Category Archives: fitted

IT’S SO MUCH FUN!! HOME-SEWN DAY DRESSES FROM THE 1960’S

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

More custom-tailored stories coming my way – this cute cotton summer frock practically lets me follow the seamstress’s journey as she made this dress for herself.  It’s so fun to think of a girl or woman, way back in the day, going to the fabric store and finding a pattern she loves – picking the material she wants and using her sewing skills learned in Home Ec class and the dreams in her imagination to create a dress that she’ll love to wear.

Wish Stella were here to model it for me, but if you know anything about sewing, all the details of this dress make it crystal clear.  Although I love finding gorgeous designer frocks from the 1940’s, Fifties and before, a simple homemade garment is one of the sweetest surprises. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A VERY PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE DRESS, HOME-SEWN IN THE 1950’S

A VERY PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE DRESS, HOME-SEWN IN THE 1950'S

Another favorite, the ’50s styles with nipped waists.  Love ’em! – who doesn’t – they’ve remained a fashion favorite for many years and a style that keeps on repeating itself.  The bateau neckline is also a favorite – SO flattering.  I call it a summer dress, but the cotton material is heavy, so it’s perfect to wear almost all year.

The skirt on this one has a bell shape, too – an unusual feature that is somewhat unique.  This dress was custom-tailored and the construction is very unusual. I’ve never seen anything like it.  Although it zips up the back, there is also an inner bodice that hooks together.  It may have been the design of the woman who sewed it – in place of a bra(?)

Sometimes you’ll find a garment like this that is as interesting on the inside as it is on the outside.  The tailoring details can sometimes be elaborate, even on commercially-made items.  Not to mention what seamstresses can come up with on their own when they’re being creative –

I actually bought this at a shop, which is unusual for me.  There are lots of great ones that I have visited and included in my book references – no better place to see a collection of wonderful things in one spot and get the wisdom of the owner’s knowledge.  It pays to know all the different types of places where true vintage likes to hide – because you just never know .. . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

TRUE VINTAGE “SUMMER OF ’42” HALTER DRESS

Just which decade is this dress from? I don’t know – it’s so classic in style, that it could be from either the 1940’s or 1950’s.  I’m going to bet on the earlier time, but can’t be sure.  Dare I say that it could even be from the ’30’s?!

I am certain that it’s true vintage and I love it to pieces!  The back, of course, is open to mid-back and there is a metal zipper on the side.  I expect that it was custom-tailored.  Just look how well the pattern is matched!

This is a favorite style of mine, and I really responded to the fabric when I discovered it.  Love the colors!  I also like the fact that the cut of the top is modest without being unnecessarily so.  Makes it very easy to wear.

Just right for a beach town, vacationing or a hot summer day anywhere.  Put on a big straw hat and just look like one of the tourists . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

A GLIMPSE OF TRUE VINTAGE LINGERIE – OOH!

A GLIMPSE OF TRUE VINTAGE LINGERIE - OOH!

So, under all these sheer dresses . . . . . . . . . This is a pretty tame but VERY practical full slip, made of cotton batiste for wearing under summer clothing in hot weather.  There don’t seem to be many of these around anymore, and usually they are not as nicely embellished as this one.

But, just look at that ruching and lace.  It’s lovely, sweet and would be so cool.  Now, women might wear THIS as a summer dress alone!  There’s also a deep ruffle at the hem.

The length gives it away as a 1940’s to early 1950’s style.  Possibly even 1930’s.  Because of the label, I’m going to go with the ’50’s.

Of course, on really hot days it’s nice not to be wearing more than one layer.  But, if you’ve got a pretty, sheer dress on in the bright sun, well, it’s up to you but I’ll wear the slip.

Cotton, naturally, is better than nylon (can you imagine!?) when it’s 95 degrees in the shade.  I’m certainly glad to have found one that’s so pretty, just in case . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

True Vintage 1930’s – ’40’s Summer Day-Dress by Lora Lenox

True Vintage 1940's Summer Day-Dress by Lora Lenox

Such a beautiful coral color on this fun and spunky frock from the late 1930’s or early 1940’s.  I love the great big buttons and the pleated flounce at the hem.  Polka dots all over.  The fabric is an interesting textured weave with some pattern in it, like some men’s shirts of the ’40’s and ’50’s that are so intriguing.

