Category Archives: art print

OUR GRANDMOTHERS’ MID-CENTURY HOLIDAY AND HOSTESS KITCHEN APRONS

These are just 3 out of my collection of lovely kitchen aprons, but perhaps a bit more interesting and seasonal than others I have, which are more generic, like a cotton gingham check without any specific theme. Many aprons, like the first one here, were specifically themed for a particular holiday or fashion era. It’s a great example, with bright color and a novelty print for Thanksgiving. Although it’s definitely trendy and targeted, it is also at least somewhat practical because of the machine-washable fabric, wraparound style, secure ties and big pocket. It could actually do the job of keeping the cook’s skirt clean. The most useful styles also covered the bodice.

The usefulness is really important, but I love the novelty print. It’s always good to play the hostess in something that also makes people smile. The two aprons following are entirely different in their purpose. These are made from a much more delicate fabric and would be best washed by hand, both because of their delicacy and because they are hand-painted. They were made for and gifted to my grandmother by a relative who at least did the painting herself, if not the sewing job. Gifts like this were common in her day, and cherished. These aprons were made not so much to protect clothing as to be pretty. Grandma might have worn them when she had her friends in for tea or a card game, maybe even for hosting an at-home cocktail party. The messy part of the hostess job would have already been done when she made the cake or other refreshments beforehand.

Aprons were much more commonly worn in decades past and were a significant part of a woman’s household wardrobe, like housedresses worn on cleaning day. Most women’s (especially married women’s) lives were organized around a routine of household duties throughout the week and each one usually required a different kind of outfit – one for cooking, one cleaning, one for tending plants, one for doing the weekly shopping. Special accessories to these outfits were needed for certain jobs, such as gloves of various kinds, hats of various kinds, nursing bras and pads to protect clothing from breast milk and burping babies. Housewives were trained to be very practical and were rewarded by Society for a job well-done. The home was their workplace and the role defined them, so their household wardrobe had a central place in their lives. For better or for worse, that was the way it was. Do we want that again? Think about it and keep your eyes on the clues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SNUGGLEY TRUE VINTAGE SLEEPWEAR AND LOUNGEWEAR 1950’S – 1970’S

Everybody seems to love red, especially this time of year. It’s certainly a color which can make us feel warmer, which is what we’re beginning to need in a big way now. On the left is a favorite 1950’s pajama set of mine, woven 100% cotton with little fans printed all over. The print would make you think that these must be women’s PJ’s but actually these are a large size boys’! Take a look at the direction of the button closure.

Although I have lots of women’s PJ’s and gowns, my men’s pajamas from the 1940’s and 1950’s are really special. Classic unisex PJ style (though, often, men’s have a fly), but the best feature is that the men’s garments are very sometimes printed with wonderful medallion prints or novelty prints like the one above. A large (16 – 18) vintage boys’ size will fit me well – I wear a ladies 4. A men’s small will usually do OK or can be easily altered. Women’s PJ’s are most often of a solid color nylon or silk or a fine cotton printed with small flowers, decorated with lace or other trim. Really beautiful and comfy, but sometimes a little boring.

However, true warmth comes from robes, and this is where the women’s garments shine. They are more often found in warm fabrics such as plush, chenille and quilting. Women traditionally spent more time at home than men did so ladies’ true vintage robes and dressing gowns are built to be worn for several hours, rather than just after getting out of the bath or shower. Although men’s vintage robes sometimes have nice prints, women’s are more often embellished with embroidery, trim and buttons. Each decade had it’s typical style and popular fabric but the general rules seem to apply to sleepwear and robes from all the decades from the late 1800’s to the present day.

My 1970’s robe above is certainly worthy of Mrs. Claus as she makes breakfast for the elves. (Sorry, but traditional folklore and myths tend to be very sexist.) It’s by Vanity Fair, a company which has made women’s at-home styles and lingerie for decades. I love the pretty style, but the long bell sleeves are very impractical in the kitchen and I don’t think the mid-priced market for this item targeted women who had hired “help” at home. That can be an inherent problem with true vintage fashions – occasionally they are poorly suited to an average lifestyle and can even be uncomfortable at times but that’s a minor consideration and not worth a mention as long as you are in the know. Wouldn’t stop me gathering the evidence for a second. When did practicality ever have anything to do with fashion and style, especially when a holiday or other special occasions are on the horizon? Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

More Accessories ESSENTIAL for a True Vintage Wardrobe: Scarves and Ties

True vintage scarves are a must-have. They are generally very well-made with hand-rolled and stitched edges. Often, they are made of silk; if not, the fabric is of very good quality. Mostly, it’s the artwork on printed vintage scarves that is so wonderful. The only essential example I’m not showing here is the souvenir scarf, depicting scenes from a specific place or theme. Mid-century women collected these. Large scarves are great as capes or folded into turbans. Small scarves make cute little collars or accents on handbags or pockets. Every size in between can be worn in a gazillion variations. Lots of books and online tutorials teach you how to do this.

For a menswear outfit, a true vintage necktie is key. I especially love the mid-century graphics. Some 1940’s ties are truly spectacular and the only example I have of this style is a 1970’s/’80’s souvenir tie from Watson’s Desert Inn in the Canary Islands.

Scarves and ties alone can make up a vintage collector’s obsession but I prefer to use them as accessories only. As a very useful clue added to a modern or otherwise banal outfit, they can open unexpected doors. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Okay, Let’s Stay with the Theme and the Era – a 1950’s – early 1960’s Playsuit

Wow, I’d forgotten when I first photographed this cute set. For those of you who have followed me for a long time, it was before Stella and Giselle, in the early days with Madge! She’s always been a trooper, but this outfit would fit Stella perfectly. I digress . . . . . .

This 2-piece playsuit is right in the timeline with the swimsuit and shorts shown yesterday. And, it’s from California – how perfect is that? Like the other fashions, the emphasis is on CUTE – making teens and women look like little girls. A cropped top that shows your midriff, colorful sketches of drums printed all over the Capri pants and appliqued on the top (typically weird and playful mid-century motif). In today’s reality it almost sounds diabolical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Again, I digress . . . . . . . .

Everything else aside, it’s a vintage fashion collector’s dream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

OPENING ANOTHER JACKPOT! HERE S A 1940’S – 1950’S SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS WITH GREAT DETAILS

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How neat!  Classic mid-century styling by Renee Originals with excellent tailoring and hardly any sign of wear.  I just love old frocks that testify to the way that women used to value and preserve their clothing; especially the favorites!

The fabric may be a cotton/rayon blend.  It’s of a medium weight and printed in a checkerboard floral pattern – fall-ish colors with asters or Gerber daisies.  The buttons are black, faceted to look like jet, and there is ric-rac trim on the bodice and skirt.

I’m in love!  Of course, this is an Autumn to Winter dress although temperatures this year would let me wear it now.  I think I’ll save it for the season.  You’ll probably see it, along with other recent finds, modeled properly by one of the working “girls” whenever I get back to Headquarters.  We’re on a roll here, so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND – 1960’s MOD PLUS SIZE SUMMER DRESS BY MYNETTE

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This is also a true vintage brand that I already own – so fun to find things by names that I know.  It’s a vintage 16, which was a plus size at that time, but still looks pretty cute on Stella.

Plain and everyday, but still worth picking up, to me.  All part of the vintage sleuthing craft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE HEADSCARVES TIED IN THE KELLY WRAP STYLE – EARLY 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE HEADSCARVES TIED IN THE KELLY WRAP STYLE - EARLY 1950'S

Celia and Marlene are modeling the ever-chic-and-elegant scarf tie style popularized by and named for Grace Kelly in the early 1950’s.  It frames your face and covers your hair beautifully, doesn’t flap or blow and lets you show off that gorgeous true vintage print scarf you just found!

Celia wears a vintage floral print in silk which highlights rose and blue tones.  Marlene opts for a multi-color basket-weave print with a coffee brown border, also in silk.

This is one of the most elegant disguises I wear . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MY FAVORITE SILK SOUVENIR SCARF – FROM HAWAII, 1950’S

MY FAVORITE SILK SOUVENIR SCARF - FROM HAWAII, 1950'S

The colorful, naive graphics of true vintage souvenir scarves and hankies are SO much fun!!  It’s wonderful to find one in silk, or any high quality vintage fabric like rayon or fine 100% cotton.

The designs are always so cute and bright.  Not a good disguise, though, unless I’m wanting to look like a tourist . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

AN ALWAYS-WELCOME TRUE VINTAGE ACCESSORY: MID-CENTURY VERA SCARF

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Isn’t this one a  beauty?!  There are the green and blue tones so popularly paired together in the early 1960’s, the great graphic design and, of course, the designer’s signature.  Whenever I see one in excellent condition (that’s almost always true), I always pick it up.

I love how well these scarves hold up over the years.  That’s a testament to quality, and to the women who treated them with care.  Nothing adds a better and more authentic vintage touch to your outfit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MID-CENTURY FLORAL SCARF: AN ALWAYS-BUY-IT ACCESSORY

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Found this great headscarf, in superb condition.  I always pick these up when I come across them because they are unique.  The floral, geometric or novelty prints are irreplaceable.  What could say “SPRING!” better?

Hand-rolled edges and interesting fabrics make them quality items which obviously stand up well over time (if not silk or fabulous mid-century rayon, they are often made of one of the mystery synthetics of that era as this one probably is).

Nothing sparks up an outfit like one of these attention-grabbing pieces.  Anyone with an “eye” will know that it didn’t come from a mall store or even modern Europe.  But often, it just leaves them perplexed  – “That’s a nice scarf.  Where did you get it?” . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM