This is my latest “I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!” FIND – a custom-tailored frock made for someone very petite, and shorter than Stella. The deep green velvet is gorgeous, but I’m most taken with the styling. Shoulders like that come from the 1930’s and 1940’s. Will be an oh-so-elegant way to go to the St. Patrick’s Day dance or cocktail party.
Makes me wonder so much who, where and what this dress was sewn for – it’s got to have a fascinating story. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Don’t know if these pieces went together back in the day, but someone probably wore these pale celery green items to a Prom, Homecoming or similar formal dance such as the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day party. I would also want to add a shawl or bolero jacket.
The shoes are covered in satin and it was so great to find them in such excellent condition! That’s some of the best fun of coming across a find like this.
If it had been up to me, I’d move the bow from the front of the dress to the waist – maybe in back. But, that’s a project for another day. . . . . . . . . .
A rockabilly Bye-Bye-Birdie Playboy hot weather classic – the short short baby doll nightie. Just right for after the St. P’s party. I’ve come across a few of these during my investigations, but rarely with the original panties! The green is more or less unusual, too, and goes perfectly with Stella’s new auburn hairdo.
Although “baby doll” nighties started out in the 1940’s when many fashion hemlines skyrocketed because of the shortage of fabrics, the earlier ones did not tend to be as short as they became during the Kennedy era. Many 1950’s babydoll nightgowns were just above the knee – shorter than the skirt and dress hemlines popular then, but hardly short by today’s standards.
As always, though, it has pretty lace and ruffle trim and has held up like crazy over more than 50 years! It’s always new for the Magicvintagespy – I wonder what will be next . . . . .
When I discovered this purse, it was the clasp as well as the fabric that hooked me. I discovered several dark green velvet garments around the same time and you could almost think that that they were made to go together. So, this was a re-purposing & recycling triumph as well as a true vintage score.
Just right with your dressy St. Pat’s party dress. Doesn’t get better than that . .. . . . . . .. well, yes, it does, but that will be another story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Now we’re talkin’! Setting the mood here for Cupid’s Day. Some are relatively demure, but all are beautiful nylon and silk sleepwear from a time when those things were really special.
Whether a young girl heading off to college, or a young woman on her honeymoon, one (or two) of these would surely be stowed in her luggage.
Madge likes that cute robe with the double button closure at the waist. It would work well over the little short-sleeved gown – perfect for dorm room dreams. As for the silk number in the center, well, it is Valentine’s Day so forget the robe . . . . . . . … . . ..
Empire A-line styling with flutter sleeves and a floral print – couldn’t get more ’60’s early ’70’s than that. But, there are so many retro versions made recently – why would I decide to collect this one?
Frocks that I might otherwise pass on if they were commercially – made, I will collect if custom-tailored. Hand-sewing always tells it’s own story, with special touches and unique designs or fabrics.
So, this dress is especially pretty and versatile. It only needs a few TLC interventions and will be ready to go. I might lose the sleeves, as I like sleeveless styles so much, but will decide later.
More finds from this general era, but very different. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . .
At first glance, this frock looks like something modern but the tailoring details and fabric tell it’s true age. It’s hard to be sure of the true color in this photo, but it is another beautiful velvet, in aubergine with iridescent flocking in a floral design. Again, sorry for the poor focus.
This dress could go from being a swanky hostess outfit at home to a night on the town. Long sleeves are so practical in the evening and the deep slit in front adds the drama that is lacking in this otherwise conservative style.
Very well-made and fits like a dream. I’ll get a lot of use out of it, when the occasion calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OK, we’re going from oldest to youngest in these next 3 posts. My apologies for the poor focus. Cropping efforts didn’t come through, either, but you can see all that is necessary for this description. Was astounded a few days ago to find this rare garment! In the past two years 3 or 4 frocks in this early 1950’s style have suddenly come my way; haven’t seen them before that for quite a long time. . . . . . . . . . . .
Like only one of my other examples of this fashion, the gown pictured here was custom-tailored (probably at home) and made for an adolescent girl, from the style indications. Usually, dresses made with the fur-trimmed sleeves, neckline or hem were sophisticated styles made for women. Of course, girls like to wear their own versions of adult designs in every decade.
Aside from the empire styling, rather than a New Look design, one tell-tale clue is the type of fur used. Garments made for women usually had mink trim, whereas the 2 girls’ dresses I’ve discovered have had what looks like rabbit hair. However, the cranberry velvet is plush and I’m sure the young miss who wore it was pleased. It’s so much fun to follow the stories that these old clothing items tell. Stay tuned for a 1960’s item – a repeat of another recent find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long, sweeping gown in a beautiful, heavy cotton(?) – the photo on left shows the cut while the photo on right gives the true color and close-up of the interesting print. This dress has many construction contradictions; some point to 1940’s and some to 1960’s. Undoubtedly, it was custom-tailored.
Maybe our mid-century tailor was very experienced and knew how to use various methods to achieve exactly the slinky, hourglass fit she wanted. The bell sleeves and commercial braid trim say 1960’s but the mid-back zipper placement, dip in the front waistline and fabulous art print fabric say 1940’s. Looks like a film noir hostess gown. I love a mystery!
Anyway, it’s an absolute beauty and fits me like a glove. Dresses with the zipper placed mid-back are always a trick to get into and out of – pays to understand the method. However, when the fit is right and the construction good, it’s a snap. Tomorrow I’ll show you a cute shift with a clear Sixties pedigree. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The most interesting dress – by Lawrence Kazar New York and it looks like a “daring” mid-’60’s design to me, but may be 1980’s as I can’t find any earlier history on this designer. The fit is slinky and small but the armholes are cut very low and it’s styled to wear without a bra. That’s a trick to do effectively but this design succeeds. If your dimensions are right, it’s a knockout!!
Besides the bra-less top, the most distinctive feature is the peek-a-boo waistline which was sometimes seen around 1965 or so. It’s very nicely tailored and such a gorgeous color. So, Mod or Dynasty, I really couldn’t care less. Oh, James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Magicvintagespy 