Made by Lora Lenox, a company that manufactured women’s clothing over several decades. This one was definitely a moderately – priced item, but not of poor quality.  Just to have survived since the ’40’s in such good condition says a lot.

It’s got the hallmark shoulder pads and a variation of that classic shirtwaist style.  When I caught sight of it, half-hidden, it was the color that arrested my eye.  Coral is so flattering to most women and so perfect for Summer!

Keep your peepers peeled, ’cause you just never know . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

ANOTHER 1960’S SUMMER SHEATH DRESS

A SECOND VIEW OF THIS 1960'S SUMMER SHEATH DRESS

Notice the way in which the embroidery follows the curve of the figure by placing it along the side seam.  So pretty and flattering!  A woman could always feel attractive and well-dressed in a frock made this nicely and with such gorgeous details.  This is another of my earliest finds.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S FLORAL SHEATH SUMMER DRESS

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960'S FLORAL SHEATH SUMMER DRESS

I absolutely love the flattering drape of this fitted dress! The fabric is a synthetic blend of some type, probably containing nylon.

During the late ’50’s and early ’60’s the lean sheath styles were very alluring, yet proper. That seems, to me, to be one of the best fashion qualities of lots of the true vintage styles.

This one goes from Spring, with a light jacket or sweater, right into Summer. The combination of green and blue was very popular in the early 1960’s for a year or two – so this one may come from that time.

So, a ladylike frock that can be worn almost anywhere – simple style and classic lines. It would look nice with white shoes.  Though the standard rule was “No white until after Memorial Day in the U.S. (last of May) and not after Labor Day (first Monday in September),  those rules don’t apply anymore so wear your white shoes whenever you like!

I’m not sure, but this dress might have come from Canada. Sometimes, with a closet the size of mine, you just never know . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

STELLA’S TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S 2-PIECE WEDDING SUIT

IMG_0937
This is the ensemble that Stella was wearing when I met her and I’m glad she didn’t want to give it up.  I’ll be showing some white satin 1940’s wedding pumps tomorrow.   Although they didn’t come with this outfit, they’d be just perfect with it!

During wartime, this was a relatively modest choice for her wedding and the bride probably had this suit custom-tailored.  Naturally, it has many of the 1940’s styling details which were popular then – shoulder pads, nipped peplum waist, a handkerchief hem and a rare coil metal zipper in the skirt.

Also, some of the favorite classic features of a wedding gown are also present – rows of tiny, covered buttons and medieval-style points on the sleeve hems.  The fabric is a substantial brocade/jacquard floral – not a high-end textile, but nice.  Clearly, this wedding took place in a formal setting.

I wonder about her hair . . . . bridesmaids?  Wouldn’t it be fun to go back as a guest? . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

I HAVE JUST BECOME CUSTODIAN OF A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING ENSEMBLE FROM 1955

IMG_3339

Isn’t this just to die for?  Of course, the little bolero jacket comes off to reveal a sleeveless gown with slim straps – that’s for after the ceremony when the party really starts!

The tulle, lace and embroidery plus the poufy skirt are so Fifties and wonderful as can be.  Don’t make ’em like this anymore . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER SURPRISE FIND! TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S/’50’S DRESS WITH THE TAGS STILL ON!!

ANOTHER SURPRISE FIND! TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S/'50'S DRESS WITH THE TAGS STILL ON!!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE surprises like this!! A polished cotton Spring shirtwaist frock from back in the day that’s new to me!

This dress would have been sold in a hometown store or a department store – it was a budget to mid-priced item – but the quality of workmanship would beat most of what is sold today.  That’s not even to consider the fabric – it’s really superior and you won’t find anything like that now!

It was just an everyday day-dress to Rosie the Riveter or Lucy Ricardo, but I think it’s cute with a lot of attitude today. That’s what it’s all about.  Madge thinks it’s pretty swell . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM