Just as classic as the wool felt version, this beautiful Smithbilt hat is also of the highest quality. Not sure when it was made – these enduring styles and handmade constructions are almost ageless.
Contrasting two-tone woven-in design & leather bands inside and out. The weaving is tight and even. This hat will also last forever (almost) if it’s taken care of.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here’s a pair of shoes that I might wear with the dresses I’ve shown recently. These needle-toe patent leather pumps are characteristic of late ’50’s to early ’60’s styles. The placement and shape of the heel is also characteristic.
I love the little cut-outs on the vamp. Many shoes of that era had great details.
One of the things I like best are the company names stamped on the insoles. The script is usually so interesting. Although these are cracked inside, the outers are in great shape.
I’ve had new heel caps put on, but otherwise they will last for decades more. The color is funky but fun, too!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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I see Sophia Loren wearing this dress and running down a street in Naples, Italy (in black stilettos) – chasing Marccello Mostriani in their latest film. Someone custom-tailored this little beauty in a style that falls low on the shoulders if you are petite.
It’s a sunny, breezy style with the 1950’s wasp waist and full skirt, in cotton print material, made for whatever casual activity is on the agenda. However, like most dresses of the era, a little jewelry and a hat (and, maybe, gloves) made it suitable for a slightly more formal event such as a luncheon date.
I prefer to let fantasy take my imagination away with this one – a bottle of local wine, a loaf of bread, cheese and fruit on a balcony overlooking the Adriatic Sea – with a very good friend . . .. . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This dress was custom tailored at home, I’m sure – though some simple items like this were commercially made then, too. Many women who wore these day – in and day – out as house dresses and for working were accomplished seamstresses and made most all of the family’s clothing.
I love the pretty plaid cotton here, and the cute sculpted buttons at the neck and the pocket flaps. Since the original belt was missing, I made a tie belt by taking a couple of inches off the hem, which was mid-calf length. Easy.
Probably, this one belonged to a woman who farmed – and I imagine that a small blue stain on the skirt happened when she made a blueberry pie. So many of these pieces tell a story, and you just never know . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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If you’ve visited my Facebook page or read my book, you will have seen this picture, but I’ve never talked as much about it, so far, as I will here. Maybe you remember when Kinney shoes had a store in just about every mall or shopping center and then kind of disappeared. Well, these lovelies were made before that time. I took them to a shoemaker from Poland who had 25 years experience MAKING shoes and now does repair. He told me that they were 30 – 40 years old.
They have a ’40s – ’50s vibe but were made in the ’70s. The label is of cloth, embedded in the insole. How often do we see that?! As you can imagine, they are very well-made of leather with Vibram soles.
I love this style so much, and the heels are very high. Any kind of peep-toe pump really gets my attention. Couldn’t resist these, and what a fabulous find! You just never know . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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What a surprise! At a party where we all contributed “white elephant” gifts, guess what turned up? After some swapping, this was one of my prizes. True vintage decorated tote bag or purse from the 1960’s/’70’s. Near mint condition.
How do I know it’s original vintage? 1. the style 2. the types of decoration used 3. the construction 4. in this case, some minor signs of age.
How do I know where it (probably) came from? The Cardinal and the Dogwood are the official state bird and flower of North Carolina. Eat your heart out, Sherlock.
It’s so beautifully done. Love the colors. Fun!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Yes, you did see the one on the left a few days ago, but here’s my photo with both. The vibrant-colored fabric with such a rich hand makes these garments radiant and unique.
Thai silk is like no other. The fabric is so lustrous and with a hand-made texture. The colors are gorgeous, in beautiful combinations.
On top of that, the hand-tailoring of these garments makes them so beautifully detailed and fitted. Both of these dresses would have been custom-made for someone who was vacationing or living in Thailand or China.
And, of course, in classic styles that are as wearable now as they were in the 1960’s . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Examples from the decade, preserved and displayed beautifully. Stilettos and little strappy things. Cute, chic and sexy. In alligator, suede, satin, patent leather – such a fabulous collection!
These are mostly dressier styles on this side of the display case. You can catch a glimpse of some more everyday heels on the other side.
From Carnaby Street to The Man from Uncle to early James Bond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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I think that someone had this dress specifically made for her while traveling or living in Thailand or China during the 1960’s. That was a common thing to do back then.
Thai silk is so distinctive and beautiful. There’s nothing like the weave and color of these fabrics and they are always smartly designed and carefully constructed by hand. It is one of two that I have discovered – makes me wonder about the woman involved.
Did she have a secret assignment? Was she undercover? Perhaps a great-niece of Mata Hari . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Back at headquarters, for a short break, and finally able to photograph this most recent discovery. Stella is dainty as a daffodil in her Prom/party frock from the 1950’s. The neckline scarf is the signature feature of this dress. Possibly it was for a bridesmaid or a debutante (of sorts – not lush enough for the Country Club set).
Like many(most?) older garments, it is so interesting and tells a story. The fabrics are not of the highest quality but they are adequate, and this short gown was off-the-rack, though there is no label remaining. Unless . . . . . . . . . .
It just may have been custom-tailored by someone who REALLY knew her(or his) stuff. The skirt has FOUR layers – a circle skirt of lace overlay with a solid yellow acetate(?) liner, a ruffle of tulle netting underneath and a final layer of white stiffening fabric gathered beneath it all. This was the standard construction of dressy special-occasion gowns in the mid-century.
No question that this frock was going somewhere really special. Makes you wonder . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Magicvintagespy 