Category Archives: handbag

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE – PROBABLY FROM THE 1960’s

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE - PROBABLY FROM THE 1960's

To change gears a bit today, here’s an example of a beautiful handcrafted item. It’s an evening purse made of black velvet and satin with metallic embroidery all over, front and back.

It was probably made in Hong Kong or Europe and took someone a long time to do by hand. These sorts of items were much more available back in the day. I suppose that you can still get them now, but only overseas or in very specialized shops.

Handiwork of this kind and exquisite workmanship used to be seen in fashion items that middle-income women could afford to buy, at least once in a while. Although it was generally done overseas, many of the major department stores sold it in their better departments. It’s difficult to find now. The hand-crafted items that are sold today generally can’t compare in terms of their quality.

Keep your eyes open for little items like this, hiding here and there. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA

HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA.

INTERESTING TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE 1950’S

INTERESTING TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE 1950'S.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – 1960’S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – 1960'S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – 1960’S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - 1960'S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG

Back in the ‘ 50’s and ’60’s, purses made of woven materials like reeds, wicker, raffia, synthetic strands and other natural and natural-looking things were really popular. Some were decorated with whimsical designs and were very casual. Some were trimmed in leather and were almost dressy. Most were in-between, for everyday use.

I’ve found a ton of these over the years because they were so popular and are not really old, as vintage fashion items go. So, it did not really tax my sleuthing skills but, finding the best of these items in good condition can still be a challenge.

This one is a real cutie, with just enough attitude because of it’s structured shape and leather trim to have some high-fashion aspirations like lunching and club-prowling, which it may realize under some conditions.

However, it’s still just basically a small-time, hand-crafted little purse, even though it is from British Hong Kong. I don’t hold that against it one bit. Every wardrobe should have at least two or three of this genre, as they’re very versatile.

And, just like my example here, they often come from some pretty exotic places . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – ’70’S BOX BAG WITH LUGGAGE – STYLE HARDWARE

TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S – '70'S BOX BAG WITH LUGGAGE – STYLE HARDWARE.

A COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE HANDBAGS FROM THE 1960s

A COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE HANDBAGS FROM THE 1960s.

TRUE VINTAGE HANDBAG, 1950s TO EARLY 1960s WITH A TAPESTRY FRONT IN SPRING COLORS

TRUE VINTAGE HANDBAG, 1950s TO EARLY 1960s WITH A TAPESTRY FRONT IN SPRING COLORS

This beautiful bag was hanging on a rack with other very ordinary modern purses. I don’t think that the store personnel had a clue, but the magicvintagespy never fails to spot one . . . . . . .

Although it is faux leather and not top-of-the-line with no maker’s name inside, I love the pretty tapestry cover on the front. It is very well-made, as are most purses of that era, whether high-end or mid-priced. The colors are subtle and chic for Spring (or any season). It would be especially pretty with the season’s neutral colors like ivory, beige, or gray, as well as any solid color in the tapestry. It’s always great fun to find an unusual bag like this one.

My finds don’t always follow the weather, but I try to post photos of things that we would wear currently in North America. I know that doesn’t jibe for many of you joining in from some places in Europe, South America, Australia, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific. Maybe the way the weather is changing, that’s not true after all!

Keep in touch and stay tuned because, you just never know . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr & more
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

TWO TRUE VINTAGE PURSES FOR SPRING BY MORRIS MOSCOWITZ & ANDE’

TWO TRUE VINTAGE PURSES FOR SPRING BY MORRIS MOSCOWITZ & ANDE'.

TRUE VINTAGE GENUINE ALLIGATOR HANDBAG 1940’S – 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE GENUINE ALLIGATOR HANDBAG 1940S - 1950S

This beauty is one of my favorites. I really had an OMG experience when I found it because alligator skins had been outlawed in North America for decades. If I did see a purse in a shop that sold vintage it would be very expensive but, I was able to buy this one “for a song”, and with a song in my heart!

It shows it’s age a bit, but is entitled to. I like to think of Mata Hari carrying it while on one of her undercover missions. Lined in leather, the maker’s stamp in gold tells that it was made in Panama. Love the interesting clasp.

True vintage alligator, crocodile, lizard and snake skin purses are good any time of year and with almost any outfit because they are a classic. I always use a good leather conditioning product on my collection at least once a year . That will help to keep the skins supple and prevent cracking and drying

What a history these older items have! I wonder about all the places that this one had been during it’s life in some fashionable woman’s wardrobe. Did she buy it in Panama or some other tropical locale? What was she doing there (and who was she with)? You just never know . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM