Category Archives: guidebook

RARE, RARE ANTIQUE FIND!!! LADIES’ HAND-MADE CAPELET – 100 YEARS OLD??????

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA           What a huge surprise to

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA discover this little gem!  It’s a OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA capelet that may be from Victorian or OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAEdwardian times – maybe someone planned to take it on the Titanic voyage!!!  (From the looks of it, maybe it went on the Titanic voyage).  It’s so old that many theories and stories about it’s history could be possible. Some woman wore this covering her shoulders over a dress.  It might have been an evening gown, a day-dress or mourning dress – maybe a costume specialist could tell.

Manufactured trim with antique beads is sewn around the neck and the hem of the capelet.  So many hand-stitches!

As you can see, the outer layer of fabric is in tatters, but the black, silky lining is pristine.  If the cape were flipped inside out, the beading trim  removed and transferred to the other side with a replacement liner made it would be almost new again!  Even though non-sewers might think so, it’s not a big job.

Just amazing.  I haven’t decided whether I will want to restore it and wear it, sell it to another collector or donate it to a theater or museum.  As always, it just goes to show that – you just never know . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

JUST FOUND! 1960’S LUXE NEIMAN MARCUS HOSTESS GOWN

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Embroidered all over with gold metallic thread, this designer dress from the famous high-end retailer is a fabulous find!  Couldn’t believe it.  Luxurious at-home wear that can easily  go out and about – there are no “rules” these days saying that would be “not done”.

I love true vintage hostess and patio dresses, as well as other at-home wear from eras past.  Often the better-quality items are in fantastic condition because they were worn sparingly and/or cared for so well by their original owners.

Just another marvelous day in Mid-Centuryland for the Magicvintagespy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

I CREATED A VERY COOL VINTAGE SKIRT

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Look what I did to my dress!   You had seen this late 1960’s wool dress before, and I loved the red knit top of it, BUT,  the years had not been kind before it came to me and some moths had had a banquet.  Just couldn’t live with the little holes here and there, and no good way to fix them.

SO – why not snip it off at the waist and fashion a dirndl/pencil skirt instead?  So easy!  All I did was finish (by hand) around the waist with a piece of grosgrain ribbon, sew a few hooks and eyes in the placket left where the zipper used to be et voila’!  Just for extra fun, I threaded a black tie belt through the crochet so that it ties off in back.  Wouldn’t have had to, but it allows me to fit the waist a little more snugly and adds a cute touch.

Brainstorm!  Maybe I can wear it with that neat green sweater found recently – and black boots – must check it out . . . . .. … .. . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE TREASURE – PRETTY MID-CENTURY (1960’S & 1950’S) NIGHTGOWNS

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Whenever I encounter beautiful examples of sleepwear lingerie from this era, I always bring them home.  Although I love the pj’s, knee-length gowns are another favorite. While made of the same type of wonderful nylon, the gowns usually have more elaborate and prettier decoration.

The Fifties saw mostly pastel pieces similar to the one on right, though sometimes in red or black.  During the Sixties bright colors were popular, as on the left.  This was kind of backward to how lingerie slips were made – go figure.

Anyway, there was no debate or stopping-to-think-about-it for me, but always nice to know all about it . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JACKIE O – STYLE EARLY 1960’S DRESSY DAY DRESS ENSEMBLE

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Just came up with this one, too.  So many of the day dresses from this era were made to very elegant standards.  Although a lot of lace dresses have been made in the last few years, trying to duplicate this look, I’ve never seen one done to the level of quality and design as true vintage examples.

So, be vigilant and don’t be mislead by the vintage design charlatans and scam artists . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

2 1980’s does 1940’s DAY DRESSES

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Just found – I sometimes like TVR (true vintage retro-at least 30 years old and made in a retro style) garments if they are well-done.  I’ve recently found quite a few.

In this case, we’ve got a south-of-the-border print dress made by Brownstone Studio (a “better” modern brand) with true-to-the-Forties style and a lightweight rayon print shirt-waist in my favorite dark navy and white that kind of flutters as you walk.

For everyday, when I don’t want to have to be concerned about safeguarding a precious true vintage garment while I’m living life, these are just right.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER DISCOVERY! 1950’S ’60’S ZIP-BACK BLOUSE – GIRLY

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With polka dots, a flouncy neckline and full metal back zipper this rayon & acetate blouse is pure 1950’s – early 1960’s.  Can’t wait to wear it with my “new” black pencil skirt!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PRETTY AND GLAM 1980’S DOES 1940’S RAYON SHEATH GOWN

Definitely retro (not REAL vintage), but I love the styling and the drape of the rayon fabric.  It’s got the iconic fit of 1930’s – 1940’s sheath gowns that were so elegant and dramatic.

The huge hibiscus flower is probably a bit over-the-top in terms of designs from wartime, but some very bold floral prints were made then, too.  Anyway, I think this one rocks!

So, Mata Hari, move over!  The Magicvintagespy is on a roll . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ONE OF MY FAVORITE 1960’S TUNIC BLOUSES

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Since I haven’t shown this top in a LONG time, thought I’d give it a showcase today since it’s so perfect now (still needs a pressing).  A wonderful rayon or acetate fabric with gloss and a fabulous print. Made by Alex Coleman.

Last week, I got this blouse out to wear and decided to do a few modifications to the hemlines and add light shoulder padding, just to tweak the fit and got so excited about it again.  That’s the fun of classic, quality vintage clothing – it’s good to go forever and can even be refurbished a little with great success – because it starts out so wonderful . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1980’S (?) NEW WAVE TIGER PRINT SHIRT JACKET BY ABS

TRUE VINTAGE (?) 1980'S (?) TIGER PRINT SHIRT JACKET BY ABS

NEW WAVE 1980’S SHIRT JACKET

This shirt/jacket is an unusual one for me to include in my collection – is it true vitage or not?  The A B S clothing company was started in 1982, so it might be 30 years old and animal prints were iconic at that time (again!).  If it was made in 1982 or 1983, I’d be willing to call it true vintage and I’ll explain why.

Animal prints have been a significant fashion trend at one time in the 1940’s, mid/late 1950’s, late 1960’s and again in the New Wave early 1980’s, as far as I know.  They show up at other times, too, but were a bigger deal in the fashion world at these specific times.

When I saw this item, I immediately thought of the early ’80’s and was also impressed with the quality of the garment.  I have since learned that the A B S company is known for making better-quality clothing than most of what we find now.  This shirt was also made in the U.S.A., which is unusual (if not unheard of) in modern clothing.

The deciding factors for me were the quality construction – 1. the fabric is heavy, with a nice hand (feel).  2. The pattern is really well-matched at the seams, so that it isn’t broken up across the garment (an important tell-tale sign of high quality).  3. The buttons are very nice black plastic faceted to look like jet beads.  4 .The shirt/jacket has french cuffs with button cuff-links (which, fortunately, were not missing!)  Overall, it is a garment of significantly better quality than most.  My size – excellent condition.

So, I have included it and described my thinking that justified buying it.  Sometimes you can’t be absolutely sure and some knowledge and skills to make smart decisions come in handy.  This is a time when price can be the final deciding factor, as well as how much you love it.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM