Faceted jet beads, seed pearls and rhinestones. Dress up that little day-dress or LBD with true vintage accessories.
Two-strand short necklace has a lovely clasp. Earrings are clip-on. I always keep my eyes open for true vintage jewelry. The new stuff just doesn’t compare. . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE. MAGICVINTAGESPY
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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 sweaters to make yourself – I’d love to have lots of things like this in my wardrobe (I do have some cardigans that are hand-done). Pictured in the McCall’s Needlework Fall-Winter edition of 1956 – 1957. This year it’s been so cool that we could sometimes wear them now!
Nothing beats hand-made clothing, done by an expert. At one time, even middle-income women had this luxury because so many of them were very skilled seamstresses and tailors. It was economical to make your own wardrobe and even hiring someone to custom-tailor for you was not out of the question, at least once or twice a year.
The beauty of finding true vintage clothing is that much of it is hand done. . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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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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Here’s a pair of shoes that I might wear with the dresses I’ve shown recently. These needle-toe patent leather pumps are characteristic of late ’50’s to early ’60’s styles. The placement and shape of the heel is also characteristic.
I love the little cut-outs on the vamp. Many shoes of that era had great details.
One of the things I like best are the company names stamped on the insoles. The script is usually so interesting. Although these are cracked inside, the outers are in great shape.
I’ve had new heel caps put on, but otherwise they will last for decades more. The color is funky but fun, too!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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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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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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This one is just about my favorite. I love the camellias (or whatever flower) at the waist and the contrasting sash that flows down the front. The length is just below the knee on me (I’m 5’6″).
There is a size tag inside, so it was commercially made. Seems to be of rayon chiffon over a rayon/acetate liner. There is no stiffening in the skirt. It’s such a pretty pale peach color, and an easy-to-wear style. Perfect for dancing and very graceful.
I noticed recently that J.Crew made a very similar dress in silk chiffon. Of course, it is nice, but not “original” – 1. there is no ornamentation (you could add your own) 2. the dress is available in several different colors, but no contrasting sash which, to me, adds so much to this original vintage one 3. since it’s mass-produced, you could see your dress on lots of other women. However, for $250.00 you can have the modern version.
I’ll take true vintage any time. True, it had some spots on it when I found it, but I was able to make them disappear – POOF!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here’s a lovely mid-century silk dress in a classic style, perfect for a dressy date, a dance, dinner or cocktails. It’s too sophisticated for afternoon shopping, though it could be dressed down for a day on Fifth Avenue – just don’t take the dog to the vet. (even the Yorkie, with their sharp little claws)
In printed silk, with a full skirt (but no attached crinoline), wasp waist, center back vintage nylon zipper and a sweet little bow right at the bottom of the bust-line. Mid-calf length.
I found this one in a little out-of-the-way place where several things were hiding. It always pays to look, because you just never know … . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Since the weather is still cool some days, we can wear some slightly heavier fabrics. The substantial crepe material from which this dress is made would be too heavy for warm weather but is just right when it’s moderate outside. This simple sheath styling also can easily be paired with a sweater or short jacket
A short back zipper at the neck and shoulder pads are notable details. The belt is cloth – covered near the buckle and beaded around the other half. Whether you wear the buckle in front or back is up to you. This fancy belt “ups” the sophistication of the dress and would let it go from day to dinner without a pause. That was a real plus during wartime when a woman’s wardrobe may have been very limited. The style and cut are so simple that it would also show off any piece of jewelry that you wanted to wear with it to dress it up.
The ’40’s is probably my favorite fashion decade, although there are beautiful clothes from every era. The styles from this decade seem very self-confident, with imaginative and fun details. They also look good on my figure, which is an important consideration!
This dress, and several others from the ’40s, were a surprise find that really lit up my day. In fact, it was a totally unexpected treasure trove that just opened itself to me because of being in the right place at the right time. You just never know . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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