Category Archives: evening

TRUE VINTAGE PURSE BONANZA! FANTASTIC LEATHER CLUTCH FIND

img_3571.jpg

I’ve had really good fortune finding clutch handbags recently and several have been leather.  It’s always fun to find party bags like the one below but most are made of cloth or vinyl – even the old ones – a true vintage leather bag is a real treasure!

The bag on top, however, is my greatest love.  It’s from the Forties or Fifties and is SO elegant.  The style is superbly simple, but the design is unusual.  Picture holding the bag with both hands, with the front facing you as in the photo.  Place your thumbs on the metal tabs at each side and push gently – that releases the clasps to open the bag!  I love the creative closures that are on many of the best vintage handbags.  Some of them locked in place, and it was a puzzle to figure out how to release them the first time.  This bag posed that problem to me for a few seconds.

Both these handbags have smooth, clean linings and pretty pockets inside.  I’ve been fortunate enough to discover accessory items which were really well cared-for by their original owners so have hardly any damage.  Many women used to tuck them away in drawers and closets with tissue-paper wrappings and stuffing, saving and protecting them for the next special occasion – or for the next woman who would love them. . . . . . .

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

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER CUSTODIAL DUTY – A 1950’S PARTY GOWN FROM THE FAMILY

IMG_3343

When post-war era women finally have to/decide to move out of their homes, it’s not unusual that they have saved some of their most precious, favorite dresses over the decades.  Of course, it then becomes DECISION TIME.  Well, lucky me!

I was elected as most suited to look after this pink princess, left over from the early 1950’s.  With sequins and netting, it’s got the requisite poufy skirt and strappy top.  I may, with permission, enter it in a show this fall but I’ll probably be looking for the best new owner sometime next year.  I’ll be sorry to part with her, but she is an honored guest until then . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGSPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST PICKED UP THIS LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE PEIGNOIR ON MY RECENT TRAVELS . . . . . . . . .

IMG_3465

While it’s nothing special in terms of its pedigree, I love the styling of this pretty robe and always am delighted with rhinestone buttons!  Sheer and lovely – just right for Blanche Dubois – and, on top of being in “perfect” condition, it’s REALLY PERFECT over a black true vintage gown I own which had no matching peignoir!!

So, go figure. . . . . . . . serendipity always happens for

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A FAVORITE LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE LATE ’60’S – EARLY ’70’S BLACK DRESS

A FAVORITE LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE LATE '60'S - EARLY '70'S BLACK DRESS

This one is SO sweet on!  Hits right above the knee; empire waist with bead trim hanging down, bateau neckline (one of my favorites).

It’s black crepe with an acetate lining and a back zip.  Simple and elegant, and it fits really well.

Who could ask for anything more?  The perfect combination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL 1940’S – 1950’S NYLON NIGHTGOWNS

IMG_3007BEAUTIFUL 1940'S - 1950'S NYLON NIGHTGOWN

These gorgeous lingerie gowns were another surprise find – always so much fun! The shoulder detail is what really makes them stand out – the way the straps are joined in the front. They just don’t make ’em like this anymore.

The sheer panels and the gathers are also lovely, as well as the cloud-soft feel of the nylon fabric.

Sigh – to die for . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND – A COUPLE MORE PRETTY CLASSIC VINTAGE HANDBAGS

IMG_3317

All right – I know that a lot of you, my followers, are not too excited about some of these accessories, but I love them!  Aside from being practical, they can really “make” an outfit that would otherwise be kind of blase’.

The black ’40’s – ’50’s evening handbag is so similar to other I have, yet distinctive.  It’s got a lovely and high-quality metal frame that puts many to shame.  Matte rayon on the outside and black satin inside.  Clean and elegant.

The ’60’s purse on right is very plain inside with no brand-name label and was probably sold at a shoe store or department store.  The cover is fabric but the construction is nothing special in terms of the quality.  However, it’s very clean and pretty.  With just the right dress, skirt & blouse or suit, it would really be an eye-catcher!

So, more fun fashion dreams and, of course, always in reverse-time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND! CUSTOM-TAILORED MID-CENTURY TAFFETA GOWN

IMG_3208

This frock was made for a very special occasion.  The stylistic features are early mid-century, but I suspect that it was made in the 1960’s or 1970’s.  Makes me curious . . . . . .

It’s a war-time/rockabilly/musical performance recital/costume frock that could have almost any of those histories.  It’s a bit over-the-top for cocktails.  I’m guessing that it was made for someone who was going to a dance or about to sing an aria or perform a concert on the cello.

Whatever! . . . . . . . . . . it’s a fun mystery dress in  one of  my favorite colors.  If it weren’t for the bones in the bodice (awkward packing issue), I’d add it to my selection of disguises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960s FESTIVE COAT OVER YOUR EASTER PARTY FROCK

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

True Vintage Early 1960s Evening Coat
I showed this coat last year, but what time could be more appropriate for a re-run . . . . . .

Imagine yourself in this, over a gorgeous green dress, on your way to a swanky cocktail party or the church dance. This beauty is by Lilli Rubin, in emerald rayon blend, lined in turquoise blue! The collar, neckline bow and elbow-length sleeves are hallmark features of that era, as well as the color. The fabric is a jacquard with flowers embroidered all over.
What a great surprise it was to find this!! It starts up all kinds of fantasies about elegant dinners, evenings at the theater . . . . . you just never know . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy
facebook.com/magicvintagespy
Morgana Martin Amazon.com
Google+, Twitter & Pinterest

View original post

FOR WHITE NIGHTS – 1950’S BEADED EVENING SHELL BLOUSE

FOR WHITE NIGHTS - 1950'S BEADED EVENING SHELL BLOUSE

Now that we’re beginning to feel like getting out of sweaters and wool . . . . . . .  Whether you’re clubbing or out for a very elegant dinner, this beautiful beaded shell would steal the show.   Bead decoration was still done beautifully in the late ’50’s- early ’60’s.

Not the same as beading in the 1920’s and earlier, but equally nice. Dance the night away . .. . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

VA-VA-VOOM! HERE’S THE MID-CENTURY LILLI DIAMOND FIND – AS ONLY STELLA CAN WEAR IT . . . . . . .

IMG_2755

This is a real pure silk, fully-lined knock-your-socks-off wiggle dress.  I’ve been encountering a lot of those lately.  Naturally, the fit is a bit snug behind.

In addition, it’s beautifully-tailored, with all the elegant and sophisticated touches that would be expected in a higher-end well-made garment.  However, I don’t think that this was clothing only for the elite.  Many of our mothers and grandmothers might have had one like it hanging at the back of their closets.

So, it’s just been one delight after another, as usual.  I’m still not done showing things that were found during the past few months when my models were nowhere in sight so, stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM