Category Archives: casual

1960’s HAYMAKER BLAZER – PREPPY GOES LEISURE

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Yes, even the elegant Haymaker label which used to make better-quality sportswear in the Fifties got into the boxy leisure-suit styling by the mid-Sixties.  This one’s a tiny size 10 (unbelievable!) and you can see that it’s still very well-made.

So, that’s why it is collectible – for the label and the company’s history.  Otherwise, it’s just a good example of fashion trends gone wrong and the slow demise of high-quality and elegant clothing construction which was beginning about the time this jacket was made.

Sigh.   However, that situation does make my adventures all the more fun . .. . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THE SWEETEST MID-CENTURY BABY DRESS – FROM LORD & TAYLOR!

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Talk about RARE!  This one is a real treasure.  Cotton comfort with smocking detail and vintage shell buttons in back.  There’s an embroidered cotton tag inside the neck from the high-end department store retailer Lord & Taylor.

Love finding old things from Saks Fifth Avenue, too.  They’re always nice.  No babies at home for me, but how could I resist?

Several decades ago, little girls (and boys) were routinely dressed in beautifully-made clothing of very high quality – even it it came from a mid-priced store.  Mothers enjoyed dressing themselves and their children nicely and it wasn’t such a competitive brand-driven thing like today.

If I were parenting a child, it would be so much fun to dress him/her in true vintage, along with myself!  Yes, these garments take a little more care, but the rewards . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

JUST FOUND – MORE WELL-MADE TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES

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It’s always a treat when these turn up – looks like 1960’s in both cases, but they’re a bit of a mystery.  The best thing about them is the quality and construction.  Of course, this type of photo doesn’t do them justice.

The blouse on the left is very casual and basic, but the fabric is really nice.  It’s some kind of a blend of cotton and rayon.  Feels smooth to touch and has a gloss, and I love the colors and the plaid, too.  Both have rounded wing collars, though the style on the right is much more sophisticated.

The blouse on the right is a star.  Not only is it made from a REALLY nice rayon fabric, but the tailoring is wonderful!  The buttons are all fabric-covered.  The retro-1940’s style is pretty with light shoulder padding and puffed sleeves.  What I like best is that it is FITTED!!!!!!!!!  Can’t believe it – it’s so rare to find a nicely fitted blouse or shirt because they just don’t make them now.  Spandex added to fabric molds to the body pretty well, but is a cheaper-looking alternative and can’t compare to a blouse with fitted seaming that is done properly.  The look is completely different, and much more elegant.

So . . . . . . . . . . . . . what’s next? . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MEN’S TRUE VINTAGE WOOL SHIRT JACKET FROM THE 195O’S – EARLY 1960’S

MEN'S TRUE VINTAGE WOOL SHIRT JACKET FROM THE 195O'S - EARLY 1960'S

Perhaps a little earlier in the mid-century, here’s something for the men. Wool shirt-jackets were very popular for both sexes and great for transitional weather, like now!

This one has all the classic features – front pocket, vintage plastic buttons, shirt styling but with a placket front, so it’s a pull-over.

It’s what granddad wore when he raked the leaves . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A FUN 1960’S FIND TODAY

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Not a big day on the treasure hunt, but still a time for FUN.  This custom-tailored Sixties blouse is all that these separates used to be!

Made from textured poly flower-power print fabric in the blue-green color combo that was really popular for a while during that decade.  It has a scalloped hem in front (look carefully and you can see) and an almost full-length metal zipper in back.

Although a lot of the mid-century garments are fairly plain in their design and, especially some that were made at home – there are almost always little design touches or tailoring details that betray their well-bred and elegant background.  Most clothing made during this time still reflected the superior tailoring that was the norm in previous decades.

So, we see a bit of this evidence in the example of this blouse.  Sometimes (often) I have to give respect to the simplest true vintage clothing because of the care with which it was constructed.  Wonder what I’ll find the next time I go hunting . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEWLY-DISCOVERED MID-CENTURY BLOUSES LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

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At first, I thought that the green/brown blouse on top was a camouflage pattern – but it’s not.  It is a 1950’s art print fabric that is so fun!  It was commercially-made, with a care tag at the neckline.  I love cap sleeve blouses and yesterday’s finds were a real bonanza!

The two on the bottom are identical, excepting for the colors, and undoubtedly were custom-made by the same person, from interesting rayon or rayon-blend fabrics.  I’ve shown the back view on the right so that you can see the back buttoning and the interesting seaming.

Like so many mid-century garments, these are sporty and dressy at the same time.  I can wear them with shorts or Capri pants, like the ones I found last week, or with a skirt or under a suit jacket.  Always smart and elegant, no matter what the occasion.  That’s the beauty of true vintage fashion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS NEW FIND! COTTON PRINT MID-CENTURY SKIRT

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This is SO fabulous!  I love this sportswear skirt from the 1950’s with Grecian urns in pretty colors  printed all around.  In fact, that’s the name of the fabric design, printed on the selvage edge.

Can’t wait to wear it this Spring and Summer!  It was beautifully taken care of, with hardly a flaw.  Thank you to the woman who did that!

As I make my way here and there, to various shops, sales and stores in many different countries, the only thing I regret is that I usually don’t know the names of the original owners of the treasures I discover.  It’s always a big plus when I do, because the specific history adds so much to the story.

Oh, well.  As it is, I can imagine that Audrey, or Jean, or Margaret or Lois bought this skirt to wear on her first Roman holiday – and had a wonderful time!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

CLASSIC SUNDRESS BY HENRI BENDELL

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Here’s the example I promised yesterday – by the iconic Paris designer, Henri Bendel, a summer frock of exceptional fit and construction.  Although this dress may be no more than 8 years old since the company stopped selling clothing in 2009, it’s quality and pedigree made it worth picking up.

I also have a suit by Henri Bendel, made in the 1960’s.  The design and tailoring of his garments are exquisite.  Although this sundress does not look like anything special hanging here, it fits beautifully (my size!) and is very well-made.

If only for the legacy of this classic Parisian designer, I was happy to find it and will wear it with pleasure . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HILO HATTIE HAWAIIAN SHIRT WITH TRADITIONAL ELEGANT STYLING

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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

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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