Category Archives: fur

A BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE SPECIAL-OCCASION SKIRT SUIT FROM THE LATE 1950’S / EARLY 1960’S

A BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE SPECIAL-OCCASION SKIRT SUIT FROM THE LATE 1950'S / EARLY 1960'S

Perfect for a special cold weather dinner or other holiday event or for a dressy winter wedding (as guest or bride), a semi-formal skirt suit is always astonishingly elegant.

This little lovely is of wool in a cream beige textured weave, with large ornamental buttons and a boxy cut, beautifully made, of course.  Knee or just-below length skirt and a hip-skimming jacket with bracelet-length sleeves.

The most arresting feature is the mink collar, which amps the visibility of this ensemble to a high level.   Or, you could remove the fur and replace it with a silk scarf or a pearl collar. It will make a noticeable entrance, but it’s powerful presence will only build after that.

You can decide if you’re Jackie Kennedy or Princess Grace or, or, or . . . . . . . . .. That’s the fun – you just never run out of options . . . . . . . . . ……. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TWO UNUSUAL TRUE VINTAGE EVENING COATS – 1940’S – 1950’S

TWO UNUSUAL TRUE VINTAGE EVENING COATS - 1940'S - 1950'S

I just had to add these to my collection when I found them! The coat on the left is a lightweight wool in a textured weave and could possibly be worn over a dressy day-dress, too. The coat on the right is a lightweight black crepe.  Let me describe them in more detail . . . . . . ..

The brown coat on left has a rippley collar and bands of fur – probably mink (not sure) – around the collar and down the front.  It has big fabric-covered buttons in front and on each sleeve. It could be knee-length only if you’re quite short.  This one was made during the 1940’s.

The black one – more an “opera coat” (but not long enough) – is made of black rayon, lined in white, with sable-colored mink on the cuffs.  Perfect sleeve length for long gloves.  It would be knee-length on someone of average height. I think it was made to wear over LBDs in the ’50’s.

What finds! I discovered 3 of the longer coats within a few months of one another – 2 black and one ivory cream – but I’ve never seen one since. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ICONIC TRUE VINTAGE POST-WAR “WALKING SUIT” WITH FOX FUR COLLAR

This “walking suit”, with large braided buttons and a big shawl collar is made of heavy boucle’ knit  in wool. The jacket is longish and the skirt (before I folded the hem up) is below the knee.  It was sold during the post-war era 1945 – 1955.

Many suits like this have fur collars, a lot like coats, because they were made to almost double as outerwear in colder weather.  Since women had become more active in the work-force, they were out and about more and their clothing had become less “dainty”, though still very beautiful.  These might also be called “city suits” – made for walking the long blocks in downtown urban areas.

I’ve removed the fur collar, which had been hand-tacked on, and could certainly see wearing this today!  With a pretty sweater and scarf,  maybe a hat, it would be plenty warm – saves the bulk of a coat.   Just right for window-shopping or errands in the city.  Elegant and practical, too.  Best of both worlds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE FUR HAT BONANZA – A TOQUE IN CURLY LAMB

This was another one worth nabbing, because though I have similar curly lamb hats in black and marled grey, I didn’t have a luscious chocolate brown like this one.

It’s got a beautiful, architectural design that makes me think of the 1940’s.  It’s true vintage but is so classic that I can’t date it exactly.  Again, in near-perfect condition.

Curly lamb seems to be one of the furs that is easiest to replicate in imitation form, so go for it if you can’t find a real one made in the 1960’s or before.  Leave anything modern on the racks or, preferably, on the animals’ backs.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE FAUX FUR FABULOUS FROM THE SEVENTIES

Though not purely the best of the best, this is a good example of faux fur that has been available for several decades.  I have others from the 1950’s.  It’s a reliable true vintage brand, and is a fabulous alternative to real fur – has to be seen up close and touched to be sure.  Some made now require a second look and feel.  Vive les animaux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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RABBIT FUR TOQUE HAT FROM THE SIXTIES

IMG_1722Here’s a fun find which is different from anything I own (so far). I’d put this on with my black wool sheath and some black leather boots!  It’s a perfect partner to the dress shown earlier today.

Can’t say who made it as the label has gone missing, but I suspect that it was a from women’s dress shoppe or a large department store when they used to have specialty departments for millinery, shoes and furs.  Ladies enjoyed buying a new hat  the same way we focus on shoes today.

As I always say, I never buy modern fur but enjoy the old, old ones while they last.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTGESPY

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YESTERDAY! TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MINK PILLBOX HAT

IMG_1751Although it’s never, to me, the right thing to support a market for fur, I will continue to cherish these old vintage (50 – 60+ years) pieces of past-time high fashion.  When humanity didn’t know any better, a touch of mink was the ultimate in luxury and chic for a middle-class gal.

This pillbox style is awfully cute with the topknot.  It’s fun to find a true vintage fur that is still in good condition and, since it was so well-made and looked-after, will last for many more years.  I’ll show you two more recent finds in a few days.

However, the faux furs made now are so authentic and affordable that there is no justification for buying any kind of modern animal fur.  As beautiful as furs can be, they’re more beautiful on the animals and the fur trade should be just as dead as the poor creatures that it has killed.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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MORGANA MANIFESTS MORE! TRUE VINTAGE FIFTIES FUR JACKET – ELEGANCE FOREVER

MORGANA MANIFESTS MORE! TRUE VINTAGE FIFTIES FUR JACKET – ELEGANCE FOREVER.

NEW FINDS! TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S EVENING GLAM

NEW FINDS! TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S EVENING GLAM.

NEW FINDS! TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S EVENING GLAM

IMG_1498 IMG_1494These two belong together!  Both the dress and stole are from the same era.  Faux mink by Glenoit and a custom-tailored cocktail dress with illusion neckline.

Bodice treatment of this type is so pretty – I’ve got examples from the 1940”s to early 1960’s.  Although the dress is of modest quality, these kinds of necklines are not easy to make (no, I’ve never tried it – I can tell!)  It’s obvious that the sewer knew what they were doing.

The fur is well-made and subtly dyed, with a brocaded lining.  It has stood up to wear and time extremely well over 50 – 60 years.

. . . . . more examples of hand-tailored elegance that even the budget-minded woman could enjoy back in the day . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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