1960’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
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Category Archives: dress
TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY OFF-WHITE SPECIAL OCCASION DRESS – AND A SHOE SUGGESTION
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
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BEAUTIFUL, ELEGANT AND CHIC TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SUMMER DRESS
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
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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
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WOWEE! A FUN AND RARE FIND – 1960’S WAITRESS UNIFORM
It was really fun to come across this find! A poly-nylon women’s uniform – probably from a diner waitress or other food worker in the 1960’s. Could even be from the 1950’s – must research the maker’s label.
The blue is really nice, and the fact that it is in such perfect condition! Also love the cute scalloping on the collar.
Really makes me wonder where this was worn and about all the stories it must have to tell. If only she’d carried a secret tape recorder . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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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
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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
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A CLASSIC SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS WITH A STORY
This dress doesn’t shout at you, but it shouted at me and that was why I picked it up. It is so obviously classic 1960’s and has an interesting label.
I researched the company, Carolina Made, and discovered a small clothing firm in, I believe, South Carolina, USA, which has been selling clothing for decades. Rather than closing down, as many have done over the years, they have morphed into selling a completely different casual line of t-shirts, shorts and other sportswear that looks like the usual modern styles.
The southeastern U.S. was a clothing manufacturing center for many, many years. This is where the garments were constructed. So, this company – regardless of how it has changed – represents that history.
And, this dress also represents the history of classic styles in several ways. The style has stayed good over several decades, the construction is strong and the colors are basically neutral. It’s very versatile and useful – the way that we wear jeans today, a dress like this would serve for many activities that an average woman would do in a day in 1964.
The original belt was probably a fabric tie belt – this dress was not even swanky enough to have a buckle belt on it. It’s a workhorse-type of dress, but with lots of possibilities.
Anyway, that’s the story that it told me and part of the enjoyment I get from hunting for true vintage. I love stories and you just never know . . . .. . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S DAY DRESS
This dress was custom tailored at home, I’m sure – though some simple items like this were commercially made then, too. Many women who wore these day – in and day – out as house dresses and for working were accomplished seamstresses and made most all of the family’s clothing.
I love the pretty plaid cotton here, and the cute sculpted buttons at the neck and the pocket flaps. Since the original belt was missing, I made a tie belt by taking a couple of inches off the hem, which was mid-calf length. Easy.
Probably, this one belonged to a woman who farmed – and I imagine that a small blue stain on the skirt happened when she made a blueberry pie. So many of these pieces tell a story, and you just never know . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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TRUE VINTAGE 1940s – 1950s SEMI-FORMAL DANCE DRESS
Here’s pretty, floaty frock of satin and chiffon for a dinner-dance or any semi-formal party. It does have stiffening in the skirt, but doesn’t have a huge crinoline, like many made a few years later .
I just die with delight when I discover one of these! It reminds me of the classic movies that I love, where there’s always a dance in the plot somewhere.
This one is not haute couture – just an average lovely gown that any middle-income woman might have selected. I’m not complaining! It makes me think of France, where I’ll be in a couple of weeks!
With the mid-calf length, this one could go to the Prom, and maybe it did, once. You just never know . . . .. . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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