Wow! Look what I discovered today. All in one place, just waiting to be uncovered. It started off with these wonderful late ’60’s/early ’70’s poly shirts – one men’s and one women’s. They both have lovely cloth embroidered labels at the neckline and are in virtually perfect shape. Fabulous collars with internal collar stays and great prints. Love that green geometric and I’m always drawn to paisley, though the patchwork style is not my favorite so it won’t be a keeper.

I turned to another bin and look what was hiding – a sparkly mid-century handmade evening clutch, 2 high-quality leather wallets and a leather card case. The bag is from Hong Kong (always one of the best) with faux jet highly reflective faceted beads woven together as a mesh over a silk or rayon lining. Very simple and tailored with one inside pocket and a metal zipper close. The dark brown wallet and card case are made with a paper-thin leather that I see only once in a while. Often it was called “Morrocan leather” and made in the U.K. or elsewhere overseas. The wallet here was a Tilley product and even has a zippered coin compartment on one side and slots for 3 cards on the other. Bills go inside and it has a metal snap closure. As always, Tilley products are uber-practical and exceptionally well-made. The card case is very similar but unbranded. It folds once and has two window slots inside as well as the card slots on the outside. Lastly, a beige leather ladies’ wallet in two tones, by Buxton. It is fairly slim, too, which is always nice inside a purse and has features I love like an external coin purse with a kiss closure and a decorative tab lock with a metal snap. 3 inside card slots place it in the later part of the mid-century since earlier styles usually had cellophane sleeves to hold cards, photos, etc. They can be a little messy to access and didn’t stand up over the long-term. This one’s an elegant beauty. I like to match the colors with my vintage handbags.

As with the case of fur or reptile skins, I don’t buy anything made of leather at retail, either. But when I happen on a beautiful secondhand vintage piece I will collect and use it until it’s journey is done because quality design and craftsmanship should be honored. Buying vintage, secondhand doesn’t support the market for animal products and their production will end when we stop purchasing them new, so that’s my path and the one that I encourage.

You just never know, and that’s the adventure. She’ll have fun, fun, fun . . . . . . . . . . ..so stay tuned. . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM