Category Archives: frock

EMMA DOMB 1950’S PARTY FROCK AND JACKET

EMMA DOMB 1950'S PARTY FROCK AND JACKET

Always right any time of year – an exquisite little number from a famous designer of the time.  Wasp-waisted and embellished with rhinestones and netting.

Love halter necklines – this rayon dress is so lovely.  The pinkish net in the decolletage keeps things relatively modest, but it’s certainly not a conservative choice!

I treated myself to this one when I won a raffle!  It was still, as always, a bargain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SHEER AND VERY LADYLIKE FROCK FROM THE 1960’S?

SHEER AND VERY LADYLIKE FROCK FROM THE 1960'S?

Dark blue with a bit of smoke in it.  The front placket, cuffs and decorative bow are a dusty mauve satin.  Very elegant and mysterious – she still had the tag on, but no clue where she’s from or where she’s been . . . . . . . .. . . . . ..

This is a really pretty dress.  Suitable for any dressy occasion – dinner, dance, party,wedding.  Probably from a specialty area in some higher-end department store. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

from sometime in the mid-century.  I’ve never seen anything quite like this one and can’t precisely place it, either. Oh, well – no worries. Would you?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LET’S BE ELEGANT – LUNCH AT SARDI’S ANYONE?

LET'S BE ELEGANT - LUNCH AT SARDI'S ANYONE?

True vintage from the 1950’s, this one was not made for a lunch date at the local diner.  We’re in to Spring-weight fabric here, but black and white is always season-less (or is it dark navy? It’s close . . . .)

Just look at the beautiful drape on the bodice, and the sweet cap sleeves.  The jacket, again, has 3/4 sleeves to show off the elegant gloves and fine bracelet or watch.

Another of those outstanding ensembles which can take you almost anywhere . .. . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ELEGANT TAILORED FORMAL FROM THE EARLY 1960’S

Here’s that gorgeous presto-change-o formal that I found a few months ago, showing properly on Stella.  Demure and elegant with elbow-length sleeves, thanks to the removable camisole – sleeveless, svelte and sexy without it.

As I said when I first showed in on a hanger, I’ve never seen a style like this one before. True vintage couture styling is often so clever and beautifully-made while being very versatile.  Two dresses in one, without going anywhere near the bargain basement!

Such magic can be created with a simple needle, thread and a bolt of fabric.  You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

“NEW” FIND – ’50’s – ’60’s SEXY SECRETARY WIGGLE DRESS!

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Love this fit!  So Marilyn Monroe in the movies . . . . . . .

The fabric is really pretty, even though this is just a very average dress for the time.  It’s probably a woven rayon blend but has nubby black thread going through the plaid and the beige has a real pinkish tone – one of those unusual materials that make true vintage clothing so interesting and attractive.   On the fold-over collar there’s a little buttonhole thing that you can see and there’s a big button in the middle of it – but not in the picture.  I had taken it off to do a little stitching.  I love the large button touches on so many dresses of that time.

Anyway, it’s a very fun fashion in a lot of ways and I’m so glad that it was waiting for me!  And,  it wasn’t the only one.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FUN, FUN, FUN! EDWARDIAN-STYLE FLOWER POWER VINTAGE PROM DRESS FROM THE 1960’S

So innocent and sweet!  Fashions from the late Sixties and early Seventies were really into retro styles, from Edwardian, Victorian, Prairie to 1940’s.  They’re fun and pretty, but sometimes too many buttons on long cuffs or front and back closures.  Just like the real women of those times had to contend with.

Anyway, for a blast from the past it’s worth it when I find an example from that time that’s so perfect.  This one was maybe worn once and then was treasured and preserved for decades.  How could I resist?

Possibly this was custom-made though, if so, someone spent a lot of time on the ruffles, extra lining and putting in the little loops for each cuff button.  However, at that time there were still lots of women and girls who did that kind of needlework happily and had the skills to create something as nice as would come from a store (even nicer than the things that come from stores today, sadly).

But, regardless, this is a HAPPY DRESS and maybe someone will enjoy it for Prom again. You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MOD MAD MEN TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S DRESS WITH MATCHING JACKET

MOD 1960'S DRESS WITH MATCHING JACKET

This outfit was custom tailored in the mid-1960’s.  Bell sleeves and easy fit. The fabric is a swirly paisley print in aqua tones and it includes the  addition of a matching jacket to create an ensemble.

So many dresses in the ’50’s and ’60’s were made with matching jackets and even matching accessories.  Though this is a fairly casual dress, it follows that lady-like trend and seems to teeter on the edge of the fashion divide between the rather prissy Fifties and early Sixties and the Mod and wild times just after.  Looks like the dressmaker originally intended to make a sleeveless frock, then changed her mind.   As it is, we’ve got a day dress that Twiggy would look just fab in, photographed on some 1965 magazine cover.

What a luxury to have your own dressmaker to custom-tailor your wardrobe! So many women did.  Most neighborhoods in the city had a tailor’s shop where this kind of work was done.  In towns and villages there was usually a woman nearby who did dressmaking in her  own home.  And, of course, many women were still doing their own home sewing then.

Maybe I’ll take the sleeves off some time and wear this dress with the jacket – but, no . . . . love the dress just as it is.  I’ll check out the jacket with my selection of skirts  . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

THE SWEETEST MID-CENTURY BABY DRESS – FROM LORD & TAYLOR!

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Talk about RARE!  This one is a real treasure.  Cotton comfort with smocking detail and vintage shell buttons in back.  There’s an embroidered cotton tag inside the neck from the high-end department store retailer Lord & Taylor.

Love finding old things from Saks Fifth Avenue, too.  They’re always nice.  No babies at home for me, but how could I resist?

Several decades ago, little girls (and boys) were routinely dressed in beautifully-made clothing of very high quality – even it it came from a mid-priced store.  Mothers enjoyed dressing themselves and their children nicely and it wasn’t such a competitive brand-driven thing like today.

If I were parenting a child, it would be so much fun to dress him/her in true vintage, along with myself!  Yes, these garments take a little more care, but the rewards . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MORE TRUE VINTAGE 1960 FINDS IN NAUTICAL COLORS

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Here are 3 of my finds from yesterday.  Remember the blouse from a few days ago and how I was talking about the traditional popularity of nautical colors for Spring?  Well, here they are again!

The navy and white items were commercially-made and the red polka dot blouse was custom-tailored.  Vintage zipper and buttons are fun.  The fit is always superior.

Fortunately, I can wear them all and, though they need to be cleaned, that’s no big deal.  At the prices I pay in the odd places I find these treasures, any laundering or repair costs are nothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MOD CLOTH RETRO SIXTIES DRESS

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This is a modern retro-style dress that I wouldn’t usually buy or show, but I’m impressed with how well it has been made so it is worth a nod.  Many vintage tailoring details like extra closures and seam tape on a 1 1/2″ hem allowance are a couple.  There are also special lining features that distinguish it from most retro styles made recently.

So, this maker deserves some respect compared to the majority of modern brands.  Of course, it doesn’t rival a similar dress really made in the 1960’s, but I can’t be a total snob – just most of the time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM