Category Archives: accessories

ELEGANT SMALL TRUE VINTAGE SPRING OR SUMMER HATS IN CELLOPHANE STRAW

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Very tidy and elegant, these small hats would look lovely with many outfits, from black to pastels. From the Fifties or early Sixties, they are a quintessential lady-like finish to your ensemble.  Beautiful face-framers – perched on the crown.

They are made of cellophane straw, a popular mid-century hat material.  Subtle and chic, but oh, so glamorous. . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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SUCH FUN! TRUE VINTAGE SOUVENIR KITCHEN LINENS

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From the West and Down East – a vacationer’s mid-century mementos of a fun holiday!

Fun cotton linens for the kitchen and dining table were big favorites during the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Many a traveler picked them up as souvenirs, too.  I just love the funky and funny prints!

As always, these items tell a story.  You could have practically driven through California without a map after buying this muslin tablecloth. Although the apron doesn’t have any words, the cute illustrations of pilgrims/immigrants in their native dress and the border designs contain a lot of information about the communities or cultures that they came from.

Also, if you can do a close-up look, you’ll see a small vintage safety pin stuck in the waistband.  I always like to leave things like this in place because that’s just how the cook or housekeeper wore it during her daily routine.

These linens will last forever if they’re looked after well – remove stains quickly and wash gently.  I’ll bet that I can channel some very interesting vibrations with these in my kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE STILETTOS SOLD BY J C PENNEY & CO. – 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

TRUE VINTAGE STILETTOS SOLD BY J C PENNEY & CO. - 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S

The diva who owned these knew what she liked, in two colors. Sold by J.C.Penney’s back in the day; no well-dressed woman would be caught without her high heels.

These are sassy little numbers, aren’t they? Just right for the next cha-cha party. Highball anyone?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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RARE FIND! WWII – POST-WAR PEEP-TOE PUMPS WITH CUBAN HEELS

IMG_1788Thrill, thrill, thrill – I love finding these guys!!  Bless your hearts, 1940’s women.  You took such good care of your shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!

With leather soles, so that they can be repaired as-needed forever.  Visible wear of the uppers and insoles is practically non-existent.

These were more-or-less everyday shoes for a town gal who would wear them in the house and on errands.  They could pass nicely for modest dress-up occasions, too.  (Weddings, funerals, a dinner date).

Ever practical and always aware of the deprivations of the Depression and war, war-time and post-war era ladies got in touch with their courage and capability.  It was only after the soothing and reassurance of the Fifties economic boom that they allowed themselves to be slipped back into their “place” as model housewives and mothers who became trapped in their new, modern homes.

The rest is history, which we’ve all contended with since.  But, I am proud to step into this woman’s shoes . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE FAUX FUR FABULOUS FROM THE SEVENTIES

Though not purely the best of the best, this is a good example of faux fur that has been available for several decades.  I have others from the 1950’s.  It’s a reliable true vintage brand, and is a fabulous alternative to real fur – has to be seen up close and touched to be sure.  Some made now require a second look and feel.  Vive les animaux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S WOVEN WHITE SUMMER HANDBAG

IMG_1725I’ve just found several lovely handbags and will show them to you over the next few days.  Remember, I promised that there will be several warm-weather items coming along with the more seasonal (for the northern hemisphere) kinds of things.

This one is a macrame’ type of weave (the kind of thing that women were really keen about doing at home in the 1970’s), but was done commercially, with not a mistake to be found and on a small scale.  Most home-made macrame’ (not all of it) is much larger so it’s wonderful to find a hand-made item in a small, elegant size and style.

The purse is fully-lined in white fabric, with a small inside pocket and the maker’s label inside, too.  This was the way that they made these bags in the Fifties and Sixties.  The outside is the important part, as the inside is almost always very plain.

Nothing looks nicer with a Spring or Summer frock, casual or dressed-up.  In every true vintage wardrobe, a small selection of white bags is a must!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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RABBIT FUR TOQUE HAT FROM THE SIXTIES

IMG_1722Here’s a fun find which is different from anything I own (so far). I’d put this on with my black wool sheath and some black leather boots!  It’s a perfect partner to the dress shown earlier today.

Can’t say who made it as the label has gone missing, but I suspect that it was a from women’s dress shoppe or a large department store when they used to have specialty departments for millinery, shoes and furs.  Ladies enjoyed buying a new hat  the same way we focus on shoes today.

As I always say, I never buy modern fur but enjoy the old, old ones while they last.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY SPRING HAT – SOPHISTICATED AND A LITTLE BIT MOD?

IMG_1750I could see Doris Day in this, about 1960, or a dressed-up Twiggy in 1965.   I suspect that the first guess is more accurate, but you can see some modern elements starting to show as fashion began saying good-bye to tradition.  Kind of between a toque and a pillbox style.

The fabric is more modern, too, with sparkly threads, but the construction is very traditional.  The color is fresh and definitely says Spring or even Easter.  It was a fun hat for women who still bowed to convention, at least on special occasions, but didn’t feel enslaved by it.

Perhaps it was a more mass-produced item, since there is no label from a small designer or specialty shop.  Probably it’s owner picked it up in a department store or women’s clothing chain store.  Specialty hat-makers were on the decline as demand for ladies’ hats began to fall even more than it already had.

Big things were happening in women’s world then . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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YESTERDAY! TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MINK PILLBOX HAT

IMG_1751Although it’s never, to me, the right thing to support a market for fur, I will continue to cherish these old vintage (50 – 60+ years) pieces of past-time high fashion.  When humanity didn’t know any better, a touch of mink was the ultimate in luxury and chic for a middle-class gal.

This pillbox style is awfully cute with the topknot.  It’s fun to find a true vintage fur that is still in good condition and, since it was so well-made and looked-after, will last for many more years.  I’ll show you two more recent finds in a few days.

However, the faux furs made now are so authentic and affordable that there is no justification for buying any kind of modern animal fur.  As beautiful as furs can be, they’re more beautiful on the animals and the fur trade should be just as dead as the poor creatures that it has killed.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S HAND-MADE CLASSIC LEATHER SLINGBACK PUMPS

IMG_1717What a great color to find!  Deep charcoal gray, in a very classic style.  They’re a perfect companion for most Fall and Winter vintage (or modern, if I must) skirts, casual dresses, suits and slacks.  The best thing, of course, is the construction.

Not only do they have a leather upper, which can still be found these days, but they have a full leather sole.  So, I can keep them forever and have them repaired when necessary.  Try that with a cheap synthetic sole – no way.

Another of my favorite features in true vintage shoes are the leather insoles. And, if they’re printed in gold with the brand name that’s the very best!  Amazingly, I often find that the gold lettering has stayed on really well, even when the shoes had been worn quite a bit.  These show only light wear, with no need for repairs for a long time.  The hardware on the straps, too, is top quality and won’t ever break.

It’s so much fun finding things that won’t call for any special occasion to wear, and  the mid-heels can do anything!  These pumps will become part of my everyday closet.  Love being transported in time on a daily basis . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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