Love polka dots and polished cotton! Stella’s off to the State Fair.
Although this dress isn’t way old, it is true vintage and the classic and fun styling made it worth picking up and wearing. It’s very reminiscent of summer dresses from the 1950’s and early 1960’s and is made well.
As we go up and down, back and forth through the decades, stay tuned!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
A perfect little black dress for day – wonderful find! The classic elements – 3/4 sleeves, decorative detail and shantung weave – make it very fun and versatile. A best of the best everyday garment to discover.
Always an adventure!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Isn’t this print gorgeous? And, the cotton is super, super soft – probably due to age and washings as well as a high-quality fabric.
Another mystery for me! Can’t date it exactly – there is no label and signs say that it was hand-tailored. The style is not traditional Hawaiian, but certain details, such as the pleat in the back of the skirt and the fabulous material, make me think of other vintage gowns made there.
No matter. It’s lovely and tiny but, if I can comfortably wear it it’s a keeper! We’ll see . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Fabulous late 1930’s – early 1940’s styling details, hand-tailoring and original(?) fabrics??? I know the design (a relative had one similar). The embroidered mesh on the bodice is similar to the wartime dressing gown shown a couple of days ago. The synthetic(?) fabric is like nothing I’ve felt before. The gusset at the hemline is a period feature.
IS THIS AN ORIGINAL WWI – WWII GOWN OR AN EXPERTLY-MADE REPRODUCTION? I can’t be sure. It’s in almost-perfect condition, but has been around for a while. No label, of course. Would love to know it’s story. Any ideas, you well-trained experts out there? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
What a beautiful handmade garment! I can’t date it and have never discovered one like it before. Because of the traditional style and motifs, it may be hard to say exactly how old it is. Could be several decades old, or very modern. I was attracted by the beautiful colors and the hand-tailoring.
The belt I have used is not original, but necessary for this robe. As I understand it, obi belts are often made separately from the robe, to special order.
Although it seems very large and long, after you wrap it it fits little size 2 Stella. What a puzzle – not sure who it would have been made for. The motif of cranes suggest a man (?) but I’m certainly no expert on these! But wait – more mysteries to come . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Couldn’t wait to get this gorgeous gown onto Stella. She’s just the right size (and maybe I am, too, if I can bear to risk wearing it!). The embroidered netting and roses on rayon are so, so 1930’s – 1940’s.
I love the special tailoring touches from that time such as the longer hem in back that makes a little train. This dress was probably meant to fit someone a little shorter than Stel.
It would seem that Montevideans from early in the wartime era loved their fashions and accessories from France. More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Though certainly not a star when it comes to quality or design, it’ll be fun to wear when I’m in the mood. Even the best of the late 1960’s to early 1970’s wasn’t great.
In this case, worth picking up for several reasons. 1. Perfect condition and commercially-made. When I see items like this in great shape, they’re usually home-sewn. Probably women who sewed appreciated the value of their clothing more. I rarely find a true vintage knit from this era that was commercially-made unless it’s a rag. 2. The content & care tag and the Ladies Garment Workers Union tag are still present. 3. The fabric and styling are purely from the era. Although some fairly faithful retro copycats have been made in recent years, there’s always nothing better than an original. 4. The pattern, collar and color are just cute!
So, that rounds out my week. We’ll see what happens around May Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
What a neat discovery! I have 2 or 3 lingerie bed jackets from this era already, but haven’t found another for a long time. Rare, rare, rare. This one may have been part of some woman’s trousseau, which she stored away lovingly for decades. Some were made of silk. This one is glossy rayon.
Pretty bed jackets from the post-war 1950’s are also fabulous, but much different from the older wartime ones. Notice in the detail close-up the embroidered mesh decoration. Remember that from the nightgown I showed just a few days ago?
Oh, I’m over the moon again and will also store this garment away lovingly, probably for decades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
When I don’t find the real 1940’s thing, this will do. When a dress is as nicely done as this one, I collect it and wear it with no worries.
In a pretty true-to-Forties style, of 100% rayon with an abstract leaf print, this frock wraps in front and ties to one side. Well-fitting with some smocked elastic in the waistband behind and well-placed buttons and snaps inside to prevent gaps. This is a design that rivals the best vintage styles with attention to tailoring detail and makes any garment a pleasure to wear.
Modest-sized shoulder pads and a midi-hemline add to the figure-enhancing final result. Easy, worry-free wear and flattering style never came any better. Although it’s only baby vintage, just about 35 years old, I’m pleased and will wear it a lot!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
In lustrous black nylon and lace, this is one of those wonderful slips that feel like heaven to touch. What you can’t see well in this photo, is that the bodice and hemline ruffle are in tiny accordion pleats.
The original label was removed, which I’m always sorry to see, but for a seventy-year-old she’s in marvelous shape. I have reinforced some places in the stitching that had become weak and re-set one of the straps. That’s all. I suspect that the “brown” lace was originally black and that it’s fabric has faded with age. I kind of like it this way, but may also dye it back to the original – easy to do with most slips because nylon stands up well to hot water.
I love it that we can now wear wonderful lingerie as dresses in the summer, for evening or as sleepwear. It’s also perfect under midi-length dresses from the late ’30’s to the early ’50’s, of course, (and 1980’s – wait till tomorrow).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 