TRUE VINTAGE BLUE FEATHER ’50’S/’60’S “SUNDAY” HAT WITH VEIL

A SPECIAL HOLIDAY HAT – HAPPY EASTER!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

Celia loves this one – it’s a little demure/dressy accessory that takes its mood from the occasion, the ensemble and the wearer. LOVE feather hats and veils . . . . . . . . . .

Back in the Fifties or early Sixties, a hat like this was not off the radar, but it was a statement. Every woman adored hats and looked for just the right ones to accent her dresses, suits and stunning good looks.

Another of my favorites . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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A VERY SWEET TRUE VINTAGE NIGHTGOWN & ROBE SET FROM THE 1960’S

A VERY SWEET TRUE VINTAGE NIGHTGOWN & ROBE SET FROM THE 1960'S.

A FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE DRESS FROM THE LATE ’50S – EARLY ’60’S BY SWIRL

A FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE DRESS FROM THE LATE '50S – EARLY '60'S BY SWIRL.

A FEW OF MY TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES – WORTH COLLECTING!

A FEW OF MY TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES – WORTH COLLECTING!.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S DAY FROCK IN SHEER VOILE

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S DAY FROCK IN SHEER VOILE.

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S DINNER FROCK BY HENRY-LEE

IMG_1426This one was hiding in an out-of-the-way spot. You just never know!

It’s a lovely dress in unusual colors. The blue is not a common one, and flattering only to just the right skin and hair tone. The interesting part is the top.

Like many dresses made at that time, a rayon-type under-layer with a lace overlay dresses it up. Sometimes they’re in the same color, and sometimes contrasting, as in this case.

Here, we have a medium lavender color under the blue. Quite uncommon. I love finding these quirky things! The two layers in the skirt have the same contrast, but the chiffon on top is heavy enough that very little of the lavender comes through. Perhaps just enough to draw a little attention when the wearer moves.

And, the under-layer is a taffeta, so it swishes. . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A CUTE LITTLE ’70’S NUMBER – ANOTHER ONE THAT’S ALMOST TOO SWEET

A CUTE LITTLE '70'S NUMBER – ANOTHER ONE THAT'S ALMOST TOO SWEET.

A CUTE LITTLE ’70’S NUMBER – ONE THAT’S ALMOST TOO SWEET

A CUTE LITTLE '70'S NUMBER - ANOTHER ONE THAT'S ALMOST TOO SWEET

I guess it’s just the high neckline. Lots of dresses from the early ’70’s (except the hippy/prairie/boho styles that were popular then) have a very innocent, girlish look about them. Have you seen the Prom dresses from that time? Watch the movie Footloose.

This one is unremarkable in its tailoring, but it was just that ’70’s cache’ that made me bring it home. I must admit, it is a very classic style and can be done beautifully if it’s with quality materials and exceptional workmanship. But this one just takes us on a daydream journey back 40 years.

It’s fun to watch old movies from that time (or That ’70s Show, I guess), just to see how awful some of the clothing was. Uh, oh – I’m going to get myself into some big trouble here.

But seriously, the dance scene from Footloose is a good tutorial on ’70’s Prom dresses and a real feel-good sequence, too, if you like dancing. And this is the general style line that both Grace Kelly and Kate Middleton wore as their wedding gowns – but you have to close your eyes to imagine it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A LOVELY SUMMER FROCK FROM THE 1950’S, REMODELED A BIT BY MOI

A LOVELY SUMMER FROCK FROM THE 1950'S, REMODELED  A BIT BY MOI

This beautiful polished cotton frock – Kay Whitney by Huntington – is absolutely gorgeous. The fabric and the tailoring are top notch.

Naturally, it’s got a fabric-covered belt, the full skirt and a generous hem allowance. It’s not a one-off design, I found, when I saw another identical to it on eBay – but it’s wonderful anyway.

However, this one is one-off now!  As beautiful as it was in its original design, it was a bit too conservative a style to be flattering on me. The shoulder straps were wider and it had a fabric tie sewn completely around the neckline which you would tie in a bow in front. Pretty, but not me.

I removed the tie, making the shoulders skinnier and the neckline wider. I used some of the leftover tie material to make little flat bows at the shoulders. Of course, if you are a purist, you would never have changed it. That’s something I rarely do, but I liked it so much and wanted it to suit me.

So, I now have an original – and without sacrificing quality or elegance. The best of both worlds.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE SWING DRESS FROM THE 1940’S

TRUE VINTAGE SWING DRESS FROM THE 1940'S.