Category Archives: find

ANOTHER FUN FIND – SUEDE AND FUR SPORTY SIXTIES MIDI COAT

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Once again, a beautifully-cared-for coat from the mad mod era of the Sixties.  This one more closely approaches the late Sixties hippie – boho styling that was popular then.  I have another one, very similar, of suede and shearling which has kind of an Asian-sheepherder vibe.  The predominant elegance of the earlier part of that decade gave way to much more casual design later on.

Regardless, this coat is very well-made and also features the basted-on collar and cuffs that make changing the look or dealing with cleaning a lot simpler.  The suede is still that super-soft fine leather that may be lambsuede (makes me sad just to think about it) which had been a popular coat material  during the Kennedy administration.  That and the beautiful fur trim (again, very sad) is a nod to the elegance that was fast slipping away.

One thing that makes me very happy when I see vintage furs is that today faux furs look virtually identical!  That’s one plus which will make the practice of raising, trapping and slaughtering animals for their furs less popular.  Please, never buy a modern garment made with real fur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE JEWEL-TONE EVENING COAT – IN EMERALD GREEN

IMG_1246 IMG_1247Stella by starlight in my fabulous Lillie Rubin evening coat – perfect for any special dressy occasion.  From somewhere between 1955 and 1963, it’s the most beautiful bright emerald green with a turquoise lining.  Amazing.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

WHAT A RARE FIND – CUSTOM-TAILORED WOOL COAT WITH A MATCHING HAT AND HUGE PEARL BUTTONS!

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This unusual ensemble was hand-tailored – and beautifully done!  I just love finding true vintage garments that have been custom-made.  The workmanship is often astoundingly fine.

Just look at those great buttons, too!  Rarely have I found these, plus that hat.  The fabric is a beautiful marled woolen weave in Autumn colors and both pieces are fully-lined.

A wonderful discovery from the late 1950’s – early 1960’s.  Wowee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A FUN, FUN, FUN FIND! POST-WAR 1950’s COAT WITH LOTS OF NEAT FEATURES

You know I’m not a big coat collector, though my behavior this season might make a liar of me – so many fantastic vintage examples have come my way.  Couldn’t pass this one up.  It was sold by the old bargain department store where so many mid-century women shopped – Woolworth’s – and carries their label.

For one, the blue and gold plaid is unusual, as well as the scalloped collar and pocket flaps – this is a style more often seen in the 1930’s and 1940’s.  The swing cut and midi length are almost always signs of the early mid-century time, too.

The feature which surprised me most is the zip-out pile lining – so practical and progressive for that era (I thought!).  Without the liner, the wool shell is medium weight and has a nice black lining of rayon or acetate – good for spring, fall and mild winters.  The liner has complete sleeves that end in ribbed cuffs to make the coat truly warm for cold winters.  Such a perfect outerwear garment to be sold to modern mid-century women who were practical and thrifty to a fault (having lived through the Depression and WWII) but also ready for style and plenty to come into their lives again, which it did with a vengeance in the 1950’s.

The icing on the cake is that this coat is in almost perfect condition.  Yes, it was worn, but so well-looked-after that you’d hardly know it and those few little signs will be easy for me to repair.  So sorry that it’s way too big for me, but just had to buy it and show it to you, while repeating the story it tells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A PRE-1959 LADIES’ COAT FIND WITH STUNNING COLLAR DESIGN

Wasn’t planning on picking up a winter coat yesterday, but this one is so gorgeous and unusual. I’ve never seen a collar designed this way and look at the beautiful way it will frame the face and neck. It looks absolutely stunning on.

The collar is cut mink and is attached to the coat’s neckline, but stands up all around as a wind-break and elegant style feature. Since WordPress changed their blog designer, I can’t yet figure out how to show a second photo – the collar comes to a point at the back.

The fabric is not plush, but has some nap that is cut like chenille or corduroy. Full satin lining and it’s in beautiful condition with hardly any need for touch-up. I’ll enjoy this one for a long time. Tomorrow stay tuned for something entirely different . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER LATE 1960’S RETRO STYLE – VICTORIAN REVIVAL

Stella does true justice to this great find, which fits her perfectly. So late 1960’s but with an unusual 1940’s – 1950’s zipper, which tells me that it was custom-made.

Not my style, but I love finding such well-preserved dresses from iconic times like the hippie – prairie craze that went on from about 1967 – 1971. Wait till you see the next one . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1940’S SLINKY KNIT DAY DRESS FIND

It’s great to be back at Headquarters where I’m able to show this dress on Stella. A hanger could never do it justice because of the hour-glass fit.

What a treat is always is to discover wartime and post-war garments! I also love the slinky synthetics that were popular at that time. So comfy to wear and the drapey fit is always flattering.

Love the old zippers, too. This one has a metal TALON brand. And, it’s an unusual style for that time, not often seen, but you just never know . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1970’s CUSTOM-TAILORED EVENING GOWN

At first glance, this frock looks like something modern but the tailoring details and fabric tell it’s true age. It’s hard to be sure of the true color in this photo, but it is another beautiful velvet, in aubergine with iridescent flocking in a floral design. Again, sorry for the poor focus.

This dress could go from being a swanky hostess outfit at home to a night on the town. Long sleeves are so practical in the evening and the deep slit in front adds the drama that is lacking in this otherwise conservative style.

Very well-made and fits like a dream. I’ll get a lot of use out of it, when the occasion calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HOME-DESIGNED 1960’s MOD-PRINT MATERNITY BLOUSE

So unusual to find a maternity blouse this old, let alone two of them within a couple of weeks! This example is definitely from the 1960’s, per the fabric, but with styling from an even earlier era.

Peter Pan collar, contrasting cuffs, back button closure and a deep inverted pleat in front. Although maternity wear was available commercially long before this garment was made, most early pregnancy-wear seems to have been sewn at home.

It’s fun to see prim and proper pregnant meet psychedelic! More to come – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1950’s FUR-TRIMMED GOWN

OK, we’re going from oldest to youngest in these next 3 posts. My apologies for the poor focus. Cropping efforts didn’t come through, either, but you can see all that is necessary for this description. Was astounded a few days ago to find this rare garment! In the past two years 3 or 4 frocks in this early 1950’s style have suddenly come my way; haven’t seen them before that for quite a long time. . . . . . . . . . . .

Like only one of my other examples of this fashion, the gown pictured here was custom-tailored (probably at home) and made for an adolescent girl, from the style indications. Usually, dresses made with the fur-trimmed sleeves, neckline or hem were sophisticated styles made for women. Of course, girls like to wear their own versions of adult designs in every decade.

Aside from the empire styling, rather than a New Look design, one tell-tale clue is the type of fur used. Garments made for women usually had mink trim, whereas the 2 girls’ dresses I’ve discovered have had what looks like rabbit hair. However, the cranberry velvet is plush and I’m sure the young miss who wore it was pleased. It’s so much fun to follow the stories that these old clothing items tell. Stay tuned for a 1960’s item – a repeat of another recent find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM