Category Archives: casual

HILO HATTIE HAWAIIAN SHIRT WITH TRADITIONAL ELEGANT STYLING

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This nice shirt isn’t quite 20 years old, but I picked it up because of the styling and construction.  It’s by a reputable company, has a really nice print, quality rayon fabric, cap sleeves and covered buttons down the front with toggle closures.  Made to wear un-tucked.

Most modern Hawaiian shirts are not made so well these days, so I was happy to find one that is.  Once in a while it’s worth it, as I will show you again later . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER RARE FIND – MEN’S MID-CENTURY LEISURE CARDIGAN SWEATER IN WOOL AND SUEDE LEATHER

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Fabulous condition, too!  It needs a button, but I can do that.  I may even have a matching one in my stash.  So fun to find one of these in great shape.

This type of sweater was such a common and vital part of a man’s wardrobe before 1965. After that, styles changed and these weren’t seen as often.  The classic golf sweater carried on the design, but is of a completely different genre.

College boys, Dad and Grandpa used to sport around in these cardigans during Happy Days and Mad Men times.  Sometimes they’d be worn with a casual shirt and tie.  Great- and great-great granddads had their versions, too.  I don’t find one very often but, when you’re sleuthing, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FUN FIFTIES FROCK – STRAPLESS CUSTOM-TAILORED SUMMER DRESS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Pretty easy-wear polished cotton sundress from the early to mid-1950’s, in the New Look style.  Bit of an atomic thing going on with the applique’ design.  Somebody had a lot of fun with this one!

Can’t wait to see it on Stella – it’s a real knockout on a gal with an hourglass figure. Marilyn would have loved it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER POST WAR DAY FROCK FROM THE 1940’S – WOWEE!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The most interesting fabric, fun buttons and near-perfect condition.  This is a great example of an everyday dress for a woman after WWII.

Very nicely tailored, despite it’s modest category.  Grandma was happy to have better clothing to wear again after all the wartime deprivations.  We’re just getting started – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

McCALL’S NEEDLEWORK SPRING CARDIGANS FROM 1961

IMG_1086IMG_1087IMG_1088IMG_1089     Dig the hairstyles, too.  Now that Christmas and New Year’s celebrations were over, women in 1961 turned their attention to Spring and travel styles, as well as Prom & Easter.

With the crazy weather, we’re also thinking of flowers and sunny colors.  Although our grandmothers and great-grandmothers thought about new needlework projects  in their spare time, it’s still FASHION, and we continue to think about it now, but in different ways (what’s on my favorite Internet site?).

in 1961, the subscribers to McCall’s Needlework and Crafts magazine looked forward to these styles.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

NEW FIND! KENNEDY ERA MIDRIFF BLOUSE BY MISS VOGUE CALIFORNIA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

So rare!  A blouse from sixty years back, in exceptional condition.  I just love these mid-century blouses that are basically proper, but show just a little bit of waistline when you bend or reach up.  With a sporty skirt, cigarette pants, capri’s or shorts it’s a classic sexy look for summer.

Hard to see in the photo, but there’s a V cut in the front neckline which is a great little design feature.  Buttons up the back.  Clothing from California makers has always been trend-setting and attractive in a sporty way.   Such a thrill to find it – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

RARE ONCE AGAIN – 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S MEN’S KNIT POLO SHIRT

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Just LOVE finding these knitwear items that have been so well-preserved for 50 – 60 years!!  Unusual finds are always tons of fun.

This shirt was made by a Sears, Roebuck & Co. brand that quit producing in the early 1960’s.  Very nicely tailored, with a longer tail (prevents embarrassing views that are all too common today).  Hard-to-see in this photo, but the sleeves are a ribbed knit contrast to the flat knit of the body.

These older things all have features and stories to tell that keep revealing themselves.  The star item of my recent adventures is coming up tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE DISCOVERIES – MEN’S 1960’S MOD COTTON SHIRT

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Going backward in time – Heavy cotton, “designer” style Sixties shirt for the Mad Men Mod Man.  Nicely tailored.  Unworn perfect condition – what could be better?

This is a very unusual fabric, with an embroidered stripe design, made to wear un-tucked, with large pearlized buttons.  Just the kind of “dandy-ish” garb that was popular for men in the mid-to-late 1960’s.  Perfect with a pair of white bell-bottoms.

More men’s tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FIND!! MID-CENTURY LINGERIE WRAPPER FROM WOOLWORTH’S

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This mid-century wrapper, robe, housecoat, house dress was originally sold at Woolworths dime-store chain, probably in the 1960’s, in Great Britain or Australia – though I wasn’t in any of those places when I found it.  FUN!!!  I love, love, love housecoats and this one’s story was intriguing to sort out.

In a long wrap style, it’s definitely not for wearing into town but is very flattering and comfy.  The large size is somewhat forgiving due to the design, so I’ll enjoy it.  The tiny wallpaper print is similar to some of the fabrics shown from the antique quilt I just found and showed a couple of days ago.  However, this material is a cotton/poly blend, so made at a later time when easy-care fabrics were more common than pure cotton.

An interesting find, and one that I’ll wear a lot.  Tomorrow we’ll move ahead in time by another 15 – 20 years to more fun finds that I’ll love wearing . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS 1950’S CLASSIC MEN’S SMOKING ROBE – RARE, RARE, RARE!!!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

A bit rumpled, but perfect!  This was a higher-end men’s garment and an indispensable wardrobe item for men in the mid-century.  A well-made bathrobe for elegant at-home time was worn by many men every day.

Lovely cotton, rayon and silk were commonly-used fabrics in mid-century and, like their street-wear brothers, these lounge-wear garments were well-tailored and elegant.  I’m SO thrilled to uncover another one of these, which is a rare find (my favorite!)

I encounter a lot of rare finds, but they’re all different, so the surprises never stop!  Stay tuned – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM