I’m ready for the BBQ – maybe not the volleyball or badminton game. This gown was custom-tailored of a beautiful fabric (look at those colors to die for). Prettier than the black and white from yesterday, but they’re all wonderful. Lovely feminine style with an easy-wear feel. Sixties or Seventies chic.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
This is one of my favorite true vintage styles in warm weather shoes. The fabric uppers and openness are so breezy, cool and feminine. They are such a cross between dressy and casual that they are very versatile and will look just right almost any time.
I’ve found lots of lovely true vintage shoe styles by Johansen since I’ve been sleuthing and they’re always dependably elegant and well-made. Such a pleasure to find and to wear . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I love the styling of this frock, with its wasp waist, free hips, cap sleeves and delicate neckline that really enhance the figure. Madge’s fuller measurements give it the right “va-voom” fit. I also like the peek-a-boo effect of the white band below the waistline.
This was another “surprise find” – always the most fun! Summer days and nights, here we come . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I’ve had such a run of finding 1960’s dresses lately! But, I’m also finding items from decades before and it’s all so exciting. This pretty summer frock is a dropped-waist style that adds a twist to what would otherwise be a plain, but very elegant, sheath. This kind of casual elegance was so much a part of early-Sixties fashion.
The fabric I love because polka-dots and bright yellow are always so great for summer dresses. It’s a synthetic with a nylon feel, but may be a blend. Might have been custom-tailored, as so many true vintage dresses are, but it’s hard to say since the sewing skills our grandmothers had were so professional. Labels can be missing for many reasons.
This one just makes me want to wear it to a carnival and go on all the rides while eating cotton candy and winning at least one Teddy Bear . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Time for a new color. This dress is spun sugar pink, with bubblegum, white and (dare I say it – puce). That’s an awful name for a color, but mixed with these others it is very effective.
There’s no tag remaining, so I don’t know for certain that this dress was commercially-made but it certainly looks as though it was. The bodice is lined and the belt would have required some exceptional skill to make at home.
This type of fabric was called “whipped cream”, I think. A type of synthetic, but I can’t say which. It has unusual body that gives it a form of its own. The tie belt and blousey effect create a flattering fit.
Back zipper – simple style, but very much a stand-out. It makes me think of an ice cream social in the summer . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here we have two beautiful sundresses, in similar colors. Not really my colors – I’m a Summer skin-tone, rather than Spring or Fall, but who’s going to quibble when faced with these!
I’m guessing that the one on the right is the newer of the two. The one on the left has more detail on the bodice and even has bows fixed to the shoulder straps in back. It has a covered belt, whereas the other dress just has piping at the waist.
They’re both lovely, in a beautiful heavy cotton. Madge wears it very well, don’t you think? Such exceptional fit and tailoring.
Either of them could go from simple daytime activities to work (probably with a sweater or jacket), dinner, dancing, a party or date.
I often see dresses like this in movies from that era. Wear them and step into a time warp . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Just which decade is this dress from? I don’t know – it’s so classic in style, that it could be from either the 1940’s or 1950’s. I’m going to bet on the earlier time, but can’t be sure. Dare I say that it could even be from the ’30’s?!
I am certain that it’s true vintage and I love it to pieces! The back, of course, is open to mid-back and there is a metal zipper on the side. I expect that it was custom-tailored. Just look how well the pattern is matched!
This is a favorite style of mine, and I really responded to the fabric when I discovered it. Love the colors! I also like the fact that the cut of the top is modest without being unnecessarily so. Makes it very easy to wear.
Just right for a beach town, vacationing or a hot summer day anywhere. Put on a big straw hat and just look like one of the tourists . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here’s another dress from about the same time as the last one. It has the same features of design – the side metal zipper is the most significant. I don’t know why that was a favorite feature, rather than allowing the front opening to be longer.
Although it was more trouble to put that side zip in, it was hidden (more or less) from view and allowed the front and back lines of the garment to be unbroken. My best guess is that this style feature is more elegant than a back zip or long front opening would be.
So many of the styles and tailoring methods from the ’50’s and before paid a lot of attention to keeping the lines of a garment very elegant, with good fit and clean silhouette. Back zippers on pants and skirts are a good example of this.
This dress is, I’m sure, custom tailored. The skill of the sewer is excellent and it would challenge the quality of any commercially-made things today, outside of haute couture.
The reds, golds and mossy browns in this print make me think of leading into Fall, but let’s not rush our summertime, when the livin’ is easy . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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This was a fun find, with its own attached scarf and in cool, floaty fabric again. The really unusual thing, to me, is the color combo.
It’s an all-over print in purple with black accents on an olive background. That’s a great combination which you don’t see often – especially for summer!
By Westover – New York. Fabric-covered belt. It’s one of those fun, flirty and feminine styles that I’m sure some woman loved wearing, even if her day was just a pretty average one. Of course, she’d have a pretty slip underneath, too.
I’ve never seen another one like it. It’s a real one-of-a-kind style, as so much true vintage is. Each one is a unique discovery – you just never know. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion
Notice the way in which the embroidery follows the curve of the figure by placing it along the side seam. So pretty and flattering! A woman could always feel attractive and well-dressed in a frock made this nicely and with such gorgeous details. This is another of my earliest finds.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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