ANOTHER CACHE OF WONDERFUL MID-CENTURY HANDBAGS – UNUSUAL FINDS

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Although the purse in the top left corner is similar to others that I’ve come up with recently, I’m glad to have it in a less-often-found silver fabric.  The others are worth telling you about one at a time.  Let’s start with the white beaded bag on top:

a very lovely little convertible clutch bag that can go from dressy day to summer evening and also would stand out as part of a bridal ensemble.

Just to the right of it is a fabric coin or lipstick purse made in Italy.  Though it is just a purse accessory, the black satin and art print on front, as well as the filigree hardware make it a special keeper.  Italian-made purses and shoes from the Fifties and Sixties were of the highest quality and design and are to die for.

At the bottom is a pretty little brocade purse that could be an accessory but is meant to stand on its own, when only the barest essentials are necessary.  It’s very tiny, but unsnaps again to allow room for just a little more than the coin purse alone.  Although you probably can’t read it, in the corner to the left of the top snap is embossed in gold script “B. Dainty”.  Sweet!

Finally, the duchess of the lot is a fully-beaded clutch with a zipper top and silk lining.  Of the finest materials and displaying the most hand-done workmanship, it’s probably the oldest.

Although I’ve been happy to discover so many evening bags recently, especially with thoughts of this year’s holiday season beginning to creep into mind, I most love the special pieces like these – makes the day’s adventure really fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE PURSE BONANZA! FANTASTIC LEATHER CLUTCH FIND

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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

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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 . . . . . . . . .

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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

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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

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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
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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