Category Archives: dance

SO UNUSUAL – 1960’S VELVETEEN MINI MATERNITY DRESS!

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What a surprise to come across this custom-tailored frock.  It’s got many clues that told me of it’s age and how it came to be, but the styling was the real delight.  SO unusual to discover a maternity dress or a “tent dress” from the mid-1960’s.

Tent dresses were all the rage for a while during the Mad Mod Sixties.  Fortunately, the style didn’t hang around too long.  But, what could be more perfect as a maternity design?  This one is meant for fall and winter partying in heavy velveteen.  I have to say, it is cute on Stella.

After discovering a treasure like this, I wondered what could be next and it didn’t take long to find out.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S LBD FROM AUSTRALIA – ALWAYS A FAVORITE FIND!

IMG_1079 IMG_1080 IMG_1078     Originally sold from a department store, as so many lovely garments were back in the day, this cocktail dress has beautiful hand-done tailoring details.  The cowl neckline is all hand-stitched, as is the fabric rosette at the waist.

The neckline in back dips to mid-back and closes with a metal zipper and hook and eye.  Attention to detail is one aspect that makes true vintage clothing SO special!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER LBD FIND – THIS TIME IT’S TRUE VINTAGE ’80’S DOES ’40’S

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABlack crepe sheath style with a rhinestone buckle at the draped waistline.  The true ’80’s touch of shoulder pads with cap sleeves   Tailored well and of very good quality.  It’s got lines and styling that very closely follow those of true 1940’s sheath dresses that I’ve found.

Eighties dresses with vintage style were often well-made and very interesting, though not the fabulous frocks of the real Forties.  Anyway, worth collecting – much superior to more recent garments.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S BLACK & WHITE MIDI FROCK

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A breezy cotton frock in a nice print – I like the focus on the upper bodice and at the hem. It’s a figure-enhancing style that creates an hourglass shape.  I really must have Stella show it off some time.

The skirt is not completely full, but it sways and billows nicely. Looks great with casual heels. Love it!  I’ts a great go-to day dress for 3 seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SHEER 1950’S PARTY DRESS AND SILK SLIP

IMG_1149IMG_1147IMG_1150IMG_1148These pieces were found on opposite sides of the world, several years apart, but they work here.  Mid-century sheer dresses require beautiful, but pretty plain, lingerie slips of the right length to carry them off properly.

From Canada, the lovely peach-colored silk slip can double as a dress.  Bias cut and the slinky, sexy fit points to the 1930’s as it’s era.  Pretty embroidery makes it really special and it has little hardware which make the shoulder straps adjustable..

The sheer party dress, which I found in Australia a few years ago, was probably custom-tailored.  Dropped waist and tea length.  See the photo showing metallic piping that is sewn around each sleeve and the front of the neckline, with a cowl in back. The fabric also has metallic flower and leaf decoration stamped on.  So fabulous to find pieces like this in near-perfect condition!

Picky work to construct this dress, and I’m so astounded by the skill of seamstresses back in the day.  Yes, it was a lot of work, but how fun it would be to have something exactly as you wanted with personalized fit!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S MINK-TRIMMED EVENING BLOUSE FROM NEW ZEALAND

IMG_1074     Stella rocks this wonderful find from my recent trip.  Can’t wait to wear it over a long black skirt or with black cigarette pants!

This was not a high-end item, in spite of the mink trim  – like so many lovely things from mid-century, the average woman was able to buy and wear it. It is open-weave in a glossy synthetic material, lined with black fabric.  The floral fantasy pattern reflects the colors of most, if not all, of the treasures I found in that country.  Stay tuned to see more . . . . .

It was made by a New Zealand clothing company back in the day.  I was told by other vintage experts there that New Zealand used to have a very excellent clothing industry which has, sadly, gone now.

But, so much more FUN for a modern sleuth . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

AUSTRALIAN TRUE VINTAGE SPECIAL OCCASION DRESS IN SILK – 1950’S (OR BEFORE)

IMG_1056     This very pretty frock has an unusual neckline.  The collar is of 3 layers, and each one is bordered by covered wiring which allows the wearer to shape the neckline as desired.  A friend of mine said that she remembers dresses of this type from the 1950’s.  The style would certainly fit in with early ’50’s and late 1940’s fashion.

It’s also very tiny, so it all points to a time when average women’s figures and clothing sizes were much smaller than they are today.

The fabric appears to be silk.  So lovely and flattering.  Obviously, this dress was made to be worn to a party or other special occasion.  Imagine my delight when I discovered it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

SURPRISE FIND TODAY – SHIMMY SHAKE FLAPPER STYLE FROCK FROM THE SIXTIES

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If you can shimmy like your sister Sue, this is the dress for you!  It’s my size, but I have to learn how to do it justice on the dance floor.  However, it’ll probably make a statement with any kind of dance, excepting ballroom.

Someone made this frock or costume by hand in the 1960’s or 1970’s.  Definitely styled to make an impression.  If you’ve ever seen someone who can shimmy well, you know what I mean.

What fun!  I found another 1960’s version earlier this year – a trend?  Who knows.  They say that things come in threes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FINDS TODAY! HERE’S A LITTLE NOSTALGIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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HAD to pick this up when I found it – a carrying bag for shoes (particularly, dance shoes for ballet, tap, etc.).  I had one when taking ballet lessons as a child.  Hadn’t thought of it in years – what a blast from the past to see it!  I’ll bet that some of you recognize it, too.

Also uncovered some fabulous dresses today and will show them soon . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

STUNNING 1950’S MINK-TRIMMED DRESS

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This dress/gown/frock was such fun to discover – it’d been a while since I had run across a fur-trimmed garment with sleeves like this, and never on a dress.  This is more than a cocktail dress, but not quite formal.  Was this specially made for a visit to the Queen?

Like one of my 1940’s  wedding gowns, it is a brocade-type fabric, though a bit less heavy. I am puzzled as to what type of event this dress would have been worn to.  Time for some research.  Any ideas?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM