Category Archives: black and white

PERFECT TRUE VINTAGE AUSTRALIAN HANDBAGS – IN BLACK AND WHITE

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERALook!  I found another woven metal mesh Glomesh bag – this time a black one.  Photographed on two different backgrounds to enhance the details.  So nice to have two colors.  Also, love this wonderful macrame’ bag in a similar style.

The Glomesh purses were very popular here – a real Australian company. The white bag doesn’t have a brand name inside.  Sixties or early Seventies, both of these purses have survived in great condition.  I will really enjoy using them!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE SWING COAT FOR SPRING, FROM THE LATE 1940s TO EARLY 1950S.

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE SWING COAT FOR SPRING, FROM THE LATE 1940s TO EARLY 1950S.

I LOVE this mid-century  coat!  It’s so post-war / early 1950’s . . . . . .  Great for Spring, Summer and Fall.  Of a light to medium weight rayon blend, it falls to below the knees and has a black acetate lining.. Obviously, it would like more room in my closet!

The collar, those big plastic buttons, the black/white pattern plus the shape tell its date, along with the fabric and the cut.  In the last decade or so we’ve seen modern copycats of this black/white coat.  The black/white check was popular again in the early to mid 1960s, but didn’t look like this one.  The styles change, sometimes in a subtle way, each time there is a repeat but the fabrics and details are usually more likely to tell the different decades apart.  Certainly the newer ones are easier to tell because the older fabrics just aren’t duplicated now.

It’s great to have a small steamer on hand if your space gets a bit crowded to keep things wrinkle-free, though I still haven’t found one that I really like. They’re easy to use and, when used properly, won’t harm clothing.  Be careful that yours doesn’t spit drops of water that can leave spots on some fabrics.  Safer and easier than ironing, most of the time.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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MORE DRESSES! 2: CUSTOM-TAILORED MID-CENTURY SLINKY SHEATH

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This one’s a sexy day dress with ruching at the waistline to give it a bit of curvy shape, while still staying very proper.  Love the abstract atomic print in subtle shades that could go to work, or dinner, or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hand-tailored frocks are so much fun to discover because they always tell a story about the designer.  This style is so versatile – I’ll enjoy it, too.  More on the way . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

STILL IN DISCOVERY MODE – SOMEONE CUSTOM-TAILORED THIS CUTE LITTLE BOLERO JACKET ABOUT 60 YEARS AGO

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All hand-made – it’s a classic style which we still see, but the fit and style are different in the way that only true vintage designs can be.  It hits just above the waist and belongs over a plain, black or white dress.  I probably have one or two that will fill the bill . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A LITTLE SWIMSUIT SERIES – TRUE VINTAGE CLASSIC BLACK MAILLOT

A LITTLE SWIMSUIT SERIES - TRUE VINTAGE CLASSIC BLACK MAILLOT

This one is so elegant and well-made that I can’t tell without getting it out and examining it again whether it’s from the 1940’s, 1950’s or early 1960’s.  That’s the way that all our wardrobe fundamentals should be!

Even looking at the photo, I believe that this suit comes from the earlier end of the time spectrum than the end of it.  It’s all in the fabric.

Next time I want to channel Esther Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE TANK BATHING SUIT – 1940’S – 1950’S

FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE TANK BATHING SUIT - 1940'S - 1950'S

This suit has two layers.  The way they used to do the little briefs or shorts underneath was such a figure-enhancer for most women.

Almost like a tankini, but all in one piece.  Look at those great design details, too. You won’t see that on modern suits, nor the exceptional construction.  Black & white makes another appearance for Spring and Summer, as always.

Just right for sitting beside the pool, under a big sun-hat, with a Mai-Tai . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LET’S BE ELEGANT – LUNCH AT SARDI’S ANYONE?

LET'S BE ELEGANT - LUNCH AT SARDI'S ANYONE?

True vintage from the 1950’s, this one was not made for a lunch date at the local diner.  We’re in to Spring-weight fabric here, but black and white is always season-less (or is it dark navy? It’s close . . . .)

Just look at the beautiful drape on the bodice, and the sweet cap sleeves.  The jacket, again, has 3/4 sleeves to show off the elegant gloves and fine bracelet or watch.

Another of those outstanding ensembles which can take you almost anywhere . .. . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1980’S DOES 1940’S RETRO FINDS IN BLACK & WHITE

It’s hard to imagine that true vintage garments (over 30 years old) could also be retro, but it’s true from the 1970’s onward when clothing makers started to reproduce 1940’s and 1950’s styles for the general market.  That’s just about when the superb tailoring of the mid-century and before came to an end, so many of these items are not very nice.  But, there are sill well-made examples worth picking up from the Seventies – Eighties time.

In this case, a coat dress and tuxedo-style jacket caught my eye.  No labels remaining, but the shoulder pads and cut make the fit flattering.  Both are fully-lined and elegantly styled.  There will be times when they will come in handy or be fun to wear.

I don’t purchase these often, but, when you know what you’re seeing it’s sometimes a good buy that will be easy to say good-bye to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MOD TRUE VINTAGE SHEATH DRESS IN TRAFFIC – SIGN COLORS

IMG_1052     Sticking with up-scale day frocks and moving forward a couple of decades,  look at this fabulous late Sixties frock!  These were iconic color combinations from that time.

This size 10 dress on x-small Stella is a good clue to it’s era.  The fabric is a glossy rayon & linen blend – a bit dressy, with a nice drape.  A pretty day-time sheath with a bit of attitude.

No matter the time of year, the hunt continues and you just never know. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

1950’S – 1960’S KNIT VEST; A SURPRISE FIND THAT MAKES ME SO HAPPY!

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I was so elated to discover this rare sweater knit.  There are only two others in my collection so far that are similar and obviously from the same era.  Possibly designed for men back in the day, but definitely unisex.

The knit is glossy and heavy and the patterns are absolutely fantastic in my others, too – very neat geometric designs – part of the atomic craze.  Just look at this one!  A very MOD pattern, but before that time.  And, in such near-perfect condition.  That ‘s one other advantage – they are quite durable.

Fun, fun, fun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM