Here are a few examples from my daily closet – blouses/shirts from the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Names like Bobbie Brooks and Ship’n’Shore and Villager.
There are other names, too. I’m just thinking about the most common ones. I love wearing them with skirts and slacks, jeans.
On the far left, a peasant blouse – looked great back in the day with a peasant skirt and espadrilles.
The upper three in the center – made from that lovely vintage cotton I’m always writing about, in great prints or gingham weave.
And, the one on the bottom – in my favorite red. A sheer-ish cotton blend with tiny white polka dots.
Yes, you do sometimes have to iron shirts like these, but there’s nothing like them today and it’s worth it!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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This one just turned up by surprise! and, I’ve worn it a lot ever since. It’s a favorite of mine. Love the print! Madge can’t wear it because of the side zipper and she’s got SHOULDERS! I look forward to re-photographing it on Stella.
A basic cotton day-dress from the ’50’s. I’ve forgotten whether it has a label in it or not (and I’m too busy to go look!) Doesn’t matter – I love it whether it was custom-tailored or commercially made.
There are some garments that you can put on, like the one I showed yesterday, and it says YES! when you look in the mirror. That should always be the criterion whenever you buy ANYTHING!
This one feels good to wear and to look at. That’s just the way it is. All my wardrobe items feel good for their own reasons. The ones like this one are those that find their way to my everyday closet.
The standards are different for everyone. Learn what yours are and always listen to that voice of intuition . .. . . .
. . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
So now we’re getting into the closet where I store my favorite daily items, which I wear regularly. This beautiful dress is so light and cool – perfect for hot weather.
By Carlye – it’s two layers on top but still needs a slip. Good chance to wear some of my lovely vintage lingerie.
Lots of little design touches that make it unique – pleats and tucks, shoulder detail in the cut of the collar – that’s what’s so delightful about true vintage styles. This may not be a one-off, but I KNOW I’ll never see another one like it.
There are many ways to discover treasure . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
This beautiful polished cotton frock – Kay Whitney by Huntington – is absolutely gorgeous. The fabric and the tailoring are top notch.
Naturally, it’s got a fabric-covered belt, the full skirt and a generous hem allowance. It’s not a one-off design, I found, when I saw another identical to it on eBay – but it’s wonderful anyway.
However, this one is one-off now! As beautiful as it was in its original design, it was a bit too conservative a style to be flattering on me. The shoulder straps were wider and it had a fabric tie sewn completely around the neckline which you would tie in a bow in front. Pretty, but not me.
I removed the tie, making the shoulders skinnier and the neckline wider. I used some of the leftover tie material to make little flat bows at the shoulders. Of course, if you are a purist, you would never have changed it. That’s something I rarely do, but I liked it so much and wanted it to suit me.
So, I now have an original – and without sacrificing quality or elegance. The best of both worlds.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
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