Category Archives: elegant

LOVE THIS HAND-TAILORED COTTON GOWN IN A PRETTY PEONY PRINT

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The colors are beautiful and the styling unusual, with a faux train detail back and front – falling from the bodice.  My first impression was that this dress may have been made in Hawaii, but I’m not sure.  There is no label and my impression is that it was made by an individual with tailoring expertise or at a small tailoring shop.

The fabric and construction details say true vintage to me, so I’m going with that.  Such a pretty design – it floats from just above the bust-line, swirling down to the hem, which is cut just a little longer in the back to make the dress fall properly.  This is a detail that is not often (if ever) seen in mainstream patterns that have been cut recently – one of the important styling elements that have gone by the wayside in modern times.  Surely true couture houses still observe them(?).

Anyway, gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.  Very informal but extremely elegant.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A LITTLE BLACK DAY DRESS – JUST RIGHT FOR A TRIP TO TOWN

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Another elegant style, to be dressed up or down.  Definitely needs a steam-clean, but we can discuss the details.  Style is a simple, belted sheath (probably had a fabric-covered buckle belt originally) with 3/4-length sleeves and faux pocket detail at the hips.  The fabric is a very nice shantung weave.

A dress like this is SO versatile that everyone owned at least one.  It’s very basic and streamlined so looks smart for errands but dresses up beautifully for cocktails or dinner with high heels, pearls or a sparkly brooch.

I’m so glad to have it in my closet.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TIME FOR GLAM AGAIN – LUXE WOOL KNIT BEADED JACKET FROM THE KENNEDY-ERA 1960’S

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Despite the flash glare, the color of this evening jacket is elegant black black.  There were several companies and up-scale department store brands who made high quality clothing in dense wool knit in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s and here is one example.

Some have survived so well because of their quality and because owners looked after them.  I have a few garments of this type, but not a black jacket so was thrilled to discover this one.  Nothing could be more classic, versatile and wearable for evening.  As always, I look forward to photographing my latest discoveries on the models back at Headquarters so that they are properly displayed.

More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LOVELY MID-CENTURY LINGERIE FULL SLIP – A FAVORITE TAILORING DECORATION ON THIS ONE

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Although I have so many pretty true vintage lingerie slips, when I find one this nice I always pick it up.  It will be just perfect under the dress I found a couple of days ago (look back on the blog) – right length and color.  The best thing about this one, though, is the design.

I love it when lace is sandwiched between layers of sheer fabric.  So subtle and beautiful, but also protected so it will wear well.  The picture doesn’t do it justice – you really have to see these garments up close to appreciate them.

Light and pretty – fortunately they don’t take up much space to store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

RARE AND UNUSUAL FIND – A BEAUTIFUL HAND-MADE KIMONO

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Here’s that gorgeous kimono found about a week ago.  It has been pieced together by hand, as as far as I can tell.  Some of the basting stitches are still present.  The blue-tinted edge dying around the lower hem (and also inside the sleeves) is something beautiful and I can’t figure out how it was done.

Don’t know how old this garment may be, but it’s been around for a while.  The lovely colors illustrate chrysanthemums and cranes – both, I think, traditional Japanese decorative motifs.  I’d love to know more about it’s origin and the history of the design.

It’s also VERY long, so might have been made for a man in spite of the floral pattern (?).  Not my area of expertise.  What next – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SWEATER – BLOUSE IN LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL

A 1940'S SWEATER - BLOUSE IN LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL

Very feminine, very versatile.  I photographed it on Madge and it fits her “VA –  VOOM” like a Fifties sweater-girl but I think I’d like to see it on more petite Stella, instead.

This little blouse is a fine sweater-knit.  Looks great with pants or skirts.  Although it doesn’t show well in the photo, the small collar is decorated with delicate applique and beads.  I haven’t tried it yet with the ’40’s slacks shown yesterday but the color is close so it might be perfect!  What a fabulous find.

This blouse is a cross between sportswear and dress-wear.  In the Forties, daily outfits were usually more finely tailored and sophisticated than what is worn now, no matter how “cute”.  If you really want to be well-dressed, take a lesson from true vintage fashion . . . . . . . . . .. ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

FOUND A HANDMADE, SILK KIMONO YESTERDAY!!!

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Beautiful floral colors and hand-stitching throughout.  Very unusual find, too.  It needs a little attention, but will be coming your way soon.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE RED! VA-VA-VA-V00M TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LINGERIE SLIPS

via MORE RED! VA-VA-VA-V00M TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LINGERIE SLIPS

MY LATEST FIND – 1960’S BLACK CREPE SHEATH DINNER DRESS

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This style is a very elegant, body-skimming sheath design with back zip and a low plunge behind.  Notice the chiffon drape which hangs from the waist, and the simple embroidery on the bodice.

Although the interior size tag reads 8, an attached paper tag dangling from a side-seam give the sizing as 7/8, meaning that this was a Junior size frock rather than Misses, with a youthful cut.  LOVE IT when original sales tags are present and testify to a garment that has never been worn!!

Knee-length to moderate-mini, depending on the wearer’s height, and with a 3″ hem allowance.  Perfect.  Just my size!  Never fails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TWO WELL-MADE KNIT FROCKS FROM THE EARLY 1970’S

I’m showing these dresses together because they have so much in common.  The biggest similarity is the heavy-weight knit fabric that was so characteristic of clothing made between 1973 and 1976, more or less.  It is beautiful, sheds wrinkles and drapes like a dream.

These examples are not high-end, but are very well-tailored.  Neither has a label, so I’m not sure if they might have been custom-made.  In any case, the original owner of the red one altered the hemline at some point.  Both still have about 3″ of hem allowance (such a luxury!).

I haven’t tried them on yet, but predict that they will fit me and will be very flattering.  Well-made garments of quality fabric and good design usually are – another reason why I adore true vintage fashion!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM