Category Archives: handmade

TRUE VINTAGE SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN – INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950’S

From the time when Roy Rogers & Dale Evans were TV celebrities, Happy Trails to you . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN - INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950'S

These two dresses are examples of fashions made and sold in the U.S. Southwestern states (Arizona, New Mexico mostly). They are inspired by traditional Native American designs and may have been made by Native Americans.  My warm-weather wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without them.

Outfits like this were especially popular in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Some from the 1940’s have been seen. Tourists often returned from vacations with one and non-Native people who lived in the region wore them a lot.  It was a real craze for a while.

Ric-rac and braid trim on bright cotton material was popular. The skirts are big and swingy – usually full circle. I have more to show – some have interesting tailoring details on the blouses. Love ’em!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN – INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN – INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950'S.

SMART & CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE ’50’S – EARLY ’60’S

SMART & CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE '50'S – EARLY '60'S.

WHAT I WEAR EVERY SUMMER – 1940’S OR ’50’S CIRCLE SKIRT AND BLOUSE

WHAT I WEAR EVERY SUMMER – 1940'S OR '50'S CIRCLE SKIRT AND BLOUSE.

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

BEAUTIFUL HAND-CRAFTED VINTAGE ACCESSORIES WERE ELEGANT AND CHERISHED ADDITIONS TO OUR GRANDMOTHERS’ WARDROBES

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

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…

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

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE – PROBABLY FROM THE 1960's.

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LITTLE GINGHAM DAY DRESS

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S LITTLE GINGHAM DAY DRESS

Don’t you just love this one? Well, I do. Gingham isn’t for every day, but it is for always. I love it in shirts, shorts, skirts, frocks, tablecloths, curtains . . . . . . . . . nothing says “vintage” like gingham!

The best things about this one, aside from the great fit, are the neckline detail and the cross-stitch embroidery near the hem. I think that this must have been handmade (oops – as if all clothing were not!).

Anyway, it’s cute as can be and has a very fetching, though lady-like fit. I’ve seen a number of garments with cross-stitch embroidery from this time period, and it seems like it’s often done on gingham. Duh – wonder why – saves a lot of counting – have you ever done cross-stitch? Then you know what I mean – shades of 8th grade home ec.

My, how I do…

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TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950’S DRESS A’LA GRACE KELLY

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950'S DRESS A'LA GRACE KELLY.

HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA

A PERFECT HANDBAG FOR SPRING, SUMMER, FALL . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA

Another of my favorite things is vintage hand-tooled leather (in purses and belts, etc.). I have a ton of these, too. This one is a special example because of its unusual design.

The motif here is trillium flowers. They grow in the northern U.S., parts of Europe (I think – is that right?) and are a symbol in Canada. They are a beautiful white flower that blooms in the forest.

This purse came from Canada and, I’m sure, was made there. It doesn’t even seem to have been used. Is it true vintage? That I can’t tell you.  Some people are still quite skilled at doing this as a hobby.

Most commonly, at least here in the U.S., we see true vintage handbags with traditional motifs that were popular on Western-wear – even saddles and such. Many are floral, but not like this.

Some tooled leather purses from Mexico made…

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HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA

HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA.