I found two wonderful mid-century straw hats on my last expedition! This one is summer-perfect and great with Marlene’s coloring. It’s a simple style that suits almost everyone and the big bow gives it a coquettish allure.
Straw hats are so lovely and grosgrain ribbon a classic and elegant trim. More tomorrow . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Bored in Miami? Snowbound in your photography studio? How about livening things up with a little vintage cheesecake?
Look at those cups on this classic ’50’s Jantzen maillot! If you didn’t have the figure, these suits would do their best to give it to you.
I’ll bet you can think of all sorts of ways to pose in this bubblegum pink cutie, and with all the necessary accessories.
Snowstorms – That’s why your mother wanted you to learn how to play by yourself.
Valentine’s Day – That’s why it’s good to know how to play nice with others . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Cautiously still in shoulder season – sticking to classic tones and sizes – these can still be called Spring hats. The very special one at left on Marlene would have accompanied a particular suit or frock. Hats used to be so creative and capable, if carefully selected, of making a stunningly good impression!
The navy wool hat at right on Celia is the perfect one to wear with an early Spring coat in a coordinating tone. It is simply a classic wardrobe staple and warming when the weather is cool.
Nothing picked up the spirits like a new hat. It seems that women loved them even more than new shoes! Well, I can understand that, because around your face and shoulders the right hat can make you look absolutely beautiful . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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While we’re acknowledging some accessories that were popular for mid-century, how about the ever-present men’s hat? Men’s vintage clothing is not my specialty, but sometimes I can’t resist. These can look just as cute or smart on women as they look handsome on men.
I still love seeing a man in a hat and, if you watch old movies 1965 and back, men wore hats almost ALWAYS when they were away from home. There were few exceptions to that rule. Men’s hat styles were almost as important as the trends in women’s frocks.
However, the design of classic accessories seems to morph more slowly than garment designs do and the style changes in men’s hats have been subtler over the decades, though still very important. Most dress hats are still made of wool felt and will last forever if protected from moths and properly stored. All it takes is a little brushing once in a while and making sure that it doesn’t get crushed.
This classic brimmed style can go with lots of things, from boho to casual to smart casual to elegant. Remind you of anyone? Come fly with me, come fly away . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Gorgeous little Spring hats from the Fifties, or maybe a little earlier – these definitely remind me of April showers and Easter egg hunts. Nothing more classic than navy and white any time of year.
These styles that perch on top of your coiffure are easy to wear and very flattering and can be worn over almost any hairstyle. I’m always thrilled to discover one, as they’re a rare find.
Specimens like this sometimes lurk in dark areas, in hidden containers. Sometimes they come out at special events. Occasionally they can be coaxed into view . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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I just LOVE this one, too! From the same era as the coat shown yesterday, but could have been a bit earlier. It looks best on the body, rather than on a mannequin, because the cut shows off when the body moves.
Made of rayon or a rayon blend with a beautiful drape and is fully lined with acetate satin. The buttons are just for show because it is an open-front style. The pockets sit diagonally and also have button decoration. Lots of details!
Although the swing style has been repeated at times, this authentic design is unique and never to be found except when it was new. There’s absolutely nothing like true vintage! It looks great over dresses, skirts and tops, slacks or jeans – just keep the lines sleek underneath; nothing full or poufy.
You ain’t got a thing if you ain’t got that swing . . . . . doo wop doo wop doo wop doo wop doo wop doo wop doo wop doo waaaaaaaaaa. . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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SUCH FUN FINDING VINTAGE CHILDREN’S CLOTHING! THIS COAT WAS HAND-MADE WITH LOVE.
What a gorgeous little sweater-coat! So well-made.
It’s so unusual to discover baby clothes and toddler’s outfits. Other than special-occasion garments like christening gowns that are made to wear only once and then folded away as keepsakes, children’s-wear tends to disappear after it’s been through months of dirty diapers, falls and messy meals.
Although this little coat probably wouldn’t have been worn every day, it would have experienced some wear and tear and has been beautifully preserved. The style and the buttons put it smack-dab in the 1940’s – early 1960’s, when the wool yarn would also have been more common for an infant’s garment than something made since then (too hard to clean when easy-care acrylic yarn is available). The knitter’s label, however, would have been attached some time in or after the 1960’s – or it could have been made with vintage materials and a vintage pattern at a later time.
Since the blue-for-boys, pink-for-girls thing was pretty rigid until recent years, I feel safe to say that it was made for a little girl. It’s so intriguing to wonder about the story behind it. Was it made by a relative or close friend or even purchased at a craft show? I’ll always wonder – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Yes, these are still wool coats, but lightened up in color and style. They definitely have a Spring-like feel, though still substantial enough to ward off the frigid temps that are hovering in many places. No matter Global Warming, etc.; some years are still pretty cold and some places continue to freeze while others turn balmy. I’ve heard it was recently -30 degrees in southern Ontario, Canada! That means, also, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York . . . . . . . . . and cold nights in many other places
In other words, don’t write off the importance of having a fabulous true vintage wool coat or two (or 3, or 4 . .. . . . . . .). I love heavier ones for deep winter, but these are such cute, girlish/ladylike designs – they put a spring in my step (no pun intended, but why not!). Very neutral, so they can complement the pastels that we want to start wearing now.
I just love the design details of these mid-century, wartime and post-war outerwear garments with big collars and buttons, smart trimmings, fun pockets and beautiful fabrics. From preppy to I Love Lucy – It’s fun to have all three and to pick the one that’s just right . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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I LOVE this mid-century coat! It’s so post-war / early 1950’s . . . . . . Great for Spring, Summer and Fall. Of a light to medium weight rayon blend, it falls to below the knees and has a black acetate lining.. Obviously, it would like more room in my closet!
The collar, those big plastic buttons, the black/white pattern plus the shape tell its date, along with the fabric and the cut. In the last decade or so we’ve seen modern copycats of this black/white coat. The black/white check was popular again in the early to mid 1960s, but didn’t look like this one. The styles change, sometimes in a subtle way, each time there is a repeat but the fabrics and details are usually more likely to tell the different decades apart. Certainly the newer ones are easier to tell because the older fabrics just aren’t duplicated now.
It’s great to have a small steamer on hand if your space gets a bit crowded to keep things wrinkle-free, though I still haven’t found one that I really like. They’re easy to use and, when used properly, won’t harm clothing. Be careful that yours doesn’t spit drops of water that can leave spots on some fabrics. Safer and easier than ironing, most of the time.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Need a new coat? Well, in just a few minutes of your spare time . . . . . . Right! McCalls Needlework Magazine used to publish patterns for projects like these all year. In the 1950’s and 1960’s it was so common.
Aren’t they beautiful? – But, can you imagine making one?? Your grandmother might have. I rarely find a hand-knitted one now, but once in a while . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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