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
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
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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
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
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
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
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
Following in yesterday’s footsteps, here’s another summer-weight find but so cute that I had to pick it up. I haven’t seen true vintage plaid house-dresses often, and I just LOVE them. Wish you could feel this fabric – it’s the softest cotton imaginable – been loved and washed for many years and still looks wonderful!
Nothing could be simpler and more classic than this design, but it’s well-constructed and built to last. Ruffles around the pocket and pretty embroidery trim. It’s nice when practical clothing is also elegantly well-made and just plain fun. Makes housework like play-day (if your imagination is good!)
So, enjoy. Tomorrow we’ll get to see more new-to-me true vintage dresses (they’re ALWAYS true vintage) but still for every season of the year. If you travel, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I know that these are summer fun frocks but, for those who are wintering down south or just like to think about warmer climes, I had to show these recent finds and to buy them because of their good quality. Nice, heavy knits and well-cared-for by their original owners.
Love little shoulder ties, fun prints and empire waistlines. This style of dress is not unusual to see, but the quality is relatively rare. Most of the time, you have to go back to the 1960’s to find them as nice as these. Another genre that are often this good are the long dresses made in Hawaii – usually Sixties and before.
Of course, these discoveries didn’t thrill me as much as some that I make but still worth it. It’s always good to appreciate garments like these while you’re on the lookout for what’s around the corner – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I was so elated to discover this rare sweater knit. There are only two others in my collection so far that are similar and obviously from the same era. Possibly designed for men back in the day, but definitely unisex.
The knit is glossy and heavy and the patterns are absolutely fantastic in my others, too – very neat geometric designs – part of the atomic craze. Just look at this one! A very MOD pattern, but before that time. And, in such near-perfect condition. That ‘s one other advantage – they are quite durable.
Fun, fun, fun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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