Despite the fact that this dress has damage, I couldn’t resist picking it up. When I’m ready to wear it, it’ll make a great sleeveless style or a skirt. Or, I could donate it for study to a theater group because of all its great features as a piece of fashion history. It was well-loved and well-worn!
This frock was home-sewn from the ground up. The belt is missing, but would have been covered with matching fabric by hand. The cross-stitch embroidery decoration is, of course, hand-done. Even the patches and mends are very well-stitched and give authenticity to the dress.
I wonder what brand of pattern the seamstress used – if she used one at all. So many women could make their own patterns at home by taking a few measurements or copying from an old garment. I have a couple of older friends who tell me that their mothers could make outfits for them by looking at a picture in a magazine, a catalog or a store window. Can you imagine that kind of fashion freedom? Wow!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
This dress is beautiful. Despite it’s clean and unassuming lines, it is beautifully tailored.
Of black velveteen, it’s a party or dressy-occasion frock. Fully lined, with nice details at the hem, waist and sleeves. It’s the type of dress that might have been worn to a Homecoming dance or party, a recital or special dinner event.
Even though the style is “plain” (read Elegant), I love finding garments of such high quality because they stand out on that basis alone. It really gives me a lot of pleasure to wear clothing like this. Of course, I always love black . . …. …
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
A rare find for me, and one of my favorite items . . . . .
I absolutely love this shirt and others like it. Sorry I don’t have a male model. The distinguishing feature is the embroidery on the left side. These little designs are so much fun. Some are really creative!
Men sometimes wear long sleeves in the summer, so I consider this a year-round garment. Especially when it’s in a lighter color. It can be dressed up with a sport coat.
Some shirts of this type have multi-colored designs. Usually the fabric has a bit of sheen and the embroidery is glossy. You can tell by a quick look that it is a quality original item and not a modern imitation.
I LOVE to find them! Would have adored being a curator of wardrobe for Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer or Warner Bros. back in the day.
It’s even more fun to go to the closet and decide which movie to play in today . . …
View original post 25 more words
Magicvintagespy 