Category Archives: guidebook

ANOTHER FUN MID-CENTURY FIND

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This maxi dress from the ’60’s to ’70’s is a popular style of that time.  In this case, the Hostess Gown has elements of the Asian Cheongsam style dress that is classic and very flattering.  A Mandarin collar, frog closures, a shadow design of fans and flowers and walking slits in the hem hold true to traditional Asian dress design.

In this case, the dress is handmade and has a vintage Talon zipper.  Although it may have been made in some U.S. woman’s home rather than a Chinese tailor’s, the mid-century handiwork of that time adds to the value of a dress made then.  So, another garment a bit large for me, but worth collecting.  Things tend to get more exciting from here on, so –

Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MY 1st NEW FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S CLASSIC GIRLY BLOUSE

I’ll start off with this conservative but very of-the-time ladies’ blouse.  Not my style (or size), but oh-so-vintage and worth collecting.  In this case, it’s a well-made version from Montreal, where style has always been ascendant – so it has a good pedigree.  That French influence is always a plus!

“Whipped cream”, Georgette fabric finish was popular in modern synthetics of that time.  Along with the lace and embroidered trim, it adds a pretty, feminine element to the style of this shirt.  I also always love little pearlized buttons wherever they turn up on vintage clothing – usually blouses and sleepwear.

Don’t know much about the history of this clothing company – sometimes the background on Canadian makers is less available.  However, it’s well-made and stands up well against any American maker’s products of that time.  I always love to see examples like this, no matter where they come from.  Keep on bringin’ ’em on – and I do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

STELLA (FINALLY!) MODELS THIS 1950’S HAND-TAILORED WIGGLE DRESS

Now that Stella’s on the modeling circuit, this dress can be displayed as it should be.  Several years ago I found this beauty – wish the photos did it justice.   Gorgeous atomic/abstract/art swirl fabric in glossy and soft rayon.  All hand-tailored.  FAB!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SUPER PHOTOS OF A RECENT FIND – KENNEDY ERA DRESS AND COAT ENSEMBLE

Isn’t this a beautiful set?  Made by a Toronto dressmaker.  I knew you’d want to see these improved pictures.  More to come . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SPRING – SUMMER PLATFORM PUMPS

TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S SPRING - SUMMER PLATFORM PUMPS

Navy leather pumps with a little bit of nautical-style trim, and modest platform soles. Chunky heels.  100% leather construction (of course!).  Classic, classic, classic and built like a brick house.  No wonder they’re still skipping the streets 70 years later!

Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THIS WAS A SURPRISE FIND! LEMON YELLOW TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LINGERIE NYLON HALF-SLIP

NEW FIND! LEMON YELLOW TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S LINGERIE NYLON HALF-SLIP

You know I have SO much lovely true vintage lingerie and a ton of 1950’s slips, but I still go giddy when I find another one.  They’re just so beautiful with their lace, applique, ribbons, sumptuous fabric and elegant tailoring.

This one is by Warner’s in a lemon ice color.  Just the right length for a bottom-of-the-knee dress or skirt, or a midi.

I’m so glad that we are not locked into a certain hem length for months (or years) like women were in the past.  No more dread of appearing unfashionable or out-of-step.

Ha!  Can hardly imagine it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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A PAIR OF TRUE VINTAGE JOHANSEN LOVELIES FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

ANOTHER PAIR OF JOHANSEN LOVELIES FROM THE 1940'S - 1950'S

Just as classic as the Little Black Dress, little black pumps are obviously just as iconic. Perfect style and durability for about 70 years.  This is a dressier pair, of suede leather, which probably saved them the more frequent wear of an everyday shoe and preserved them for me.

I’m so glad!  This heel height couldn’t be more comfortable – elegant and flattering, too.
Great for dancing.

And, sometimes, for making a quick get-away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE BRAND DOES THE ” ’80’S DOES ’40’S ” THING

ANOTHER RECENT FIND! TRUE VINTAGE BRAND DOES THE

Imagine my surprise (this is always SO much fun!) – I came across a true vintage label, Lady Carol, but in one of their 1980’s incarnations, before the company was sold for good.   I have one of their 1950’s/early 1960’s frocks, which I love, but had never run across any of their later items before.  Classic ’40’s style, but with ’80’s fabric and tailoring – they got in on the retro trend of that decade.

There are several old companies that are still in business, but they are just “modern” manufacturers now making modern styles in a modern way – I don’t pay attention to what they are doing.  In this case, a true vintage dress by a true vintage maker (now gone) doing a specific true vintage fashion trend (Forties retro) was worth picking up.

It’s a bit too big for Madge (and moi), but in a style that is easy to alter.  Just another example of the truth that when you’re on a sleuthing mission, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S PEEP-TOE GOLD LEATHER & CLEAR VINYL EVENING SANDALS FROM A SPECIALTY STORE

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S PEEP-TOE GOLD LEATHER & CLEAR VINYL EVENING SANDALS FROM A SPECIALTY STORE

I think we’ve got a good show-off of the clear vinyl and gold leather that was so popular in dressy sandals from the Fifties.  These came from a private store in Chicago that had shoes specially made under their own label.

There are so many photographs of women in the ’50’s wearing gold dress sandals and sandals with clear vinyl vamps that it’s iconic of that time.  Makes me think of Peggy Lee and Cotillion dinner – dances that were such popular social events then.

Off to the Country Club, anyone? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE FUN! A SISTER PAIR TO THE PUMPS SHOWN YESTERDAY – TRUE VINTAGE POST-WAR BEAUTIES HARDLY EVER OUT OF THE BOX!

TRUE VINTAGE BEAUTIES HARDLY EVER OUT OF THE BOX!

The original price is still visible on the soles, written in grease pencil.  $14.99.  Looks like they may have been tried on and that was it!

Dark coffee brown leather, with pert little bows on a v-shaped vamp – this pair comes from the late Forties to early Fifties.  The Naturalizer brand was a closet staple for well-dressed women.  It was the flagship brand for the Brown shoe company of St. Louis, MO since 1927.

It’s always important to do a background check . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG;  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM