Category Archives: dress

TRUE VINTAGE DRESSY DAY DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1950’S

IMG_1731This really neat find comes out of the “I Love Lucy” era.  The skirt is somewhat wider than it shows, but not a circle skirt – a bit more refined and subdued dressy shirtwaist style.

Whether it was commercially made or home-made, many of the tailoring details have been done by hand.  The application of the trim in front is an intriguing conundrum – done partly by hand and partly by machine, in a mysterious manner that defies imagination.

The fabric is a rayon weave with a bit of gloss and body, rather than a fluid drape. It’s so interesting to explore the different fabric materials, weaves and finishes – especially from the era from pre- to post-WWII.  Every era has it’s fabulous fabrics, but that time seems to have a lot of them.

I’ve really been on a roll here, and it continues.  Keeping my spyglass on the trail  . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S WAR-TIME DAY DRESS

IMG_1730I love, love, love this one!  Custom-tailored (probably at home), it’s got ’40’s design details and, of course, shoulder pads.  Stella will absolutely flip!!!!!

The fabric is a kind of poly-type synthetic in a flower print.  Signs are that it was made some time in the midst of WWII.  Just a fun and practical frock to wear while she was carrying on with the day-to-day.

Best of all, it fits . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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1940’S ATOMIC PRINT SWISHY RAYON DAY DRESS – FABULOUS FIND!!!!!

IMG_1736This dress has a huge skirt that flows to mid-calf. The fabric feels like whipping cream pouring through your fingers.  True vintage synthetics from the Forties are just indescribable – you have to see and feel them for yourself.

This day dress was custom-tailored at home, I would guess.  The time frame is late 1940’s to early 1950’s.  It will look so great on Stella.

It’s been a while since I discovered a true vintage frock from the Forties.  This week I’ve found two!  This is SO much fun!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER GREEN MID-CENTURY FIND – RARE RIBBON SKIRT FROM THE 1950’S!

IMG_1705In almost the same shade of green as yesterday’s dress, I discovered this skirt on the same day. Wow – I’ve just recently found a trove of true vintage dresses, skirts, accessories, lingerie, shirts and blouses (we’ll get to the one Stella’s wearing later).  Not to mention, of course, my fabulous vintage navy pea jacket find!

Dresses and suits made of this knit material with grosgrain ribbon sewn closely all over in a swirly pattern were very popular among the dressier set in the Fifties. I have a black suit decorated this way and I remember that my great grandmother had a dress.  This skirt might have had a matching jacket originally since, as I said, this style is usually seen in dressy garments.

However, it will work well as a separate, too, and is a great foundation for a beautiful blouse or sweater – no jacket needed.  That’s one thing I like about true vintage suits as opposed to dresses – although our grandmothers were tied in to wearing the jacket and skirt together as an “outfit”, as dictated by the fashion rules of the time, we can do so many wonderful things with the separate pieces now, as well.

Once in a while I see one of these ribbon garments, but very rarely – SO, it was ANOTHER Eureka moment for the Magicvintagespy.  Life is fun!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S COTTON SHIRTWAIST DRESS – ALWAYS ONE OF MY FAVORITE FINDS

IMG_1708I’m always thrilled to find one of these!  This dress was custom-tailored WAY back in the day.  It’s a rockabilly/housewife/everyday special that most women wore.

This one dates farther back than some, but is still in near-perfect condition.  The only thing is that is seems that “Mildred” didn’t make a belt for it yet, so I’ve put on one of my own.

Years ago, women whipped up lots of frocks in this style for themselves and their daughters.  They could also be purchased at department stores or discount clothiers.  Depending on the fabric chosen and the details added, they might be very inexpensive or pricey and elegant.

There’s nothing more iconic of that time, so it blasts me right back to the past . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ALL KINDS OF TRUE VINTAGE DRESS FINDS! THIS ONE’S A PREPPY DAY DRESS FROM THE SIXTIES

IMG_1709Pretty in pink again.  This beautiful summer dress is in virtually perfect condition – its owner was very meticulous about caring for her clothing, like so many women of two or more generations ago.  It’s a great example of the preppy styles that were very popular during the Sixties and early 1970’s.

Floral applique’s in front and a belted waist.  Traditional and lady-like in design, classic in tailoring with all the touches of a well-made garment.  This was the favorite every-day style of the country-club set back in the day (maybe still is – traditional tastes don’t seem to change much).

So, for a proper and buttoned-down look this frock is just right.  It’s so classic and subtle, you could get by with it anywhere and always look well-dressed – like, maybe, for dinner with the future in-laws . .. .. . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN,THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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I’VE DISCOVERED SO MANY TRUE VINTAGE PARTY DRESSES AND GOWNS IN THE PAST FOUR WEEKS . . . . . . .

IMG_1674Here’s Stella showing off  a mid-century sweet-sixteen Prom dress with the traditional small-town high school look.  Pretty bows and lace, with a 2 or 3-layer skirt, but no high-end fashion drama or expensive fabrics.

This is how most girls went to the dance in 1965 – 1975.  Bye, bye Miss American Pie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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NEW FIND – A COUPLE OF HOME-SEWN PARTY FROCKS FROM THE 1940’S/EARLY 1950’S

IMG_1702 IMG_1703Both these dresses need a professional pressing before they go to the dance but, so what?!  Such iconic styles!!!!!  Read on . . . . . . . . . . . . .

#1 is of taffeta with a gored skirt and velveteen insert at the v-neckline,  That was  put in for modesty, because without it  the dress has a decolletage and would sit wide on the shoulders.  A very sexy style, and I’m convinced that the sewing pattern or the dress as originally made had the sexy neckline.

Of course, it’s got a tiny waist and the skirt is a fabulous style for dancing (or just walking in!) because of how it flips and moves.  The most interesting and telling thing is the zipper in back.  It’s about a foot long and sits in the middle of the back, with no connection at the neckline.  Therefore, you REALLY have to wiggle into frocks made with these and this one is already quite tiny.  Not even Stella could wear it!

#2 is very plain in style, but it’s got 3 layers of taffeta-like then organza-like fabric in the skirt.  With proper finishing by a professional cleaner (or someone who just knows how to do it correctly) it would be a stunning and pretty dress.  About a size or two larger than the other, it would have been made about a decade later.

Both in aqua blues.  What each one needs is a corsage at the neckline or the waist.  Both of them could have benefited with a bit of trim here or there to finish the look – maybe that was coming.  Little bows, covered buttons or bits of lace/embroidery were commonly used as final touches to make a mid-century look more feminine and stylish.

Though they may not have both been made by or for the same woman, who knows?  I found them in the same location, which adds possibilities to the story. You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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THE FABULOUS BLACK & WHITE MID-CENTURY MOD DAY DRESS – STELLA MODELS

IMG_1699Here’s the neatest view of that great Caron Chicago frock I recently found.  With a black back-drop it creates wonderful negative space.  I’m so impressed by the ingenuity of the designer.

Stella and Madge make everything look better – you just can’t do this frock justice when it’s on a hanger.  This is one of the best-looking 1960’s op-art pieces I’ve ever seen – so unusual and unique.

I’m home from my weekend away, with 9 more true vintage finds to share with you!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE PRAIRIE DRESS FIND – FROM THE U.S. SOUTHWEST

IMG_1673Here’s a much better picture of the frilly Prairie-style gown that I found in Santa Fe.  It’s from the Sixties or Seventies and might have been worn to a dance or some kind of historical event but, if that’s your style, it could look nice as a day dress.

The fabric is very sheer, but the dress is lined.  The details are very pretty, and carefully applied.  Though I’m not sure when/where I’ll wear it, picking up such a good example of an era is always worthwhile.

Come to think of it, it’s a piece that would make a good starting point for a great Halloween costume . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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