What a beautiful Kennedy era party frock. With beads and rhinestones at the waist, and a swing and sway two-layer skirt. This dress is made by Carol Craig, New York – a well-known brand name of the time.
Pretty, pretty, pretty – and in perfect condition. Someone loved it very much. See what else we love, tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTABESPY.COM
While I was having a run on ’60’s cocktail LBDs, this one presented herself. Same chiffon drape detail idea, but very sassy chic instead of tailored and ladylike. So much fun!
I also love discovering these frocks that were worn once or not at all. And even the ones that saw many the party are often still in quite beautiful condition, as our grandmothers were not in the habit of trashing their clothing. You won’t see the next one for a while, though, because she needs a zipper replacement. A breeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In the meantime, there’s lots more to show you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Isn’t this one a beauty?! Another of my “new” finds this winter, when I had a sudden rush of discovering little black dresses from this particular era, most with these interesting drapes of black chiffon.
It’s a keeper for sure! Though a little long, it fits like a dream and, of course, is very well-tailored. Love the bodice treatment and little cap sleeves. The very svelte sheath fit makes up for the poufiness around the hips. Now I just need to find a cocktail party . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Another elegant style, to be dressed up or down. Definitely needs a steam-clean, but we can discuss the details. Style is a simple, belted sheath (probably had a fabric-covered buckle belt originally) with 3/4-length sleeves and faux pocket detail at the hips. The fabric is a very nice shantung weave.
A dress like this is SO versatile that everyone owned at least one. It’s very basic and streamlined so looks smart for errands but dresses up beautifully for cocktails or dinner with high heels, pearls or a sparkly brooch.
I’m so glad to have it in my closet. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
With all the casual elegance of the mid-1960’s, this metallic frock is the greatest! I was just thrilled to find this. It’s fully-lined and in great shape. I had to tack up the hem and give it a light cleaning – that’s all!
More perfect party-wear. Couldn’t ask for more this holiday season. I enjoyed this one on New Year’s Eve. Simply-made and easy to wear, that’s the best of the best when it’s also high quality.
Love true vintage . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s a lovely, oh-so-flattering jacquard blouse for cocktails, dinner, dancing and parties. It looks superb with a long black skirt or black cigarette pants.
Notice the little bows at the waist. It also buttons up the back (I LOVE that feature of so many ’50’s blouses) with 5/8″ covered buttons. Very swank.
The fun thing about 50’s separates like this is that they were dressed up or down, since rock and roll, rhythm and blues and, later, cocktail parties became such a rage – on top of the more formal and traditional occasions that were always part of the social scene.
As usual, the cut and tailoring of this piece is outstanding. The fabric is quite nice, too. Just the right thing for a woman of intrigue to have in her closet, no? . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
While we’re in a New Year mood, here’s a really special dress from, I believe, the 1950’s. It’s more or less a cocktail style, but could go to dinner and dancing, too.
Originally, it had nude netting on the front bodice and upper back, with skinny binding around the armhole area and the neckline. The purpose is to give a bare look, without the bare.
Very elegant but, unfortunately, the material had some small holes which could not be repaired. I could not locate material of the same type for a replacement, so I reluctantly removed it and restyled things a bit to make skinny straps instead. It works! Being versatile is an indispensable skill.
I love this dramatic pointy accent on the front! The fabric is also very elegant – probably a rayon that looks for all the world like silk shantung. And the hourglass shape!
Worthy of Peggy Lee any day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
CUSTOM-TAILORED 1950’S PARTY FROCK WITH RABBIT TRIM
Although this dress looks very cute on Stella’s figure, it really must have been sewn for a petite woman much shorter. I can’t quite imagine a style like this with fur and rhinestone trim made for a teen or a child in the 1950’s. At any rate, the average height of a Fifties lady would have been 5 or 6 inches shorter while still perhaps being a tiny vintage size 10, like Stella.
Imagine my surprise to see this rare garment! If you’ve been with me for a while, you may remember that several years ago I encountered a similar frock in ivory brocade with mink trim on the 3/4 sleeves. That seems to have been a popular early 1950’s trend. In this case, we are seeing very pretty rabbit fur, with a little rhinestone trim nestled in the bodice ornament.
Another surprise is that this frock, despite it’s elegant style and up-scale materials, appears to have been hand-made. It’s construction demonstrates the handiwork of someone who was very skilled, so perhaps it was made by a professional tailor rather than a home-based seamstress. However, who actually knows? With no labels to point the way, it’s just another delicious mystery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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About 4 – 5 sizes too big for Stella, but it has to be shown on a model because of the swishy skirt and the way it drapes. Lace overlay was very popular in the Kennedy era and much more nicely-done than the cheap versions we’ve seen lately. The fabric is glossy substantial, and there are pearl bead accents sewn all over.
Another great part of the design is the way that the back swoops toward the waist. So, it’s not a drop-your-champagne-glass-when-you-see-it type of frock but it’s a lovely, classicaly-tailored garment that was worth collecting (and a design that is easy to alter!). .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I think we’ve got a good show-off of the clear vinyl and gold leather that was so popular in dressy sandals from the Fifties. These came from a private store in Chicago that had shoes specially made under their own label.
There are so many photographs of women in the ’50’s wearing gold dress sandals and sandals with clear vinyl vamps that it’s iconic of that time. Makes me think of Peggy Lee and Cotillion dinner – dances that were such popular social events then.
Off to the Country Club, anyone? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
