Category Archives: casual

PERFECT TRUE VINTAGE AUSTRALIAN HANDBAGS – IN BLACK AND WHITE

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERALook!  I found another woven metal mesh Glomesh bag – this time a black one.  Photographed on two different backgrounds to enhance the details.  So nice to have two colors.  Also, love this wonderful macrame’ bag in a similar style.

The Glomesh purses were very popular here – a real Australian company. The white bag doesn’t have a brand name inside.  Sixties or early Seventies, both of these purses have survived in great condition.  I will really enjoy using them!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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BEAUTIFULLY TOOLED LEATHER BAGS FROM MEXICO – CIRCA 1960’S – 1980’S

BEAUTIFULLY TOOLED LEATHER BAGS FROM MEXICO - CIRCA 1960'S - 1980'S

Soft, supple leather inside and out – these bags were made in Mexico and probably picked up by vacationers who used them very little, if at all, after their trip.  Both have vintage hardware, but the designs – especially on the left-hand purse – are more modern.

On the right, we see a traditional floral/cactus pattern similar to those made in the western United States while the left-hand one has a farm worker pictured and, on the back, the Mayan calendar.

What I like best about these handbags, whether made in the ’40’s or the ’80’s is that they are 100% hand-made and usually the workmanship and quality of the leather are excellent.  Plus, they are SO distinctive and unusual . . . . . . . . . . always a priority for me.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S TOTE BAG/HANDBAG – A REAL SIGN OF THE TIMES

TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S TOTE BAG/HANDBAG - A REAL SIGN OF THE TIMES

Although this kind of carry-all has never lost popularity in general, it seems like the 1960’s was a really big time for smart, tailored bags like this.  Many were used to carry needlework, like knitting and crochet.  No matter the use for it, totes like this are always SO handy.  In this case, a very elegant design . .. . . . . . . .

Not sure why, but fashion needlework was kind of a “fad” in the Sixties among everyday women even though lots of people have always done it and certain people still do.  I picked this bag up when I found it because it is beautifully made, in pristine condition, and just spoke to me of that Mod time in fashion.

The tortoise shell plastic handles were really “in” then, as well as the printed lining.  I’ve left the closure flap turned up so that you can see the lovely lining material, too.  It’s fully-lined, with metal hardware.

Just a simple bag, but with a shift dress and flats (or a sheath and pumps if you’re at the Club or an appointment) you’d look just like any photo from a popular magazine of 1964 or so. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY SIXTIES CASUAL HANDBAG

Another wonderful find.   This is an iconic purse style from the early 1960’s.  I always love the fun prints used for the linings.  You can see in the second photo that it also has a clear vinyl layer covering the fabric to protect the inside of the purse from spills and wear.  What a great idea!

Several of these wait for summer in my closet, and the hardware and shapes can vary so I don’t mind collecting whatever I find.  Many were made in British Hong Kong, which always meant quality workmanship.

When traveling incognito, of course, it’s important to have seasonal clothing and accessories to help me blend in with the scenery.  These bags are big enough for all I need, but not too conspicuous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE FIFTIES / EARLY SIXTIES SCARF BANDEAUS – BEAUTIFUL FOR SPRING AND SUMMER!

TRUE VINTAGE FIFTIES / EARLY SIXTIES SCARF BANDEAUS - BEAUTIFUL FOR SUMMER!

These scarves are of a vintage style I see rarely – sewn in a continuous circle and open in the back.  You can scrunch and spread them but they have no elastic built in.  Mid-century film stars loved this style.

The idea is to make a chic “hat”, pinned and adjusted to your type of hairstyle, or a quick and elegant solution to bad hair days.  They’re usually sheer rayon, nylon or silk.

Must have been, more or less, a brief “fad”. It would be easy to make or fake now, but the real thing is always more intriguing . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MY FAVORITE SILK SOUVENIR SCARF – FROM HAWAII, 1950’S

MY FAVORITE SILK SOUVENIR SCARF - FROM HAWAII, 1950'S

The colorful, naive graphics of true vintage souvenir scarves and hankies are SO much fun!!  It’s wonderful to find one in silk, or any high quality vintage fabric like rayon or fine 100% cotton.

The designs are always so cute and bright.  Not a good disguise, though, unless I’m wanting to look like a tourist . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

VERY CUTE! TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S SPRING DAY DRESS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

SWEET LITTLE BIAS-CUT FROCK WITH A SWING AND SWAY HEMLINE.

This dress is so simple, but there are very interesting and attractive details – true to its mid-century era.  The bow at the neckline and little covered buttons are precious.  The fabric, also, is lovely.  It feels like rayon and has a weave that makes it look like shantung – very smart for such a plain dress, but – that’s true vintage – they put really nice details on even the most everyday off-the-rack garments.

Although this style would be very easy to home-sew, the dress was commercially made.  A tag inside says it’s a vintage plus size 18 1/2, believe it or not.  Equivalent to a size 6 or 8 today.  Size 4 me can even wear it with a belt, though I might want to pad my bra a bit . . . . . .. .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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CUTE LITTLE SEERSUCKER MINI SKIRT SUIT FROM THE MID-SIXTIES, FOR SPRING, SUMMER AND EARLY FALL!

CUTE LITTLE SEERSUCKER SKIRT SUIT FROM THE SIXTIES, FOR SUMMER!

A cotton suit like this is a very unusual discovery.  Casual wear often didn’t stay in good shape over the years and separates, especially, didn’t stand the wear and tear of frequent use.  It’s not rare to run into seersucker, which is a really fun and durable fabric.  But, to find a true vintage piece is quite uncommon.

Like in the Fifties, it seems that little casual suits were also popular in the Sixties and were worn like day-dresses used to be.  Pants were STILL not hugely popular, with women generally sticking to dresses and skirts more often than we do now.

This outfit has cute little details like waist tabs and notches in the hems – nice tailoring details that are a hold-over from the 1940’s and 1950’s, though I think this suit was sold through one of the catalog houses that were popular then, like Montgomery Ward, Penneys or Sears & Roebuck, and wouldn’t have been considered a high quality item.

Not quite my color and a little large for me, so it probably won’t stay in my closet forever. But, can’t pass up a beauty like this! Such fun . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A PRETTY BELTED SHIRTWAIST DRESS FROM THE 1950’S

A PRETTY BELTED SHIRTWAIST DRESS FROM THE 1950'S     This conservative little style is very sweet, no?

It is made of a pure cotton material, I would guess, and was probably custom tailored (from looking at the details).  I have at least one more dress which has cross-stitch embroidery on it but, to tell the truth, many true vintage dresses that were commercially made have lovely detail, too. And, of course, it could have been added later by the owner.

I also really love skinny, fabric-covered belts on dresses – a common feature on dresses made at this time. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ll sometimes shorten an extra-long hem and make a covered belt from the extra fabric when an original belt is missing.

These dresses look nice with a cardigan sweater or a shawl, so they can go from Spring into Fall with ease. They were standard daytime wear for just about everybody back in the day. It’s so great to see how the classic styles remain elegant and wearable for decades.

And, because fabrics and construction were so well done and women took good care of their clothing, I continue to find them. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1960S – ’70s GREEN FLORAL PRINT HAWAIIAN DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1960S - '70s GREEN FLORAL PRINT HAWAIIAN DRESS

What’s special about this find?  Aside from being about 40 years old, it is made in Hawaii – which used to mean beautiful, quality cottons and rayons and lovely workmanship.  This one doesn’t disappoint.  It has a back zipper with a small bow trim there. The neckline has piping around it and the heavy cotton material drapes nicely.  As usual, the print and color saturation are wonderful in these fabrics.

A straight, mu-mu style is very versatile and flattering to most figures.

Are you planning to attend or host some casual event this weekend, or just a laid-back day at home?  In keeping with the green spirit of this St. Patrick’s holiday, I suggest a dress like this one.  As long as it’s warm enough where you are, a dress like this can be worn almost anywhere, to do anything.  It’s even possible to dress it up with jewelry, shoes and bag.

Vintage made in Hawaii has always been so distinctive – it’s a special look all its own.  It does tend to follow style trends a bit, but some of the classic looks don’t change. I’ll be showing others that are older, too.  These have been so popular over the years that they sometimes turn up in my searches and I’m always thrilled to find them.  Just putting one on takes me to an exotic time in my mind and then, well you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM