

Jacquard fabric with a glossy finish was very popular at this time for special occasion frocks. Nipped waists and full-ish skirts carried on, though the slinky sheath never goes out of style. Demure and more daring aspects of design often appear on the same dress, as seen in the neckline and closely fitted torso here, paired with a skirt that hides the shape of the legs. Fashion that sends two messages, especially for women, always makes social life more complicated but has usually been the direction of women’s clothing style. Maybe we’re starting to get away from that now?

At any rate, hemlines are changing again and the midi will soon be OUT. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUSE – AN EARLY 1960’S AT-HOME VELVET HOUSE DRESS

Perhaps appropriate for your intimate cocktail gathering with friends, but can you imagine anything more impractical than hosting a party wearing velvet and fur? Or dealing with Christmas morning craziness and food prep wearing this? No wonder it’s been packed away. Still, some home-based seamstress had a lot of fun planning and wearing this gown. It was the height of “fad-shion” and she must have felt like a queen. Good thing her sleeve didn’t get into the gravy or the baby’s diaper leak onto her lap.

No doubt this frock has a story but, after this short digression, it’s time to return to the LBD and it’s slightly-flashier cousins. We’ve moved into the late 1950’s – early 1960’s and it’s time to get back to some serious partying. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM