Category Archives: early 1960’s

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S CAPRI PANTS

A rare find, though many are made today that look similar – true vintage capri pants in a fall-color plaid. They have little slits at the ankle, a high waist, and metal side zipper than actually slants into one of the hip pockets. The maker is Shipmates.

These were kind of like our nicer jeans are now – they were common as casual wear and in the ’60’s they started to venture more beyond picnics and recreational activities.

What makes them different than the ones today? The fabric, the color combos, the zippers, the labels, the fit.

The original owner hardly wore these, if at all. That shows how much skirts and dresses still held the traditional place for women’s daily wear. I wonder how long these were in hiding? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S HOME-SEWN SHIRT WAIST DAY DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S HOME-SEWN SHIRT WAIST DAY DRESS

I show a lot of this style, because it was SO popular from the mid-forties until the early ’60’s. This example is quintessential in all its qualities.

I’m sure this was home-sewn because when I found it I found 3 others obviously made for the same woman. Yes, she may have had a tailor.

Lovely cotton which can’t be found anymore – certainly not in fabric stores. It’s hard to describe if you don’t know it. Looks wonderful, feels wonderful and gets better with age.

Also, the buttons she used are just great! They’re big, plastic and colorful. Some were sculpted in their shape. The sewing is impeccably done and fabric-covered belts always look so crisp and stylish. Naturally, there’s a generous hem (whatever happened to those?).

All four of these dresses were of exactly the same style, each one in a beautiful cotton print. Though I’m sure they were well-used, they hardly looked worn – a testament to the quality of vintage materials and workmanship, as well as the care of the owner.

Each one opens the book on a mystery, just as illusive as they can be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . … . . . . . .

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

LOVELY COTTON SHIRT-WAIST FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S IN FALL COLORS

LOVELY COTTON SHIRT-WAIST FROM THE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S IN FALL COLORS.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – 1960’S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – 1960'S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – 1960’S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - 1960'S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG

Back in the ‘ 50’s and ’60’s, purses made of woven materials like reeds, wicker, raffia, synthetic strands and other natural and natural-looking things were really popular. Some were decorated with whimsical designs and were very casual. Some were trimmed in leather and were almost dressy. Most were in-between, for everyday use.

I’ve found a ton of these over the years because they were so popular and are not really old, as vintage fashion items go. So, it did not really tax my sleuthing skills but, finding the best of these items in good condition can still be a challenge.

This one is a real cutie, with just enough attitude because of it’s structured shape and leather trim to have some high-fashion aspirations like lunching and club-prowling, which it may realize under some conditions.

However, it’s still just basically a small-time, hand-crafted little purse, even though it is from British Hong Kong. I don’t hold that against it one bit. Every wardrobe should have at least two or three of this genre, as they’re very versatile.

And, just like my example here, they often come from some pretty exotic places . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S COCKTAIL SHEATH DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S COCKTAIL SHEATH DRESS.

UPTOWN MOD GIRL FROM THE 1960’S – TRUE VINTAGE IN THE CITY

UPTOWN MOD GIRL FROM THE 1960'S – TRUE VINTAGE IN THE CITY.

FUN TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S CIRCLE SKIRT

FUN TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S CIRCLE SKIRT.

FUN TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S CIRCLE SKIRT

FUN TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S CIRCLE SKIRT

I just loved it when I found this! I still have two decorated circle skirts that relatives had picked up in Mexico. They were very popular in the ’50’s as souvenir items from a trip south of the border. Also, I’ve found several Native American blouse and skirt sets from that time. My mother had one which she, sadly, gave away without thinking I’d want it(!?#+!)

These were all the rage(?) in the late ’50’s – early ’60’s and lots of women bought them during a trip out west. Those who were fortunate to live out west often made them at home. They were made and sold by the Navajo tribe primarily, I believe – decorated in bright colors with yards of ric-rac, braid and ribbon.

If this one was not from the southwest, it was a take-off on that style. Always made of cotton,- this one is, too, with silver ric-rac and braid trim.

Tons of fun to wear! Although the native costumes would have a matching blouse, a sleeveless or short-sleeved white blouse looks really good. In the ’50’s, peasant blouses with elasticized necklines that could be worn off-shoulder were a big thing.

This is really an iconic style from back in the day. I’m glad to have several of them. As I said, they originated from aboriginal peoples in various countries and the gringos fell in love with them. Can’t argue with that!

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 – EARLY 1960’S DEBUTANTE GOWN

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S DEBUTANTE GOWN.