I love it when I can date a true vintage find to the exact year! Although this frock is not hugely distinctive, it’s a great example of a specific vintage genre. I’ve got another to show in a couple of days.
. This lightweight knit dress (yes, ladies, you’ll need a slip!!) is breezy and practical, with an all-over apple print. Despite the long sleeves, it’s sheer enough to comfortable in a cool office and would be perfect in a couple of months for the first day of school. Very professional.
The style is so classic that it’s almost invisible; that is also a basis of elegance. Skinny self-tie belts were really popular in the early sixties, and I’ve seen them mostly on styles that are classic and streamlined. Day-wear from that time seems to have verged away from some of the fussy, though beautiful, detailed tailoring of the Forties & Fifties.
So, think old re-runs of popular sit-coms of that year and what the female leads were wearing though, at that time, they’d be mostly housewives . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
I just LOVE this shirt with sailboats at anchor in a novelty abstract print. When I spied it, I just said WOW! Rather unusual – it looks like some of the artwork that was hanging in homes early in the 1960’s.
But, it may be from even earlier. The collar and fabric are a bit of a mystery and the tag is gone. It appears to be a man’s shirt at first glance, but was styled for a woman.
Made to wear over pants or shorts, with little slits in the sides, this blouse is pure casual sports-wear but not as tidy or girly as most women’s things were 50 years ago.
Although I’m tops at closing cases, I do love a mystery . . .. . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Hold the runway show – Here’s Stella, still in the early 1960’s. Imagine my delight to discover this beautiful evening dress, crafted in Hong Kong where some of the most lovely hand-tailoring was done for decades.
From shoulder to hem, it’s exquisite and deserves a detailed description. The bodice is a shell of embroidered lacy floral openwork, lined in sheer black and decorated with sequins and beads. It is made as a separate top which zips up the back and is attached to the dress at the shoulder seams. Very heavy, with all the bead-work, which would have been applied by hand.
The body of the dress is ivory on top (though you won’t see this), with a classic black crepe skirt. A crepe bow and 1″ border are attached to the hem of the shell , right at the waist.
Both the dress and attached shell have metal zippers in back so, as with many true vintage fashions, you’ll need an extra pair of hands to help you dress – – whether a partner or a lady’s maid, I can live with that.
Now for the additional little details – full lining in the skirt and a back kick pleat, little hooks and eyes in strategic places and bra strap holders sewn in at the shoulders.
I wonder who bought this, at what shop in what city, and where it was worn . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY . . . . . .
Here are two cotton blouses that are made of quintessential vintage fabrics. I haven’t seen others like them made this way in modern clothing (meaning since about 1975 at the latest).
The first blouse is made of cotton seersucker. This has been a trademark summer fabric since the 1920’s, I’d say – probably before. It is known for being cool and having a nice texture that stands up to heat and humidity.
The second blouse, with the Peter Pan collar and 3/4 sleeves that can be rolled up, is a lightweight cotton blend. These were super-popular in the ’50’s and early ’60’s and, as simple as they look, there’s not been a fabric that performs like this since.
Of course, I like the style details, too – the large buttons and banded scoop neck collar on #1 and the dainty collar and 3/4 sleeves on #2. True vintage blouses are…
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