What a gorgeous, tailored dress and jacket. Glossy rayon fabric with a shantung – style weave. The bodice treatment is so lovely.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Category Archives: frock
MY TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SHOULDER SEASON FROCK BY LORA LENNOX – FROM KANSAS CITY!
Such a smart-looking little day-dress by Lora Lennox. Apparently, this was a dressmaker label that was common back in the day. The polka dots and big buttons are a lot of fun – plus the vibrant salmon – orange color; not garish and softened just a bit by the pinkish undertone.
I ALWAYS love shoulder pads and the hem flounce is very saucy. These are wonderful when you walk in them.
Doesn’t this dress look fabulous on Stella? I love it. And the fact that I found it in Kansas City – well, that conjures all kinds of possibilities in terms of it’s history . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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TRUE VINTAGE 1970’S HAWAIIAN GOWN
Although I much prefer Hawaiian garb from the 1940’s and 1950’s, I sometimes will pick up things from the ’60’s, and ’70’s, too. The fabric used was still very nice and the tailoring often exceptional.
Back then, Hawaiian apparel was almost exclusively made by small concerns who stuck to traditional designs and workmanship. Also, the quality of cotton and rayon used was excellent.
This dress, though plain in the front, has a sweet detachable half-belt in back and two pleats fall from it like a faux train – a nod to traditional Hawaiian styling. The skirt, also, is quite wide at the bottom and sweeps when you walk, giving a rather regal feeling . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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BACK IN TIME AGAIN – 60 OR 70 YEARS. A COTTON HOME-SEWN TRUE VINTAGE FROCK – 1940’S/1950’S
An unusual dark plaid, but a shirtwaist style and definitely for warmish weather. Notice the second layer of skirt, with a little ruffle at the top. I wonder if the fabric she used was sold from a narrow bolt, so she had to piece the skirt for that reason???
It’s so much fun to try and unravel the mysteries that older garments, especially, can pose. Unlike dresses made later, that usually buttoned lower down to make them easy to get into, these earlier ones often button only to the waist. That’s why those side zippers were so necessary.
It also allowed the waist to be kept really tiny, rather than gathered in by the belt – just barely large enough to get shoulders through, with the help of that zipper opening. Ahh, fashion . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S LBD FROM AUSTRALIA – ALWAYS A FAVORITE FIND!
Originally sold from a department store, as so many lovely garments were back in the day, this cocktail dress has beautiful hand-done tailoring details. The cowl neckline is all hand-stitched, as is the fabric rosette at the waist.
The neckline in back dips to mid-back and closes with a metal zipper and hook and eye. Attention to detail is one aspect that makes true vintage clothing SO special!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – 1970’S SUMMER DRESS FIND
An improved photo of a previous year’s discovery in Canada – LOVE this one so much. A little big on me, so I probably won’t keep it, although altering things to fit is often very much worthwhile.
Just a very cute dress and a neat way that the pattern on the skirt has been arranged – much more interesting and flattering than if the the stripes went straight across all the way down the dress.
This was just a very ordinary, mid – lower priced garment back then. Wonderful and smart design touches like that are something I don’t often see in modern clothing, even at the higher end. Vive la Vintage!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
1970’S STRIPED KNIT DRESS – A RARE STYLE SUCCESS
Although 1970’s fashions are definitely not a big deal for me, I will pick up something that is especially nice. I like this one because of the diagonal stripe contrast on top, nice drape of the knit fabric and the covered belt.
Sometimes they get things right during every decade and, OK, I’m a style snob in some ways. . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
ANOTHER LBD FIND – THIS TIME IT’S TRUE VINTAGE ’80’S DOES ’40’S
Black crepe sheath style with a rhinestone buckle at the draped waistline. The true ’80’s touch of shoulder pads with cap sleeves Tailored well and of very good quality. It’s got lines and styling that very closely follow those of true 1940’s sheath dresses that I’ve found.
Eighties dresses with vintage style were often well-made and very interesting, though not the fabulous frocks of the real Forties. Anyway, worth collecting – much superior to more recent garments.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY SHIRTWAIST DRESS & COSTUME JEWELRY
Classic shirtwaist styled day-dress from the 1960’s or ’70’s, made very special with a choice of jewelry sets from the 1950’s. Necklaces with matching bracelets or earrings (sometimes both) used to be super-popular and really dressed up even the most plain frock.
I love these examples, with enamel, rhinestones and Lucite. Just nice everyday stuff, but so eye-catching and colorful. My favorite would be something that coordinates with my outfit. This time, I’d probably choose the white enameled metal flower. I’ve got lots more to show, so stay tuned . .. . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
MID – CENTURY ART METAL COSTUME JEWELRY, AND A CUTE 1950’S DRESS
Custom-tailored in the 1950’s of heavy cotton, with ric-rac trim and a back metal zipper. Works perfectly right now with a cute white blouse or even a turtleneck top underneath.
Very cute with distinctive costume jewelry from the 1940’s and 1950’s – copper,brass or nickel enameled in bright colors or sculpted in interesting shapes. These are some of the most fun to wear and are rare finds!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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