Category Archives: frock

True Vintage Late 1970’s – 1980’s Prom Dress and Heels

Again, a bow at the waistline and sheer fabric over opaque. But, the flavor has changed – big, bold Eighties does Forties floral print and in-your-face colors. Also, the sequins and beads sprinkled on the bodice looks like Eighties and Nineties, rather than the mid-century style. The pumps are a Sixties throwback. This gown is much more showy than the tailored, sophisticated styles of the Fifties and early Sixties and we’re still about 10 years away from the glitzy power frocks of the Dynasty decade.

Still pretty and girly, though not quite as “sweet”, in spite of all the pink underneath. It’s so interesting to see how clues and evidence overlap from year to year. Stay tuned for the file containing mid-century day-wear suits, dresses and accessories as Winter moves toward Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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Mod Floral Prom Formal from the Mid- Late 1960’s

Flower Power! A little Victorian flavor here, too, which began to show up in the late Sixties. This carried over into the Prairie styles of the late Sixties and early Seventies, several of which I showed a few days ago. At that time, many were worn to the Prom. Lots of changes were happening in history and culture during this time and fashions morphed at lightening speed.

Of course, Mod flowers, empire waistline, gathered sleeves and retro ruffles plus a novel style element that showed up then and disappeared pretty quickly – big tall cuffs with lots of buttons. Many blouses and dresses were made with these, as well as long pointy collars, which had their own version on 1970’s shirts a few years later.

Although it’s a mangled mash of styles, it’s really cute and this was a time for CUTE clothing. It was a fad for a fairly short time. Sophisticated fashion took a back seat for a while. I haven’t seen too many of these during my investigations, so this one was a very fun find. Stay tuned for going ahead to the 1980’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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Early 1960’s Pleats! A Semi-dressy Pleated Skirt on a Wasp Waist Party Dress

Pleats have been popular fashion for centuries (think Scotsmen’s kilts!) but they seem to have trendy moments once or twice a decade. The early 1960’s was one of those times. We’ve also got the repeatedly ever-popular shirtdress style and the lace overlay, which were also mega-popular in the Kennedy era. The unique feature of this frock is the contrasting color underneath the lace bodice and sheer fabric of the skirt. We’ve got a dark robin’s egg blue hue over a rosy lavender color that gives us a light magenta tint. You can see a bit of the under-skirt liner peeking out below the hemline. So unexpected! I’ve found only one other dress of that time that did this lace overlay color play, so it was a fad to a small extent.

Sheer over opaque again. That will never stop, but every few years produce a very different look, even if some features remain the same. Staying in the ’60’s but with very unique designs coming. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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Pretty Mint Green Semi-formal Dress from the early 1960’s

Bows and bell-shaped skirts were popular in the early ’60’s, as well as some elbow-length sleeves. In this picture I have taken down the hem to the correct length for someone as tall as Stella. It would have been below-the-knee on the original owner. So very early ’60’s. I can see a vintage Barbie doll in this costume.

These gorgeous dresses I’ve been showing all have looked similar, but each has it’s own unique details and style. We’re staying in the Sixties for the next couple of days, but the styles become very different. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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For a Far Dressier Occasion, a Sapphire Blue Fur-trimmed Frock from the Mid-century

I’ll write up my opinion below, but first a focus on the dress. Because of the sizing, I am guessing that this garment was made for a teen – or possibly for a very small woman with very little bosom. Stella’s figure fills it up too much in front, which is why the waist seam and hemline are higher than in the back. The fabric is a medium-weight brocade-look that would be appropriate for Winter or very early Spring weather. The fur is probably rabbit, but I can’t swear to that. I’d date it in the 1950’s but it could possibly have been from the very early 1960’s when that was still a sign of luxury. Pretty color, pretty dress BUT . . . . . . . . .

As an animal rights activist, I am not at all in favor of this dress but as a fashion historian, it deserves a place in the line-up. Fur trimmings on dresses, suits and coats were very popular up into early 1960’s and continued to be seen frequently on coats almost to the present. Fortunately, the fur trade has diminished in the last 10 years or so, especially in Western countries, but it’s still a big problem. Wool, cashmere, snake, lizard, eel skins and silk remain popular and they are also animal products which sometimes or always cause the death of the animals. In every case, they cause suffering and don’t belong in human clothing, in my opinion. We now have excellent replacements for them, both in appearance and performance, so no excuses. These alternatives are often still expensive, but let’s support them and they will become less and less so.

That’s the end of fur-trimmed dresses for now so stay tuned for more pretty party frocks . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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Pretty late 1950’s – early 1960’s Spring Formal Dress

We’re definitely ready for COLOR, and this is the time of year for that. Good thing that Winter and early Spring were big times for semi-formal events. While it’s still so cold, people were happy to attend parties and dances to add some excitement to their stay-at-home-as-much-as-possible days. The dress is still white, but there’s greenery peeking out of the snow. Even looks a little like St. Patrick’s Day to me, if Stella is planning ahead . . . . . . . . . .

The skirt is still poufy, but not as stiff and puffy as several years before. Sheer fabric over opaque is still the construction standard. Tailoring is still impeccable and the interior label identifies it as a design by Harry Keiser. There’s a little martini glass embroidered there, too, so this style might have been intended to double as a cocktail dress or perhaps they were the specialty of this company at the time.

No matter what the details, It’s a Party! and our gal is going to have fun in style. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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Let’s Go to the Formal Dance 1953 – Here’s the True Vintage Prom Dress, Pretty in Pink

It’s the real deal, which belonged to a family member. With ruching on the bodice and tulle overall it looks confining but the full skirt and midi-length let her rock around the clock to her heart’s content. This was an off-the-rack confection to make her special day perfect. It was probably the Prom, but could easily have been a for a St. Valentine’s Day event. A shawl or little bolero jacket would have carried her through to midnight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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Beautiful True Vintage Victorian Prairie Style Dress from early 1970’s

In a pretty apricot pink pastel hue, this lace and cotton gown is a perfect example of the prairie dresses in Victorian style from the late 1960’s to the very early 1970’s. Unlike the ones that were hippie-style, this type is very straight-laced and conservative, modeled after the dresses from the late 1800’s. Never my favorite, but definitely worth collecting since they represented a major Seventies fashion trend.

This one is not a famous label like Gunnie Sax, but it’s well-made and well-designed. During those few years when these were most popular they sometimes found their way to church as non-traditional wedding fashions and less buttoned-up styles sometimes found their way to the Prom. Speaking of Prom and other formals, we’ll be seeing more of them in the next few days. Although it’s early, girls traditionally started thinking about formal dresses for Prom and for the Spring holidays about this time of year – after all, it does require a lot of planning. That was especially true if you were having your dress custom-made, either by Mom or the neighborhood lady who took in sewing. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Two True Vintage Sophisticated Early1960’s White Frocks – for a Modern Wedding?

These lovely dresses are so similar that they should be shown together. Gorgeous dresses with beautiful textured fabric, fitted sheath style with unique bodice design and impeccable tailoring. Both so flattering with body-skimming fit and defined waistlines. So non-traditional, but perfect as wedding costumes – don’t you think?

Unusual and wonderful finds!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

True Vintage Early 1960’s White Formal Gown – Wedding Alternative?

With lots of lovely embroidery, this gown could go to the Prom or the church. The layers of sheer fabric over opaque, bell-shaped skirts and sheath styles carried over from the late 1950’s to the 1960’s. Very much a Barbie-style dress.

Elegant and sophisticated, but this one was also priced in the mid-range – available to the average gal. Up through the mid-century decades – stay tuned . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM