Category Archives: jacket

TRUE VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHT JACKET FROM THE 1960’S

TRUE VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHT JACKET FROM THE 1960'S

As it gets warmer, I may be showing some light jackets.  This one is from the ’60’s in a kind of fantasy floral print – not psychedelic, but a little abstract.  Flower Power ruled!  I love the colors in this and the nice, easy but chic fit.

The poly/rayon/whatever fabric that was often used then shouldn’t automatically be thrown in the washer like we tend to do with everything now.  The label on this jacket says that it also needs the care of spot-cleaning or dry-cleaning, but I’ve still found it easy-wear.  Just a little extra care does the trick.

Don’t panic!  There are simple ways to deal with this.  I have lots of items that can’t be machine washed, but I hardly EVER have to go to a dry-cleaner (can’t remember the last time). Not dissing them – they are a god-send when you really need a good one.

This is a perfect jacket over capris, little skirts and sheath dresses.  It’s fun to try finding pieces in coordinating colors for the kind of funky, vintage hues.  But, there is always ivory or black which can work.

Not a go-to, every-day jacket but it’s right for a day of fun – can’t have too much . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MOD MAD MEN TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S DRESS WITH MATCHING JACKET

MOD 1960'S DRESS WITH MATCHING JACKET

This outfit was custom tailored in the mid-1960’s.  Bell sleeves and easy fit. The fabric is a swirly paisley print in aqua tones and it includes the  addition of a matching jacket to create an ensemble.

So many dresses in the ’50’s and ’60’s were made with matching jackets and even matching accessories.  Though this is a fairly casual dress, it follows that lady-like trend and seems to teeter on the edge of the fashion divide between the rather prissy Fifties and early Sixties and the Mod and wild times just after.  Looks like the dressmaker originally intended to make a sleeveless frock, then changed her mind.   As it is, we’ve got a day dress that Twiggy would look just fab in, photographed on some 1965 magazine cover.

What a luxury to have your own dressmaker to custom-tailor your wardrobe! So many women did.  Most neighborhoods in the city had a tailor’s shop where this kind of work was done.  In towns and villages there was usually a woman nearby who did dressmaking in her  own home.  And, of course, many women were still doing their own home sewing then.

Maybe I’ll take the sleeves off some time and wear this dress with the jacket – but, no . . . . love the dress just as it is.  I’ll check out the jacket with my selection of skirts  . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

1960’s HAYMAKER BLAZER – PREPPY GOES LEISURE

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Yes, even the elegant Haymaker label which used to make better-quality sportswear in the Fifties got into the boxy leisure-suit styling by the mid-Sixties.  This one’s a tiny size 10 (unbelievable!) and you can see that it’s still very well-made.

So, that’s why it is collectible – for the label and the company’s history.  Otherwise, it’s just a good example of fashion trends gone wrong and the slow demise of high-quality and elegant clothing construction which was beginning about the time this jacket was made.

Sigh.   However, that situation does make my adventures all the more fun . .. . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

AGAIN, FUN AND RARE TO FIND – ANOTHER HAND-KNIT BABY JACKET

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

It is just incredible that these things survive!  Although this cute little coat could have been made more recently by a master needle-worker, I’m betting that it’s a mid-century creation.  Much prettier in person, the yoke is composed of very intricate-looking sculptural stitches and the yarn feels like angora.

Similar to the one I showed several weeks ago, it’s pink – probably made for a girl back in the day since pink for girls and blue for boys was pretty much what everybody did when it came to babies.  There are still some women around who can knit well and a few who have taught themselves in order to revive these old skills.  But, they are a rare breed.  A classic garment like this is worth collecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

1980’S DOES 1940’S RETRO FINDS IN BLACK & WHITE

It’s hard to imagine that true vintage garments (over 30 years old) could also be retro, but it’s true from the 1970’s onward when clothing makers started to reproduce 1940’s and 1950’s styles for the general market.  That’s just about when the superb tailoring of the mid-century and before came to an end, so many of these items are not very nice.  But, there are sill well-made examples worth picking up from the Seventies – Eighties time.

In this case, a coat dress and tuxedo-style jacket caught my eye.  No labels remaining, but the shoulder pads and cut make the fit flattering.  Both are fully-lined and elegantly styled.  There will be times when they will come in handy or be fun to wear.

I don’t purchase these often, but, when you know what you’re seeing it’s sometimes a good buy that will be easy to say good-bye to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

WOW TIMES 3!!! GORGEOUS MID-CENTURY ASIAN JACKET BLOUSE

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

What a beautiful find!  Because of the traditional styling I can’t date it exactly, but it’s old. Rayon satin with lovely floral embroidery.  Like the silk Cheongsam dress I found last week, this garment is so gorgeous and timeless – I’ll love wearing it for decades.

There’s another similar one of red silk hanging in my closet.  It looks wonderful with dressy black crepe pants,  a skirt or dress for cocktails or a special dinner party.

It’s off to the cleaners after I check the lining for any messages Mata Hari might have left behind . … . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

2 BEAUTIFUL BEAVER JACKETS

IT’S STILL WAY COLD ENOUGH FOR THESE.  BOTH ARE 1950’S TRUE VINTAGE.  THE ONE ON THE RIGHT WAS FROM MY FAMILY.  THERE’S HARDLY A MORE BEAUTIFUL FUR, THOUGH UNLESS I FIND A TRUE VINTAGE ITEM AT LEAST 60 YEARS OLD, I PREFER TO BUY IMITATION.2 BEAUTIFUL BEAVER JACKETS

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

JUST FOUND! “TED WILLIAMS” BRAND TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SPORTSWEAR

img_2472

“For Active Americans” on the label – famous baseball star Ted Williams had his own sportswear line that produced outerwear, mostly, from the 1950’s – 1970’s and was sold by Sears & Roebuck and at Simpson Sears in Canada.  What an interesting item with history that I did not know!

Although this may have been a men’s or boy’s jacket, I think it is unisex.  Small – medium on a sportswoman with room for a heavy sweater underneath and FULL of pockets with sturdy metal zippers and features that would be very handy for a hiker, day-camper, cross-country skier (or hunter – some were made for this).   I guess the big pocket across the back was called a “small game pocket” but it would be PERFECT for carrying a lightweight sleeping bag or tent or many other trekking supplies with space above to allow a day-pack to hang.

Virtually unused condition, warm and toasty with a quilted lining and rib-knit cuffs and collar.  I hope to go to Montana next year, and this would be a great thing to take along! Reminiscent of mid-century family vacations to the national parks – there’s a whole Happy Days/Kennedy era novel inspired by this one.  Tomorrow I’ll show you it’s sophisticated sister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SUPERB TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S TAILORED JACKET – MY FINAL FIND FROM A MAKER IN AUSTRALIA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA     As usual, I came upon this jacket by surprise and was thrilled by the hand-tailored details. The true color is a nice wheat beige, washed out by the camera flash.  The the gold thread-embroidered label would also not photograph well with the flash in my camera, but maybe you can get a close-up view of it with zoom-in feature.  It came from a Melbourne store and is made of cloth, as all the older labels of best quality were done.

The jacket is fully lined.  The buttons (all are present) are in plastic, with a basket-weave design.  The fit is high-hip length in a boxy cut.  Sleeves are bracelet length – all nice design features from the Kennedy era.  Someday I’ll photograph it again on one of my models for a more elegant presentation – but, until then –

one of the nicest things of all, it fits me . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

Another plus is that the fabric is a patented linen-poly blend that gives you the lovely texture without the wrinkling issues of linen.

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY CASUAL SUEDE LEATHER JACKET

True Vintage 1950s-early '60s Casual Jacket

I love this one that I found by surprise several years ago.  Simple classic elegance.  It is of fine suede and has a zip-out pile lining!  This great feature makes it so versatile for 3 seasons of the year – especially in places that don’t have a really harsh winter.

Lovely vintage features are the covered buttons, piecing on the pockets and cuffs.  There are also tabs with buttons at the sides of the waist, which can’t be seen in the photo.
This one is the real deal – a well-made classic, well-worn and well-loved.  When you’re spying in the right place, you just never know . . . . .

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