This one is fun! Not my best colors, but how can I not keep it and wear it? The style is casual, but it isn’t grunge-wear. In fact, it’s a rather stylish summer top with a Country Club feel and an element of elegance.
It’s fully lined in the body and buttons up the back. The sleeves and fringes are left sheer. I just love finding items like this, which tell a story about the type of woman who would have purchased and worn it. I see it with a pair of white capri’s or shorts and leather sandals – flat or with a kitten heel – worn by a dark-haired Italian actress in a James Bond movie. Only your own imagination and personal style put any limits on how it can be combined with other elements of your wardrobe.
Where to go today? Perhaps the Riviera? You just never know . .. . . . . . . . . …
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Viintage Fashion available at Amazon.com
This blouse is unique – it has ruffles all around. I’ve never seen another like it, though some similar ones in photos. It looks like something Ann-Margaret would have worn in a movie, with a skirt or a pair of short-shorts.
Each row of lace is sewn on separately and goes all the way around. Hard to believe that someone may have made this at home, but it’s possible. Anyway, it’s too cute for words.
All these pretty vintage blouses do best with a hand-washing, but it’s so easy to do. (BE SURE IT’S A WASHABLE FABRIC BEFORE YOU TRY THIS!) Swish them in a sink with mild soap (like Woolite or Ivory) for a couple of minutes, then hang them to dry (inside – not in the sun – if you can, let them drip dry). And, that’s probably all you’ll have to do! Helps them to last decades more and keep their shape. Of course, if you’ve got a stain, you’ll have to treat that first.
I just love finding cute surprises like this one. When you’re sleuthing around, they do turn up. You just never know . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . .
OK. This little cutie is in red cotton CORDUROY and you say – WHAT?! IT’S MAY 13TH!!! Yeah, that’s what I’ve been saying, too. I don’t know about you, but the weather here has been in the low ’60’s Fahrenheit for several days and I hear it’s colder elsewhere. So this photo was sitting on my desktop and I said, Nyah, nyah weather, I’m gonna do it!
I love this little suit. It’s lightweight, unlined, and has the cutest collar. It would be a good one to wear your “secretary blouse” with (you know, the one with the bow tie in the front or the conservative little collar). You could also wear a low V-neck bodysuit with lots of necklaces or a scarf, or maybe just leave it the way it is. If you’re a bigger size than Madge (my model, remember?) it might fit like a two-piece dress.
Anyway, it’s not a high-end item – I think it was a Montgomery Ward brand – just regular career-girl attire in the early to mid-1950’s. (I could also see Miss Moneypenny dressed like this in 1962(?)) Anyway, I love RED and the unusual style so those were my main reasons for picking it up – it made me smile!
Frost this morning, but it’s to be in the high ’80’s tomorrow. Go figure – we’ll be back to more seasonal garb then. Stay tuned. It just goes to show that you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available at Amazon.com
Two-tone beige pumps can be worn virtually any time of year, with almost anything. Notice the cut-out and applique’ detail – and, of course, with genuine leather uppers.
You’ll probably want to wait until June to start wearing your white pumps with pretty summer frocks or suits. These are in leather, also, by a famous maker of true vintage footwear, Red Cross Shoes.
Although very classic and virtually timeless, shoes of this basic shape and style were quite popular in the early 1960’s – think Jacqueline Kennedy during her White House years.
I love the details on these. We’ll be discussing more details on clothing and accessories made before 1970. They were almost always done very carefully and artistically – more so than in later years. Just another example of the quality and craftsmanship found in true vintage apparel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . more reasons to adore it!
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available at Amazon.com
Through till Monday or so, it’s all about details. This dress doesn’t look like much on the hanger – it’s a custom-tailored wrap dress that needs the body to define it’s shape.
The most interesting points about it are in the construction. It’s a fun style that buttons off-side and has hidden inside ties to shape the waist and tame the overlap.
The seamstress used little metallic buttons and the fabric has gold accents on some of the flowers in the print. It has an Asian flavor to the style and the floral designs.
So far, you’re still saying “OK, ho hum, so what? I see stuff that looks like this all the time.” The big deal in this dress, to my vintage-spotting eye, is the fabric.
It is a closely-woven 100% cotton that looks and feels like nothing new. The best way that I can describe the “hand” (feel) of it is if your grandmother still has cotton sheets from the 1940’s or 1950’s that have gotten soft with wear over the years, but are still strong.
The fabric also has a polish. Good polished cotton is rarely, if ever, seen in modern clothing.
So, that’s the secret of this casual dress and what makes it special. . . . . . . . . . . .
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com
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