Category Archives: casual

ANOTHER DISCOVERY! 1950’S – 1960’S MEN’S CATALINA SHIRT-JAC

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This one is an interesting find.  Might have been part of a work uniform back in the day, but it’s a shirt made like a jacket with hip pockets and that funky stripe.  Today it would be fun as a sports shirt with jeans.  The maker was Catalina – that iconic California maker of sportswear, so who knows . . . . . . . . . . . .

I’m sure that it was intended to be a man’s top when it was made, but today it’s very unisex.  To me, it’s got a Grease vibe.  Could also go over a tank top or muscle shirt.  If it were smaller, I’d keep it myself if not for the orange color.  No can do.

So, this was for fun and will go into the archives for the time being.  That’s OK.  It’s the hunt and the quest that are the real reward!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A REALLY CUTE TRUE VINTAGE MINI-DRESS FROM THE LATE 1960’S

A REALLY CUTE TRUE VINTAGE MINI-DRESS FROM THE LATE 1960'S

Despite the chilly temperatures, I’m going to start showing Summer things anyway (so, there!)  Came across this one by surprise.  Ribbed poly knit with a front zip, belt loops and contrasting inverted pleats. Cute, cute, cute!

At first glance it looked like it could be modern, BUT . . . . . . . . . sometimes the clues are hidden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER VERSION OF THE MID-CENTURY COTTON DAY – DRESS

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A little bit later in the time-line, sleeveless and cap-sleeve day dresses came along as favorite day-wear for women.  This more casual style  continued to keep them in a dress, looking feminine, but also retained the easy-wear aspect that had become so important. Some, like this one, had pretty details that added a bit of dressy feel, but overall these dresses were so comfortable and easy to care for that they were a great liberation from the fussy styles and fabrics and many mandatory accessories that had dominated women’s lives for decades (centuries).

This is what women wore in the 1950’s and early 1960’s the way that we wear jeans today.  Personally, I like having the choice . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

IT’S TIME FOR MID-CENTURY COTTON DAY – DRESSES TO COME OUT OF THE CLOSET

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These fun and beautiful frocks are what EVERYBODY was wearing as everyday-wear between about 1935 and 1965.  The cottons are sturdy but wash and wear to a fabulous softness.  The colors are bright and the motif’s go from traditional floral or medallion prints (like the one here) to atomic geometrics and cartoon novelty images.

I absolutely cannot get enough of these!  The typical fit and flare styling is very forgiving, allowing  me a reasonable fit across about 3 sizes.  A belt can work wonders with almost any garment.  If shoulder pads are appropriate to the era, that makes a big difference, too.

With the exception of the Sixties shift style, this basic shirt-waist design is just about the most comfortable, practical and versatile for day-wear ever; still, it allows for elegance and the irreplaceable look of true vintage fashion.  I’ll keep showing more of these wonderful everyday styles, and whatever turns up.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

RECENT FIND – VERY CUTE LITTLE 1950’S SUNDRESS. GREASE!!

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Here’s Stella showing this frock off properly.  Can’t wait to wear it!  The way the temperatures are going, it won’t be too long. Love the polished cotton and the atomic applique’.

Perfect for summer fun.  With a long metal zip up the back and swirling circle skirt, it’s easy-in and just right for a street dance.  Or, a picnic, or strolling with a date, or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FIND! FUN SLINKY KNIT MOD 1960’s PATIO DAY DRESS BY ALLEGRO

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Came across this one yesterday and it’s the first I’ve had with this kind of T-back neckline.  Time to dig out the specialty bra.

The things I love best about it are the sunny-fun art print and that wonderful heavy, slinky fabric that was available for a few years.  It’s so delicious on the body and drapes so beautifully.  No, it can’t compare to the gorgeous jersey-knit fabrics from the 1940’s but it is identifiable as part of the family.

