Category Archives: early 1960’s

WOW TIMES 3!!! GORGEOUS MID-CENTURY ASIAN JACKET BLOUSE

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What a beautiful find!  Because of the traditional styling I can’t date it exactly, but it’s old. Rayon satin with lovely floral embroidery.  Like the silk Cheongsam dress I found last week, this garment is so gorgeous and timeless – I’ll love wearing it for decades.

There’s another similar one of red silk hanging in my closet.  It looks wonderful with dressy black crepe pants,  a skirt or dress for cocktails or a special dinner party.

It’s off to the cleaners after I check the lining for any messages Mata Hari might have left behind . … . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BACK TO TRUE VINTAGE – 1960’S BLACK CREPE COCKTAIL DRESS

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From a New York clothier, this frock with a shimmy-shake beaded bodice is classic 1960’s. The fully-lined black crepe dress with a knee-length hemline was a standard of 1950’s and early 1960’s cocktail party attire.

Fun elements of beading and flirty design were common in the Sixties.  I love finding one of these – so wearable and always playful, while toeing the line with classic couture.  You can wear it (almost) anywhere without raising eyebrows.

And, as always, quality and excellent condition for the past 45 – 50 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER RARE FIND – MEN’S MID-CENTURY LEISURE CARDIGAN SWEATER IN WOOL AND SUEDE LEATHER

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Fabulous condition, too!  It needs a button, but I can do that.  I may even have a matching one in my stash.  So fun to find one of these in great shape.

This type of sweater was such a common and vital part of a man’s wardrobe before 1965. After that, styles changed and these weren’t seen as often.  The classic golf sweater carried on the design, but is of a completely different genre.

College boys, Dad and Grandpa used to sport around in these cardigans during Happy Days and Mad Men times.  Sometimes they’d be worn with a casual shirt and tie.  Great- and great-great granddads had their versions, too.  I don’t find one very often but, when you’re sleuthing, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

KENNEDY ERA FORMAL GOWN – SO SOPHISTICATED, WITH SURPRISE TAILORING . .. . . . . . . . .

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Brocade and crepe, with a little bow at the back waistline – this frock is so well-made and elegant. Formal dance, Prom, Special Occasion, perfect!  It needs a pressing, but is in great shape.  Remember what I said yesterday about the repeating design elements?  Read on . . . . . . . . .

So beautifully tailored with closures and stitching in all the right places, this gown has a feature that I have never seen.  The sleeves are part of a bolero bodice that is attached and worn inside the dress and supports the sleeves.  That makes it possible to wear this gown as a sleeveless sheath or as pictured here.  The sleeves, as on the dress yesterday, have fabric flowers sewn on.

Wow!  What a gorgeous and surprise design!!  You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

McCALL’S NEEDLEWORK SPRING CARDIGANS FROM 1961

IMG_1086IMG_1087IMG_1088IMG_1089     Dig the hairstyles, too.  Now that Christmas and New Year’s celebrations were over, women in 1961 turned their attention to Spring and travel styles, as well as Prom & Easter.

With the crazy weather, we’re also thinking of flowers and sunny colors.  Although our grandmothers and great-grandmothers thought about new needlework projects  in their spare time, it’s still FASHION, and we continue to think about it now, but in different ways (what’s on my favorite Internet site?).

in 1961, the subscribers to McCall’s Needlework and Crafts magazine looked forward to these styles.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

NEW FIND! KENNEDY ERA MIDRIFF BLOUSE BY MISS VOGUE CALIFORNIA

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So rare!  A blouse from sixty years back, in exceptional condition.  I just love these mid-century blouses that are basically proper, but show just a little bit of waistline when you bend or reach up.  With a sporty skirt, cigarette pants, capri’s or shorts it’s a classic sexy look for summer.

Hard to see in the photo, but there’s a V cut in the front neckline which is a great little design feature.  Buttons up the back.  Clothing from California makers has always been trend-setting and attractive in a sporty way.   Such a thrill to find it – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

RARE ONCE AGAIN – 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S MEN’S KNIT POLO SHIRT

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Just LOVE finding these knitwear items that have been so well-preserved for 50 – 60 years!!  Unusual finds are always tons of fun.

This shirt was made by a Sears, Roebuck & Co. brand that quit producing in the early 1960’s.  Very nicely tailored, with a longer tail (prevents embarrassing views that are all too common today).  Hard-to-see in this photo, but the sleeves are a ribbed knit contrast to the flat knit of the body.

These older things all have features and stories to tell that keep revealing themselves.  The star item of my recent adventures is coming up tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LATEST DISCOVERY: MID-CENTURY LADIES BLOUSE – SO RARE!

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I just LOVE classic mid-century blouses with roll-up sleeves and wing collars!  It’s so unusual to find one in good condition.  This one even has pretty sculpted buttons with a star in the center.  Although it’s barely visible in the photo, there’s even a line of fine embroidery in a contrasting green on the seams in the front placket.

The fabric is also do die for – not sure whether it’s a cotton or rayon because the hand is very smooth.  This shirt is very finely tailored, with all kinds of extra-quality touches on a simple, everyday garment.  Well, that’s just how it goes with true vintage clothing – there’s nothing better.

Almost missed it – but when you’ve got the eye for the subtleties, things turn up.  What will be next? –  you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG;  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS 1950’S CLASSIC MEN’S SMOKING ROBE – RARE, RARE, RARE!!!

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A bit rumpled, but perfect!  This was a higher-end men’s garment and an indispensable wardrobe item for men in the mid-century.  A well-made bathrobe for elegant at-home time was worn by many men every day.

Lovely cotton, rayon and silk were commonly-used fabrics in mid-century and, like their street-wear brothers, these lounge-wear garments were well-tailored and elegant.  I’m SO thrilled to uncover another one of these, which is a rare find (my favorite!)

I encounter a lot of rare finds, but they’re all different, so the surprises never stop!  Stay tuned – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

OH BOY!! RARE FIND YESTERDAY THAT JUMPS ME BACK INTO THE 1950’S. LOVE IT!!!

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-1-1111121111111211111  Just when the 1960’s treasures were beginning to feel a little hum-drum, up comes a beautiful men’s item that pulls me back to post-war days and some of the best old movies.  Stay tuned – I’ll publish it tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM