Couldn’t wait for summer! What a great discovery – an iconic halter frock in luscious cotton. These sexy and cool dresses are perfect for hot days (and nights). Move over, Marilyn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
How cute is this – and, in wonderful condition?! Nice two-tone probably cotton fabric, with a flippy pleated skirt and button tab decoration at the hip-line. It was fashioned at home by a seamstress with confidence who made exactly what she wanted, with a perfect fit for her. It’s a little big on me, but the style makes it super-easy to alter the size.
I can just imagine Ann-Margret in a frock like this one, riding on the back of a scooter in a mid-century movie. What a treat!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This dress is pristine – a beautiful example of a custom-tailored frock from the 1960’s or 1970’s. The fabric is quilting-type cotton with small floral detail. Very patriotic, too, if you’re into that.
Prairie style was huge during the 1965 – 1975 decade and I suspect that was when this dress was made. However, it’s almost like new with very little evidence of wear. Perhaps it was made for a special occasion. Because of the style – a bit prissy for my taste – it might not have been worn regularly. Long sleeves limit the summer usefulness but are a great plus for Fall. All things considered, I’m thrilled to find a frock in such perfect condition!
Unraveling the clues is always the icing on the cake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Ooh, LOVE this! Stella’s got a real rockabilly thing going on. What a pretty and flirty dress someone made back in the day!
Just right for summer shopping, dancing and just playing around. The bust-line flounce, wrap tie cummerbund belt and full skirt are really flattering features that also allow for some size variability when you have skinny or fat days. Although, this frock was made for a slender gal because there are no zipper or buttons.
Ah, well. Stella can do it, and so can I. So, definitely another keeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG; MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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). Prettier than the black and white from yesterday, but they’re all wonderful. Lovely feminine style with an easy-wear feel. Sixties or Seventies chic.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
This is the ensemble that Stella was wearing when I met her and I’m glad she didn’t want to give it up. I’ll be showing some white satin 1940’s wedding pumps tomorrow. Although they didn’t come with this outfit, they’d be just perfect with it!
During wartime, this was a relatively modest choice for her wedding and the bride probably had this suit custom-tailored. Naturally, it has many of the 1940’s styling details which were popular then – shoulder pads, nipped peplum waist, a handkerchief hem and a rare coil metal zipper in the skirt.
Also, some of the favorite classic features of a wedding gown are also present – rows of tiny, covered buttons and medieval-style points on the sleeve hems. The fabric is a substantial brocade/jacquard floral – not a high-end textile, but nice. Clearly, this wedding took place in a formal setting.
I wonder about her hair . . . . bridesmaids? Wouldn’t it be fun to go back as a guest? . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This frock is another of my stupendous finds in Australia! Made somewhere between the 1940’s and 1950’s, it’s a gorgeous dress and I suspect that it really is from the Forties.
Looks like it’s hand-tailored, but by someone who was REALLY good. The collar is reinforced with hidden wire that is soft to wear, but holds the shape and lets you reshape the neckline as needed – an unusual tailoring feature that emphasizes the irreplaceable value and uniqueness of true vintage clothing and accessories.
It’s a demure style, despite the neckline plunge, and could be full-length on a petite figure. I wonder if it was made as a wedding gown? Although some were very fancy, many of that time did not have a lot of frill and fuss and were actually very tailored styles.
No matter what, I’m sure that this gown has at least one fabulous story to tell! I wonder . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
I already have many tooled leather handbags in my collection, but it’s always open to another unique and high-quality item. These purses are SO special, because they are hand-made, one-of-a-kind and often tell a story. This one is beautifully-done, has older traditional motifs and a DOG(!), which always captures my heart. It was probably a tribute to a beloved pet and is signed by the maker – no relation to me, but what a coincidence!
And, in beautiful condition – I’ll enjoy this one for a long time.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Soft, supple leather inside and out – these bags were made in Mexico and probably picked up by vacationers who used them very little, if at all, after their trip. Both have vintage hardware, but the designs – especially on the left-hand purse – are more modern.
On the right, we see a traditional floral/cactus pattern similar to those made in the western United States while the left-hand one has a farm worker pictured and, on the back, the Mayan calendar.
What I like best about these handbags, whether made in the ’40’s or the ’80’s is that they are 100% hand-made and usually the workmanship and quality of the leather are excellent. Plus, they are SO distinctive and unusual . . . . . . . . . . always a priority for me.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
