Category Archives: at-home

I TURNED MY TRUE VINTAGE DRESS INTO A SLEEVELESS STYLE!

I TURNED MY TRUE VINTAGE DRESS INTO A SLEEVELESS STYLE!

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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY – MID 1960’S LOUNGE-WEAR AND HOSTESS GOWNS

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY - MID 1960'S LOUNGE-WEAR AND HOSTESS GOWNS

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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’s COTTON PRINT HOUSECOAT

TRUE VINTAGE 1940s COTTON PRINT HOUSECOAT

Not as elegant as the item posted yesterday, but wonderful in its own way.  This sturdy cotton housecoat with a cheery floral print was just an everyday item, it has survived all these years primarily due to it’s quality fabric and solid construction.

In one way, it was a mess when I found it – covered with brownish spots that had undoubtedly been there for years.  But, I know a gem in the rough when I see it and said “I can fix that!”  And, with confidence and experience, I did.

It was well worth the gamble.  Often this is true – sometimes it’s not and it is better to walk away.  Knowing when to walk away is one of the skills I have picked up over the years and has saved me a lot of trouble and expense.

This one, because of its age, was a rare find – but not so awfully rare for the Magicvintagespy .. . . . . . . .poof!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

MY (PERHAPS) LOVELIEST COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE 1930’s – 1940’S PEIGNOIRS

 

MY (PERHAPS) LOVELIEST COLLECTION OF 1940'S PEIGNOIRS

Of rayon and silk, these pretties are some of my best, or most interesting. The embroidery on the two right ones is unusual and the ’40’s white dressing gown is a style that I have seen only 2 or 3 times.

From the glamour days of motion pictures and film noir –

While we’re still snuggled inside, during the transitional weather, these little indulgences are a real treat.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

NEW FIND! PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE DRESSING GOWN BY CHRISTIAN DIOR

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UNION-MADE IN THE U.S.A. FOR THE CHRISTIAN DIOR LINE

This traditionally-styled wrapper comes from the Fifties or early 1960’s.  It’s got the hallmark generous hemline,  two on-seam pockets, carefully-constructed bodice with lace and eyelet, ribbon, elaborate decoration and pearlized plastic buttons on stems.  Take a close-up look.

I can’t believe the perfect condition!  Hardly looks worn at all.  It’s a feather-light cotton blend to be washed by hand.  I’ll love this one for a long time . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER FIND! FROM COCKTAILS YESTERDAY TO SHOPPING AND HOUSEKEEPING

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Another mid-century style – this time from the mid-late Sixties –  but in a most casual house dress.  Sorry it’s a bit out of focus – I love this print and always enjoy red.  It’s in a half-size 14, which was  vintage language for Plus-size but it’s really not BIG at all.

The half-sizes were cut bigger in the bust and pretty straight through the waist (I’ve pinned this one in the back) but the shoulders are small, so I can wear it fine with a belt.  It was apparently belted originally because there are signs of belt loops.

I love the embroidered tag sewn in the neckline, the pointed collar and pearlized buttons with stems.  The fabric, again, is a mystery but doesn’t feel like polyester.

A no-nonsense frock that any average homemaker might have worn while going about her daily housekeeping duties.  Just the simplest and easiest thing to wear, and cute to boot!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE IN A FEW MINUTES?

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A handful of fun separates when I had a bit of time on my hands:  1.  a cute poly/cotton pajama top from the Fifties or Sixties that doubles as a summer blouse  2.  RARE, RARE, RARE FIND of Fifties pajama bottoms – although they’re not a perfectly-matched pair, I think they’ll make a great lounging outfit together with the bed jacket shown earlier today.  It’s always great to have these on hand.  Nice lace at the ankles   3.  a home-sewn Sixties shirt.  I’d wear it with jeans, but it’s not the best job.  However, worth buying just for the buttons.

Never miss an opportunity to uncover more clues . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ANOTHER “NEW” TRUE VINTAGE BED JACKET WITH UNUSUAL STYLING

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I know, I know, I know . . . . . I collect so many of these that I’ll have to lounge a whole lot and eat many breakfasts in bed to be able to wear them all . . . . . . . . . . . . .. BUT

How can I resist?  Who wouldn’t love a gorgeous little scrap of mid-century feminine luxury like this one?  Although they are always pretty, I’m especially excited when I find one that is unusual.  I’m not sure that I have another one in this green color or with this type of styling.  Generally, they were made in pink, blue or sometimes in white.

The lace is especially nice, too.  Even when I get to a point where I’ll have to part with some of them, this one is a keeper . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

PURE CLASSIC! VINTAGE DAY DRESS IN FLORAL COTTON

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Right on the heels of that daring red frock shown yesterday came this traditional, custom-tailored every-day dress in a beautiful cotton print.  Again, I can’t say exactly how old it is but it was home-sewn in a classic, mid-century style.  The fabric is gorgeous.

Although it’s another perfect fit for me, the style is very plain so I think I’d cinch the waist with a belt to enhance the fit and add a pert little scarf or pearls at the neckline, depending on my mood.  Yes, that would be VERY cliche’ ’50’s but – so what? – also a VERY pretty look. Unless I wanted to go completely kitchy for the fun of it, I’d leave off the hat/gloves -handbag/shoes sets.

Anyway, this dress really makes me hanker for Spring!  Can’t wait to see what turns up next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN KITCHEN FUN

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWow 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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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