Category Archives: guidebook

ANOTHER FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE TREASURE – IN CLASSIC BLACK

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So wonderful!!!  Another mid-century pencil skirt – as I’ve said, you can’t have too many. As usual, this one fits perfectly and has the expected tailoring details of a well-made garment.  Ignore the camera spots – it’s beautiful.

Love unraveling the stories of every find; this one was custom-tailored of a soft wool, with acetate liner in the seat.  Tailors used to do this with wool skirts to prevent stretching of the fabric from sitting.  I love the well-constructed waistband and side closure plus the fantastic fit.

Easy to dress up or down.  A basic black piece like this is always chic and when the quality is high plus a perfect fit, that’s what makes the difference between attractive and elegant – between fashionable and chic – between nice-looking and truly well-dressed.  Our grandmothers knew that, and most European women haven’t forgotten.

Would go nicely with the cocktail sweater I found and showed you a few days ago.  I plan to wear it with vintage jackets, blouses and sweaters.  I’ve discovered a trove of skirts lately – more to come . .. . . . . . . . . . . ..  . .. .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

OMG – ANOTHER RARE FIND!

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Too amazing.  This time, it’s a Kennedy era cocktail sweater.  After 60 years, who would think?

You’ll see it tomorrow, and then come wonderful frocks, etc. for St. Valentine’s Day.  Stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEWLY-DISCOVERED MID-CENTURY BLOUSES LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

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At first, I thought that the green/brown blouse on top was a camouflage pattern – but it’s not.  It is a 1950’s art print fabric that is so fun!  It was commercially-made, with a care tag at the neckline.  I love cap sleeve blouses and yesterday’s finds were a real bonanza!

The two on the bottom are identical, excepting for the colors, and undoubtedly were custom-made by the same person, from interesting rayon or rayon-blend fabrics.  I’ve shown the back view on the right so that you can see the back buttoning and the interesting seaming.

Like so many mid-century garments, these are sporty and dressy at the same time.  I can wear them with shorts or Capri pants, like the ones I found last week, or with a skirt or under a suit jacket.  Always smart and elegant, no matter what the occasion.  That’s the beauty of true vintage fashion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE TRUE VINTAGE 1960 FINDS IN NAUTICAL COLORS

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Here are 3 of my finds from yesterday.  Remember the blouse from a few days ago and how I was talking about the traditional popularity of nautical colors for Spring?  Well, here they are again!

The navy and white items were commercially-made and the red polka dot blouse was custom-tailored.  Vintage zipper and buttons are fun.  The fit is always superior.

Fortunately, I can wear them all and, though they need to be cleaned, that’s no big deal.  At the prices I pay in the odd places I find these treasures, any laundering or repair costs are nothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MOD CLOTH RETRO SIXTIES DRESS

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This is a modern retro-style dress that I wouldn’t usually buy or show, but I’m impressed with how well it has been made so it is worth a nod.  Many vintage tailoring details like extra closures and seam tape on a 1 1/2″ hem allowance are a couple.  There are also special lining features that distinguish it from most retro styles made recently.

So, this maker deserves some respect compared to the majority of modern brands.  Of course, it doesn’t rival a similar dress really made in the 1960’s, but I can’t be a total snob – just most of the time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1980’S DOES 1940’S RETRO FINDS IN BLACK & WHITE

It’s hard to imagine that true vintage garments (over 30 years old) could also be retro, but it’s true from the 1970’s onward when clothing makers started to reproduce 1940’s and 1950’s styles for the general market.  That’s just about when the superb tailoring of the mid-century and before came to an end, so many of these items are not very nice.  But, there are sill well-made examples worth picking up from the Seventies – Eighties time.

In this case, a coat dress and tuxedo-style jacket caught my eye.  No labels remaining, but the shoulder pads and cut make the fit flattering.  Both are fully-lined and elegantly styled.  There will be times when they will come in handy or be fun to wear.

I don’t purchase these often, but, when you know what you’re seeing it’s sometimes a good buy that will be easy to say good-bye to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

SMART EVERYDAY 1960’S BLOUSE BY RHODA LEE

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Nothing way special about this shirt, but the mid-century cut and fit are very nice.  I picked it up because of that, and the true navy/white stripes – perfect for Spring!  I love separates with a nautical feel for February – April and nothing could be more classic.  That style and color combo shows up decade after decade.

With a pair of sailor pants or a pleated skirt, it’s a very cute look.  Lots of versatility for this elegant style, with nice tailoring.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS NEW FIND! COTTON PRINT MID-CENTURY SKIRT

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This is SO fabulous!  I love this sportswear skirt from the 1950’s with Grecian urns in pretty colors  printed all around.  In fact, that’s the name of the fabric design, printed on the selvage edge.

Can’t wait to wear it this Spring and Summer!  It was beautifully taken care of, with hardly a flaw.  Thank you to the woman who did that!

As I make my way here and there, to various shops, sales and stores in many different countries, the only thing I regret is that I usually don’t know the names of the original owners of the treasures I discover.  It’s always a big plus when I do, because the specific history adds so much to the story.

Oh, well.  As it is, I can imagine that Audrey, or Jean, or Margaret or Lois bought this skirt to wear on her first Roman holiday – and had a wonderful time!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SUPER-UNUSUAL LINGERIE BED CAPE FROM THE 1950’S OR BEFORE

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More mid-century lingerie – this one from the Post-war era in run-proof nylon tricot.  By Rogers, it is a quality item and I don’t think I’ve EVER seen this style before!  It has no sleeves, and is made to wear as a cape over the shoulders which ties at the neckline.

What a pretty way to spend a while over coffee in the morning, or reading in bed when there’s a chill in the air?

Pale pink color (the whole thing is prettier in reality than in this photo) and delicate accordian pleating  with a ruffle at the neck and wrist areas.  Perfect condition, and in my size.  What could be better?  It’s definitely a keeper.  Wonder who wore this beauty in 1950 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL VAL MODE RETRO 1940’S PEIGNOIR

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There are already at least a couple of dressing gowns  in my collection that date from the 1930’s – 1940’s and are made in a similar style.  So, although this was was made 30 to 40 years later and the fabric isn’t as nice, it’s pretty true to the design.

I’ll sometimes pick up retro items made by famous vintage makers because they do a pretty good job.  This one still qualifies as “true vintage” because of being at least 30 years old, but the real 1940’s would always be my favorite!

Anyway, a pretty find and worth adding to my treasures.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM