Category Archives: clothing

PRETTY, PRETTY WARTIME – POST-WAR NYLON BED JACKET BY ROGERS

OK, head back 10 to 20 years for another frilly, girly piece of boudoir lingerie – a beautiful bed jacket, the likes of which has disappeared from our modern wardrobes.  This was another of the lingerie luxuries that women enjoyed until the 1970’s.

Delicate and beautiful, items like this were common in average women’s closets.  They seem a bit over-the-top for everyday wear today, but in mid-century life were (and are) very practical for before bed and early morning activities while women were wearing their nightgowns, without sacrificing feminine mystery.

Gotta tell ya’ – it beats throwing a hoodie or sweater over your pj’s in a cool house. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MID-CENTURY BLOUSE FINDS. I’M ALWAYS THRILLED BY THEM!

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These are all great,  but I always love peasant blouses and Sixties cotton blouses.  The true ones are becoming more and more rare and are so fun to encounter.  They are always a go-to for me in the summer.

Nothing could have been more iconic in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.  Some of the little-white-blouses had embroidery on them, too, but not big and bold like the peasant variety.  Although popular back to the Forties, these examples come from the Sixties and, maybe, early Seventies.

Yes, another trio to find closet room and happy wearing come next May . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PRETTY NYLON GOWNS FROM THE 1950’S TO EARLY 1960’S – SOMETHING I ALWAYS LOVE TO FIND

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So pretty and feminine, so slinky and comfy.  Mid-century lingerie sleepwear just can’t be beat for quality and style.  Wearing it always makes me feel like I’m in a film noir or an early 1960’s sit-com.

The details on older lingerie are so beautiful and artfully-made, much of it truly by hand even on commercial gowns and robes.  We’re so lucky that these items can still be discovered, with a little persistence and discrimination.  With care, they’ll last you the rest of your life and that’s a long time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FUN, FUN SUMMER FINDS TODAY!

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Just found a trove of custom-tailored summer fashions, plus some accessory goodies.  Wow, posts are going to be up to mid-December now so, stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER “NEW” – 1960’S HOUSECOAT WRAPPER

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I always pick up these old cotton or cotton blend housecoats when I find them.  Although there are similar ones being made now, the older ones tend to have the best quality and most interesting styling and decoration.

Such fun to know these little differences that make a big impact on your satisfaction when you wear them!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MADE IN JAPAN – LOOK AT THIS FAB COTTON KIMONO!

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Although the phrase “made in Japan” used to connote (in Western countries) some cheap trinket back in the WWI, WWII and Post-war days before their technological revolution, Japan is also the country that is known for gorgeous kimonos and traditional garments of the most elaborate embroidered silk.

Another unusual and  surprising find.  I’m not sure exactly how to date this 100% cotton robe, but it’s beautiful and well-styled in it’s elegant simplicity.  The fan motifs are very wonderful and I love the colors (as does Stella – with that auburn hair it’s dynamite on her!).

Definitely a keeper.  More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS UNUSUAL FIND! MID-1960’S VELVETEEN MATERNITY TENT DRESS

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Wowee!  Someone custom-tailored this cute mini-dress that falls from above the bust-line and is a really flattering shape for someone whose waistline has temporarily disappeared.  It also could have been a “tent” style, which was all the rage about that time.  In any case, it’s perfect for Fall no matter how or why she wore it!

All kinds of “new” stuff, including a wonderful hairdo for Stella.  She’s psyched!  So am I.  We’ll be spreading a lot of rockabilly vibes and more.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEXT FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S/EARLY 1960’S HAND-MADE HOUSE DRESS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Gingham again – it’s always classic and often found in lots of casual clothing from mid-century.   OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

In this example, we have a custom-tailored design – sort of Western-wear, but just CUTE! Simple shift style, but when I wear it I’ll probably add a belt and cinch the waist.  The ruffle at the hem, cross-stitch decoration and interesting elbow-length sleeves all make it unique and would even be a good Halloween costume.

Dresses with these features were popular in mid-century in the United States, when there was a big Western/cowboy craze going on.  Ever hear of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans?  I’ve learned so much by being interested in true vintage fashion!  Happy trails to you, until we meet again.  Have fun tonight – arroooooooooooooooooo . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE GINGHAM HOUSE – DRESS FROM 1961, WITH PRETTY VINTAGE LACE

IMG_1490 IMG_1491True vintage house-dresses are some of my favorite finds because they are always so cute, easy to wear all year long and each one has different details to discover.  Gingham fabric is always top of the list.  It’s fun to find so many different colors besides the wonderful, classic red/white and blue/white combos!

The most outstanding feature of this dress is the lace around the collar – it’s just different from anything that is made now.

I really love 100% cotton fabric in blouses and dresses like this, but often find that even the older ones are a cotton-poly blend.   Clothing makers were creative with blended and synthetic fabrics in the Forties when some of the usual materials were diverted for use in making things for the WWII effort.  In the Fifties they began concentrating on making fabrics easy-care – less or no ironing needed and easier to wash – but I still find wonderful 100% cottons, too.

So, we’ve benefited and lost from these changes in the marketplace over the past few decades.  There’s nothing like the true vintage fabrics, no matter what type they are, but I love the innovations that made improvements in them, too.  Each decade has it’s own wonderful fabrics!

It’s been so much fun to learn all these things from my experience in the field – always looking forward to the next investigation . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

OPENING THE TREASURE CHEST – TRUE VINTAGE LABELS ARE SO MUCH FUN

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Classic true vintage ’40’s – early ’50’s style, custom-tailored by Rosalie Couturier.  I loved finding this dressmaker’s personal label in the waistband of this beautiful frock!  What a nice surprise since it was hidden.  The best labels, like this one, were embroidered on cloth.

It’s amazing that this beautiful garment has survived 60 – 70 years in such wonderful condition.  Its original owner obviously loved it and cared for it well.

Lovely rayon fabric, with stitched-in pleats on front and back – bodice and skirt.  So many little hand-done details.  Beautiful, big sculpted shell buttons, fabric-covered belt.  A little wear there on the buckle, but that is the only flaw.

And, when I got it home it fit Stella beautifully.  Perfection!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM