McCalls needlework magazine from 1961 has patterns and instructions for these neat tops. It was one of those times when the fashion gets really playful. My most recent finds on this trip are ’60’s!
Not quite so intimidating as trying to make some of the dresses and coats, but challenging enough! There’s no mistaking the styles from that time and I’ll be showing more . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It’s the time of year when we start thinking about dressy events, dances and holidays again. I’ll be showing more true vintage formal, semi-formal and dressy looks.
These tops would look great with the velveteen skirt from yesterday. And, I’ve got some formal and dressy frocks that need a special wrap to go with them. Often what you already have in the closet just doesn’t work. That’s the time when our grandmothers would get out their knitting needles and crochet hooks . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Look what I found in Canada! Celebrity brand Mary Janes with leather soles and chunky heels.
These would be from the mid to late 1960’s. Like some others I’ve shown before, one shoe has the maker’s name stamped on the footbed and the other has the name of the local store that sold them. This was a common practice in the Forties, Fifties and Sixties when small, privately-owned shoe stores were in every town and city and many of them had a good relationship with the suppliers of the special brands they sold.
Probably moderately priced when they were originally sold, but quality, quality, quality all the way . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It’s the details and the fit that make these things so wonderful! That’s what I love about true vintage and hand-constructed clothing. Check out these photos from a 1950’s needlework magazine, given to me by a woman who did this every year.
For a woman who had the skills to make these, it must have been so much fun to look through the new knitting magazines. These weren’t runway styles that were out of her reach!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Isn’t this the cutest thing? And, such high quality. It’s probably a wool blend, but is so soft that there’s no need for a slip. Stacy Ames is just one of the mid-century brands that created really nice clothing for the mid-priced market in the early 1960’s and I’m always thrilled to find an example like this.
Casual elegance. So nice to slip into Fall in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
When I found this cutie, it was one slim dress – probably about a size 2 – 4, but very tight and petite in the bodice, so hard to squeeze into. It also had a little wear on some of the seams.
I mused and pondered about how to save the dress so that I could wear it because I love the style and, especially, the pink/brown/ivory printed material. It feels so wonderful – can’t explain it – you’d have to experience it yourself. Some kind of synthetic or poly-knit, which was popular then and I’ve never seen any quite like it. Love the color combo!
So – brainstorm! There was a seam right at the waist and I separated the top from the bottom. A stretchy band of matching brown knit lengthened the top just right for my torso and a simple elastic waistband in the skirt made it very easy to wear. It works!
I opened a seam along the left side of the top for more ease and added some hooks and eyes. A little hand-done repair here and there salvaged this find for many more wearings. Can’t wait to wear it with some of my Forties shoes!
Just goes to show that there are gazillions of possibilities . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER SHOES
If you look closely, you’ll see that these pumps were Made In America. When was the last time we saw that printed on something? It’s always the U.S.A. now, and has been since the 1970’s, I think.
These beauties are from way before that time – 1940’s – 1960’s – and have wonderful leather construction. Although you can’t see it in the photo, the heels are 3″ high and sturdy.
Though found in Ireland (Dublin, to be exact), it goes to show that trade for some goods was going on even back then. Maybe this pair are from the early mid-century era when Europe suffered more than North America from the effects of war and had to import many goods that otherwise would have been made there.
We’ll never know the exact story of how these slippers danced their way across the Atlantic, but someone loved them well and they found their way to – guess who . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Talk about fussy and pretty .. . . . .! Although they’re similar in some ways to the blouses shown yesterday, I like these so much better. In spite of the high neckline on the left, they’re less prim and will look great with jeans and peasant skirts.
These styles go way back, from the 1890’s (with long gloves or a jacket, of course. Can’t show those arms!) to the 1940’s and 1950’s when peasant-style was all the rage. As always, the fashion came back in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s and was just as iconic then.
As I’ve said, it’s rare to find blouses and shirts this old in fabulous condition. The things that make this possible are the high-quality construction and fabric plus the fact that people used to care for their clothing much better than we do now. For modern vintage sleuths, our gain!
So, never give up – just learn how to sneak smarter . .. . . . . . . . . . .. ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Beautiful sweaters to make yourself – I’d love to have lots of things like this in my wardrobe (I do have some cardigans that are hand-done). Pictured in the McCall’s Needlework Fall-Winter edition of 1956 – 1957. This year it’s been so cool that we could sometimes wear them now!
Nothing beats hand-made clothing, done by an expert. At one time, even middle-income women had this luxury because so many of them were very skilled seamstresses and tailors. It was economical to make your own wardrobe and even hiring someone to custom-tailor for you was not out of the question, at least once or twice a year.
The beauty of finding true vintage clothing is that much of it is hand done. . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Since looking at the last post, I know that you’ve been asking yourself “What could I wear to go with that black leather purse with the red lining?” Well, here’s the answer – a belted knit dress with matching coat, with its own red lining.
Classic sleeveless, belted sheath dress and matching coat, originally sold in Chicago, Illinois. The style is mid to late 60’s. The black and white check fabric first gives the impression of being a wool knit, but it is a blend, likely of cotton and synthetic which provides some warmth for cool days but is easier to store than wool. Really a gorgeous set and so flattering. It would be a perfect outfit to go with that lovely Italian handbag!
It does need to be dry cleaned in order to keep its shape but, these days if there is not a difficult stain or other problem that can be done at home.
I hardly ever see coat and dress ensembles and this is a beauty. Love it! Keep your eyes open for something like this. You just never know when it might turn up. . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
