Category Archives: evening

True Vintage Silk Dress – The Holidays with Marilyn Monroe?

A little bit of Va-Va-Voom and a lot of emerald green luxury. This baby went to a lot of parties and maybe should have been part of my Christmas line-up. It’s probably a little newer than the 1950’s, but reminds me of the white dress Marilyn wore in her iconic photo standing over the subway grate. It’s a classic style, harking back to Grecian gowns and should be included in any vintage party dress run-down. Must have been gorgeous when it was new.

After this little digression, we’ll return to mid-century frocks that are ready to rock tomorrow. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Practical and Perfect Mid-century Coat for your Party Nights (and an antique echo . . . . .)

Mid-century velveteen vs. Victorian silk and beads. I was thrilled and surprised to find each of these. Couldn’t be a bigger contrast in two dressy outer-garments!

The velveteen coat is both very simple and beautifully designed. I love the practical velveteen in an all-weather fabric plus the fabric-covered big buttons and foldover collar. The straight cut and roomy sleeves make it easy to wear no matter what your outfit might be underneath. It’s one of my very favorite coats.

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this antique evening cape in a jumble sale! Absolutely falling apart, but it was very pretty in it’s day. Silk exterior and lining with a beaded stand collar. Definitely worth collecting for the archives.

Both these wraps could have been perfect whenever sleuthing incognito at an evening event. Smashing but very inconspicuous on a dark and stormy night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Happy New Year! Maybe a New Decade – 1960?

The most sophisticated gal would still want some glitz for the party tonight, but would do it in high style from one of the best stores. A jacquard weave shell blouse with a long black skirt and luxurious golden leather clutch purse (with it’s own pocket mirror, of course) make a stunning ensemble for cocktails and dinner beforehand, and which will take her through the whole evening.

Madge shows off the blouse beautifully with her buxom figure and tiny waist. Her bag is of quite good quality and size – larger than most evening bags and more modern than the beaded silk variety which were still popular the year John F. Kennedy was elected President.

The New Year has always represented a time of hope, joy and the anticipation of turning over a new leaf. The moon is awfully bright in the sky tonight – What do you say? Let’s go! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Pretty Early 1940’s Gown; so Unusual and PINK

Pretty in pink for wartime Prom? Prom dresses I’ve found from that time were midi-length, so my guess is that this one was made for a different event. It’s a heavy synthetic material with 1940’s tailoring details: a peplum waistline with a point in the center front. It could almost be worn with either side in front if the fit allowed, but a back zipper makes it clear which side is supposed to be forward. The neckline was popular from 1940’s to 1950’s especially, but is very classic. Pretty clearly, this frock was custom-tailored.

It’s one of those garments that make you wonder what it’s story is. I’m sure there’s an interesting one!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Another 1940’s Gown, this time in Holiday Red

What beautiful fabric! It is substantial but soft and with tiny machine-embroidered diamond shapes all over, which was apparently a “thing” in some Forties material. This might have been a way of making up for the absence of natural fabrics like silk and many of the notions used to decorate clothing before and after WWII.

The style is very simple and I think, like the dress shown yesterday, that it was custom-made. The pattern wouldn’t have been difficult for a home-based seamstress. The neckline in back is a bit lower, but nothing dramatic. The most difficult aspect of the construction is the piecing below the waist and that’s still no big deal. What I like most about it is that it’s just very pretty and so festive and Christmas-y in that fantastic glossy red. I would have collected it for the yards of gorgeous fabric alone! More of that coming – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BACK TO LONG DRESSES FOR WINTER HOLIDAY PARTIES. LET’S START WITH A 1930’S RETRO FROCK.

Cold shoulder tailoring and drapey, body con fit was a VERY Deco style. This is a custom-made gown from the mid-century. I can tell from the fabric that this gorgeous dark green velvet didn’t come from the 1930’s. Probably 1960’s or 1970’s – true vintage retro! It’s still a beautiful and unusual dress . . wonder if it was made for a special event, as a glam hostess dress or a costume for a theater production? I’ll wear it in a heartbeat.

Jewel colors are super for winter fashions, as well as black and white. I’ll show more of these in the next few posts as we come forward through the decades. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Classic True Vintage 1980’s does 1940’s Dressy LBD

Not a big-deal frock by any means, but I picked it up because of the clear 1940’s vibe. I’ve seen and own similar dresses that are true late 1940’s editions. Essential tailoring includes the cut which highlights the fabric drape and the fit on the body. Sexy fit without being clingy. Padded shoulders – very Forties, and cap sleeves – moving into the 1950’s. Rhinestone trim, always super mid-century, and a plunging back view with a conservative impression from the front. A fun surprise in any style.

An original 1940’s would be of at least slightly longer length and might have a side zipper. Again, nothing to celebrate but a worthy imitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

OOPSIE DAISY, BACK IN THE 1940’S WITH A BLACK CREPE COCKTAIL FROCK

For cocktails and/or dinner, a dressy but elegantly designed garment. Either pre- or post-WWII (probably Post-) a simple rayon crepe sheath with a midi hemline. Notice the beautiful drape of this fabric. Modest but semi-flashy rhinestone decoration and an eye-catching deep keyhole neckline, saying “YES! The war is over and we can party in beautiful dresses again!”

This one came from Australia so may even have been made in Britain, as much of their clothing was before the 1970’s or so. The arrival of fast fashion put an end to many quality brands and their exports as well as iconic department stores and ladies’ clothing shops which used to sell them. Today we can have boatloads of cute crappy stuff instead of a selection of well-made and lovely garments and accessories. Progress? Ha! Don’t believe it. I’m old enough to remember my grandmother’s good stuff and trips to the city with my mom for Christmas shopping. Stay tuned for more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cute LBD with Iconic Mid-century Tailoring Detail

I admit, this dress is no star with regard to overall quality. Very middle-of-the-road in that department, but I couldn’t help being struck by the embroidered sheer mesh bodice. This is a detail that I have seen in 1940’s and early 1950’s frocks; usually not since then. The gold thread gives it a holiday feel which makes styles like this appropriate for Christmas events. The fabric leads me to decide that this garment was made in the 1960’s at the earliest – possibly as late as the 1990’s.

I have to give the designer congrats for using this tailoring again. It’s so attractive and feminine, allowing for an interesting neckline without gapping, buckling or too much de’collete’ to allow it to be truly elegant. This frock drapes well and fits beautifully in the bodice. The only improvements I would point out might be a full lining, which would support the lines better without fullness. That would make it a very sophisticated cocktail dress. .

Of course, this one might have been a late 1970’s disco design in which case you wouldn’t want to add any bulk to the skirt or a potentially sweaty lining, for that matter. In any case, it’s cute and can stand proud exactly as it is. Stay tuned for more cocktail frocks, each with it’s own personal character . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Fun and Unusual 1960’s – 1970’s Mod-ish Cocktail LBD with Maribou

Another one-of-a-kind mid-century cocktail frock. De rigeuer black crepe-ish fabric with a full lining. Unusual 3/4 kimono-ish sleeves with maribou trim. Elegant and easy body-skimming style. Made by a company called Dresstown which seems to have straddled the U.S./Canada border about 50 years ago. Not high-end, but distinguished. Again, never will find another like it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM