Category Archives: elegance

TAILORING DETAILS OF A PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE WOOL JACKET FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

TAILORING DETAILS OF A PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE WOOL JACKET FROM THE 1940'S - 1950'S

I’m showing the back view of this jacket because it has the most interesting features. The front is nice, too, but plainer – vintage clothing can be very witty in this way, with little unexpected surprises.

The collar detail at the back of the neck is something I’ve seen several times. The little back “belt” and the bows on the cuffs make it so interesting.

The placement of the details makes this a somewhat unusual jacket – usually the decorations are on the front. Dresses, also, are likely to have really fun details sewn in.  I think this is especially true with garments from the wartime and post-war eras late 1930’s to early 1950’s.

Finding garments like this is always a thrill. You just never know when one will turn up . .. . . . .. . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE SPECIAL-OCCASION SKIRT SUIT FROM THE LATE 1950’S / EARLY 1960’S

A BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE SPECIAL-OCCASION SKIRT SUIT FROM THE LATE 1950'S / EARLY 1960'S

Perfect for a special cold weather dinner or other holiday event or for a dressy winter wedding (as guest or bride), a semi-formal skirt suit is always astonishingly elegant.

This little lovely is of wool in a cream beige textured weave, with large ornamental buttons and a boxy cut, beautifully made, of course.  Knee or just-below length skirt and a hip-skimming jacket with bracelet-length sleeves.

The most arresting feature is the mink collar, which amps the visibility of this ensemble to a high level.   Or, you could remove the fur and replace it with a silk scarf or a pearl collar. It will make a noticeable entrance, but it’s powerful presence will only build after that.

You can decide if you’re Jackie Kennedy or Princess Grace or, or, or . . . . . . . . .. That’s the fun – you just never run out of options . . . . . . . . . ……. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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THE FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE MYSTERY DRESS FIND EXPERIENCE!!

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FABULOUS CUSTOM-TAILORED GOWN

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Wow!  Another nice little journey that made my day!!  Not only did I spy this little number by turning a corner in a place where I don’t usually look, but when I got her home and made a closer examination, many elements of her story revealed themselves.  What a fun surprise!

The second two photos are what I first saw.  I knew it was true vintage right off the bat, but the lace puzzled me.  It looked a bit too modern and odd in it’s placement, but then I’ve been surprised before doing a little research in the past, so that didn’t stop me.  There were other factors which testified to her era . . . . .

Later on, I found more.  And, the lace was tacked on as an afterthought.  Did the original seamstress just want to gussy it up a bit or was it adapted as a costume years later?  It has a bit of a dance-hall girl flavor to it . . . . .

So, off came the lace and look what happened to the skirt when it wasn’t tied up a bit! Not a full circle, but with lots of movement.  And the fabric is incredible – a heavy rayon with a double-sided pattern that you could almost wear inside-0ut.  I’ve got a two-piece jitterbug dress from the pre- or post- WWII era that is made of similar material, so I think that I’ve got my time frame.  I’m going to go with that . . . . . . . . how cool!

It’s always fun to spot something that immediately leaves no questions, but those that reveal an on-going mystery story are the real icing on the cake.  More tomorrow . . . . .

 

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE 1940’S TO EARLY 1950’S JACKETS

ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE 1940'S TO EARLY 1950'S JACKETS

From my just-about-favorite era, this is one of the items I have acquired from a vintage clothing shop and I just LOVE it. The shape and all the contrast trim is so smart!  It has a bit of a military vibe, which so many wartime  designs tended to.

As always, it is very well-made and tailored in mid-gray wool with charcoal accents on the collar, buttons and cuffs.

Alas, the original skirt was not with it, but it was not difficult to find a charcoal skirt that matches well, though is shorter than most skirts would have been, except during the war when they were shortened due to rationing of fabric.

This color and style is easy to mix and match with different-style skirts and slacks, especially if you stick with the charcoal color. A go-to jacket forever . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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

TWO LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE DRESSING GOWNS FROM THE 1920’S – 1940’S

TWO LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE DRESSING GOWNS FROM THE 1930'S - 1940'S

These kinds of lingerie items are so special and rare. Dainty, lightweight robes like the one on the left were standard bedroom wear in the ’40’s and before – the thing to wear between rising and dressing.

The contrasting colors of the rayon gown on the left are so unusual and little details like the tiny buttons and shoulder-augmentation make this a distinctive garment – not just something to throw on absentmindedly.  It’s from the late 1930’s to 1940’s.

The gown on the right is even older. It is of white/ivory rayon satin, with side snap or hook closure in a plain sheath style. I’ve paired a  bed jacket with it, made of similar fabric. This could be adapted to a formal dance or wedding gown and would be from the late 1920’s to the 1930’s, similar to a Coco Chanel design of that time (the dress – not the bed jacket).

Anyway, they are wonderful finds and gave me a real thrill to discover them! The fun never ends . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE FILM NOIR? TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’S RAYON DRESS

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE FILM NOIR? TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940'S RAYON DRESS

A beautiful, belted rayon dress in midnight navy – with a little collar, rhinestone buttons and an apron peplum. Just right for a vintage weekend dinner – date and dancing.

This frock is from the post-war years following World War II when everyone was beginning to think about starting a better life. The luxury of more variety and quality fabrics again meant longer hemlines and a return to pretty details.

Someone had kept this beauty in her wardrobe all these years, as a reminder of those elegant and victorious times, and the Greatest Generation. Thanks again, boys . . . . . . . . . .. .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

1950’S FRENCH ROOM GLAMOUR & CREATIVE SLEUTHING SUCCESS

FRENCH ROOM GLAMOUR & CREATIVE SLEUTHING SUCCESS

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this jacket! It was from the “French Room” of some department store in the 1940’s – 1950’s and has the most lovely European couture style.

French blue with royal purple cuffs and attached scarf, wicked fit and unusual tailoring details. So unusual! Near the same time, I also found a French wool hat in the same purple – PERFECT!

I looked for several years for the perfect skirt or dress to go with it and, voila’, it did appear, as I knew it would.  Perfect color and fit – a sleeveless sheath dress.  Purples are hard to match, like many other hues.

Ooh, la la! Oui, oui!  So now I have my cute little outfit with just the right sassy chic.  Ce la vie for the Magicvintagespy.  Now for the shoes – I have the most perfect pumps from France in brown leather, but I would so much like purple. . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION

TWO UNUSUAL TRUE VINTAGE EVENING COATS – 1940’S – 1950’S

TWO UNUSUAL TRUE VINTAGE EVENING COATS - 1940'S - 1950'S

I just had to add these to my collection when I found them! The coat on the left is a lightweight wool in a textured weave and could possibly be worn over a dressy day-dress, too. The coat on the right is a lightweight black crepe.  Let me describe them in more detail . . . . . . ..

The brown coat on left has a rippley collar and bands of fur – probably mink (not sure) – around the collar and down the front.  It has big fabric-covered buttons in front and on each sleeve. It could be knee-length only if you’re quite short.  This one was made during the 1940’s.

The black one – more an “opera coat” (but not long enough) – is made of black rayon, lined in white, with sable-colored mink on the cuffs.  Perfect sleeve length for long gloves.  It would be knee-length on someone of average height. I think it was made to wear over LBDs in the ’50’s.

What finds! I discovered 3 of the longer coats within a few months of one another – 2 black and one ivory cream – but I’ve never seen one since. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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

ELEGANT SMALL TRUE VINTAGE SPRING OR SUMMER HATS IN CELLOPHANE STRAW

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Very tidy and elegant, these small hats would look lovely with many outfits, from black to pastels. From the Fifties or early Sixties, they are a quintessential lady-like finish to your ensemble.  Beautiful face-framers – perched on the crown.

They are made of cellophane straw, a popular mid-century hat material.  Subtle and chic, but oh, so glamorous. . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A FAVORITE DARK NAVY BLUE HOUR – GLASS SKIRT SUIT FROM THE 1940’S TO 1950’S

A FAVORITE DARK NAVY BLUE HOUR - GLASS SKIRT SUIT FROM THE 1940'S TO 1950'S

This jacket and skirt suit is from the Post-war, change-of-decade time after WWII. As with a number of my suits, the skirt is not the original, which would have been a longer one, below the knee.  With diligent sleuthing, I’ve been able to match up “new” skirts very well for color and fabric.

The collar detail on this jacket is so distinctive! Seems to be more of an into – Spring style, though it is of wool. I just love that white accent on dark navy blue.

The shape, also, is a favorite – nothing more flattering than that! This is probably my favorite era for skirt suits because of the fit and the pretty details that they usually have.

But, I have lovely jackets and suits dating from the late ’30’s through the ’60’s and you can find flattering and beautiful things from any era. If you have the eye to spy . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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