Category Archives: clothing

1940’s WESTERN-MADE PIG SUEDE JACKET

1940s Western-made Pig Suede Jacket

I love this one so much!  Beautiful, soft suede in a luscious red.  As always, wonderfully tailored – great buttons, lovely lining, nifty, elegant style.  Forties shoulders are always a favorite of mine.

This one was originally purchased at the Holiday House in Estes Park, Colorado (also in Scottsdale, Arizona).  I have found many more wonderful leather and suede jackets in my vintage-hunting expeditions, and always at great prices.

It pays to be a magicvintagespy!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S/’50’S COSTUME JEWELRY ACCESSORIES

Although you  may say that the copycats made in the last few years look just like these, you would be mistaken.  In almost all cases, the quality of the true vintage pieces is superior in some way or another – either materials, workmanship or design.  Even these budget-type examples  . . .

True vintage has  features that are quite unique and tell a different story, both about the person who owned and wore them and about history.  It’s fascinating. Image When you find the real thing, you may never want to buy modern retro “vintage” again.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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EARLY 1960’S FUN AND GAMES – WHAT A DIFFERENT LIFE OUR GRANDMOTHERS LED!

IMG_1039IMG_1040These McCalls magazine needlework ads would make you think that our grandmas’ lives were all about simple fun in the kitchen and scheming to get their husbands to give in to their wishes.

That’s the stereotype, isn’t it?  I wonder how much of that is true?  Don’t think I want to go back there, but the sweater is gorgeous!

Hand-knits from that era are really special, sweet and innocent styles . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S JACKET

IMG_0139This one is a favorite of mine.  It is of a heavy cotton-type material with a quilted lining.  Warm, but not too heavy.  Fabulous Forties style and, also, very practical.

The colors are ivory, green and red.  It’s perfect for spring and fall weather.  The attached belt across the front and some elastic in back give the nipped waist feature that I really love. And, of course, pads in the shoulders.  So flattering!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A VERY COOL GEOMETRIC PRINT TRUE VINTAGE SHIRT FROM THE LATE SIXTIES – VERY EARLY SEVENTIES

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAnother “new” Australian discovery!  Although they’ve been making lots of look-a-like retro fakes for a while now, this one is undeniably true vintage, right down to its label.

I just LOVE this print.  Again, not my own best colors but I can’t help enjoying it so much anyway.  Even the true vintage labels are delights in themselves – often so artistic and interesting.  Sometimes they’re funny!

In your standard poly/synthetic blend fabric of that day, it’ll be easy-care as long as treated gently. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN,THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE FIND – FROM THE LAND OF OZ. MID-CENTURY LINGERIE BED JACKET

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA     I have collected a number of these, from ’30’s to ’60’s but I’ve NEVER seen one made like this!  The outer shell is of nylon and looks like what I’m used to seeing, with common decoration of embroidery and lace at the bodice – familiar pearlized buttons at the neck – but THE WHOLE THING IS LINED IN PINK FLANNELETTE!  How warm and cozy is that.

Makes me wonder if there’s a Great Britain connection here – they’re always chilly there and looking for ways to warm up.  Our filmy lingerie of North America doesn’t quite do it in the damp air over there.  This bed jacket could easily have been imported by someone who moved here, or by a British retailer in Australia.

It’s been so much fun to discover the differences between the vintage garments that were sold here in Australia and those at home.  And, I’m only a third of the way through this investigation . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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YES, GISELLE IS BACK – JUST IN TIME TO MODEL MY LATEST FIND . . . . . . . .

img_2421A Mod knit shift dress from the 1960’s or early ’70’s by Mynette – a company which, I think, always specialized in larger size “Plus” clothing for women.  The original owner safety-pinned in some little strips that were sold as strap-holders back in the day.  Lots of women put them in dresses that didn’t already have them – very useful, like detachable dress shields.  Very frequently used during the mid-century.

I’ve put a belt on, but it’s cute just straight, too.  It’s the second time I’ve run into this familiar label recently.  Fun!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

’60’s – ’70’s RETRO 1940’s HIGH-WAIST GORED SKIRT

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NOT AS OLD AS I USUALLY LIKE, BUT WHEN I SAW THIS I SAID TO MYSELF “I’LL WEAR THIS A LOT!”  NEEDS A LITTLE CLEANING, BUT NO BIG DEAL.

SOOOO, IT’S BEEN ADDED TO MY CLOSET AND BECOMES MORE VERSATILE EVERY TIME I LOOK AT IT.  STYLES LIKE THIS WERE REALLY POPULAR IN THE LATE 1960’S AND EARLY 1970’S AND, OF COURSE, DURING THEIR FIRST(?) INCARNATION IN THE 1940’S.

STILL HAVEN’T LOOKED AT IT WITH ALL OF MY BLOUSES AND JACKETS – WHICH ONES? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

LOVE RED – ESPECIALLY WHEN IT’S BAKELITE . . . . . . . .

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Can’t say for positive-positive, but I have my suspicions.  Absolute confirmation can require a chemist’s lab but, anyway, what a cute little bangle bracelet this will be for summer – or any time.

Love the shape.  Love the color.  Love the mystery.  What could be better?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A BEAUTIFUL 1930’S BLACK VELVET EVENING HANDBAG

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In such good condition, too!  That was one of the biggest reasons that I grabbed this, though I do have some others that are similar.  The inside is also very clean and undamaged PLUS I can see the maker’s name stamped inside, though it wouldn’t be readable in a photograph.  It;s also got little amber-colored “jewels” decorating the snap clasp.

It’s just a small evening bag large enough to carry the essentials (the 1930 essentials, that is) such as lipstick, a comb, some money and a key – oh, maybe some rouge and a hankie, too.  Forget the cell phone.

Maybe there might be room for a miniaturized transmitter and  camera, in a pinch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM