Category Archives: frock

PRETTY MID-CENTURY COTTON PATIO DRESS IN RED, WHITE & BLUE PRAIRIE STYLE

This dress is pristine – a beautiful example of a custom-tailored frock from the 1960’s or 1970’s.  The fabric is quilting-type cotton with small floral detail.  Very patriotic, too, if you’re into that.

Prairie style was huge during the 1965 – 1975 decade and I suspect that was when this dress was made.  However, it’s almost like new with very little evidence of wear.  Perhaps it was made for a special occasion.  Because of the style – a bit prissy for my taste – it might not have been worn regularly.  Long sleeves limit the summer usefulness but are a great plus for Fall.  All things considered, I’m thrilled to find a frock in such perfect condition!

Unraveling the clues is always the icing on the cake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LOVELY 1960’S TAILORED BLACK & WHITE SUMMER SHEATH

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So very “Country Club” with it’s nice details and smart styling.  Just the right thing for ladies who lunch or club meetings.  Today I’ll wear it just about any old time that the weather is warm and I want to look a little bit well-dressed.

It used to be taken for granted to have such elegance in normal, everyday wear.  However, I like the fashion freedom that we have now – especially when I can still go to my closet and pull out something like this beauty!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS FIND!!! 1940’S – 1950’S COTTON CIRCLE SKIRT DRESS

A dream find for any vintage-hunter!  Love this pretty day-dress so much.  It needed some TLC with stains from storage, but I was up to the challenge.  Beautiful decoration and comfy cotton; it’s the perfect summer frock.

Imagine this kind of intricate stitchery on an everyday dress today – even similar-looking examples are only cheap imitations of what used to be the standard of quality back in the day.  More newly-discovered treasures are coming – we’ve only just begun . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

CUSTOM-TAILORED 1950’s early 1960’s ROCKABILLY SUNDRESS

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Ooh, LOVE this!  Stella’s got a real rockabilly thing going on.  What a pretty and flirty dress someone made back in the day!

Just right for summer shopping, dancing and just playing around.  The bust-line flounce, wrap tie cummerbund belt and full skirt are really flattering features that also allow for some size variability when you have skinny or fat days.  Although, this frock was made for a slender gal because there are no zipper or buttons.

Ah, well.  Stella can do it, and so can I.  So, definitely another keeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG;  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

RED, RED, RED! TRUE VINTAGE SHIRTWAIST DRESS AND SHOE SUGGESTIONS

IMG_0914      I believe that these are all from the 1960’s.  Floral self-belted house dress/casual day-dress (LOVE these vibrant colors!) and shoes for late summer days.  I’m always happy to find red!  IMG_0909 IMG_0911

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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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

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TRUE VINTAGE SUNNY SUMMER SUNDRESS FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

IMG_1370This dress looks so fabulous on Stella – it’s made in just her size.  I’ve shown lots of yellow dresses, but this is the dressiest and the oldest.

Alas, the labels are gone so I’m not sure of the fabric content – it looks like linen and acts like a rayon blend.  Just a hint of sheen and  a soft hand, but with body.

What I love most about this dress is all the beautiful detail.  The delicate straps are double and there is a little knot tied on the bodice where they attach.  There are little flowers attached all over, with faux pearl centers.  To finish up, the hem is decorated with floral embroidery.

It’s all so elegant and well-made, while not being too dressy to wear almost anywhere.  And, a simple fitted sheath style with back center zipper.  I suspect that it was hand-washable, so no big deal in the care department.  The best of all worlds!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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

JUST FOUND – 1960’s MOD PLUS SIZE SUMMER DRESS BY MYNETTE

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This is also a true vintage brand that I already own – so fun to find things by names that I know.  It’s a vintage 16, which was a plus size at that time, but still looks pretty cute on Stella.

Plain and everyday, but still worth picking up, to me.  All part of the vintage sleuthing craft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST LOVE MID-CENTURY “TRADITIONAL” CLOTHING FROM MEXICO – PARA LOS TURISTAS

IMG_1483 I picked up this little beauty in lovely, soft cotton.  It could be from any time after the 1960’s – hard to tell since they’re continuing to sell them in Mexico and some stores in the U.S.

But, doesn’t matter.  It’s hand-embroidered in traditional designs and beautiful colors. Authentic hippie attire.  Nothing could be more comfortable and boho for summer.

If you’re shopping for a blouse or dress like this one, be observant.  I’ve got several dresses and skirts from the 1940’s – 1970’s.  Many are not as nice as they used to be . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM