Category Archives: ’80’s

NEW ACQUISITION – CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE RETRO 1940’S SHIRT DRESS FROM THE 1980’S

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Made in the U.S. by The American Shirt Dress company, this is not an unusual find – I come across these dresses now and again.   They are faithfully-made to the basic design of true vintage shirt dresses from the wartime and post-war days, so they are not a bad buy, but the tailoring is not anything to write home about.  The reason I picked this one up is because of the fabric.

Although it’s a cotton/poly blend, the finish is marled and glossy like many fabrics in the Forties and early Fifties were.  It’s fun to see what can be done with standard materials when a specialized weave or finish is applied.  This gives it an extra ‘elan which most retro fashions don’t have.

So, I’ll enjoy running around in this one on an everyday basis – just like my female relatives from generations back used to do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE FINDS! GORGEOUS GOWN AND PEIGNOIR SETS

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These are only 20 – 30 years old, so they hardly qualify as vintage clothing, but – they do, and are so pretty and perfect that I couldn’t pass them up.  Although the materials aren’t as nice as in 1950’s sets, it’s the designs here that more faithful to beautiful lingerie from that Post-war time.  And, they fit me . . . . . . . .

So, I’ll glide around the house in them on the odd lazy morning and not fret about spilling a little coffee, scattering a few crumbs or holding the dog on my lap.

More than this came my way today, so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1980’S DOES 1940’S RETRO FINDS IN BLACK & WHITE

It’s hard to imagine that true vintage garments (over 30 years old) could also be retro, but it’s true from the 1970’s onward when clothing makers started to reproduce 1940’s and 1950’s styles for the general market.  That’s just about when the superb tailoring of the mid-century and before came to an end, so many of these items are not very nice.  But, there are sill well-made examples worth picking up from the Seventies – Eighties time.

In this case, a coat dress and tuxedo-style jacket caught my eye.  No labels remaining, but the shoulder pads and cut make the fit flattering.  Both are fully-lined and elegantly styled.  There will be times when they will come in handy or be fun to wear.

I don’t purchase these often, but, when you know what you’re seeing it’s sometimes a good buy that will be easy to say good-bye to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE CLASSIC BLACK CREPE SKIRTS

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The pencil skirt on the left is my favorite, authentic from the 1950’s by a California company called Lorrie Deb.  The skirt on the right is 1980’s does 1940’s from Holt Renfrew – a Canadian high-end retailer.   It’s also a classic style and both fit me to die for.

Nothing is more classic, chic and elegant than black crepe.  It’s also extremely versatile. So many ways to wear it, to so many places.  From cocktail parties to dinner to cotillion dances to funerals and beyond, it can’t be beat.

So thrilled to find both of these perfect pieces at one time!  I’ve got blouses and jackets that will go with them just beautifully.  They’re rare and you can never have too many . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND – NEW WAVE DOES FORTIES DAY DRESS

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A very fun side-zip-waist poly/synthetic frock that was home-sewn – much of it by hand – in the styling of wartime and postwar day dresses  This is a retro re-make from maybe the Sixties up to the Retro years with a ’60’s – early ’70’s Talon zipper.

Love the art print fabric.  If not for various signs, I might have taken it for 80 years old. Anyway, it’s a great find with lots of evidence for it’s story.  With a nice black belt cinched at the waist and some ’40’s – ’50’s pumps, I’ll enjoy it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

CLASSIC SUNDRESS BY HENRI BENDELL

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Here’s the example I promised yesterday – by the iconic Paris designer, Henri Bendel, a summer frock of exceptional fit and construction.  Although this dress may be no more than 8 years old since the company stopped selling clothing in 2009, it’s quality and pedigree made it worth picking up.

I also have a suit by Henri Bendel, made in the 1960’s.  The design and tailoring of his garments are exquisite.  Although this sundress does not look like anything special hanging here, it fits beautifully (my size!) and is very well-made.

If only for the legacy of this classic Parisian designer, I was happy to find it and will wear it with pleasure . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS RETRO ’20’S,’30’S,’40’S ERA DRESS RE-MAKE – S0000 SEXY!

IMG_1058     Here’s a lovely retro frock from my collection.

It’s a beautiful re-creation of an early 1900’s up-scale day dress style.  Wonderful rayon-type fabric, cut on the bias with all the figure-following qualities that has and very well-tailored.  Designers from those early decades really knew how to enhance the figure and the designer of this one (no tag or label) – probably from 1980 – 2000 – did a wonderful job of imitating their style.

I prefer true vintage and don’t usually wear a lot of retro, but this frock was too good to pass by. It’s a sheer dress with it’s own rayon slip underneath.  The long necktie that wraps around as a belt is perfect.  Of course, it’s also my size . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

JUST FOUND – GREAT TRUE VINTAGE EIGHTIES DOES FORTIES SEPARATES!

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I love these!!  Beautifully-made 1980’s retro ’40’s separates that fit me really well.  I’ll swap out the buttons on the blouse for true vintage ones, but otherwise it’s all perfect.

The neatest thing about the skirt is not the flattering gored swing style (though that’s GREAT) – it’s the fabric.  This skirt is made of wool gabardine twill.  That’s a fabric that was super-popular during the  wartime 1940’s and is rarely seen today.

I love finding well-tailored garments that are cut and constructed beautifully from quality materials – much rarer today than back in the day, so I’m thrilled to discovery these!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER WELL-DONE 1980’S DOES 1940’S STYLE

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This frock is a higher-quality garment with better fabric than the striped 1970’s version shown a few days ago.  Although I’d hardly call 1980’s-era clothing classic true vintage yet, it’s still a characteristic genre that is worth noting and, sometimes, collecting. Doesn’t sound snooty to say this if you realize how much better-made clothing was before about 1970.

I like this one because of the pretty print and vibrant colors on a nice knit fabric, as well as thoughtful tailoring details.  Although it’s hard to see, there are little black jewel-cut buttons above the side-seam pockets on both sides.  Nice touch!  The shoulders also have a bit of stiffening to add the stronger shoulder line of 1940’s styles – and the midi-length.

This one may not stay with me long, but I do appreciate it for what it is and lots of people love 1980’s designs so, here you are!   More fun ones coming up, with additional kitch-value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

 

WOWEE AGAIN!!! MORE GREAT FINDS TODAY

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-1-11111211111112111Today, on a more-or-less routine survey, I had wonderful good fortune.  I’m just about to re-examine and photograph my newest acquisitions and get them ready to post on the blog.  Because I have already scheduled postings for the next three days, expect to begin seeing these on Sunday, Nov. 13.

Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM