Category Archives: Jackie O

UNIQUE AND NON-TRADITIONAL MID-CENTURY 2-PIECE COCKTAIL DRESS

Late 1950’s – early 1960’s cocktail/dinner 2-piece dress in a surprising cadet blue color. How could I not have collected this one? It’s not eccentric at all, but I love the original and surprising vibe when a black frock would have been expected. In a substantial knit fabric and with a flattering pencil/wiggle cut that accentuates the figure but is also very “proper”. It ticks all the boxes for lower to mid-priced elegance. No jewelry needed excepting some stud earrings and perhaps a cocktail ring.

Many well-dressed women during the Kennedy Era could have worn this ensemble with confidence. While not a garment for those socializing in the “highest circles”, an average gal might have gathered some lingering looks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

AN ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE EVENING CARDIGAN SWEATER FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S, MADE IN HONG KONG

AN ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE EVENING CARDIGAN SWEATER FROM THE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S, MADE IN HONG KONG

Here’s a beautiful decorated sweater meant, mostly, for evening wear.  It is fully lined in silk with black beads and spangles decorating front and back.  Many mid-century women had one of these – it was a classic standard.

Made in Hong Kong, the quality is a cut above many garments made elsewhere. This seems to have been the case for many decades.  It’s another one of those iconic garments that is a must-have for any vintage wardrobe and, maybe, more than one since the colors and decorative patterns were varied and unique.

Though high-quality tailoring was particularly true for vintage garments made several decades ago, I still take special note when I find modern clothing that has been made in Hong Kong.  The materials and tailoring are still almost always excellent in garments made there..

There is no wrap more elegant, excepting perhaps a wonderful vintage fur, than a beautifully-made hand-decorated fine wool cardigan thrown over your shoulders. It can be worn in many ways and will never let you down.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SUNNY YELLOW TRUE VINTAGE 1960’s SUMMER SUNDRESS

SUNNY YELLOW SIXTIES SUMMER SUNDRESS

Classic cotton summer sundress in lemonade yellow – this is a Sixties frock with the cute bodice detail that is so common on vintage dresses. . . . . as well as the belted wasp waist.

Yellow and white are so Summery.  It’s wonderful to be out and about again!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LOVELY 1960’S TAILORED BLACK & WHITE SUMMER SHEATH

IMG_3898

So very “Country Club” with it’s nice details and smart styling.  Just the right thing for ladies who lunch or club meetings.  Today I’ll wear it just about any old time that the weather is warm and I want to look a little bit well-dressed.

It used to be taken for granted to have such elegance in normal, everyday wear.  However, I like the fashion freedom that we have now – especially when I can still go to my closet and pull out something like this beauty!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

AND, HERE’S MY EARLY 1960’S KENNEDY ERA WEDDING DRESS SURPRISE FIND

Isn’t she sweet?  The early Sixties were still so precious, with their knee-length princess dresses.  And, they brought shoulder tails back again for dressy frocks.  So unusual.  With sequins decorating the midriff, too . . . . . . . .

I’d be confused whether I was going to get married or going to the Prom . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY SIXTIES FORMAL OR SEMI-FORMAL DRESSES IN PASTELS WITH LACE OR EMBROIDERED OVERLAY

EARLY SIXTIES SPRING SEMI-FORMAL DRESSES IN PASTELS WITH LACE OVERLAY

A hallmark of early Sixties fashion was lace or embroidered organza overlay, which we see again and again every decade or two! These very pretty frocks were meant for semi-formal occasions – dinners, parties, dances and ceremonies. A professional cleaning will refresh the full-length ones in time for a wedding!  The bride would look gorgeous in the white and the blue is perfect for any of a wedding party or mother-of-the-bride.

They’re so feminine and flattering, in a variety of styles.  And, of course, beautifully-made.  I especially like the knee-length one – a little bit Mod, but also traditional.   The lace over-dress is partially open in the back, revealing the fitted sheath beneath.  Long sleeves add a little warmth for early Spring and make the design more demure BUT . . . . . . .

very sexy in an elegant and sophisticated way.  They knew how to do that back in the day.  A lost art?  I hope not  . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

PERFECT TRUE VINTAGE AUSTRALIAN HANDBAGS – IN BLACK AND WHITE

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERALook!  I found another woven metal mesh Glomesh bag – this time a black one.  Photographed on two different backgrounds to enhance the details.  So nice to have two colors.  Also, love this wonderful macrame’ bag in a similar style.

The Glomesh purses were very popular here – a real Australian company. The white bag doesn’t have a brand name inside.  Sixties or early Seventies, both of these purses have survived in great condition.  I will really enjoy using them!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE HANDBAGS FROM THE 1960s

A COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE HANDBAGS FROM THE 1960s

These bags, with the exception of the unidentified tapestry and wood one, are right in the same category with other popular mass-produced purses of the 1960’s.  Almost every woman had at least one.  The little black purse is  by Ande’. The brown purses are by Naturalizer or Air Step, which are or were also the makers of popular shoes.

Back in the day, several of the most popular shoe-makers that had stores all across the U.S. also made handbags to coordinate with their shoes and sold these along with them. Great marketing ploy to snag an impulse buy when a woman went to the shoe store or shoe department of her favorite department store!

Most, if not all, are made of vinyl and are sturdy and nicely detailed. A lot of them have interesting designs and may be of two or three colors together. Not top-of-the-line, but they lasted! They were made for every season of the year – I have several in pastel colors for Spring and Summer.

The tapestry bag has no maker’s stamp. It is roomy and plain inside. Just a handy carry-all in an interesting design – this type was also popular in the ’60s. It reminds me of one that Aunt Clara on Bewitched might have carried!  Fun to find it, in a Canadian eclectic secondhand store. You really just never know . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

JUST FOUND – 1960’s DRESSY PETIT POINT TAPESTRY-LOOK HANDBAG

IMG_2545This style, popular in the 1950’s and early 1960’s, looks like it’s never been carried!  Mid-century ladies often had two or three treasured handbags carefully stored in a dresser for specific occasions, from semi-dress to formal.  I love these pretty dressy purses that add an elegant touch to evening or better day dresses. They used to be a staple of city-wear for well-dressed women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THIS TIME I REALLY HIT THE JACKPOT! 1950’S – 1960’S CLUTCH PURSES – METALLIC, LEATHER AND BEADS

IMG_3578

Look at these beauties!  The convertible clutch style which lets you use the handle or not has always been so versatile and convenient.  Although some of these are very mid-quality, they all have some distinctive features that make them stand out as great true vintage finds.  Let’s start out from left to right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

The white purse at far left is a high-quality construction from the Sixties and has that shiny box hardware enclosing it on 3 sides.  It is made of leather and has a shoulder strap that can be tucked inside. Very sleek and streamlined – a great look for summer.

The 1950’s beaded evening bag in front is in perfect condition, with a silk satin lining and a beautiful clasp and box chain handle, which can be hidden inside.  This type of handbag was always hand-made, usually in Hong Kong.  Even for an expert, can you imagine the care and time it took to attach all those beads so perfectly and securely?

The other three bags have a metallic finish and are made of synthetic materials or cloth – not in quite as good shape as the first two.  But, they are nicely made and all have pretty hardware clasps – always interesting to find.  The two in the center also have box or braided chain handles, rather than the simple chain that is most often seen.  These more complex types of chain are prettier and also seemed to break less easily.

As always, they all show that care was taken to preserve and protect them, so I can enjoy them 50 or 60 years later!  The throw-away quality that we seem to be satisfied with today can’t begin to compare, but is still way over-priced!! Such  a shame – but not for this Magicvintagespy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

 

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM