Category Archives: day dress

CASUAL TRUE VINTAGE DAY-DRESS FROM PARIS, FRANCE

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A PRACTICAL BUT CUTE MID-CENTURY COTTON FROCK FOR MAKING THE DAILY RUN TO THE MARKET . .. . . . . . . . .

In the same color(?) palette as yesterday’s dress, this one seems more down-to-earth but still has important elements of style.  It was probably custom-tailored, too.  The buttons are clear plastic with a Deco design.  Like the other it needs a belt, but that’s not a big challenge.

Although knock-your-socks-off styles and fabrics send me over the moon, I never pass up a simple true vintage frock that is well-made.  The material, notions and tailoring are always interesting.  Plus, they usually look really good on, because the cuts tend to be so superior.

Giselle is feeling right at home and we’ll be getting a bit more exotic tomorrow . . … . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

EARLY MID-CENTURY DAY-DRESS OR HOUSE-DRESS FROM PARIS

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LOOSE SHEATH IN CUSTOM-TAILORED SILK

I absolutely love this!  The seamstress was almost finished with it, only needing to remove some basting stitches and do a little final finishing.  It has loops for a belt, and there’s no way to tell if one ever existed.  After a final fitting, I’ll see if and where some extra fabric exists that could make one.

Love the collar, and the pocket trim – the whole vintage styling.  It will be very attractive and comfortable to wear.  With the right finishing, it could be a day-dress or a simple house-dress.  And it’s French!  From Paris!!  What more could I ask . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE BLUES – MORE TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S DRESSES AND COORDINATING SHOES

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Two shades of blue – cornflower and sea blue – with shoes that go along, all from the same era. I’m stuck in the Sixties right now, and loving it!

Again, fitted sheath styles but with the extras that make them unique. Madge wears an embroidered frock with a sheer layer over an opaque liner. Stella is rocking a sleek number with matching tie belt – perfect elegant simplicity in beautiful shantung.

The slingback sandals in cornflower and white are European-made – often the best quality imaginable! The multi-color pumps are appliqued with flowers all over. Both are 100% leather.

I love, love, love finding true vintage clothing and accessories that perfectly complement each other. Like putting together more and more puzzle pieces . . . .
Such Fun!!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

CLASSIC, ULTRA-FLATTERING TRUE VINTAGE LESLIE FAY DAY- DRESS – 1960’S

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This is one of my favorite LBD’s for day. The cut and quality are SO good and it is ultra-flattering.

The fabric is lovely and the hardware on the belt is, too. It’s a basic style, but so chic and elegant. These features make all the difference between looking ordinary or sophisticated and well off.

So many true vintage pieces have these advantages. What’s not to love?!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE MOD AND ELEGANT IN BLACK AND WHITE – TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SHEATH DRESS

IMG_08611960’s mod styling in a classic sheath with back zip. Fully lined. Notice the white bands at the neckline and armholes.

Elegance and cool comfort – doesn’t get better than this!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY OFF-WHITE SPECIAL OCCASION DRESS – AND A SHOE SUGGESTION

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A very pretty frock from the late 1950’s – early 1960’s.  I found this several years ago at an out-of-the-way sale.

Basically, it is a sheath with added tailoring details.  Metal zipper up the back and an attached bolero jacket, with big buttons in back.  The cummerbund waistband closes in back with hooks and eyes.

Very, very refined and elegant.  The mid-heel leather pumps are of the same era and make a perfect complement.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE. MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL, ELEGANT AND CHIC TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SUMMER DRESS

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Gorgeous, gorgeous easy dress that is so sophisticated and well-tailored. This  mid – century  frock would get you on the best-dressed list in a heartbeat!  It’s been in my wardrobe for a while and it’s gonna stay there!

I uncovered some fabulous finds this past weekend and have seen some wonderful true vintage items in the shops that I’ve visited.  As I get myself together after the trip, I’ll be cluing you in . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN,  THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

 

 

A DELIGHTFULLY PRETTY LITTLE YELLOW SUNDRESS – TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S

A DELIGHTFULLY PRETTY LITTLE YELLOW SUNDRESS - TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S

This gorgeous little number says summer all over.  It is the brightest yellow, with little embroidered flowers all over the bodice, each with a pearl center.

If that isn’t enough, around the hem are larger flowers, all embroidered in the same bright yellow thread.   fit, as you can see, speaks for itself . . .

The label is long gone, but I am sure that it was commercially-made.  There are too many professional details.  Fully lined, of a really nice woven fabric with a bit of texture – metal zip up the back.

Although this is not a formal dress, it is quite refined and could go into the evening very confidently.  In the heat of the summer, it could go shopping, lunching, to dinner and dancing without missing a beat.

Natalie Wood would have loved it.  “I feel pretty, oh so pretty . . . .”.  Almost as if it found its way from her closet into mine . . . . . . .. . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – ON AMAZON.COM

I TURNED MY TRUE VINTAGE DRESS INTO A SLEEVELESS STYLE!

I TURNED MY TRUE VINTAGE DRESS INTO A SLEEVELESS STYLE!

Sometimes I love short sleeves and sometimes I think that they look dowdy on me.  It all depends on the cut and style of the dress, and how it fits my body.

In this case, I decided to remove the sleeves.  It’s very simple to do by carefully taking out the stitching in the seam that attaches the sleeve to the bodice.  Don’t cut into the material – just save the sleeves as they are.  Then you can re-attach them later or include them with the item if you ever decide to sell it.

Finishing off the seam is an easy thing to do, or to have someone else do!  Voila! A sleeveless style, which are favorites of mine.

I’m sure that some of you seamstresses and tailors out there will have comments to make about this. Please do!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

A PRETTY LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

A PRETTY LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS FROM THE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S

I see Sophia Loren wearing this dress and running down a street in Naples, Italy  (in black stilettos) – chasing Marccello Mostriani in their latest film.  Someone custom-tailored this little beauty in a style that falls low on the shoulders if you are petite.

It’s a sunny, breezy style with the 1950’s wasp waist and full skirt, in cotton print material, made for whatever casual activity is on the agenda.  However, like most dresses of the era, a little jewelry and a hat (and, maybe, gloves) made it suitable for a slightly more formal event such as a luncheon date.

I prefer to let fantasy take my imagination away with this one – a bottle of local wine, a loaf of bread, cheese and fruit on a balcony overlooking the Adriatic Sea – with a very good friend . . .. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

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