Category Archives: ’80’s does ’40’s

SWISHY, SASSY AND SOPHISTICATED EIGHTIES DOES FORTIES DAY DRESS

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When I don’t find the real 1940’s thing, this will do.  When a dress is as nicely done as this one, I collect it and wear it with no worries.

In a pretty true-to-Forties style, of 100% rayon with an abstract leaf print, this frock wraps in front and ties to one side.  Well-fitting with some smocked elastic in the waistband behind and well-placed buttons and snaps inside to prevent gaps.  This is a design that rivals the best vintage styles with attention to tailoring detail and makes any garment a pleasure to wear.

Modest-sized shoulder pads and a midi-hemline add to the figure-enhancing final result.  Easy, worry-free wear and flattering style never came any better.  Although it’s only baby vintage, just about 35 years old, I’m pleased and will wear it a lot!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WELL-MADE 1980’S DOES 1940’S DAY DRESS

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This is a very cute dress, faithful in many ways to the styles and fabrics of the 1940’s.  Women of that time with moderate means would wear designs like this for work and general day-wear.

Although I’d prefer the real thing,  many 1970’s and 1980’s garments that were doing the Forties thing are worth adding to the wardrobe.  Not much since then.

Notice the interesting buttons, geometric print, slash pockets and waist treatment.  It was also made by Damon’s, a division of Damon and Draper, well-known clothier since the early 1900’s.  This one has found a place!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ELEGANT 1980’s DOES 1940’s BLACK DINNER DRESS

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Although I’d much rather wear one of my real 1940’s crepe dresses, this one has some nice styling touches.  It’s one of the better ’80’s does ’40’s designs I’ve seen.  Please forgive that it is a couple sizes too large for Stella.

The augmented shoulders are done well and the whole dress drapes nicely.  The back neckline has a keyhole opening that does away with the need for an ugly back zipper.      I like the sheer sleeves, too, and the sheer overlay on the skirt.  These features were frequently seen on similar dresses made in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Though you can’t see them because of the blouson, there are tabs at each side of the waist that add a nice touch to the design and allow the wearer to adjust the fit – another plus, as far as I’m concerned.

So, rather than being an obviously hop-on-the-fashion-bandwagon retro dress, this frock is simply a well-designed garment with some classic styling elements that make it elegant in any decade.  That’s always the best of the best, no matter when it was made.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

2 1980’s does 1940’s DAY DRESSES

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Just found – I sometimes like TVR (true vintage retro-at least 30 years old and made in a retro style) garments if they are well-done.  I’ve recently found quite a few.

In this case, we’ve got a south-of-the-border print dress made by Brownstone Studio (a “better” modern brand) with true-to-the-Forties style and a lightweight rayon print shirt-waist in my favorite dark navy and white that kind of flutters as you walk.

For everyday, when I don’t want to have to be concerned about safeguarding a precious true vintage garment while I’m living life, these are just right.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PRETTY AND GLAM 1980’S DOES 1940’S RAYON SHEATH GOWN

Definitely retro (not REAL vintage), but I love the styling and the drape of the rayon fabric.  It’s got the iconic fit of 1930’s – 1940’s sheath gowns that were so elegant and dramatic.

The huge hibiscus flower is probably a bit over-the-top in terms of designs from wartime, but some very bold floral prints were made then, too.  Anyway, I think this one rocks!

So, Mata Hari, move over!  The Magicvintagespy is on a roll . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HERE’S MY LATEST RETRO 1940’S JUMPSUIT

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1980’s true-to-the-Forties retro New Wave styling.  Fun club and party-wear.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE BRAND DOES THE ” ’80’S DOES ’40’S ” THING

ANOTHER RECENT FIND! TRUE VINTAGE BRAND DOES THE

Imagine my surprise (this is always SO much fun!) – I came across a true vintage label, Lady Carol, but in one of their 1980’s incarnations, before the company was sold for good.   I have one of their 1950’s/early 1960’s frocks, which I love, but had never run across any of their later items before.  Classic ’40’s style, but with ’80’s fabric and tailoring – they got in on the retro trend of that decade.

There are several old companies that are still in business, but they are just “modern” manufacturers now making modern styles in a modern way – I don’t pay attention to what they are doing.  In this case, a true vintage dress by a true vintage maker (now gone) doing a specific true vintage fashion trend (Forties retro) was worth picking up.

It’s a bit too big for Madge (and moi), but in a style that is easy to alter.  Just another example of the truth that when you’re on a sleuthing mission, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE NEW WAVE 1980’S RETRO 1940’S JUMPSUIT

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More fun!  I like some of the corduroy 1970’s jumpsuits, but the 1980’s version is much more over-the-top and, of course, has BIG shoulder pads in BRIGHT electric colors.  New Wave fashions have a real in-your-face quality that, I think, is more appealing than the 1990’s Dallas glitz was.  After that, everything REALLY went down the tubes . . . . . . . .

So, while we’re away from the best mid-century fashion, might as well take advantage of how much girls just wanna have fun.  Although the best of these jumpsuits are not a dime a dozen, when I find a good one I’ll grab it.  This one was made by a California company, to that adds to it’s pedigree . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND – 1980’S NEW WAVE 1940’S DRESSY DRESS

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This pretty raspberry-colored midi frock has nice details.  Love the shoulder treatment that broadens without the heavy shoulder pads!  The coat-style button front is different, too, and the belt that buckles in the back with a point in front (or back, as you wish) makes it easy for me to date it almost exactly.

I’ll enjoy wearing this one with its slim lines and adjustable front hem opening.  Very versatile and, again, very vintage – New Wave did it pretty well.   More on the way. . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MORE DRESSES! 4: 1980’S NEW WAVE RETRO POST-WAR LEOPARD BELTED CAP SLEEVE SHEATH

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Nothing says New Wave ’80’s like leopard print and shoulder pads!  Love this slinky beauty – what fun to wear!  This is one of my favorite styles.

If you can’t have the true 1940’s, it’s the next-best thing.  Stay tuned for the next best thing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM