1951 PARIS DESIGNER ENSEMBLE INTERPRETED BY AMERICAN CLOTHIER NELLIE DON

1951 PARIS DESIGNER ENSEMBLE INTERPRETED BY AMERICAN CLOTHIER NELLIE DON.

1951 PARIS DESIGNER ENSEMBLE INTERPRETED BY AMERICAN CLOTHIER NELLIE DON

This is one of my very favorite designer dress finds!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

1951 PARIS DESIGNER ENSEMBLE INTERPRETED BY AMERICAN CLOTHIER NELLIE DON

This is a really interesting find! A plain belted sheath dress with removable peplum. I encountered a photo in a hallway decoration on the cruise boat last fall that told me the year and the designer. I can’t remember the designer now – can anyone help out? It was a name that we all know.

This one was styled by Nellie Don, which made very available clothing items for women in America – not couture. Usually a year or two after styles came out in Paris they found their way into the U.S. one way or another.

It’s made of an unremarkable fabric – some kind of cotton blend in an abstract print – with a center back metal zipper. But it is an unusual length for that time – just a bit below the knee.

I was quite surprised when I discovered it, hiding in an odd little shop…

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TRUE VINTAGE RAYON DAY DRESS FROM THE LATE 1930s TO EARLY 1940s

TRUE VINTAGE RAYON DAY DRESS FROM THE LATE 1930s TO EARLY 1940s.

TRUE VINTAGE RAYON DAY DRESS FROM THE LATE 1930s TO EARLY 1940s

AS COLD AS IT IS, i’M STILL GOING TO BE SHOWING SOME SPRING THINGS . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE RAYON DAY DRESS FROM THE LATE 1930s TO EARLY 1940s

Another lovely shirtwaist dress for a Spring day, this one in rayon. It could have been custom made or ready-made – no tags or tell-tale details to help me be sure.

In most cases, dating true vintage clothing is not an exact science, but with knowledge and experience can be pretty close. This group (yesterday, today and tomorrow) make me think of something Bonnie, of Bonnie & Clyde, might have worn.

To me, nothing says “Spring” more than these pastel printed dresses in breezy styles. The lingerie that must go with them, because of their sheerness, just adds to the package.

When I find one of these I really jump for joy! It’s just one thrill after another because, you just never know .. . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS CIRCA 1930s TO 1940s

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS CIRCA 1930s TO 1940s.

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS CIRCA 1930s TO 1940s

THIS WAS A REALLY FUN FIND . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS CIRCA 1930s TO 1940s

This dress is very intriguing to me.

I strongly suspect that this frock was custom tailored; very well done. Putting in all the lace edging is not easily accomplished by someone who is not a good seamstress..

The buttons are also very interesting. They are delicate, lacy and iridescent, though I feel sure that they are not made of mother of pearl. They seem to be a plastic of some kind – or possibly celluloid. The belt was made to have a slide-through buckle, which is missing. I have 2 or 3 that could replace it beautifully – another reason to collect these things when you can.

The material is a floral print and has a feel which makes me question exactly what it is made of. It doesn’t swing like the rayon dress shown yesterday, but it’s not a plain old cotton either. Hmmm . . . . …

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VINTAGE ASIAN SHEATH, MADE IN THE EAST CIRCA?

Here’s a little number to shake you up!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

ImageThis dress is one of my Mata Hari outfits and  came from a shop in, probably, British Hong Kong – maybe Taiwan or somewhere in China.  It has a label with the shop’s name, but no further info.  It is possibly custom-made, as so many of the dressmakers will do in those countries.

Because it is a classic oriental style and a heavy jacquard material, I am unable to date it really closely – also has none of the identifiers that clothing made in the U.S. often will.

In any case, I love Eastern styles and the beautiful silks that they are often made from.  The older dresses are still found.  Some, like this one, are made from a synthetic blend.  Many contemporary dresses are still being made in the traditional styles, so you have to know how to identify the older ones, if that is what you are seeking.  Kimonos…

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BEST MONTH AND YEAR EVER!! AND, IT’S NOT EVEN OVER . . . . . .

BEST MONTH AND YEAR EVER!! AND, IT'S NOT EVEN OVER . . . . . ..

BEST MONTH AND YEAR EVER!! AND, IT’S NOT EVEN OVER . . . . . .

file0001209214386  ebook cover #1 (1)THANKS, EVERYBODY FOR A GREAT YEAR!  I CAN ONLY TINGLE IN ANTICIPATION FOR WHAT’S AHEAD.

I ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU – WHAT YOU LIKE AND WANT TO SEE OR HEAR MORE ABOUT, WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING – PLEASE SHARE.

AS WE START YEAR 3 OF MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM TOGETHER, HAVE A WONDERFUL AND MAGICAL 2015.  ISN’T IT FABULOUS THAT YOU JUST NEVER KNOW . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE (?) 1980’S (?) TIGER PRINT SHIRT JACKET BY ABS

TRUE VINTAGE (?) 1980'S (?) TIGER PRINT SHIRT JACKET BY ABS.