Pretty easy-wear polished cotton sundress from the early to mid-1950’s, in the New Look style. Bit of an atomic thing going on with the applique’ design. Somebody had a lot of fun with this one!
Can’t wait to see it on Stella – it’s a real knockout on a gal with an hourglass figure. Marilyn would have loved it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
IT’S STILL WAY COLD ENOUGH FOR THESE. BOTH ARE 1950’S TRUE VINTAGE. THE ONE ON THE RIGHT WAS FROM MY FAMILY. THERE’S HARDLY A MORE BEAUTIFUL FUR, THOUGH UNLESS I FIND A TRUE VINTAGE ITEM AT LEAST 60 YEARS OLD, I PREFER TO BUY IMITATION.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I just love finding one of these! True vintage mid-century sleepwear is so precious and, often, beautiful. The quality material, tailoring details and interesting styles are great – whether it’s a woman’s garment or a man’s!
This beauty has gorgeous lace detail at the shoulders and is in virtually perfect condition. An example of the extraordinary care taken in the past is the little decorative bows, which are attached by tiny safety pins so that they can be removed and the gown can be washed without damage. I’ve seen many done this way and it’s such a high quality practice that has been lost.
Back in the day, this was more or less a run-of-the-mill item and now would be an exclusive and expensive one. And we think we’re so smart . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Dig the hairstyles, too. Now that Christmas and New Year’s celebrations were over, women in 1961 turned their attention to Spring and travel styles, as well as Prom & Easter.
With the crazy weather, we’re also thinking of flowers and sunny colors. Although our grandmothers and great-grandmothers thought about new needlework projects in their spare time, it’s still FASHION, and we continue to think about it now, but in different ways (what’s on my favorite Internet site?).
in 1961, the subscribers to McCall’s Needlework and Crafts magazine looked forward to these styles.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Sticking with up-scale day frocks and moving forward a couple of decades, look at this fabulous late Sixties frock! These were iconic color combinations from that time.
This size 10 dress on x-small Stella is a good clue to it’s era. The fabric is a glossy rayon & linen blend – a bit dressy, with a nice drape. A pretty day-time sheath with a bit of attitude.
No matter the time of year, the hunt continues and you just never know. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Here’s a lovely retro frock from my collection.
It’s a beautiful re-creation of an early 1900’s up-scale day dress style. Wonderful rayon-type fabric, cut on the bias with all the figure-following qualities that has and very well-tailored. Designers from those early decades really knew how to enhance the figure and the designer of this one (no tag or label) – probably from 1980 – 2000 – did a wonderful job of imitating their style.
I prefer true vintage and don’t usually wear a lot of retro, but this frock was too good to pass by. It’s a sheer dress with it’s own rayon slip underneath. The long necktie that wraps around as a belt is perfect. Of course, it’s also my size . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Thrilled, thrilled, thrilled! One of my favorite finds, from a favorite decade. And, in beautiful condition.
Very popular post-war shirtwaist day dress with pretty, carved rhinestone buttons. This was a day-to-day item for women in the late Forties and early Fifties when nice clothing was becoming available again. The prints were so interestng.
This one was hiding in a big way, but not from the Magicvintagespy. What will show up next? You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I love these!! Beautifully-made 1980’s retro ’40’s separates that fit me really well. I’ll swap out the buttons on the blouse for true vintage ones, but otherwise it’s all perfect.
The neatest thing about the skirt is not the flattering gored swing style (though that’s GREAT) – it’s the fabric. This skirt is made of wool gabardine twill. That’s a fabric that was super-popular during the wartime 1940’s and is rarely seen today.
I love finding well-tailored garments that are cut and constructed beautifully from quality materials – much rarer today than back in the day, so I’m thrilled to discovery these!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I just LOVE classic mid-century blouses with roll-up sleeves and wing collars! It’s so unusual to find one in good condition. This one even has pretty sculpted buttons with a star in the center. Although it’s barely visible in the photo, there’s even a line of fine embroidery in a contrasting green on the seams in the front placket.
The fabric is also do die for – not sure whether it’s a cotton or rayon because the hand is very smooth. This shirt is very finely tailored, with all kinds of extra-quality touches on a simple, everyday garment. Well, that’s just how it goes with true vintage clothing – there’s nothing better.
Almost missed it – but when you’ve got the eye for the subtleties, things turn up. What will be next? – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG; MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
According to moi, one can never own too many pairs of beautiful pumps. They can be worn with almost anything, are easy to walk and dance in and are tremendously flattering to most women. Some lucky girls look just as good in anything, wearing flats, but most legs and overall stature are improved by the height and lift provided by a heel.
This pair are sturdy, standard issue, with no particular brand name (I’m not altogether familiar with branding in the UK). The important thing is the cut and the materials, which are both exceptional. Though it’s hard to see in the photo, there is a black leather detail on the outside vamp. Love it!
I’ll have these for decades. The mid-high heel is very versatile and the neutral brown is good any time of year. Looks great with white and beige in the summer. I found them in Canada, where British goods are more common, but I find items made all over the world in places far from their origin. That is half the fun and excitement of the hunt. As always, you just never know . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 