Category Archives: dressy

A LATE 1970’S POLY-KNIT GOWN AND JACKET ENSEMBLE FROM A MIAMI SPECIALTY BOUTIQUE

A LATE 1970'S POLY-KNIT GOWN AND JACKET ENSEMBLE FROM A MIAMI SPECIALTY BOUTIQUE

Disco Days again! This silver-sparkly knit dress and jacket are for dancing the night away.

The dress is bare shoulders with rhinestone-studded straps and trim, back zip and a side slit for doing the boogie. The jacket has rhinestone-studded buttons. I have some silver and black platform sandals from the same era that go perfectly!.

This is another of those specialty outfits from a small shop in South Beach Miami, Florida. It has the hallmarks of the late ’70’s – mostly in the fabric and some of the construction details.

Not a high-end garment this time in terms of its quality, but I’ll bet it was expensive because of where it was sold – even back then. Fortunately, all the rhinestones in the buttons and trimming are in place so we can’t fault the value of those items – they didn’t tend to fall apart.

I’m always pleasantly surprised to see how well decorative trimmings and buttons on true vintage fashion hold up over many years. It’s a blessing, because they’re irreplaceable!  However, I have found a couple of stores that specialize in these authentic vintage items where you can look . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE SWING DRESS FROM THE 1940’S

TRUE VINTAGE SWING DRESS FROM THE 1940'S.

TRUE VINTAGE SWING DRESS FROM THE 1940’S

TRUE VINTAGE SWING DRESS FROM THE 1940'S

A lovely swing dress, of two layers, with a circle skirt and lace mesh overlay. This is so pretty!

It’s got a v-neck front and back, with a long side zipper. It swings and sways and such a flattering fit. I just love that cafe au lait color.

I believe that the fabric is rayon, at least for the dress underneath. That fabric was SO commonly used during the ’40’s. It can pose some care issues, but it has such nice qualities otherwise that it’s usually worth it.

This is not a Here I am. Look at ME!! dress, but once you’re seen, you won’t be forgotten. Best not to choose it when you’re going incognito . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TRUE VINTAGE MOD-ERA LATE 1960’S BLOUSE BY SYBIL

TRUE VINTAGE MOD-ERA LATE 1960'S BLOUSE BY SYBIL.

TRUE VINTAGE MOD-ERA LATE 1960’S BLOUSE BY SYBIL

TRUE VINTAGE MOD-ERA LATE 1960'S BLOUSE BY SYBIL

A rare find – one of those mystery synthetic garments from the 1960’s. Seems kind of like polyester, but then . . . . . . .

Not to disparage at all – it’s a really nice fabric but I just can’t place it. There were some
very interesting blends back in the day before content
labels were required.

What attracted me most was the style – those beautiful crystal-pleated ruffles are eye-catchers. Ruffles on the front and sleeves were very popular in the late 60’s, usually in a slightly less opulent form than this – a bit too frilly for me, but stunning on the right person.

Picture Twiggy wearing this with a black mini-skirt, lacy black patterned tights, some spiffy mod heels and bold eye make-up and lipstick – with an evening purse – you get the idea. About the time that Mod and Carnaby Street fashions were merging together. Mary Quant and all that. She might have a fit that I mentioned her in relation to this example. It might not be what she would have done at all.

Anyway, it’s a good example and the embroidered tag and sizing all go along with it! Do any of the fashions produced today distinguish themselves so well? I don’t think so, but I’d love some examples. Do you have any? I always look for reference material for the files . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

CUTE LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE HAT FROM THE 40’S OR 50’S

CUTE LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE HAT FROM THE 40'S OR 50'S

This one doesn’t exactly match the suit, but you might be able to get by with it – it’s so close. It’s also from the same time period.

Whatever label it had is gone now, which is a shame because hat labels are very interesting. I might have shown it on a model but Daphne, Celia and Marlene are on their holiday.

Speaking of which, please enjoy your 4th of July if you’re from the U.S. and I’ll be back from the latest mission in a day or two. Caio!

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

TRUE VINTAGE SUIT OR 2 PC. DRESS FROM THE ’40’S – ’50’S

TRUE VINTAGE SUIT OR 2 PC. DRESS FROM THE '40'S - '50'S

What a cute little 3-season outfit with a fantastic hourglass shape. I always love these!

It’s a late ’40’s to early ’50’s style, with little shoulder pads and beautiful tailoring. Although it is unlined and not haute couture, it’s very nicely done and has those wonderful design details that even continue on the back of the jacket.

The ever-popular pencil skirt goes with almost anything. This could be worn as a dress, as separate pieces or as a suit. I see it with a little white blouse or shell underneath, jacket open.

At a time when women were finding their fashion feet again and, actually, going wild with style! Clothing from this era is beautiful and fun to find. Notice that the tags are still on this one – I love surprise discoveries like this. Keep sleuthing because, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . .
ALSO, I’LL BE TRAVELING FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS SO THE POSTS MAY BE A LITTLE BIT WONKY BUT, NO WORRIES, THE INVESTIGATION GOES ON AND I WILL REPORT REGULARLY.
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S RED TAFFETA GOWN WITH A CIRCLE SKIRT

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S RED TAFFETA GOWN WITH A CIRCLE SKIRT.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S RED TAFFETA GOWN WITH A CIRCLE SKIRT

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S RED TAFFETA GOWN WITH A CIRCLE SKIRT

This is a very special dress – the one that the actress playing the “vixen” would wear in a 1950’s movie. Or, the devil with the red dress on. . . . . . . . .

Taffeta seems to be one of the favorite “special dress” fabrics from the ’50’s. I also love boat necks and 3/4 sleeves. Fire engine red always makes a statement. It’s not a debutante party frock – about 100 miles from the little white one I just posted!

I would really like to know the history of this one. Based on where I discovered it, I suspect that it was worn by a small-time bad girl or a wannabe.

One of those “in your dreams” dresses. It’s always good to have at least a few of those handy because, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE MID-FIFTIES DAY DRESS BY THE KORET COMPANY

TRUE VINTAGE MID-FIFTIES DAY DRESS BY THE KORET COMPANY.