Category Archives: guidebook

FABULOUS! RARE PURE WHITE ’60’S STILETTO HEELS IN MY SIZE!!!

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OMG – pure white true vintage shoes are so rare, and especially in such good condition.  Miss Wonderful (and they are) made these lovely full leather pumps back in the Kennedy era, early 1960’s.  I’m in heaven because I’ve looked for some for ages.

Nothing takes the place of perfectly white “dress” shoes with pretty vintage summer frocks.  Vintage white sandals are not hard to find, but pumps are another matter.  Leather soles, with metal toe taps and almost-new heel caps just seal the deal.  I’ll enjoy these for decades.

Although I’ve been too busy to be looking much . . . . . well, you just never know . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FINDS! CAN’T AVOID IT . . . . . . . THIS TIME, A 1960’S STACY AMES DAY DRESS

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Isn’t this the cutest thing?  And, such high quality.  It’s probably a wool blend, but is so soft that there’s no need for a slip.  Stacy Ames is just one of the mid-century brands that created really nice clothing for the mid-priced market in the early 1960’s and I’m always thrilled to find an example like this.

Casual elegance.  So nice to slip into Fall in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

TRUE VINTAGE FRENCH NIGHTGOWN – ALMOST A HUNDRED YEARS OLD

Just had to re-photograph this lovely rayon gown from Paris in order to show it off properly.  I’ll do a couple more with my recent wedding gown finds.

It’s from somewhere between 1920 and 1945.  Haven’t had time to research more extensively.  Love the old-style ruching and lace – so beautiful and rare.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A 1960’S RED LINGERIE FULL SLIP, WITH ALL THE EXPECTED VA-VOOM

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Another treat to find – yes, I have several in this color but they’re all slightly different and, hey, who cares!  Under many dresses, a slip is indispensable and how could you not love wearing something like this!

The older lingerie like this usually had pretty lace overlay on a sheer backing.  So sexy.  And, the nylon feels so smooth and luxurious to wear.  This one’s a mini length, too, which makes it versatile.  I like having several in order to get the length just right . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LADY-LIKE & ELEGANT – TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS FROM THE 1960’S

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Back in the mid to late Sixties, while all the Mod stuff was going on, women with more traditional tastes wore beautiful frocks like this one.  Many day dresses were still true to the history of elegant styling, lovely fabrics and excellent tailoring.  This one is by ALGO, a mid- to higher-priced line of dresses that originated in the U.S. and also became popular in Canada.

For example, this fabric is some kind of  a rayon blend with alternating shadow stripes of nubby weave and satiny sheen.  The color is not for me and it’s also too large, but I couldn’t pass it up because it’s such a lovely example of the timeless side of 1960’s style. Probably next Spring it will go on eBay, but I do have other dresses I love from that era.

I’ve still got more to catch you up on, and the next ones are a little more seasonal . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE MARILYN MONROE WANNABE RECREATED THIS ICONIC DRESS

 

IMG_1801     Just found this mid-century custom-tailored frock that is modeled after Marilyn’s famous costume in the 1954 movie The Seven Year Itch.  Although it’s a bit too sweet, made of cotton poplin flocked with cotton candy pink and green, the style is close to the original.

Some gal got carried away by that sidewalk scene above the subway grate.  It’s always fun to find something that tells a story, like this.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND – SOME PRETTY CUSTOM-TAILORED 1960’s DRESSES

Yes, I’m back at Headquarters now – unpacking and taking care of business.  Although these finds are out-of-season right now, despite the heat, I like to show brand-new discoveries ASAP.

What makes these worthy of my closet?  The styles are simple, but the vintage fabrics are REALLY NICE.  Also, the hand-done tailoring touches, like a full lining, well-cut facings and hem allowances make them special garments.

I always pick up pieces of exceptional quality.  They are rare treasure, not seen in the marketplace today.  Stay tuned for more . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S MOCHA DRESSES – A SLINKY SHEATH AND A PRIM SWEETHEART

IMG_1006 IMG_1004       Two very different frocks.  This first dress is pictured from the side so that the pocket detail shows.   It is  very figure-hugging and zips on the left.  The pocket has interesting glossy braid decoration.   I’ve pictured with it a dark brown silk slip of that era that I wear with it.

The short-sleeved shirtwaist dress is very straightforward and modest, but with cute tailoring details on front.   A pointed collar and bow at the high neck.   Easy to wear with a button front.   The fabric is probably rayon, with a soft sheen.

Both have shoulder pads (of course!) and fabric-covered buckle belts.   Great style and true vintage 1940’s cache’.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

I RE-STYLED A GREAT TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S WIGGLE DRESS!

IMG_1001     When I found this cutie, it was one slim dress – probably about a size 2 – 4, but very tight and petite in the bodice, so hard to squeeze into.   It also had a little wear on some of the seams.

I mused and pondered about how to save the dress so that I could wear it because I love the style and, especially, the pink/brown/ivory printed material.   It feels so wonderful – can’t explain it – you’d have to experience it yourself.   Some kind of synthetic or poly-knit, which was popular then and I’ve never seen any quite like it.   Love the color combo!

So – brainstorm!   There was a seam right at the waist and I separated the top from the bottom.   A stretchy band of matching brown knit lengthened the top just right for my torso and a simple elastic waistband in the skirt made it very easy to wear.   It works!

I opened a seam along the left side of the top for more ease and added some hooks and eyes.   A little hand-done repair here and there salvaged this find for many more wearings. Can’t wait to wear it with some of my Forties shoes!

Just goes to show that there are gazillions of possibilities . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BACK TO SCHOOL TIME! 1950’S/1960’S SWEATERS THAT MOM & GRANDMA WERE BUSY KNITTING . . . . .

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Yes, it’s that time of year again.  I don’t know how many of you had mothers or grandmas who made most of your wardrobe, all year long – BUT, it was not at all unusual back in the day.   And, aren’t these cute and good-looking!    I’ll bet no one else would have had one like it.

These kinds of needlework magazines with patterns were really popular and there used to be little knitting shops around that sold all the necessary supplies.   When I was cleaning out some of the OLD family stuff recently, I found a lot of knitting needles of every size and configuration you can imagine.   I couldn’t begin to understand how they were used . . . . .

In these old magazines that were given to me, I’ve seen ads for knitting machines, too – something small that you could set up and use at home.   Although I can’t imagine devoting the time it would take to make these garments really well, they are SO beautiful that it seems it was well worth it.

I’d love to hear about your own family stories . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM