Category Archives: day dress

PURE CLASSIC! VINTAGE DAY DRESS IN FLORAL COTTON

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Right on the heels of that daring red frock shown yesterday came this traditional, custom-tailored every-day dress in a beautiful cotton print.  Again, I can’t say exactly how old it is but it was home-sewn in a classic, mid-century style.  The fabric is gorgeous.

Although it’s another perfect fit for me, the style is very plain so I think I’d cinch the waist with a belt to enhance the fit and add a pert little scarf or pearls at the neckline, depending on my mood.  Yes, that would be VERY cliche’ ’50’s but – so what? – also a VERY pretty look. Unless I wanted to go completely kitchy for the fun of it, I’d leave off the hat/gloves -handbag/shoes sets.

Anyway, this dress really makes me hanker for Spring!  Can’t wait to see what turns up next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE FILM NOIR? TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’S RAYON DRESS

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE FILM NOIR? TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940'S RAYON DRESS

A beautiful, belted rayon dress in midnight navy – with a little collar, rhinestone buttons and an apron peplum. Just right for a vintage weekend dinner – date and dancing.

This frock is from the post-war years following World War II when everyone was beginning to think about starting a better life. The luxury of more variety and quality fabrics again meant longer hemlines and a return to pretty details.

Someone had kept this beauty in her wardrobe all these years, as a reminder of those elegant and victorious times, and the Greatest Generation. Thanks again, boys . . . . . . . . . .. .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

1950’S FRENCH ROOM GLAMOUR & CREATIVE SLEUTHING SUCCESS

FRENCH ROOM GLAMOUR & CREATIVE SLEUTHING SUCCESS

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this jacket! It was from the “French Room” of some department store in the 1940’s – 1950’s and has the most lovely European couture style.

French blue with royal purple cuffs and attached scarf, wicked fit and unusual tailoring details. So unusual! Near the same time, I also found a French wool hat in the same purple – PERFECT!

I looked for several years for the perfect skirt or dress to go with it and, voila’, it did appear, as I knew it would.  Perfect color and fit – a sleeveless sheath dress.  Purples are hard to match, like many other hues.

Ooh, la la! Oui, oui!  So now I have my cute little outfit with just the right sassy chic.  Ce la vie for the Magicvintagespy.  Now for the shoes – I have the most perfect pumps from France in brown leather, but I would so much like purple. . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION

TARTAN WOOL TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LADIES’ JACKET AND SKIRT SUIT

TARTAN WOOL 1950'S LADIES' JACKET AND SKIRT SUIT

Now I’m going to start moving into some earlier styles, from the Forties and Fifties.  This is so cute, and also festive!  The little jacket has those stylish features of that era like a tiny collar with cut-in detail at the back of the neck, 3/4 sleeves, pert little buttons and a nipped waist.

I also love the longish pleated skirt because it is stitched down and slim over the hips. This adds to the hourglass silhouette of this ensemble and the swing of the skirt.  Pieces like these two always make great separates, too – something I really appreciate about suits!

Made of a lightweight wool, it’s just right for the weather now. The colors are also a nice break from the blacks and dark tones that are usually seen so much.

Women and the fashion designers in the Fifties always thought about looking pretty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

EXTREMELY RARE FIND – TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY CUSTOM-TAILORED CHILD’S DRESS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Old cotton and buttons; hand-stitching – this little frock is probably from the 1950’s or 1960’s.  Can you imagine a little girl’s everyday dress surviving till today??????  Read on . . . . . . . . . . . .

Once in a while, in an unusual venue, I’ll see something out of the ordinary – like a piece that is very antique or something made for a child. Although children’s clothing is not my usual focus, I’ll take a second look.

Well, this was another Wowee, look at THAT! moment so, of course, I had to bring it home.  What a relic so well-preserved, with the added bonus of having been hand-made.  Several things about the construction are unusual.

In these situations, it’s common to see something that was made for a special occasion – that is, dressy clothing or christening gowns, etc. that are often preserved after one or two wearings; maybe baby shoes that are tough enough to stand up over time (no pun intended).

BUT, not everyday items!!  These usually have gone by the wayside decades ago because of the normal wear-and-tear a child puts on their clothing, not to mention outgrowing it and passing it on or Mom turning it into a dishrag.

So, I feel like a museum curator with a new discovery laid before me.  The mystery goes on . .. . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY COTTON FROCK

A bit off-season, for sure, but who cares!  This pretty frock has many hand-tailored details, though I suspect that it was commercially-made, in Fifties or very early Sixties.

I’m having so much fun!  Who can resist a swingy, light-hearted dress like this?  Cool and comfortable on the hottest days of summer.  Great for leisure or work.  There’s nothing like being cool as a cucumber even in the tightest situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE EIGHTIES DOES FORTIES FROCK

IMG_1787You know that I go mostly for the 1960’s and before, but once in a while I get seduced by some true vintage retro from the Seventies or Eighties. Well, it happened again a couple of days ago.

This is a nicely-made and designed dress by Betsy’s Things (no relation to Betsey Johnson), a brand I’ve liked before.  It has several style features that I look for.  And, it’s a beautiful fit on me!

Looks pretty nice with my “new” Forties shoes, too.  What could be better? . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

TRUE VINTAGE ’70’S DOES ’40’S SUNDRESS FROM WEST GERMANY

IMG_1759This fabulous 100% cotton dress was made in West Germany, obviously   before 1989 and maybe many years before that.  Yes, it’s another new find that’s out-of-season right now in North America and most of Europe, but I love, love, love this anyway and couldn’t wait to show it!

Forties style is so wonderful.  I love the cut-in shoulders that give a halter neckline feel without the bare upper back.  It’s one of my favorite styles and I’ve been so fortunate lately to find some true vintage Forties, too. Shirtwaist ease is always great – red and white polka dots – a nipped-in waist and midi hemline ………… Fashion heaven!!

Plus, it’s got that true vintage West German quality of workmanship and materials that make it a really good investment, no matter what.  It’s in perfect condition and will continue to last.  What could be better? . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE END-OF-MOD WOOL SHEATH DRESS

IMG_1737The cut and design of this frock, as unremarkable as it looks (especially in this picture), told me immediately from when and what it was!  It’s a soft wool knit from the late 1960’s.

Beautiful fabric!  And, like the wool dress from a couple of days ago, no itch factor here.  Of course, I’ll still enjoy a gorgeous lingerie slip underneath on a cold, wintery day.  The crocheted trim breaks up the plain lines and the fit is lovely.

So glad that I’ve discovered so many  in-season items recently that are appropriate for this cold that most of us are experiencing now.  For those of you who are not, I’ve still got several summery finds coming up, too.

Later today, I’ll post a little rant about design with pictures  of the true vintage tailoring tools I recently found and how they’re a help to sewing and altering, if that’s something you like to do.  If not, it’s still good to know some of the things that make the difference between  real deal vintage and the copy-cat retro fashions.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

PRETTY IN THE BLUES: A TRUE VINTAGE COTTON HOUSE-DRESS FROM THE FIFTIES, WITH MORE TAILORING TRICKS

IMG_1754IMG_1749Another beautifully-soft cotton print day-time house dress with fun, plastic sculptured buttons.  This one wasn’t made with a belt, but I think I’ll add one. The most interesting thing about this frock is that, like yesterday’s, it tells another story. . . . . . . . .

I don’t know if the seamstress ran out of fabric when cutting her last piece, or whether this was a repair or alteration made later to widen the shoulders in back but these extra pieces of another material were put in very expertly.  When I see the patching and stitching and creative add-ons that mid-century seamstresses used to do at home, it really amazes me!

Little details like this make a find even better, as far as I’m concerned.  And, it’s in an unusual color palette – this kind of all-blue print is not common, so it’s a good addition to my wardrobe and more fun to wear.  Wow, I’m on a roll – love these!!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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