So, although it’s kind of a poor cousin, it’s also a very fun find.   This is because its pedigree out-ranks the quality of most all the casual poly clothing that has drowned us in the marketplace since the early 1960’s, with the value and workmanship moving farther down the scale every year.  There’s an embroidered cloth tag from a recognized maker, elegant styling and beautiful material – clues that come to light when you snoop carefully. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

RARE, RARE, RARE NEW FIND! 1960’S MOD PLAY-SUIT – JUMPSUIT

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This is really something!  Mid-century play-suits are rare as hens teeth, so I’m thrilled to discover another one.  So cute – flower-power mod print in cotton, with a long metal zip up the back.

So much fun!  Fashion used to be both and either restricting and full of novelty.  Now we can wear everything and anything we want but you’ve gotta go Indie designer, independent artist or true vintage to be unique.  I guess there always has to be both sides of the coin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHT JACKET FROM THE 1960’S

TRUE VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHT JACKET FROM THE 1960'S

As it gets warmer, I may be showing some light jackets.  This one is from the ’60’s in a kind of fantasy floral print – not psychedelic, but a little abstract.  Flower Power ruled!  I love the colors in this and the nice, easy but chic fit.

The poly/rayon/whatever fabric that was often used then shouldn’t automatically be thrown in the washer like we tend to do with everything now.  The label on this jacket says that it also needs the care of spot-cleaning or dry-cleaning, but I’ve still found it easy-wear.  Just a little extra care does the trick.

Don’t panic!  There are simple ways to deal with this.  I have lots of items that can’t be machine washed, but I hardly EVER have to go to a dry-cleaner (can’t remember the last time). Not dissing them – they are a god-send when you really need a good one.

This is a perfect jacket over capris, little skirts and sheath dresses.  It’s fun to try finding pieces in coordinating colors for the kind of funky, vintage hues.  But, there is always ivory or black which can work.

Not a go-to, every-day jacket but it’s right for a day of fun – can’t have too much . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

A FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE FIND – MOD GEOMETRIC PRINT SIXTIES KNIT TUNIC

A FABULOUS FIND - MOD GEOMETRIC PRINT SIXTIES KNIT TUNIC

I’ll soon be on an investigation again, so a little patience may be needed, please, with my time-table!  Here’s another wonderful find – a mod tunic blouse in a heavy synthetic knit. Similar to the fabric in yesterday’s dress from the Forties, but grown up a generation.

I love the style and the printed design, with long sleeves.  Looks great with long pants, short skirts . . . . . . An excellent choice for cool Spring-ish weather.

This design has a little short zipper at the back neckline and falls mostly straight, with a little shaping in the torso.  As you can see on Madge, the fit is very flattering.

Vintage knits are almost always wonderful, regardless of the type of fabric.  Usually they are heavy and drape well.  That’s what makes them fit so beautifully.  And, of course, the design is on the back, too.  No cutting corners on the best true vintage!

I always love finding unusual pieces like this one. Makes my day . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MOD MAD MEN TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S DRESS WITH MATCHING JACKET

MOD 1960'S DRESS WITH MATCHING JACKET

This outfit was custom tailored in the mid-1960’s.  Bell sleeves and easy fit. The fabric is a swirly paisley print in aqua tones and it includes the  addition of a matching jacket to create an ensemble.

So many dresses in the ’50’s and ’60’s were made with matching jackets and even matching accessories.  Though this is a fairly casual dress, it follows that lady-like trend and seems to teeter on the edge of the fashion divide between the rather prissy Fifties and early Sixties and the Mod and wild times just after.  Looks like the dressmaker originally intended to make a sleeveless frock, then changed her mind.   As it is, we’ve got a day dress that Twiggy would look just fab in, photographed on some 1965 magazine cover.

What a luxury to have your own dressmaker to custom-tailor your wardrobe! So many women did.  Most neighborhoods in the city had a tailor’s shop where this kind of work was done.  In towns and villages there was usually a woman nearby who did dressmaking in her  own home.  And, of course, many women were still doing their own home sewing then.

Maybe I’ll take the sleeves off some time and wear this dress with the jacket – but, no . . . . love the dress just as it is.  I’ll check out the jacket with my selection of skirts  . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM