A CLASSIC SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS WITH A STORY

A CLASSIC SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS WITH A STORY

This dress doesn’t shout at you, but it shouted at me and that was why I picked it up.  It is so obviously classic 1960’s and has an interesting label.

I researched the company, Carolina Made, and discovered a small clothing firm in, I believe, South Carolina, USA, which has been selling clothing for decades.  Rather than closing down, as many have done over the years, they have morphed into selling a completely different casual line of t-shirts, shorts and other sportswear that looks like the usual modern styles.

The southeastern U.S. was a clothing manufacturing center for many, many years.  This is where the garments were constructed.  So, this company – regardless of how it has changed – represents that history.

And, this dress also represents the history of classic styles in several ways.  The style has stayed good over several decades, the construction is strong and the colors are basically neutral.  It’s very versatile and useful – the way that we wear jeans today, a dress like this would serve for many activities that an average woman would do in a day in 1964.

The original belt was probably a fabric tie belt – this dress was not even swanky enough to have a buckle belt on it.  It’s a workhorse-type of dress, but with lots of possibilities.

Anyway, that’s the story that it told me and part of the enjoyment I get from hunting for true vintage.  I love stories and you just never know . . . .. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE EARLY – MID 1960’S LOUNGE-WEAR AND HOSTESS GOWNS

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY - MID 1960'S LOUNGE-WEAR AND HOSTESS GOWNS

A change of pace for the weekend – let’s slip into some fabulous-feeling vintage nylon. There’s nothing that feels like it – heavy, smooth, creamy and cool on your skin.  Well, enough of that – this is a vintage fashion blog, not a . . . . . .

These are what the fashionable woman wore at home while relaxing and/or for casual entertaining.  The one on the left is a slip-over design with roses embroidered at the neck. The right-hand style is unique with two fabric layers, a front zipper and long scarf “tails” that can be tied in a bow or crossed in front and thrown over the shoulders.  One is by ShadowLine and the other by a less well-known maker.

Those shoulder “tails” are an interesting feature.  I have a velveteen sheath dress circa about 1960 which has them and also a jacket, which I think comes from the wartime era. Not sure if this style element was something that repeated – I haven’t seen it often.  The color combo on the right has such a characteristic ’60’s look.

When I go sleuthing, or just sorting through my closets, I drift through several decades one after the other.  It’s almost as good as going to the movies . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S DAY DRESS

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S DAY DRESS

This dress was custom tailored at home, I’m sure  – though some simple items like this were commercially made then, too.  Many women who wore these day – in and day – out as house dresses and for working were accomplished seamstresses and made most all of the family’s clothing.

I love the pretty plaid cotton here, and the cute sculpted buttons at the neck and the pocket flaps.  Since the original belt was missing, I made a tie belt by taking a couple of inches off the hem, which was mid-calf length.  Easy.

Probably, this one belonged to a woman who farmed – and I imagine that a small blue stain on the skirt happened when she made a blueberry pie.  So many of these pieces tell a story, and you just never know . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’s SPRING JACKET IN NAUTICAL COLORS

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960s SPRING JACKET IN NAUTICAL COLORS

Red, white and blue have been popular color combinations, especially in Spring & Summer, for many decades.  Patriotic for some countries, but usually associated with a boating theme, in all kinds of clothing and accessories.

Lightweight jackets are always a must-have for Spring, Summer and Fall weather.  This one has that classic look that goes over skirts and dresses, slacks, jeans and shorts.   I was glad to come across it because I didn’t have one similar.

Yes, there are lots of modern jackets sold now that look like this one at first glance and Bobbie Brooks is still a modern label.  What makes this one different?   It was certain things about the material and the cut that told me, for sure.  That is a skill I have learned which makes the “hit” rate high for me and multiplies the fun I have!

The magic and mystery are a daily thing for me, because you just never know what will turn up . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE SHOES FROM THE 1930’S

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE SHOES FROM THE 1930'S - SEEN AT THE SHOE MUSEUM Beautiful footwear on display at the shoe museum I discovered in Mexico City last year.. This group is from the 1930’s.  I’ve been showing a lot of shoes lately, but they’re always favorites.  Enjoy!

Looking at old magazine and catalog ads, as well as when I observed these shoe displays, it was evident how much the styles slopped over from decade to decade or would repeat again several decades later.

Love the whimsical designs and decoration on many old vintage items!  As always, it’s in the little details, the quality of materials and the workmanship that the truth comes out . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S LADIES’ PUMPS IN LUGGAGE TAN NATURAL LIZARD

CLASSIC 1960'S LADIES' PUMPS IN LUGGAGE TAN NATURAL LIZARD

Talk about elegant – these shoes are timeless standards in 3 ways: style, color and material. This is characteristic of  many true vintage clothing and accessory items – the quality and design are so excellent that they look good with almost everything for almost always.

Classic mid-heel pumps in lizard-skin (vintage, of course) in this rich, mid-brown color will go through every season of the year, with white, black and colors, from casual to dressy.

Compose a wardrobe carefully of elements like this and you’ll appear sophisticated and well-heeled no matter what.  Quality and construction are everything.  Even well-known labels and designer names (especially if they were made since the 1980’s) are secondary and often cheap-looking, no matter how much they cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S/1970’S MEN’S LEISURE SLACKS

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ANOTHER NEW FIND.  SOME OF THOSE AWFUL MID-CENTURY SLACKS, IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION.  THESE ARE SO FUNNY, I COULDN’T RESIST!

With a sports shirt and maybe a dark brown poly sports jacket, you’d be right there in 1970’s style.  Put on a different top and jacket and you could go late Sixties.  Well, I guess they were cool then, and they’re cool now – for a different reason.

This pair was made by the Haggar company, which did make decent slacks, and they’re in great shape.  The fabric feels very nice to touch and I’d wear them, too, if they were in a suitable size.

And the checked pattern – so iconic – much better than similar ones in a plain color.  One thing about the poly knits, they did last pretty well if they were taken care of BUT it’s still not common to find men’s garments this well-preserved.  So, it’s another treasure for the archives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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MORE FINDS! TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S FROCK

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Another treasure from the 1960’s.  Sorry my camera/laptop is playing tricks on me again – can’t edit the photo.

This pretty Spring dress was custom-tailored with lots of nice features.  Love the Mod bell sleeves – I’ve run across several of these in the past 2 years, all of a sudden.  It’s fully lined, with raglan sleeves and an invisible zipper center back.

The seamstress knew her stuff and did a very good job. Although it’s plain, it’s very well-made.  The first thing she did right was selecting the fabric – a good quality polyester and/or acetate.  The print and colors are gorgeous – SO SIXTIES!!!

Sorry that this isn’t my color palette (makes me look jaundiced) but I’m sleuthing for true vintage fashion – not only things I can wear.  So, that didn’t stop me.  Never does . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER FIND! FROM COCKTAILS YESTERDAY TO SHOPPING AND HOUSEKEEPING

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Another mid-century style – this time from the mid-late Sixties –  but in a most casual house dress.  Sorry it’s a bit out of focus – I love this print and always enjoy red.  It’s in a half-size 14, which was  vintage language for Plus-size but it’s really not BIG at all.

The half-sizes were cut bigger in the bust and pretty straight through the waist (I’ve pinned this one in the back) but the shoulders are small, so I can wear it fine with a belt.  It was apparently belted originally because there are signs of belt loops.

I love the embroidered tag sewn in the neckline, the pointed collar and pearlized buttons with stems.  The fabric, again, is a mystery but doesn’t feel like polyester.

A no-nonsense frock that any average homemaker might have worn while going about her daily housekeeping duties.  Just the simplest and easiest thing to wear, and cute to boot!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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PURE CLASSIC! VINTAGE DAY DRESS IN FLORAL COTTON

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Right on the heels of that daring red frock shown yesterday came this traditional, custom-tailored every-day dress in a beautiful cotton print.  Again, I can’t say exactly how old it is but it was home-sewn in a classic, mid-century style.  The fabric is gorgeous.

Although it’s another perfect fit for me, the style is very plain so I think I’d cinch the waist with a belt to enhance the fit and add a pert little scarf or pearls at the neckline, depending on my mood.  Yes, that would be VERY cliche’ ’50’s but – so what? – also a VERY pretty look. Unless I wanted to go completely kitchy for the fun of it, I’d leave off the hat/gloves -handbag/shoes sets.

Anyway, this dress really makes me hanker for Spring!  Can’t wait to see what turns up next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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