Category Archives: early 1960’s

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY: A LITTLE MORE UP-TOWN, IN A LAID-BACK ’50S – EARLY ’60’S WAY

A LITTLE MORE UP-TOWN, IN A LAID-BACK '50S - EARLY '60'S WAY

This was a fabulous find – not too dressy, but certainly a step up from some of the little day dresses I’ve shown recently.

Cotton, again – one of the most versatile and perfect fabrics for most attire 50 or 60 years ago. No one was afraid of an iron, and most women expected their clothing to last a lot longer than one season.

This is a snazzy little number, though possibly custom tailored. It shows off the mentality of women who had gotten tired of war-time deprivation and modest conservatism a decade or so before.

Although it took us a while, girls have always just wanted to have fun . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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A FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE DRESS FROM THE LATE ’50S – EARLY ’60’S BY SWIRL

A FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE DRESS FROM THE LATE '50S – EARLY '60'S BY SWIRL.

A FEW OF MY TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES – WORTH COLLECTING!

A FEW OF MY TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES – WORTH COLLECTING!.

A FEW OF MY TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES – WORTH COLLECTING!

A FEW OF MY TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES - WORTH COLLECTING!

Here are a few examples from my daily closet – blouses/shirts from the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Names like Bobbie Brooks and Ship’n’Shore and Villager.

There are other names, too. I’m just thinking about the most common ones. I love wearing them with skirts and slacks, jeans.

On the far left, a peasant blouse – looked great back in the day with a peasant skirt and espadrilles.

The upper three in the center – made from that lovely vintage cotton I’m always writing about, in great prints or gingham weave.

And, the one on the bottom – in my favorite red. A sheer-ish cotton blend with tiny white polka dots.

Yes, you do sometimes have to iron shirts like these, but there’s nothing like them today and it’s worth it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE “SUMMER OF ’42” HALTER DRESS FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE "SUMMER OF '42" HALTER DRESS FROM THE 1940'S – 1950'S.

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S DINNER FROCK BY HENRY-LEE

IMG_1426This one was hiding in an out-of-the-way spot. You just never know!

It’s a lovely dress in unusual colors. The blue is not a common one, and flattering only to just the right skin and hair tone. The interesting part is the top.

Like many dresses made at that time, a rayon-type under-layer with a lace overlay dresses it up. Sometimes they’re in the same color, and sometimes contrasting, as in this case.

Here, we have a medium lavender color under the blue. Quite uncommon. I love finding these quirky things! The two layers in the skirt have the same contrast, but the chiffon on top is heavy enough that very little of the lavender comes through. Perhaps just enough to draw a little attention when the wearer moves.

And, the under-layer is a taffeta, so it swishes. . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A LOVELY SUMMER FROCK FROM THE 1950’S, REMODELED A BIT BY MOI

A LOVELY SUMMER FROCK FROM THE 1950'S, REMODELED A BIT BY MOI.

A LOVELY SUMMER FROCK FROM THE 1950’S, REMODELED A BIT BY MOI

A LOVELY SUMMER FROCK FROM THE 1950'S, REMODELED A BIT BY MOI

This beautiful polished cotton frock – Kay Whitney by Huntington – is absolutely gorgeous. The fabric and the tailoring are top notch.

Naturally, it’s got a fabric-covered belt, the full skirt and a generous hem allowance. It’s not a one-off design, I found, when I saw another identical to it on eBay – but it’s wonderful anyway.

However, this one is one-off now!  As beautiful as it was in its original design, it was a bit too conservative a style to be flattering on me. The shoulder straps were wider and it had a fabric tie sewn completely around the neckline which you would tie in a bow in front. Pretty, but not me.

I removed the tie, making the shoulders skinnier and the neckline wider. I used some of the leftover tie material to make little flat bows at the shoulders. Of course, if you are a purist, you would never have changed it. That’s something I rarely do, but I liked it so much and wanted it to suit me.

So, I now have an original – and without sacrificing quality or elegance. The best of both worlds.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 60’S – EARLY ’70’S MINI TRENCH RAINCOAT

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 60'S - EARLY '70'S MINI TRENCH RAINCOAT

This little cutie is not by a famous maker, but it’s got nice tailoring and style details. Look at the contrasting facing, the welts at the shoulders and the little false cuffs.

All-weather coats were really popular 40 or 50 years ago. Almost everyone had them for in-between seasons and just in case.

You can’t go wrong with a classic style like a trench-coat or a practically neutral color like light blue. I prefer black myself, or beige for day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S CAPRI PANTS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S CAPRI PANTS.