Category Archives: clothing

RARE, RARE ANTIQUE FIND!!! LADIES’ HAND-MADE CAPELET – 100 YEARS OLD??????

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA           What a huge surprise to

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA discover this little gem!  It’s a OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA capelet that may be from Victorian or OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAEdwardian times – maybe someone planned to take it on the Titanic voyage!!!  (From the looks of it, maybe it went on the Titanic voyage).  It’s so old that many theories and stories about it’s history could be possible. Some woman wore this covering her shoulders over a dress.  It might have been an evening gown, a day-dress or mourning dress – maybe a costume specialist could tell.

Manufactured trim with antique beads is sewn around the neck and the hem of the capelet.  So many hand-stitches!

As you can see, the outer layer of fabric is in tatters, but the black, silky lining is pristine.  If the cape were flipped inside out, the beading trim  removed and transferred to the other side with a replacement liner made it would be almost new again!  Even though non-sewers might think so, it’s not a big job.

Just amazing.  I haven’t decided whether I will want to restore it and wear it, sell it to another collector or donate it to a theater or museum.  As always, it just goes to show that – you just never know . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

JUST FOUND!! A BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE LOUNGE DRESS FOR SUMMER – PATIO PARTY, HERE I COME . . . . .

IMG_1481Despite the gradually-cooling temps, I’m ready for the BBQ – maybe not the volleyball or badminton game.  This gown was custom-tailored of a beautiful fabric (look at those colors to die for!)  Though synthetics are often not the most desirable material, that’s one thing that most have going for them – the way they take and hang on to colors.

Probably polyester, but it’s got an uncommon finish that feels almost like moleskin and a nice drape.  This is a perfect outfit for the iconic American entertaining genre – the Patio Party, inaugurated in the early 1960’s along with the basement party room with built-in bar.  Pretty soon, the days of the chic living-room cocktail party were over – replaced by the Cha-Cha party downstairs and the Patio Party & cook-out in the back yard.

Save those LBD’s for dinner dates.  It’s easier to do the Twist and the Limbo in shorts, capris or a long, loose skirt, not to mention a bikini – but I’m not exactly sure where the Pool Party got started.  Probably Hollywood, or Miami, or . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

CLASSIC VINTAGE WESTERN-WEAR SHIRT FROM THE SEVENTIES

IMG_1484 IMG_1485From one of the best Western-wear dealers in the U.S., a vintage gingham men’s shirt in near-perfect condition.  (Actually, I found another really nice one, too, but way too big for Madge to model).

For casual wear in the U.S. there is nothing more classic than high-quality Western-wear, made in the U.S. to standards of design that have endured for decades.

Especially in the Southwestern states, this kind of shirt dressed up with a silver bolo tie and a nice sport coat can take you almost anywhere. Go with a plain color or a subtle pattern and you CAN go anywhere.  But, be careful about wearing jeans, and super careful about the quality and condition of your boots and hat . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE CLASSIC COTTON SUMMER BLOUSE

IMG_1486 IMG_1487I’ve left the shirt un-ironed to show that it is 100% cotton, rather than poly or a blend.  And the feel of true vintage cotton – so soft and wonderful after being washed, worn and loved for a while!

The close-up shows some of the detail that covers the front, with tucks and crocheted lace.  A 1/2 inch ruffle goes all the way around the hem.  Few blouses made in the U.S. have this amount of gorgeous, high quality decoration – even the old ones!

For that reason, I wonder if this one was made in Europe where they routinely made glorious cotton garments like this one – maybe still do . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S DRESS ENSEMBLE EXAMPLE – A STEP UP ON THE ELEGANCE LADDER

IMG_1412 IMG_1415 IMG_1416  What a gorgeous, tailored dress and jacket.  Glossy rayon fabric with a shantung – style weave.  The bodice treatment is so lovely.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

RARE EARLY MID-CENTURY ICONIC “SANFORIZED” COTTON SAILOR BLOUSE

IMG_1377 IMG_1379 What could be more classic than a sailor collar?  These have been popular fashion for decades and always come back.  Side vents, detachable “modesty panels” in necklines, and tartan plaid have also been important details found in iconic true vintage styles. This blouse was made in the 1940’SIMG_1378 to early 1950’s.  The label says it is made of “Sanforized” cotton – Sanforization was a process developed in the 1930’s.  It’s so unusual to find a blouse from that time that is in wonderful condition!

White cotton blouses used to be a major staple in every woman’s (and man’s) wardrobe. Men still wear them, more than women do, because they usually don’t do any of the ironing that is required!

Yes, they require more care in some ways, but it’s well worth it.  Nothing can compare to this fabric.  Also, if you do get a stain, it’s often easier to remove than from easy-care synthetics because cotton can withstand hot water.

Discovering a garment like this is always a high point of any investigation, for me.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MY TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SHOULDER SEASON FROCK BY LORA LENNOX – FROM KANSAS CITY!

IMG_1441Such a smart-looking little day-dress by Lora Lennox.  Apparently, this was a dressmaker label that was common back in the day.  The polka dots and big buttons are a lot of fun – plus the vibrant salmon – orange color; not garish and softened just a bit by the pinkish undertone.

I ALWAYS love shoulder pads and the hem flounce is very saucy.  These are wonderful when you walk in them.

Doesn’t this dress look fabulous on Stella?  I love it.  And the fact that I found it in Kansas City – well, that conjures all kinds of possibilities in terms of it’s history . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

A TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’S – EARLY 1950’S SKIRT SUIT – JUST RIGHT FOR SHOULDER SEASON

IMG_1453IMG_1452Here’s another ensemble in that lovely salmon pink that keeps coming back every decade or so – more to come!  This suit was such a fun find – look, it still has the original store tags hanging on!

Although it was an ordinary item when it was originally sold – more or less a generic garment with no specific brand label – notice the nice design and cute tailoring details.  Even in lower-priced vintage clothing the attention to smart and careful tailoring was almost always there.

Wouldn’t this be a nice outfit to wear this season to a dressy occasion that calls for something a bit conservative?  Even though I rarely go to events like that, I always keep one or two things ready to go . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE 1970’S HAWAIIAN GOWN

IMG_1355 IMG_1354Although I much prefer Hawaiian garb from the 1940’s and 1950’s, I sometimes will pick up things from the ’60’s, and ’70’s, too.  The fabric used was still very nice  and the tailoring often exceptional.

Back then, Hawaiian apparel was almost exclusively made by small concerns who stuck to traditional designs and workmanship.  Also, the quality of cotton and rayon used was excellent.

This dress, though plain in the front, has a sweet detachable half-belt in back and two pleats fall from it like a faux train – a nod to traditional Hawaiian styling.  The skirt, also, is quite wide at the bottom and sweeps when you walk, giving a rather regal feeling . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

BACK IN TIME AGAIN – 60 OR 70 YEARS. A COTTON HOME-SEWN TRUE VINTAGE FROCK – 1940’S/1950’S

IMG_1239An unusual dark plaid, but a shirtwaist style and definitely for warmish weather.  Notice the second layer of skirt, with a little ruffle at the top.  I wonder if the fabric she used was sold from a narrow bolt, so she had to piece the skirt for that reason???

It’s so much fun to try and unravel the mysteries that older garments, especially, can pose.  Unlike dresses made later, that usually buttoned lower down to make them easy to get into, these earlier ones often button only to the waist.  That’s why those side zippers were so necessary.

It also allowed the waist to be kept really tiny, rather than gathered in by the belt – just barely large enough to get shoulders through, with the help of that zipper opening.  Ahh, fashion . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM