Category Archives: casual

A CLASSIC MID-CENTURY TRUE VINTAGE CASUAL SWING COAT

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This lovely true #vintage #coat is in a brown tweed with flecks of other warm colors and has a brown acetate lining. Though the photo doesn’t do it justice, it is really cute and has a nice swing.  It makes me think of Britain, though I think it was made in the U.S. – “a Petite by Fashioned”.  It’s so classic and of high quality that I can’t say exactly when it was made.

I love the little straps with buttons that decorate the collar on either side of the neck.  Little touches like this are the delight of true vintage items and aren’t done nearly as well (if at all) on more modern #clothing.

This coat closes with only one hidden button in front.  I have one or two others like this and several, as well as capes, that don’t close at all or just at the neck.  I wondered when  I wore it the last time if it would be warm enough in 20-something cold.  It was just fine!

So, don’t let lack of button closure discourage you from buying a great vintage coat if you #find one that you love.  Adding a belt is always a cool option, if you want to.

I was thrilled to find it – I’ve never seen another like it.  True vintage is so original!  You just never know . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE SUEDE LEATHER CAR-COAT, 1950S TO EARLY ’60S

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE CAR-COAT, 1950S TO EARLY '60S

Classic fall/winter coat in beige suede.  The casual style here has a lightweight quilted lining and is great for days that are cool.  Thanksgiving Day celebrations can sometimes be formal, but many Americans enjoy a relaxed dinner with family and/or friends and a day which includes outdoor activities.  Perfect!

I love the heavy plastic buttons and 3/4 or “bracelet length” sleeves that look so great with a pair of longer gloves. If you see a coat or jacket with sleeves that length, don’t give in to the idea that they would be awkward.  They look so striking worn with great gloves and/or bracelets. If the top of your outfit has long sleeves that wouldn’t coordinate well, long gloves can cover the bottoms of them below the cuffs of your coat.

The term “car-coat”, as it was used in the 1940s to 1960s, usually referred to a less formal coat that was of a shorter “fingertip” length so that the hem wouldn’t get dirty as a woman stooped to get in and out of a car.

I also have some different ones – one in beige blanket material,a navy wool and one in a black and white pattern. They may get posted later on as they are for even colder weather.

This is another great style that is so practical for day to day wear and very distinctively true vintage fashion. There’s nothing else like it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

BEAUTIFUL ICONIC EARLY 1960’S SUEDE COAT WITH MINK COLLAR

BEAUTIFUL ICONIC EARLY 1960'S SUEDE COAT WITH MINK COLLAR

Yes, I know, I know, I know – I already have several of these, but I DON’T have one this color!  These coats are so beautiful and this one so perfect that I just couldn’t resist . . . . . . . . .

I’ve seen this style coat in a range of earth-tone colors with some small variations on the design.  They are impeccably tailored and elegant in buttery suede with darker mink collars.  Must have been very popular in the early ’60’s and now have so many possibilities!  The collar closes in front with special hooks and eyes to create a rolled effect.

I love to imagine mine over a dress, skirt and blouse, slacks or jeans.  Scarves and gorgeous leather accessories complete the look.  Though it was a semi-dress item in it’s original incarnation, today it goes from casual – casual to fairly dressy in the blink of an eye.  I must photograph Stella in this coat with a variety of looks . . . . . . . . .

No wonder I couldn’t say no when I found this dark chocolate version in virtually perfect condition.  It has the original owner’s initials sewn inside, as a fun extra . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S MEN’S SUEDE LEATHER WESTERN-WEAR SPORT COAT

TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S MEN'S SUEDE LEATHER WESTERN-WEAR SPORT COAT

Cresco Fine Sportswear designed this great jacket, with front and back yokes, in a buttery camel-color suede. It was probably sold by a Western-wear dealer or fine men’s clothing store.

All the features of fine tailoring are here – a cloth label, 3 outside pockets and at least one inside, full lining plus dyed-to-match buttons on front and at the cuffs.

A sharp-looking gentleman’s garment. True, Madge can’t do justice to the shoulders . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG;  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FOUND YESTERDAY – A “TRUE BLUE” VINTAGE LITTLE HOME-SEWN SUMMER DRESS

From about 1965 – 1970, this ordinary-looking little frock is an exciting find to me. Why? It’s rare to find a dress from this era in perfect condition and with all the hallmarks of a true vintage piece. And, it’s very cute!

In traffic – sign yellow, which was a very popular color for clothing at that time, it’s an eye-grabber. It’s a slightly – fitted A – line style that is very flattering on the body. Although there are many dresses on the market in recent years that may look identical from a distance, this one stands out on closer examination with authentic construction and styling from back in the day. Always thrills me!

Although some modern companies have tried to mimic these features and fool shoppers into thinking they’re buying a vintage garment, they’re not successful if you know your stuff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG; MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

AUTHENTIC LATE 1960’S CUSTOM-TAILORED HOUSE-DRESS

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Very simple, but with the 1960’s bona-fides.  This fabric can’t be found today, no matter that some modern materials may be lookalikes at a glance.  Maybe some girl made this as a first project for Home-Ec class, though whoever it was did a pretty good job.  Not fancy; no bells and whistles, but sturdy, useful and very cute.

The elastic neckline is still stretchy and there are no stains, so someone stored this for a long time and didn’t use the heck out of it.  It’s our good fortune that many great true vintage garments were cared for this way by our moms and grandmothers, let alone the generations before.  Our current throw-away culture has played havoc with the quality of items that we can buy as well as any encouragement to keep things.  However, prices just keep going up and up out of all proportion.

Well, la-dee-da  –  not so much of a problem for the Magicvintagespy.  Wonder what’s next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

MYSTERY PATIO HOSTESS GOWN WITH SUCH INTERESTING BACKGROUND . . . .

Long, sweeping gown in a beautiful, heavy cotton(?) – the photo on left shows the cut while the photo on right gives the true color and close-up of the interesting print.  This dress has many construction contradictions; some point to 1940’s and some to 1960’s.  Undoubtedly, it was custom-tailored.

Maybe our mid-century tailor was very experienced and knew how to use various methods to achieve exactly the slinky, hourglass fit she wanted.  The bell sleeves and commercial braid trim say 1960’s but the mid-back zipper placement, dip in the front waistline and fabulous art print fabric say 1940’s.  Looks like a film noir hostess gown.    I love a mystery!

Anyway, it’s an absolute beauty and fits me like a glove.  Dresses with the zipper placed mid-back are always a trick to get into and out of – pays to understand the method.  However, when the fit is right and the construction good, it’s a snap.  Tomorrow I’ll show you a cute shift with a clear Sixties pedigree.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE KENNEDY ERA PLAY-SUIT ROMPER FIND. CUTEST EVER!

IMG_4195Here’s that play-suit discovery I made several months ago, modeled properly.  100% cotton with ric-rac trim and big plastic buttons.  Not only is it the cutest thing in the world but the ingenious design makes it so convenient to wear, unlike most jumpsuits both old and new.

Button straps, elastic waist and snap crotch closures make it easy-on, easy-off.  Although retro versions have been made in recent years, true vintage versions are rare, rare, rare.  It also fits me perfectly, unlike the one I came across several years ago which is a bit big.  So, I couldn’t be happier.  C’mon summer .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FINAL FUN FIND OF THE WEEK: TRUE VINTAGE SIXTIES – SEVENTIES SHIRT JACKET

Though certainly not a star when it comes to quality or design, it’ll be fun to wear when I’m in the mood.  Even the best of the late 1960’s to early 1970’s wasn’t great.

In this case, worth picking up for several reasons.  1.  Perfect condition and commercially-made.  When I see items like this in great shape, they’re usually home-sewn.  Probably women who sewed appreciated the value of their clothing more.  I rarely find a true vintage knit from this era that was commercially-made unless it’s a rag.  2.  The content & care tag and the Ladies Garment Workers Union tag are still present.  3.  The fabric and styling are purely from the era.  Although some fairly faithful retro copycats have been made in recent years, there’s always nothing better than an original.  4. The pattern, collar and color are just cute!

So, that rounds out my week.  We’ll see what happens around May Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LATE 1960’S 1970’S PRAIRIE STYLE DRESS FIND – THIS ONE CAN HAVE MANY LIVES

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Could be a Prom – party, wedding or casual summer day dress according to your wish!  Love well-made frocks like this one, which has pretty fabric and trim as well as a liner that prevents see-through (excepting for a bit at the midriff and on the sleeves).  Just right!

I’m always super-happy to find a gown or long dress of this genre and era.  And, in perfect condition.  Things just keep getting better . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM