Category Archives: casual

TRUE VINTAGE HOME-SEWN LATE 1960’S – EARLY 1970’S ANSWER TO THE LBD

OK, now we find ourselves in about 1968 – 1972. Culture has changed big-time since 1963. Before the Prairie-style trend of the early – mid 1970’s, there was a heavy swing to Medieval and Edwardian style with lots of crushed velvet, panne’ velvet, pirate sleeves, ruffled cuffs and braided trim. This little black dress which was made at home has most of those features, plus a mini hemline and an elasticized waistline but otherwise is styled more like a tunic. No embellishment excepting for the gold braid around the neckline. Hardly a cocktail dress. I’m guessing that some teen girl might have worn it to her high school homecoming dance.

Fashion follows culture and history. The neat, feminine and careful tailoring of the 1940’s – early 1960’s kind of went out the window in favor of looser silhouettes and flowing skirts. Some commercially-produced dresses were less casual but younger women tended to prefer the bohemian look. As often happens, the Prairie style that followed in the early 1970’s, with its long skirts, tight bodices and cinched waists was a reactionary swing toward conservatism that entered pop culture under the radar. Most women didn’t realize that popular fashion reflected a wish to put women back into a social role from the past. However, some women got it. During the early 1970’s there was also a style trend toward 1940’s fashion – a time when women broke out of traditional roles to enter the workplace as part of the war effort during WW2. Remember Rosie the Riveter.

The push for women’s equal rights made great strides during the decade of the 1970’s. But, we now know that those gains may have made us complacent and that we can’t afford to be.

Tomorrow we’ll visit the 1980’s and explore these clues a little farther. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE MID-1960’s BLACK JACQUARD ASIAN-STYLE LBD

Since the Post-war 1950’s, interest in Asian-style dresses (and other garments) has grown, with pretty sheaths like this one creeping into women’s closets. Clothing made in British Hong Kong established a reputation for being exceptionally well-made. Tailors from China, principally, expanded their clientele and any city’s Chinatown was a great place to shop. Silk and hand-decorated versions are always the most beautiful, but all these clothes tend to be well-made, often with hand-done finishing. Because of their persistent fashionable presence, excellent quality and traditional design they can be categorized as Classic clothing. Though they are mass-produced now, versions from the 1960’s were still of high quality.

This little dress was made to sell, simply-designed with a center back metal zipper, moderately priced and styled to the then-current fad for mandarin collars and mini-skirt hems. It’s free of embroidered design, but the jacquard fabric is glossy and woven with an Asian medallion motif. Just right for making an entrance to a casual mid-Sixties cocktail party.

I’m wrapping up the cocktail LBDs for the 1960’s decade with this cutie. Tomorrow I’ll begin showing some dressy coats that would be just right with most of them. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUSE – AN EARLY 1960’S AT-HOME VELVET HOUSE DRESS

Perhaps appropriate for your intimate cocktail gathering with friends, but can you imagine anything more impractical than hosting a party wearing velvet and fur? Or dealing with Christmas morning craziness and food prep wearing this? No wonder it’s been packed away. Still, some home-based seamstress had a lot of fun planning and wearing this gown. It was the height of “fad-shion” and she must have felt like a queen. Good thing her sleeve didn’t get into the gravy or the baby’s diaper leak onto her lap.

No doubt this frock has a story but, after this short digression, it’s time to return to the LBD and it’s slightly-flashier cousins. We’ve moved into the late 1950’s – early 1960’s and it’s time to get back to some serious partying. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEATO! STELLA’S GOING TO THE HOP

What fun! Taking a break with friends from the regular Headquarters routine (but a Sleuth is a Sleuth 24/7) and what did I discover? This repro poodle circle skirt would be great for a costume anytime, but especially right about now. It was homemade, probably for exactly that purpose, so I’ll be donating it to the University theater but along with my FABULOUS find, it’s blog-worthy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Although I have some new-vintage re-do’s, an authentic pair of 1940’s – 1950’s saddle shoes has been on my radar for years. Look what I found!! In my size!!!

Spent yesterday afternoon wearing them around the house and they are SO comfortable. Older well-made footwear was built to last and usually fit well, too. Although these were just the daily, non-special go-to for teens and many adults and were undoubtedly moderately priced, the quality is built in. Even the messy polishing effort gives them the best street creds. I’m over the moon.

However, that wasn’t the end of the story. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE WARTIME – MID-CENTURY COSTUME JEWELRY FINDS!

I love this! OK, I forgot my bag of donations but I stopped at the Op Shop (I’m in Canada right now) anyway to look for some Fall turtlenecks and took a few minutes to sift through the piles of jewelry. It’s rare to find true vintage jewelry items now, but I often do so I take a peek and look what I discovered! They’re both paddle back style clip-ons. The top pair are early – mid-1960’s girly flower earrings, which was a common design then. They aren’t really dressy, but the gold-tone and aurora borealis “diamonds” in the centers let them be dressed-up easily as well as being stylish with a more casual outfit. What could be better?

The bottom pair are really precious because they are PERFECT with the pearl and rhinestone bracelet that I found and posted a few weeks ago! Sparkly white rhinestones set in silver-tone metal would probably be from the early to mid-1950’s. They were never high-end but I’d happily wear them to the Opera or any gala (if I went to those things – you just never know). There’s one tiny rhinestone missing, but this would never be noticed and I may have a replacement at Headquarters. We’ll see.

So, the moral of this investigation is that taking the time to look for clues in hidden or unlikely spots is almost always a good idea! My experience has proven that many, many times. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

UNPACKING ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE OUTFIT FOR FALL

I love my cotton skirt and vest set from the late 1970’s. The style had a real moment then and this one is by Mr. Leonard, which was a leading manufacturer of women’s clothing from 1965 until it’s closing in 1999. Cool and casual makes it perfect for September while we’re still having warm days but are in the mood for Autumn colors. It’s pretty easy to dress up or down for daytime, too. Looks just as great with a classic blouse or a t-shirt.

The nicest thing is the quality. Nice fabric, well-constructed. The vest is fully lined with a dark green fabric that keeps it’s shape and minimizes wear. Despite it’s age, it looks almost new. That’s probably my favorite thing about true vintage clothing and accessories, second only to the fabulous style and elegance.

I’ll have to continue unpacking, so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1960’S EARLY 1970’S BOHO HIPPIE JUMPSUIT

Here’s one of my favorite “just hanging – out” things to wear. What a find! Just perfect for “Indian Summer”. I know that old term isn’t correct anymore, but it’s very descriptive of the time of falling leaves, bonfires, harvest moons, cider and hayrides – all the traditional stuff from this autumn time of year. It’s still patio party season, too; fun to imagine the events where it was worn back in the day. The colors are just right as leaves begin to turn red and gold.

Love the pleated flounce at the bottoms of the legs! Lace-up bodices were a big thing at this time, too. Prairie style really got into it right around 1970. This fabric print is somewhere between psychedelic and ethnic, which looks more like a couple of years before that, but the styles kind of mooshed together then so it’s hard to say exactly. If the garment has a label, that helps. This one did not. Could have been home-sewn – lots of gals were still doing that then.

I’d wear these jumpsuit styles a lot if they weren’t so inconvenient!! Stay tuned as I pull out more of my Fall clothing (and there’s always the odd investigation)

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

FALL IS COMING! IT’S TIME TO PULL OUT MY ICONIC 1960’S SUEDE LEATHER CAR COAT

So many mid-century gals had a similar coat when John F. Kennedy was president. This one is a well-made daily-wear style that goes with almost anything. It has a rayon satin lining that doesn’t make it too warm in mild weather, but I have seen and own examples with pile liners which usually zip out. Quality mid-century clothing was ingenious, stylish and practical.

Although 3/4 sleeves might seem awkward on a coat, they were a BIG fashion feature at that time and look SO GREAT with gloves that are longer. It’s always worth collecting true vintage gloves that are almost elbow-length; not the kind that are worn with evening dresses, but beautiful, tailored gloves of vintage kidskin. Knitted or cloth gloves would also work with this jacket in a casual mood because it’s so versatile. I love it here with my 1980’s Western-style suede skirt.

Huge plastic buttons were also a common feature on coats from the years before and after 1960 and would often give major giveaways about the garment. In general, the quality of the buttons reflected the overall quality of the coat. Detailed, sculpted buttons were very interesting and showed that a coat was not a bargain item. Sometimes they even had inlaid pieces of different colors or faux gems like “pearls” or rhinestones. A dressy coat might have buttons like that even though the coat style was very tailored. In this case, you see tailored elegance on a mid-priced garment that would last for many years.

I love Fall and, since the weather is changing, I’ll have to trot out a lot of clothing that has been in storage – maybe even open some of the archives . .. . …. . . . . . . . . . . Stay tuned. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL LEATHER SHOES MADE IN ITALY – 1980’S & 1990’S

What could be better for Summer? Love these sling-back sandals with the sculpted stacked leather heel. The soles are Elastane, which was a “new” material introduced in the 1970’s and was very popular for it’s flexibility. I’m dating this pair from the 1980’s. Very city chic, yet casual.

These color-block flats make me think of something Audrey Hepburn might have worn in the the classic movie Roman Holiday, from the early 1960’s. They are by Enzo Angiolini, an Italian designer brand which was very popular in the U.S. during the 1990’s. I believe that they are 100% leather shoes, excepting for the heel caps. This is always a sign of higher-end footwear, if the workmanship is good.

Both pairs have been lovingly cared for and show light wear, considering their age. Even better, they are in my size. Who knows what streets and alleyways these shoes may have walked? Good chance some of them were in Europe. They still have more stories to tell, and I always love a mystery . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Stay tuned. The jewelry is even better.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE GREAT TRUE VINTAGE FINDS – POSSIBLY SPANNING 50 YEARS!

Italian leather shoes and mid-century jewels! I’ll post the discoveries on the weekend. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM