Beautiful navy and pink combo on this special jacket-dress from the 1940’s. A real beauty. Nice drapey crepe in flattering navy and pink hues.
Flower petal collar. Easter splendor. Come on Springtime! . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN,THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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It seems to me that nothing from the 1970’s could be as wonderful as a beautifully made dress from the 1920’s, 1930’s, 1940’s or 1950’s, but I still like some of the ones made during the Seventies. These crystal pleats in the skirt started in the 1940’s, I think, and are always great.
For a more relaxed time while you still want to look well-dressed, elegant but comfortable this is a good choice. It’s still cool enough in many parts of the world to wear this dress. It would be very nice for a dinner date and, like some others I’ve shown, excellent for dancing because of the ease of movement.
Although it’s made of the ever-present 1970’s polyester, the fabric is lightweight and hangs well. I love the pleats in the skirt for that reason. That’s one nice thing about polyester, no matter what decade it’s from – it holds its shape and travels really well.
The colors in this dress are fresh for Spring, but would carry you through any time of year if the weather permits. Very versatile and also figure – enhancing because of the cut. It’s another of those vintage styles which intrigues by draping over and moving with your shape, but not too much. Bateau necklines are always a favorite of mine, too.
With a skinny belt and very simple jewelry, this one is a winner and worth the investment. I always like getting big dividends from small investments. . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Sorry I didn’t get this photo into my St. Patrick’s Day series. Can you imagine that dress worn under the emerald green satin evening coat I showed then? Perfect!
Both these garments are in a lightweight fabric. The blouse is probably a rayon georgette and the dress in a crinkly rayon or poly that is lined with acetate. Pearl buttons on the blouse and a rhinestone detail on the bow belt of the dress. Stella is wearing my favorite leather Deliso – style pumps from the Eighties. 
The dress has a well-known label of the time which I have shown before – L’Aignon (the spelling might be a bit off). A bright jewel tone like this and filmy fabric could be worn any time of year, but I like it in Spring or Fall.
These are not new finds – I’ve had them for a while and they are keepers!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY .COM
Moving into the mood for a special date on St. Valentine’s Day, how about a little silk jacket in sweet cherry red from the 1950’s over your LBD? I love this one in a red and black print.
Pictured here with a modern skirt, you could also top a dress or slacks with this one. The nice short length is very versatile. Leave it open over a pretty, simple shell or blouse or wear it closed.
Just a little smolder while you sip a red in some small cafe’ . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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Another elegant style, to be dressed up or down. Definitely needs a steam-clean, but we can discuss the details. Style is a simple, belted sheath (probably had a fabric-covered buckle belt originally) with 3/4-length sleeves and faux pocket detail at the hips. The fabric is a very nice shantung weave.
A dress like this is SO versatile that everyone owned at least one. It’s very basic and streamlined so looks smart for errands but dresses up beautifully for cocktails or dinner with high heels, pearls or a sparkly brooch.
I’m so glad to have it in my closet. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This happens to me a lot – finding styles and garments from the same era one after another, with lots of similarities. Sometimes those similarities are also quite rare! Here we have another sheath design in a Junior size, with chiffon drapes from the waist. I’ve seen these drapes before from that time period, but from the neckline on Misses size dresses. However, the similarities end there . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
this one is not in black crepe. It is lined lace with gathers at the waistline and chiffon around the neckline. More demure and a tad more sophisticated. Still a cocktail/dinner frock and in perfect condition! Also in my size. I wonder what’s next? You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This style is a very elegant, body-skimming sheath design with back zip and a low plunge behind. Notice the chiffon drape which hangs from the waist, and the simple embroidery on the bodice.
Although the interior size tag reads 8, an attached paper tag dangling from a side-seam give the sizing as 7/8, meaning that this was a Junior size frock rather than Misses, with a youthful cut. LOVE IT when original sales tags are present and testify to a garment that has never been worn!!
Knee-length to moderate-mini, depending on the wearer’s height, and with a 3″ hem allowance. Perfect. Just my size! Never fails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s a lovely, oh-so-flattering jacquard blouse for cocktails, dinner, dancing and parties. It looks superb with a long black skirt or black cigarette pants.
Notice the little bows at the waist. It also buttons up the back (I LOVE that feature of so many ’50’s blouses) with 5/8″ covered buttons. Very swank.
The fun thing about 50’s separates like this is that they were dressed up or down, since rock and roll, rhythm and blues and, later, cocktail parties became such a rage – on top of the more formal and traditional occasions that were always part of the social scene.
As usual, the cut and tailoring of this piece is outstanding. The fabric is quite nice, too. Just the right thing for a woman of intrigue to have in her closet, no? . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
While we’re in a New Year mood, here’s a really special dress from, I believe, the 1950’s. It’s more or less a cocktail style, but could go to dinner and dancing, too.
Originally, it had nude netting on the front bodice and upper back, with skinny binding around the armhole area and the neckline. The purpose is to give a bare look, without the bare.
Very elegant but, unfortunately, the material had some small holes which could not be repaired. I could not locate material of the same type for a replacement, so I reluctantly removed it and restyled things a bit to make skinny straps instead. It works! Being versatile is an indispensable skill.
I love this dramatic pointy accent on the front! The fabric is also very elegant – probably a rayon that looks for all the world like silk shantung. And the hourglass shape!
Worthy of Peggy Lee any day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
So, here’s an earlier version of the dinner dress genre that I showed a couple of days ago. See again the sheer sleeves and over-skirt and classic design elements (the bow tie, self-belted waist and ruffles). Though not a specific retro style, it harks back to special occasion frocks that have been made just about forever.
However – and it’s a big however – this design does not have the level of elegance and true timelessness of the black style I just showed. When you look at it, you know immediately that it is dated. Pretty, if that’s your taste, but dated. A truly elegant garment strikes you first with it’s attractiveness and then takes you a while to decide whether it’s new or not, even if you can decide.
Yes, true vintage for sure but the best of the best? In my opinion, No. That’s just my style bias and fashion arrogance for the day. I still nabbed it and consider it a worthy culprit in the True Vintage Intrigues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 