What a beautiful Kennedy era party frock. With beads and rhinestones at the waist, and a swing and sway two-layer skirt. This dress is made by Carol Craig, New York – a well-known brand name of the time.
Pretty, pretty, pretty – and in perfect condition. Someone loved it very much. See what else we love, tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTABESPY.COM
Two “new” finds today – I’m on a roll. This little frock caught my eye because of the fabric – real, plush, beautiful VELVET. We just don’t see that anymore. The lace trim is also very nice. Stiff and Elizabethan.
Aside from the fabric, it’s just as cute as can be and oh, so of that time. Mini, slightly Mod but also demure. I love it and it was worth snapping up even if it isn’t quite my size, just for the fabric.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This is absolutely the prettiest apricot-color floral print dress! It’s got an old Talon zipper in back and is in fabulous condition (and my size, if not my best color – maybe a little summer tan will help).
Don’t know whether this was Prom or whatever in it’s first life, but now I’d wear it almost anywhere. Could even be worn as part of a wedding party. The cut and skirt treatment are very well done, making this a super-flattering frock.
Let’s see what’s next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Ditch the mini-length, add a bit of va-voom and some frills et voila! – dinner or cotillion dance-worthy. Although the comfortable style and flexible double-knit would probably permit it, this is no frock for the bar scene or Stayin’ Alive dance party.
Yes, it was still possible to find garments of quality construction and elegant design in the 1970’s. Sadly, most of them are gone now because the knit fabrics didn’t make it till today or simply because women had begun to stop taking the care of their clothing which was common in the 1960’s and before.
So much more precious for me to discover two frocks of this type (see yesterday’s post, too). Both are definitely keepers that I can wear for decades to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s another dressy frock from Montevideo, Uruguay – probably just a few years younger than her sister shown yesterday. This dress is stylish, but not as Crawford vampish as the other. The 1940’s styling has been played down, excepting for the puffy shoulders and embroidered mesh trim. I forgot to take a picture with the black curly lamb jacket which was also a recent find, from the early 1950’s. Would be a perfect wrap over this dress.
No, it is not bare on the bodice. The mesh has been lined with a flesh-tone panel which is a perfect match for bare skin peeking out at the shoulders. The tailoring of these mid-century frocks is just astounding, especially when they were hand-made by dressmakers. The well-to-do ladies in Montevideo would have had much of their clothing custom-made to their specifications and fit.
However, remember the dressing gown from a few days ago? It was also hand-made, but from France, and probably purchased before the European war. Many Montevidean women purchased French fashions and accessories back in the day.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Though WWII was raging in Europe and Argentina next door was experiencing unrest, the 1940’s were a relatively stable and prosperous time for Uruguay and this shows up in the architecture and antique goods which I discovered there. The country profited from beef supplied to other countries and the more well-off citizens lived a good life. Their clothing and household goods reflected that.
This beautiful frock was hand-tailored in a dressmaker’s shop. All of the embellishment was applied by hand and the tailoring is hand-done, too. As you can see, it’s loaded with beads and sequins, plus all the little button and loop closures up the back. Madame must have had a household staff, one of whom helped her dress and looked after her wardrobe. I love the 1940’s styling with the big, padded shoulders and ruching at the hips. These funny hip details were flattering only to slim figures, but they’re loads of fun, anyway.
So, a real treasure find. I’ll show you her younger sister tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
While I was having a run on ’60’s cocktail LBDs, this one presented herself. Same chiffon drape detail idea, but very sassy chic instead of tailored and ladylike. So much fun!
I also love discovering these frocks that were worn once or not at all. And even the ones that saw many the party are often still in quite beautiful condition, as our grandmothers were not in the habit of trashing their clothing. You won’t see the next one for a while, though, because she needs a zipper replacement. A breeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In the meantime, there’s lots more to show you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Isn’t this one a beauty?! Another of my “new” finds this winter, when I had a sudden rush of discovering little black dresses from this particular era, most with these interesting drapes of black chiffon.
It’s a keeper for sure! Though a little long, it fits like a dream and, of course, is very well-tailored. Love the bodice treatment and little cap sleeves. The very svelte sheath fit makes up for the poufiness around the hips. Now I just need to find a cocktail party . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Interesting! I’ve come up, in the past 3 or 4 years, with three dresses in this basic style – crossover bodice, wasp waist, poufy sleeves and shoulder augmentation – all in formal styles.
The first find was true 1940’s, the second was ’40’s to early ’50’s and this last is 1980’s doing the Forties thing. This frock’s styling is a real dog’s breakfast. It gives a nod to the bubble skirts of the Eighties in spite of the mid-calf length and in a ’50’s-style bright pastel – which to me is kind of an awkward trendy marketing ploy that fails in the final analysis.
No matter. It’s fun to see what happened with the same style over the years and this one will go to the university theater due to some un-fixable damage. It’s a hoot to explore the back alleys of fashion history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Little Black Dresses keep coming my way. Love this one, with interesting tailoring details. Since these don’t show up in the photo, I will explain while you use your imagination.
Short, short sleeves are very flattering and the front of the bodice is sheer to show off the lace or trim on a beautiful black slip from that era. There is a fabric tassel at the waist, to be tied into a bow. From the hip to near the hemline, horizontal pleats add interest to the pencil skirt. Very elegant and becoming and –
there’s more coming your way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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