TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S EVERY-DAY SHIRT/BLOUSE HOME-SEWN IN ATOMIC PRINT

IMG_1503This shirt was very ordinary in its day and not too stylish but, for Yours Truly Magicvintagespy, it was a plum to be picked because of its perfect parking spot in the mid-1950’s era.  A garment like this has lots to say about its history.

It was home-sewn, of cheap synthetic knit material in a print that was designed with the Atomic and coming Computer Ages in mind.  Much less elaborate and artistic than the boats at harbor on yesterday’s blouse, but more characteristic of the time when it was made.

The buttons, too, are interesting (take a close-up look) and are good examples of the stemmed plastic ones that were commonly made in the mid-century.  Lots of them had novelty shapes and fun designs, even if they were very cheap.  Many buttons of that era are gorgeous works of art, but that’s another story . . . . . . . . . .

Some time maybe I’ll do a post of my true vintage button collection.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S AT-HOME FASHION VELVETEEN ROBE

TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S AT-HOME FASHION VELVETEEN ROBE.

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.

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.

TRUE VINTAGE “SUMMER OF ’42” HALTER DRESS FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE "SUMMER OF '42" HALTER DRESS FROM THE 1940'S – 1950'S.

AUTHENTIC TRUE VINTAGE CUSTOM-TAILORED SHIRTWAIST DRESS – 1940’S/1950’S

AUTHENTIC TRUE VINTAGE CUSTOM-TAILORED SHIRTWAIST DRESS – 1940'S/1950'S.

AUTHENTIC TRUE VINTAGE CUSTOM-TAILORED SHIRTWAIST DRESS – 1940’S/1950’S

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Despite the fact that this dress has damage, I couldn’t resist picking it up. When I’m ready to wear it, it’ll make a great sleeveless style or a skirt. Or, I could donate it for study to a theater group because of all its great features as a piece of fashion history. It was well-loved and well-worn!

This frock was home-sewn from the ground up. The belt is missing, but would have been covered with matching fabric by hand. The cross-stitch embroidery decoration is, of course, hand-done. Even the patches and mends are very well-stitched and give authenticity to the dress.

I wonder what brand of pattern the seamstress used – if she used one at all. So many women could make their own patterns at home by taking a few measurements or copying from an old garment. I have a couple of older friends who tell me that their mothers could make outfits for them by looking at a picture in a magazine, a catalog or a store window. Can you imagine that kind of fashion freedom? Wow!

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SLEEVELESS FROCK IN PRETTY YELLOW POLKA-DOT FABRIC

TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S SLEEVELESS FROCK IN PRETTY YELLOW POLKA-DOT FABRIC.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! 1950’S NEEDLE-WORK PATTERNS THAT FOLLOWED RUNWAY FASHION IN EUROPE . . .

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! 1950'S NEEDLE-WORK PATTERNS THAT FOLLOWED RUNWAY FASHION IN EUROPE . . ..