Category Archives: formal

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S PINK SATIN EVENING GOWN

TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S PINK SATIN EVENING GOWN

I imagine an ingenue wearing this dress – a young woman attending some special event. Maybe her first formal dance. There’s even a couple of pinholes at the waist where I’m sure a corsage was fastened!

This one goes way back. It’s got another of those 12″ zippers in the middle of the back that doesn’t go all the way to the neck. Definitely a “wiggle dress” before they became notorious in the early 1950’s.

Pink satin is pretty sweet. And, the dress is quite small so I think it was for a young person, although women were much smaller then and a small woman can certainly wear it. (ahem, ahem . . . . .) Notice the peplum, as shown yesterday on a much different frock. The peplum was a real ’40’s thing.

I just happened to be out for a drive when this one appeared. I stopped on a hunch. You just never know . . . .
. . . . . Click the next post for the back view. . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

TRUE VINTAGE EVENING GOWN – 1950’S – EARLY ’60’S MIAMI BEACH

TRUE VINTAGE EVENING GOWN - 1950'S - EARLY '60'S MIAMI BEACH

This one is spectacular and I wonder where it was worn in vintage Miami Beach. There’s always been a lot going on there, in and out of the limelight so, you just never know . . .
I discovered it, again, by surprise (!) along with several other dresses and handbags in a seemingly unlikely spot.

There is no maker’s name on it, but it was made in the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. It’s got a metal zipper up the back, and a heavy satiny rayon skirt that falls to the floor or almost to the floor, depending on the wearer’s height. The bodice is TOTALLY covered with clear iridescent bangles and edged with bronze-color glass beads. The neckline is a lower scoop in back.

I can imagine this being worn to a casino, by one of the more well-to-do patrons. It creates a regal presence and says “don’t mess with me”. . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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LATE 1940’S – EARLY 1950’S NEW LOOK TRUE VINTAGE GOWN

LATE 1940'S – EARLY 1950'S NEW LOOK TRUE VINTAGE GOWN.

A LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S DRESS FOR DINNER AND DANCING

A LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S DRESS FOR DINNER AND DANCING.

BEAUTIFUL EMERALD GREEN GOWN BY A NEW YORK DESIGNER

BEAUTIFUL EMERALD GREEN GOWN BY A NEW YORK DESIGNER.

TRUE VINTAGE MID-1950s POUF-STYLE PARTY FROCK BY FRANK STARR

TRUE VINTAGE MID-1950s POUF-STYLE PARTY FROCK BY FRANK STARR.

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950s SEMI-FORMAL DANCE DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950s SEMI-FORMAL DANCE DRESS.

TRUE VINTAGE 1940s – 1950s SEMI-FORMAL DANCE DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1940s – 1950s SEMI-FORMAL DANCE DRESS.

TRUE VINTAGE FULL-LENGTH CRINOLINE HALF-SLIP FROM THE 1950S

TRUE VINTAGE FULL-LENGTH CRINOLINE HALF-SLIP FROM THE 1950S.

TRUE VINTAGE FULL-LENGTH CRINOLINE HALF-SLIP FROM THE 1950S

TRUE VINTAGE FULL-LENGTH CRINOLINE HALF-SLIP FROM THE 1950S Even if you don’t have a Fifties dress to wear with it, put it under any long dress with a full-enough skirt and it becomes a GOWN.  Just perfect to make an entrance at a holiday party. . . .

The full length, high-waist elastic slimming panel and back zipper are all unique. Crinoline netting is sandwiched between two layers of fabric for comfort and a smooth line.

Foundation garments were so important in the past – usually more issues to be considered than even now, like garters and boning.  Their design was a real art and a science.  There are companies now which make “foundation garments” and hosiery in the old style, if you want them.  I ran into one in Australia!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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