Category Archives: dressy

MID-CENTURY TRUE VINTAGE SISTER HANDBAGS-MADE IN HONG KONG

Both these little ladies were made in Hong Kong, of similar basic design, but there is a world of difference between them.  Lady Right was made for the uptown market, while Lady Left was sold downtown.  Though they’re both clean and well-put-together, Lady Right grew up with all the best, while Lady Left’s beginnings were more humble.

It’s obvious “in person” that these bags were made for different markets. The styling in both is superior, but the materials and extra attention to detail show that Lady Right brought a higher price.  Just comparing these two pretties, found at the same time, was a fun chance to evaluate a number of “clues” about their backgrounds.

I don’t have a favorite.  Their stories are equally interesting to me  (maybe Lady Left’s is a little more so . . . . .).  Each one is perfect with the outfit that coordinates with it.  While Lady Left could be much more casual, she is no less elegant – maybe even more so, if you don’t look too closely. Lady Right could seem a little tasteless if she showed up everywhere dressed like that.

I see one for holiday festivities or a very gala occasion (maybe tonight?), while the other would be lovely with a pretty summer dress.  Both would be gorgeous for a bridal venue. It can all be so fascinating . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE ELEGANT 1950’S HANDBAG

This purse is a great example of the things I love about handbags made in the 1950’s.  The true size is about 10″x 12″x 2″ – not too big, but it can hold a lot and has many interesting features:

Soft fabric finished to mimic suede.

Several inside pockets and a matching satin lining

  • High quality, attractive hardware
  • Two large outside pockets worked into the design so that they are invisible
  • A cute attached coin purse that keeps cash safe and accessible

So many of these older bags are in near-perfect condition, too – many with tissue paper inside.  Owning fine accessory items and caring for them well (even without servants) used to be one of the hallmarks of an elegant lifestyle, and still is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

I NEVER GET TIRED OF ELEGANT MID-CENTURY CLUTCH PURSES

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I know – the black rayon evening handbag is so common and I see many of them.  Although they almost always have something for their designers to be proud of in comparison to today’s cheap copies, I usually pass them by (I have so many!)  However, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

once in a while I’ll see one with an unusual clasp or shape that makes me take a second look and know that I gotta have it.  Here is one.  It’s in beautiful condition, for one thing, but the closure set off to one side is handy and attractive.  The style  has that sleek, atomic feel that some post-war and mid-century modern designers really went for in the age of mega-bombs and Sputnik.

No matter how long this handbag hangs around, it will never be anything less than elegant.  The quality and “look” keep it from being dated or unfashionable.  Unless we someday stop carrying handbags altogether – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A BEAUTIFUL 1950’S HANDBAG BY BELLESTONE

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When it rains, it pours!  A luxury-brand, lizard-skin purse from the Fifties, sold at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, or possibly Chicago.  Full leather construction with the quality hardware that you would expect on an expensive handbag.

I come across bags of this genre now and again, but I wasn’t expecting it!  Just goes to show that – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN LEATHER HANDBAG WITH A GREAT STORY

BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN LEATHER HANDBAG WITH A GREAT STORY

This beauty was made in Florence, Italy and has a fantastic story. First, I’ll tell my part –

On a Mediterranean cruise, I was listening to the excursions director tell about the ports of call that we’d be stopping in.  Part of her presentation was to highlight the special products available in each place, in case we wanted to go shopping.  She flashed a photo of this handbag made in Florence, Italy on the screen and I just about jumped out of my seat.  I had discovered this one above just like it about 2 months before while vintage-hunting in my neighborhood!  When I told the excursions director my story, she congratulated me and said that these bags sell for 300+ Euros!!

Italy has long been known for its exceptional leather goods – some say it’s #1 in the world. This purse is certainly a good example.  It has a gorgeous red leather lining with special internal pockets which I have never seen before.  Each one closes with a snap clasp like old cigarette cases used to.  The outside clasp is like other true vintage ones I have seen that self-lock when the purse is closed.  After I brought it home, I added a black and red leather billfold which I had found on a previous thrifting expedition.  It coordinates perfectly!

This handbag was styled after one which was made decades ago BY SPECIAL ORDER FOR GRACE KELLY, probably after she had married Prince Ranier of Monaco in 1956 and was living as Princess Grace in Europe.  Can you imagine how my little vintage-loving heart swooned when I learned that?!!!

What a great surprise!  Nothing could have added to the joy and mystique of my first cruise experience like this did. You just never know . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE CLASSIC MANTILLA SCARVES – A CULTURE OF SPIRIT, TRADITION, MYSTERY AND ALLURE

TRUE VINTAGE CLASSIC MANTILLA SCARVES - A CULTURE OF SPIRIT, TRADITION, MYSTERY AND ALLURE

Marlene and Celia are back and . . .. .. introducing Daphne, far right.  She’s stuck in the ’60’s and ’70’s and is kind of a California casual gal so doesn’t care much for most of my elegant looks.   However, she is wearing the less traditional, graphic patterned lace today.   I suspect that these are from the 1960’s.

These are a totally different look and sometimes double as a shawl.  In the U.S., many women of the Catholic faith used to keep lace head coverings around to wear to church and they’ve always been popular souvenirs of a trip to Mexico or Spain where they were called mantillas (roughly pronounced mon-tee-ya).  Over the centuries women and girls have worn them not only in strictly religious ceremonies, including weddings and funerals, but at traditional social events, too.  It seems that many cultures have their own version of the lace scarf and how to wear it.

So, there are many interpretations of the lace “mantle” and how/where to wear one.  Make up your own . . . . whenever a touch of elegance, allure and the unexpected is desirable . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE HEADSCARVES TIED IN THE KELLY WRAP STYLE – EARLY 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE HEADSCARVES TIED IN THE KELLY WRAP STYLE - EARLY 1950'S

Celia and Marlene are modeling the ever-chic-and-elegant scarf tie style popularized by and named for Grace Kelly in the early 1950’s.  It frames your face and covers your hair beautifully, doesn’t flap or blow and lets you show off that gorgeous true vintage print scarf you just found!

Celia wears a vintage floral print in silk which highlights rose and blue tones.  Marlene opts for a multi-color basket-weave print with a coffee brown border, also in silk.

This is one of the most elegant disguises I wear . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

UNIQUE TRUE VINTAGE SCARVES ADD UNMISTAKABLE RETRO CHIC

UNIQUE TRUE VINTAGE SCARVES ADD UNMISTAKABLE RETRO CHIC

Here are 3 small scarves from my large collection.  I have selected them to show you for their unusual patterns.  Vintage novelty graphics and florals are lovely and very distinctive.  Always perfect to brighten a jacket pocket, or add a bright touch to your neckline, to a purse handle or your hair.

On the other hand, patterns like the one on top – looks like little postage-stamp drawings – are very unusual and interesting.  Check out the green square on right – see the little ballerinas around the edge?  FUN! I loved discovering this one!!

The fabrics in these scarves are also unique by today’s standards.  The silks are lovely and delicate.  Hems are always hand-stitched.  Rayons and nylons also have a really nice “hand”.  Even the old polyesters are different.

I’ll show more of my favorites in different sizes and styles.  Marlene and Celia are always very happy for another opportunity to model and, I’ll be introducing Daphne . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S PARTY DRESS – REMINDS ME OF GRACE KELLY

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S PARTY DRESS - REMINDS ME OF GRACE KELLY

This one was a FABulous surprise find!  I always have my eyes open and my antennae up, but this blew me away!

A sheer layer over plain liner, and fitted drop-waist hourglass shape – the colors are for Fall but work beautifully in Spring and Summer for someone with the right coloring.  It reminds me of a dress that Grace Kelly wore in the Alfred Hitchcock movie, Rear Window in 1954. Just a fabulous film – highly recommended.

The style is a bit different and the colors are, too.  The criss-cross neckline is something not usually seen.  I love it – it’s so fun to find unusual items.

Watch that old movie if you can.  It’s a great one and the clothing is wonderful.  I have at least one other dress that was, in fact, modeled on one of the frocks that Grace wore in Rear Window.  And, also, a dress modeled on the one that she wore to the opening of that movie.  It pays to have older friends who used to do a lot of sewing back in the day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

BEST TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SUNDAY, DINNER, PARTY, DATE, OCCASION JACKET DRESS

BEST 1950'S SUNDAY, DINNER, PARTY, DATE, OCCASION JACKET DRESS

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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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