Classic cotton summer sundress in lemonade yellow – this is a Sixties frock with the cute bodice detail that is so common on vintage dresses. . . . . as well as the belted wasp waist.
Yellow and white are so Summery. It’s wonderful to be out and about again!!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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A dream find for any vintage-hunter! Love this pretty day-dress so much. It needed some TLC with stains from storage, but I was up to the challenge. Beautiful decoration and comfy cotton; it’s the perfect summer frock.
Imagine this kind of intricate stitchery on an everyday dress today – even similar-looking examples are only cheap imitations of what used to be the standard of quality back in the day. More newly-discovered treasures are coming – we’ve only just begun . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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More custom-tailored stories coming my way – this cute cotton summer frock practically lets me follow the seamstress’s journey as she made this dress for herself. It’s so fun to think of a girl or woman, way back in the day, going to the fabric store and finding a pattern she loves – picking the material she wants and using her sewing skills learned in Home Ec class and the dreams in her imagination to create a dress that she’ll love to wear.
Wish Stella were here to model it for me, but if you know anything about sewing, all the details of this dress make it crystal clear. Although I love finding gorgeous designer frocks from the 1940’s, Fifties and before, a simple homemade garment is one of the sweetest surprises. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This little beauty has such a wonderful fit, because it’s adjustable! The neckline and waist closures are so unique – wrapping straps that hook like a belt, with several holes to choose from. Never seen one like this before!
I just love discovering these interesting and unusual tailoring and design details. In this example, it’s so ingenious yet so simple. A bit confusing at first look, but makes perfect sense and works beautifully.
The fabric and the fit are ultra-flattering and so cool and carefree for summer. It’s a high-quality construction by a well-known, if smallish, vintage clothing maker and in perfect condition. Sweet!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I picked up this little beauty in lovely, soft cotton. It could be from any time after the 1960’s – hard to tell since they’re continuing to sell them in Mexico and some stores in the U.S.
But, doesn’t matter. It’s hand-embroidered in traditional designs and beautiful colors. Authentic hippie attire. Nothing could be more comfortable and boho for summer.
If you’re shopping for a blouse or dress like this one, be observant. I’ve got several dresses and skirts from the 1940’s – 1970’s. Many are not as nice as they used to be . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I love the styling of this frock, with its wasp waist, free hips, cap sleeves and delicate neckline that really enhance the figure. Madge’s fuller measurements give it the right “va-voom” fit. I also like the peek-a-boo effect of the white band below the waistline.
This was another “surprise find” – always the most fun! Summer days and nights, here we come . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It is always appropriate to show my great Native American and Hawaiian dresses in Summertime, even though they are not always the most cool garments to wear. Ocean breezes and high mountain altitudes can help with that! The two on the right are from Arizona, sold by a company called Thunderbird Fashions which made lots of Western-wear dresses, blouses and skirts back in the day. The dress on the left was made in Hawaii. In most cases, women bought these outfits while on vacation in the American West or Hawaiian islands but sometimes a woman living there would include these in her day-to-day wardrobe.
Like a couple of the other items I’ve shown before, they are of heavy cotton with loads of braid trim, ric-rac and color! The Western-wear blouses have a side zipper at the waist.
The Hawaiian outfit on the left was made about the same time as those from Arizona. It is interesting that there are so many similarities in the style although no zipper in this blouse, and the contrast is in the fabric panel on the bodice.
Both styles have a flattering fit, with a wasp waist and free hips. I love wearing them on cooler days in the Summer and Fall and sometimes wear the skirts with another top. Each of these ensembles is different and they are from a time when Western and Hawaiian fashion were all the rage – probably in the 1950’s. Women loved wearing them and vacationers loved bringing them home.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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I love the colors of these dresses – pink to lavender, with black and white. Both in a similar shirtwaist style, below-the-knee length and made of a substantial cotton. Perfect mid-century design. Absolutely LOVE the collar shapes!
The dress on the left has little houses in a novelty print and some interesting tuck and piping details. The fabric is a bit heavier, and I’d wear it into Fall. The one on the right has cute pockets, ric-rac trim and a great plaid. It really says “summer” and farmers’ markets, to me. I took the sleeves off for a more flattering fit for me (and saved them, of course!) and wear it often.
Neither one has a label, but I doubt that they were made at home – especially not the left-hand one. Just goes to show, that labels often go by the wayside. . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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I love wearing this dress and it’s special because it belonged to a family member. Cos Cob was a well-known maker of women’s sportswear back in the day, similar to Bobbie Brooks, but I don’t think that the company was as old.
This dress is cotton in a wonderful print, with a long pointed collar and nice, easy shape. Thank goodness it isn’t culottes, which were popular then. They look convenient, but they’re really not.
A sleeveless shift is great for casual summer wear and always looks smart if you accessorize properly. That’s the key to transforming most ensembles and women used to do that so well. The Europeans, I must say, are better at it than Americans now.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here we have two beautiful sundresses, in similar colors. Not really my colors – I’m a Summer skin-tone, rather than Spring or Fall, but who’s going to quibble when faced with these!
I’m guessing that the one on the right is the newer of the two. The one on the left has more detail on the bodice and even has bows fixed to the shoulder straps in back. It has a covered belt, whereas the other dress just has piping at the waist.
They’re both lovely, in a beautiful heavy cotton. Madge wears it very well, don’t you think? Such exceptional fit and tailoring.
Either of them could go from simple daytime activities to work (probably with a sweater or jacket), dinner, dancing, a party or date.
I often see dresses like this in movies from that era. Wear them and step into a time warp . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
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