Found two stores in Dublin today. The first, run by a long-time vintage clothing expert, stocks beautiful true vintage from mid-century and before. Men’s and women’s! BETTY BOJANGLES.
The second discovery, right next door, sells excellent quality by the kilo. I was able to find blouses and shoes while still meeting my standard for fabulous frugality. THE VINTAGE FACTORY.
The perfect treasure-hunt . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
Sometimes I love short sleeves and sometimes I think that they look dowdy on me. It all depends on the cut and style of the dress, and how it fits my body.
In this case, I decided to remove the sleeves. It’s very simple to do by carefully taking out the stitching in the seam that attaches the sleeve to the bodice. Don’t cut into the material – just save the sleeves as they are. Then you can re-attach them later or include them with the item if you ever decide to sell it.
Finishing off the seam is an easy thing to do, or to have someone else do! Voila! A sleeveless style, which are favorites of mine.
I’m sure that some of you seamstresses and tailors out there will have comments to make about this. Please do!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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A change of pace for the weekend – let’s slip into some fabulous-feeling vintage nylon. There’s nothing that feels like it – heavy, smooth, creamy and cool on your skin. Well, enough of that – this is a vintage fashion blog, not a . . . . . .
These are what the fashionable woman wore at home while relaxing and/or for casual entertaining. The one on the left is a slip-over design with roses embroidered at the neck. The right-hand style is unique with two fabric layers, a front zipper and long scarf “tails” that can be tied in a bow or crossed in front and thrown over the shoulders. One is by ShadowLine and the other by a less well-known maker.
Those shoulder “tails” are an interesting feature. I have a velveteen sheath dress circa about 1960 which has them and also a jacket, which I think comes from the wartime era. Not sure if this style element was something that repeated – I haven’t seen it often. The color combo on the right has such a characteristic ’60’s look.
When I go sleuthing, or just sorting through my closets, I drift through several decades one after the other. It’s almost as good as going to the movies . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This is one of my very favorite jackets – a lighter-weight rayon/synthetic number with an abstract print in brown on ivory, with black velveteen collar, cuffs & buttons. I wear it with a modern (80’s or 90’s) black silk skirt, at present.
Somewhere between the late Forties and the mid-Fifties this garment with an atomic print made a very stylish statement. It is utterly unique and I LOVE it!!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Another treasure from the 1960’s. Sorry my camera/laptop is playing tricks on me again – can’t edit the photo.
This pretty Spring dress was custom-tailored with lots of nice features. Love the Mod bell sleeves – I’ve run across several of these in the past 2 years, all of a sudden. It’s fully lined, with raglan sleeves and an invisible zipper center back.
The seamstress knew her stuff and did a very good job. Although it’s plain, it’s very well-made. The first thing she did right was selecting the fabric – a good quality polyester and/or acetate. The print and colors are gorgeous – SO SIXTIES!!!
Sorry that this isn’t my color palette (makes me look jaundiced) but I’m sleuthing for true vintage fashion – not only things I can wear. So, that didn’t stop me. Never does . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Can you believe this? It’s so awful it just cracks me up!!
Thank goodness things have changed so much that this is just funny. I couldn’t possibly pass it up!
I just love these old novelty linens – aprons, tablecloths, napkins, etc. Some of them are really cute but it’s hard to believe that things like this one were “normal” stuff that most people bought.
I’ve got more “new” true vintage mid-century finds to show you, but couldn’t resist posting this one first . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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I’m on a roll finding mid-century dresses and there’s more to come, but first –
Let me show you the neatest thing that also revealed itself . . . . . . . . . . .
COTTON SCARF PRINTED AS A COMMEMORATIVE ITEM FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH II’S CORONATION IN 1953
It’s written in the right-hand lower corner. Love the kitchy illustrations. Perfect for my 1950’s home!! Not to mention the closets . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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Wow again. Tons of fun! This one didn’t cause the mystery and the “a-ha” moments that the dress did, but it was just an immediate Back to the Future experience!!
The moment I spied these crazy cats, I was transported to the early 1960’s. There is a cartoon show from that time called The Jetsons, still available to watch online. I can see Mrs. Jetson wearing this in the kitchen or, maybe, their pet cat looked like this. It just made me laugh. And, guess what else I found – the elusive but ever-present safety pin inside. Seems like no mid-century homemaker wanted to be caught without one at hand.
Lots of clues here – no mystery about getting it right. . . . . . . . I take back what I said yesterday – it is just as fun to get knocked over the head with all the information as it is to solve a mystery, just not the same fun. But, hey – fun is fun, right? Sounds like a silly argument to me . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Unbelievable! This beautiful fitted blouse in lovely smooth rayon was a “QUEEN” size in the mid-sixties. It’s labeled as a 13/14 but it fits me with a little extra room in the bust – and I wear a modern size 4.
Who cares, right?! It’s got all the lovely features of true vintage tailored items, with extra seam allowance and nice darting to enhance the fit. Love the print, the long sleeves and oh-so-Sixties roll collar.
Another unusual discovery and, wait, there’ll be more . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
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
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
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