Category Archives: classic clothing

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY HAWAIIAN SHIRTS FROM BACK IN THE DAY . . .

CLASSIC TRAVEL SOUVENIRS AT THEIR BEST!!!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE HAWAIIAN SHIRTS FROM BACK IN THE DAY . . .

These shirts are authentic from Hawaii when they were very well-made and always a vacation souvenir. The shirt on the left, especially, is from the 1940’s or ’50’s – made of cotton with a bark cloth print. It’s also got buttons made from, I think, coconut shell.

The shirt on the right is newer – 1950’s to ’70’s. It is also cotton and is from the shop at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. That is (or was) a famous hotel on Waikiki Beach which had their own line of clothing with their label. The buttons are also distinctively theirs.

What’s so great about these shirts? The lovely cottons, the great prints and the “exotic” origin. I don’t have any of the fabulous rayon shirts from the ’40’s that were made there – maybe someday – noting better to wear during a tropical investigation on a hot summer night . . …

View original post 24 more words

A FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE COTTON 1940’s – 1950’S SHIRTWAIST DRESS – HAPPY DAYS!

FOR SUMMER STREET DANCES!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

A FAVORITE COTTON 1940's - 1950'S SHIRTWAIST DRESS - HAPPY DAYS!

I love the colors of this dress. Blues and violets in a funny, abstract print that looks like computer cards from back in the day. It’s a happy dress that reminds me of the show Happy Days.

There’s no label, so it might have been home-made, but done so well that who would care? I was just watching a movie about swing dancing and saw a lot of frocks that looked like this.

Swing dancing is one of the most joyful things I can imagine . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

View original post

TRUE VINTAGE LADIES’ BLOUSES FROM THE 1940’s & 1950’s

Warm weather classic elegance for any time – any place . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE LADIES' BLOUSES FROM THE 1950'S

I’ve got lots more dresses to show, but I’ll also be showing quite a few blouses and shirts. These are a dressier variety, from the ’40’s and ’50’s.

The first one, left to right, is a silk blouse by Lady Manhattan. It’s plain and could be worn for everyday, but is also classic & lovely enough to wear for a night out. The sleeves can be rolled up and it’s very well-tailored.

The second blouse is of linen with embroidery. Meant to be worn with a skirt. It buttons up the back.

The third blouse has embroidery and applique’ trim at the neck and is some kind of rayon blend, I think. They’re all beautiful and a testament to the elegance of common clothing then – items that the “average” woman might have owned. I wonder who she was? . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE…

View original post 16 more words

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE SHEER SHIRTWAIST STYLE FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

This is one of my favorite styles for warmer weather.

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE SHEER SHIRTWAIST STYLE FROM THE 1940'S - 1950'S

Although another similar style to the floral one which is so flattering, this dress has a slightly different fit and does not give off the same secuctive vibe as the other.

This one is a little more no-nonsense, but very pretty and smart. It’s also got buttons with rhinestones (very popular on early ’50’s dresses).

I’m not exactly sure of its age, but can easily place it between that 1945 – 1955 space. It’s another that you can enjoy wearing one of of your beautiful slips underneath.

I can’t have too many of these, either. So easy in every respect, though of course it requires careful attention when being laundered, as do all of my treasures . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

View original post

SMART & CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE ’50’S – EARLY ’60’S

YOU’LL NEVER FAIL WITH TRUE VINTAGE, QUALITY LEATHER ACCESSORIES

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

PRETTY CLASSIC VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE '50'S - EARLY '60'S

Here’s a beautiful leather handbag in a classic shape and with the quality of leather. I have collected them whenever possible because of their outstanding value and elegant design.

This one is beige leather inside and out, with a snakeskin quilt overlay. It’s so classic in design and neutral in color that I can carry it any time of year. It has lasted for decades and, with good care, will last decades more.

I always use a leather conditioner on my leather goods once or twice a year and store them in a way that won’t encourage mold or mildew or cause them to be bent out of shape.

Like your shoes, there’s nothing that is more telling about your good taste and willingness to invest in the best than the kind of handbag that you carry.

I’m not big in favor of designer names just for their own sake…

View original post 79 more words

TRUE VINTAGE SHEER SUMMER DRESS IN RAINBOW SHERBET COLORS

What could be simpler and better than 1940’s true vintage for summer . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE SHEER SUMMER DRESS IN RAINBOW SHERBET COLORS

This dress is so pretty and fun to wear. When I found it, the original belt was missing, as is often the case, but not difficult to find one that works.

The style is Forties, because it had short sleeves with a bit of puff at the shoulder, but I suspect it may not be quite that old. I removed the sleeves because they were not particularly flattering to me and I wanted a bit more sophisticated look, though it’s very casual. I love the bands of color, switched at the hem.

When I find a dress that has damage or is not a high-quality piece, I feel free to make some alterations to suit myself. This dress had no damage, but it’s not high-end. Of course, I did save the sleeves and they could be re-attached at any time. To me, that’s important with true vintage apparel – to…

View original post 41 more words

HERE’S ONE OF MY CIRCLE SKIRTS FROM THE 1950’S – IN AN ATOMIC PRINT

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

ANOTHER OF MY CIRCLE SKIRTS IN AN ATOMIC PRINT FROM THE 1950'S

Hanger by hanger, moving on through my closet, a true vintage atomic print skirt in a lightweight cotton, so it really moves. That’s an advantage of the circle cut, especially for dancing.

Nothing could be nicer on a hot summer day or any other time from Spring to Fall, with the right additions. The top shown with it is a nice faux linen thing but is not true vintage. I paired them because of the color match, which can be tricky with aqua.

It’s blue, green and black with little satellite-looking things on a white background. Side metal zipper and button closure, with a built-in side-seam pocket for convenience.
Embroidered label says “Nelly de Grab New York”.

This is one of the few items which I have found on the Internet. Online is not my first choice for shopping, because I love my feet-on-the-ground investigating, but it is certainly a…

View original post 38 more words

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE WRAP-AROUND DRESS BY SWIRL

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE WRAP-AROUND DRESS BY SWIRL

Remember the red wrap-around by Swirl that I showed a few days ago? Here’s another of their creations, in the same basic design but with a very different feel.

Embroidered white flowers on china blue. It’s another one that I love and is so wearable.

These casual day dresses are some of the best things to find because they don’t require a “special occasion” to wear them and don’t need a lot of careful handling. My closets are full of dresses like this and I enjoy them daily!

Some of the most valuable things don’t have to be kept in a safe . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

View original post

TRUE VINTAGE COTTON CANDY CONFECTION OF A FROCK – EARLY 1960’S

FERRIS WHEEL, ANYONE? . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE COTTON CANDY CONFECTION OF A FROCK - EARLY 1960'S

Time for a new color. This dress is spun sugar pink, with bubblegum, white and (dare I say it – puce). That’s an awful name for a color, but mixed with these others it is very effective.

There’s no tag remaining, so I don’t know for certain that this dress was commercially-made but it certainly looks as though it was. The bodice is lined and the belt would have required some exceptional skill to make at home.

This type of fabric was called “whipped cream”, I think. A type of synthetic, but I can’t say which. It has unusual body that gives it a form of its own. The tie belt and blousey effect create a flattering fit.

Back zipper – simple style, but very much a stand-out. It makes me think of a carnival in the summer . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK:…

View original post 12 more words

PRETTY LITTLE SLINKY KNIT DRESS FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

A TRUE VINTAGE STYLE AND FABRIC THAT FITS SO WELL – IT NEVER FAILS TO GET COMPLIMENTS!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

PRETTY LITTLE SLINKY KNIT DRESS FROM THE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S

I’ve come across many dresses made of this cool, smooth, glossy knit. Most are from the ’50’s and some from the ’40’s. It’s just so comfortable and drapes so well!

This one has a metal zip up the back and a fabric tie belt. There is no tag anymore, but I’m sure it was commercially-made.

There is piping around the neckline and the armholes. This detail can be done at home, but it’s tricky to do really well.

It’s another in-between casual to dressy day dress. It seems there were lots like that because, until the ’60’s, most women and girls wore dresses or skirts every day, for all activities that were not really casual (like sports or a picnic) or at-home.

I often get compliments when wearing something like this to town. Older men like it because it reminds them of how women dressed when they were in their…

View original post 64 more words