Category Archives: Christmas

Home for the True Vintage Holidays – Part 3

It’s Christmas morning, Yay! Time to get down to business in a 1970’s Quiana nylon dress with a little bit of 1940’s style. Although it looks orangey in the photo, it is a brilliant lipstick red color that nylon fabric holds so intensely. A nice mid-century chain belt adds the perfect touch. Appropriate for any gathering, no matter how you do the celebrating. Couldn’t be more perfect for today’s activities – easy to wear, lightweight and comfortable. The dress smoothly transitions to anything you have planned – well, maybe not a game of touch football but you get the idea. Won’t be restrictive during all the cooking, eating, visiting and package opening. You can comfortably sit on the floor with wrapping paper piling up all around you.

Fa la la la la la la la la! Nothing to do today but enjoy. So much to be grateful for and a New Year is just around the corner. Though the weather won’t change much for a while, the sun is kissing us longer each day and true vintage fashion trends will gradually be changing. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

At Home for the True Vintage 1950’s Holidays – Part 1

Here’s a beautiful 1950’s dress by Lantz that would be perfect for Christmas Eve with family or good friends. It’s made of cozy wool felt with black embroidered decoration. Pure Fifties wasp waist and midi hemline. I love the little stitched decoration trimming the neckline and sleeves. What could be more festive and Christmas-y than a frock like this?

It’s appropriate for the family dinner, no matter who’s there, and could easily go to any type of celebration or event away from home. Cocktails around the fire would be perfect but, at some point, the dresses and sweaters will come off for more comfy duds. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Unique 1950’s True Vintage LBD Cocktail Dress – Party On!

Any time there’s a special event or holiday, a true vintage little black dress will never let you down. This one is so unusual, I had to slip it into the line of bright and colorful frocks that I’ve been showing. Not an easy fit for everyone, but if you’ve got the shoulders to support the neckline and a tiny waist like Stella, it’s absolutely stunning. The drape of the bodice is genius and the fabric flower at the waist adds even more interest without any need to be flashy.

Jewelry should be sophisticated but simple. Diamond stud earrings or gold, or pearls. Absolutely NO statement necklaces to detract from that beautiful neckline and maybe no necklace at all. If more bling is desired, a delicate but luxurious bracelet or watch would be nice. Back in the day beautiful tiny watches in gold or platinum with diamonds were not unusual for those who could afford to splurge on them. Of course, a cocktail ring is always acceptable with a dress like this but, again, the jewelry should not overpower the dress, which is the star of this show. And, the show must go on. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A TOASTY FLANNEL ROBE FROM THE 1940’S – FEELS GREAT TO SNUGGLE UP IN JUST ABOUT NOW . . . . .

A TOASTY FLANNEL ROBE FROM THE 1940'S - FEELS GREAT TO SNUGGLE UP IN JUST ABOUT NOW . . . . .

The nights are getting pretty cool, to say the least!  So, I’ve pulled out my flannel robes and this one is a favorite – owned by a great-aunt in the 1940’s.

There’s nothing like snuggly cotton flannel on a cold evening.  And, red is even better. Warms me up just to look at it.

Cuffed sleeves, patch pockets, tie belt – what makes it different?  The look of the fabric and the construction details, for two.  Nothing could be more classic, but this one is true vintage, too.

It just puts me back-in-the-day immediately because I know it has curled up by the fire on many a cold Autumn or Winter night . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

FABULOUS FIND! FIREY RED TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950’S FROCK . . .

IMG_1467 IMG_1468Stella is doing a 1950’s Janet Leigh thing this time (she loves her wigs).  Just perfect in this custom-tailored red velveteen frock with rhinestone buttons and buckle.  It’s a little warm for this time of year – probably best for Christmas or Valentine’s Day – but, how could I resist?

It’s got those little pointy cuffs on the 3/4/ sleeves that are so stylish, and a very full skirt.  No lining or slip needed with this cotton velveteen fabric, as it’s very opaque and will be cuddly in cool weather.

The buttons and belt buckle are very nice, too.  Would be lovely to still have notions like this available at the corner store . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE SIXTIES COCKTAIL PARTY DRESS

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With all the casual elegance of the mid-1960’s, this metallic frock is the greatest!  I was just thrilled to find this.  It’s fully-lined and in great shape.  I had to tack up the hem and give it a light cleaning – that’s all!

More perfect party-wear.  Couldn’t ask for more this holiday season.  I  enjoyed this one on New Year’s Eve.  Simply-made and easy to wear, that’s the best of the best when it’s also high quality.

Love true vintage . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE ROBES AND DRESSING GOWNS FROM THE LATE 1930’S – 1940’S

TRUE VINTAGE ROBES AND DRESSING GOWNS FROM THE LATE 1930'S - 1940'S

We’ve done a little film noir leisure dressing for the men, so here are 3 of my very favorite women’s things of the same era.  The fabulous ’30’s robe with shoulder pads and tassels, the cute little wartime rayon dressing gown and the glam  ’40’s rayon dressing gown.  Hollywood movie star all over!

Imagine Veronica Lake or Joan Crawford sweeping into the room. Deanna Durbin would have looked sweet in that blue and white dressing gown.

I like to recline in one of these while sipping a cognac and reviewing the latest assignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

BRIGHT RED GIRLY DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1960’S – LOVE IT!

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Even though it’s way too prissy for me, yes, I do love it.  There’s a certain genre from that time that this frock fits right into; and, what could be better than a bright hollyberry-red dressy dress right about now?  Below-the-knee length and just right for dancing.

Some women love the bow ties, ruffles and flouncy skirts, and why not?  Sometimes I do, too.  The long, sheer sleeves are pretty.  Just depends . . . . . . But, regardless, this dress was just too perfect to pass up.  It has many of the nice construction details that I appreciate in a quality garment and that are so characteristic of true vintage fashions.

So, Ho Ho Ho and all that.  This one’s going to party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LATE 1940’S – EARLY 1950’S NEW LOOK TRUE VINTAGE GOWN

LATE 1940'S - EARLY 1950'S NEW LOOK TRUE VINTAGE GOWN

This dress is regal and majestic. The material is a heavy rayon with sheen – almost satin. It has black beaded designs around the neckline and each sleeve.

It’s an example of the design introduced by Christian Dior in 1947, I believe, called the “New Look” because it was so different from the severe, short and relatively plain clothing that women wore during WWII in order to conserve resources. Tiny waists, long skirts, luxurious material and extravagant decoration were “in” again.

Enough history lesson! It’s just a beautiful, feminine and stunning dress. The original owner had shortened it by 2 – 3 inches, so it was definitely mid-calf length when new. Fortunately, she didn’t cut off any material, so it could be let down again.

This is certainly something that you might wear to see the Queen, or the King, or the President or just your favorite prince . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960s METALLIC SAPPHIRE BLUE STILETTO PUMPS

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960s METALLIC SAPPHIRE BLUE STILETTO PUMPS

A relatively rare find, early ’60s pumps a lot like the ones my grandmother wore in 1963. I was surprised to see the metallic finish, but these are definitely true vintage. I’m not sure if they are patent leather or not – the soles are man-made but the insoles are part leather. Just enough of the markings are left, as well as the appearance overall, to show that they are at least 50 years old, though in excellent condition!

They are almost a perfect color match for the dress which I just posted, and would look very good with it. They were another surprise find, which completely delighted me.

As always, you just never know . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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