Category Archives: ’80’s

TRUE VINTAGE EIGHTIES DOES FORTIES FROCK

IMG_1787You know that I go mostly for the 1960’s and before, but once in a while I get seduced by some true vintage retro from the Seventies or Eighties. Well, it happened again a couple of days ago.

This is a nicely-made and designed dress by Betsy’s Things (no relation to Betsey Johnson), a brand I’ve liked before.  It has several style features that I look for.  And, it’s a beautiful fit on me!

Looks pretty nice with my “new” Forties shoes, too.  What could be better? . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE ’70’S DOES ’40’S SUNDRESS FROM WEST GERMANY

IMG_1759This fabulous 100% cotton dress was made in West Germany, obviously   before 1989 and maybe many years before that.  Yes, it’s another new find that’s out-of-season right now in North America and most of Europe, but I love, love, love this anyway and couldn’t wait to show it!

Forties style is so wonderful.  I love the cut-in shoulders that give a halter neckline feel without the bare upper back.  It’s one of my favorite styles and I’ve been so fortunate lately to find some true vintage Forties, too. Shirtwaist ease is always great – red and white polka dots – a nipped-in waist and midi hemline ………… Fashion heaven!!

Plus, it’s got that true vintage West German quality of workmanship and materials that make it a really good investment, no matter what.  It’s in perfect condition and will continue to last.  What could be better? . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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

NEW FINDS! TRUE VINTAGE DRESSY DRESS AND MID-CENTURY EARRINGS IN EMERALD

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Both true vintage, but from very different eras. This sophisticated late 1980’s/1990’s Maggie London silk dress is an uptown and toned down version of Eighties does Forties(with modest shoulder pads and 3/4 sleeves) that reflects a flashier side of the city chic style going on at that time, when “black was back”. I love black, but am so happy to report that the monotone of that decade was broken by vivid, jewel colors, too. Silk was also popular then and some very good quality was still being used.

Speaking of vivid and jewels, I also found this beautiful pair of faux emerald costume clip-on earrings from the Fifties that are a perfect complement. Beautiful stones, in excellent condition – I have others that would go with the dress, but these seemed perfect! I’m usually very selective when collecting evidence . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

ANOTHER TAKE ON THE TRUE VINTAGE OXFORD STYLE SHOE – THIS TIME FROM GERMANY

ANOTHER TAKE ON THE TRUE VINTAGE OXFORD STYLE SHOE – THIS TIME FROM GERMANY.

TRUE VINTAGE FALL FOOTWEAR – A PAIR OF SHOES THAT REMIND ME OF AUDREY

FALL FASHION FOOTWEAR – TRUE VINTAGE, AUDREY HEPBURN-STYLE

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

A PAIR OF TRUE VINTAGE SHOES THAT REMIND ME OF AUDREY

The actress Audrey Hepburn, I’ve read, favored cute little low-heeled shoes like these in the 1950’s and 1960’s when she was making many movies in America and Europe. Though this pair are not quite that old, they’re of a style that has been around for decades and were made by a company that used to sell good-quality shoes and purses.

Nothing beats the classics and these are pure – Fall colors, back to school, practical casual fashion and comfort.  Fashion items this versatile are a super investment, while looking so unique!  Leather uppers with strong synthetic soles, they’ll last forever if they are looked after.  Ahh, the beauty of a true vintage quality wardrobe . . . . ..

I wear them with a skirt and sweater, a jumper dress, slacks or even a simple suit. They’re a good choice for a day of shopping or sight-seeing or a long…

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TRUE VINTAGE “EIGHTIES DOES FORTIES” OXFORDS: WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

CLASSIC, CLASSIC, CLASSIC LEATHER OXFORDS TO WEAR WITH MY FORTIES FASHIONS . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

About this time of year, the fashion magazines begin showing the “new” Fall styles and, inevitably, I see clothing and accessories that echo many of the wonderful true vintage items in my closets.  These oxfords are officially “vintage” from the Eighties, even though they’re styled after shoes from forty years before that!

Just goes to show that everything that goes around comes around and that is so true with fashion. Of course, some decades do it better than others and having some superbly made originals can be the ultimate best.  I’m happy with these, because they’re still made of good leather with Vibram soles, and should continue to last as long as the 1940’s originals would do.

My original 1940’s ones are still my favorite, but they’ll come later. I’ve got a ton of shoes to photograph and you’ll be seeing lots over the next few weeks. These are from…

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TRUE VINTAGE “EIGHTIES DOES FORTIES” OXFORDS: WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

TRUE VINTAGE "EIGHTIES DOES FORTIES" OXFORDS: WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.

YESTERDAY’S FIND – 1980’s DOES 1940’s SWING DRESS

IMG_1541Although it’s not the real-real 1940’s deal (always my preference), this frock has a lot of the right stuff:  a frowsy floral print on drapey  rayon, a swing skirt and classic shirtwaist styling. It’s also big enough to have kind of a blousy fit.  Looks like I’m inventing a few words here . . . . . .

In other words, it’s got a 1930’s/1940’s feel to it that will make it a pleasure to wear on an “off” day.  Once in a while, the copy-cats get it pretty right and it’s good to keep an eye out for those little gems.

Tomorrow I’ll show you Stella modeling an absolute original from this era – found two months ago while I was out and about. You deserve to see it off the hanger.  So excited!!!!!!!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TWO WONDERFUL MEN’S SHORT-SLEEVED SHIRTS – TRUE VINTAGE 1970’S & RETRO

TWO WONDERFUL MEN'S SHORT-SLEEVED SHIRTS – TRUE VINTAGE 1970'S & RETRO.

TWO WONDERFUL MEN’S SHORT-SLEEVED SHIRTS – TRUE VINTAGE 1970’S & RETRO

Super Spring & Summer Shirts for the Guys . . .. ..

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TWO WONDERFUL MEN'S SHORT-SLEEVED SHIRTS - TRUE VINTAGE 1970'S & RETRO

I LOVE these shirts! Of course, I can’t wear them (WAY too big), but I couldn’t resist anyway. The photo doesn’t show you the details well, so I’ll describe. Let’s start with the true vintage shirt on the right.

This one was made in Hawaii in the 1960’s or ’70’s. Beautiful heavy 100% cotton fabric that is so characteristic of true vintage garments made there before about 1975. Since that time, the fabric usually isn’t so nice, nor the construction. My apologies to Hawaiian clothing-makers if there are exceptions.

The prints on these materials are also superb – nice designs and astounding colors. The label and the buttons used are also good clues as to the age of the shirt.

The shirt on the left is retro – probably 1980’s – but it is such a nice reproduction of a 1950’s to early 1960’s men’s shirt that I decided to…

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