A BEAUTIFUL 1930’S BLACK VELVET EVENING HANDBAG

img_2409

In such good condition, too!  That was one of the biggest reasons that I grabbed this, though I do have some others that are similar.  The inside is also very clean and undamaged PLUS I can see the maker’s name stamped inside, though it wouldn’t be readable in a photograph.  It;s also got little amber-colored “jewels” decorating the snap clasp.

It’s just a small evening bag large enough to carry the essentials (the 1930 essentials, that is) such as lipstick, a comb, some money and a key – oh, maybe some rouge and a hankie, too.  Forget the cell phone.

Maybe there might be room for a miniaturized transmitter and  camera, in a pinch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MY FIRST AUSTRALIAN TRUE VINTAGE FIND – GLOMESH PURSE FROM THE 1960’S – 1970’S

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA    Reminiscent of the 1920’s and ’30’s, on up through the Fifties, this metal mesh purse was made by an Australian company that was started by an emigrant couple in 1959.  They closed shop in the mid-eighties, but children opened up again ten years or so ago.  This is one of their original designs.

With a serpentine metal handle and enameled beige color, it’s very smart and perfectly Aussie!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A SPECIAL 1950’S BEADED BAG

img_2032

I have lots of mid-century beaded bags but this one’s a bit older and I especially like the shape of it, soooooo . . . . . . . . . . . .

of course I had to pick it up.  This iridescent beige/gold color is so versatile to go with anything and everything.  So pretty – it makes me think of Grace Kelly.

Perfectly clean inside and with beads intact, what could be better? .. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

You Just Never Know Where Your Next “Find” Will Come From . . . True Vintage ’60s – ’70s Totebag/Purse

IMG_0073
What a surprise! At a party where we all contributed “white elephant” gifts, guess what turned up? After some swapping, this was one of my prizes. True vintage decorated tote bag or purse from the 1960’s/’70’s. Near mint condition.

How do I know it’s original vintage?  1. the style  2. the types of decoration used  3. the construction  4. in this case, some minor signs of age.

How do I know where it (probably) came from?  The Cardinal and the Dogwood are the official state bird and flower of North Carolina.  Eat your heart out, Sherlock.

It’s so beautifully done. Love the colors. Fun!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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

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

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

PHENOMENAL FIND – AN AUTHENTIC VINTAGE GUCCI HANDBAG!

IMG_1697 IMG_1698Can’t be sure how old this one is, but it doesn’t look anything like the more recent examples pictured online.  The real-deal gold stamp and zipper pull confirm it’s identity.  Another thing is the exceptional quality.

Very classic, in leather both inside and out. Stylish and well-made hardware. Enameled metal zipper in matching red.  Great design – there are two additional compartments that are hidden in the styling and don’t add bulk.

All it needs is some leather conditioner and a little polish.  Couldn’t pass this one up!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A Few 1940s Wardrobe Staples

A FEW TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SHOES AND HANDBAGS FOR FALL

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

A Few 1940s Wardrobe Staples

Here are a few items that I ran across by surprise – from the 1940s (or so).  All perfect finishes for a wartime or post-war costume.  Mary-jane all leather shoes (always a classic), Capezio soft leather dance or casual flats and a couple of simple woven bags from the Depression era or time of wartime rationing – a drawstring and one with a metal zip in the top.  It’s fun to find things in such good condition (and at very good prices). You just never know . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy

Blog:  Magicvintagespy.com

View original post

SMART & CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE ’50’S – EARLY ’60’S

YOU’LL NEVER FAIL WITH TRUE VINTAGE, QUALITY LEATHER ACCESSORIES

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

PRETTY CLASSIC VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE '50'S - EARLY '60'S

Here’s a beautiful leather handbag in a classic shape and with the quality of leather. I have collected them whenever possible because of their outstanding value and elegant design.

This one is beige leather inside and out, with a snakeskin quilt overlay. It’s so classic in design and neutral in color that I can carry it any time of year. It has lasted for decades and, with good care, will last decades more.

I always use a leather conditioner on my leather goods once or twice a year and store them in a way that won’t encourage mold or mildew or cause them to be bent out of shape.

Like your shoes, there’s nothing that is more telling about your good taste and willingness to invest in the best than the kind of handbag that you carry.

I’m not big in favor of designer names just for their own sake…

View original post 79 more words

SMART & CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE ’50’S – EARLY ’60’S

SMART & CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE '50'S – EARLY '60'S.

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE – PROBABLY FROM THE 1960’s

BEAUTIFUL HAND-CRAFTED VINTAGE ACCESSORIES WERE ELEGANT AND CHERISHED ADDITIONS TO OUR GRANDMOTHERS’ WARDROBES

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE - PROBABLY FROM THE 1960's

To change gears a bit today, here’s an example of a beautiful handcrafted item. It’s an evening purse made of black velvet and satin with metallic embroidery all over, front and back.

It was probably made in Hong Kong or Europe and took someone a long time to do by hand. These sorts of items were much more available back in the day. I suppose that you can still get them now, but only overseas or in very specialized shops.

Handiwork of this kind and exquisite workmanship used to be seen in fashion items that middle-income women could afford to buy, at least once in a while. Although it was generally done overseas, many of the major department stores sold it in their better departments. It’s difficult to find now. The hand-crafted items that are sold today generally can’t compare in terms of their quality.

Keep your eyes open for…

View original post 43 more words