A TRUE VINTAGE LBD FROM THE SIXTIES – THIS ONE DEFINITELY FOR DANCING!

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE LBD FROM THE SIXTIES - THIS ONE DEFINITELY FOR DANCING!

If you’ve ever seen a good dancer wearing one of these, you’ll know what I mean. The fringe around the hem just doesn’t know when to quit!

Some dresses have fringe all over, and that’s just WILD. But, a fringe at the bottom lets you remain demure and sophisticated (why is everyone staring at me?) while your dress gets all the attention.

This one is a sexy black crepe sheath, with a fitted waist. Stay VERY cool, and it could be a great costume for hiding in plain sight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

DISCOVERY! SUMMER WHITE MID-CENTURY HANDBAGS

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Beaded and beautiful – one even had a pretty hankie tucked inside!  (also found some old pennies)  Vintage 1950’s – 1960’s, made in Hong Kong (of course!), made in U.S.A., too.  All so clean and well-loved.

The beading is hand-done.  The 1930’s – style on the bottom right has the brand name stamped onto the satin lining.  The purse made in Hong Kong (bottom left) has, naturally, a silk lining.  The larger handbag on top has fun plastic beads crocheted into raffia and Lucite trim.  Big enough to hold all your daily needs.

I’m always so impressed by how well mid-century women cared for their clothing and accessories.  Yes, it was sometimes an issue of economy – if you can only afford to have one “good” dress, preserving it becomes very important.  However, way beyond that was a personal value placed on items of quality that were lovely to look at and wear and the wish to treat them with respect.  I try to fill my closets with garments and their complements that inspire the same sentiment.

So, no careless coffee spills, scattered crumbs or dogs in my lap with these . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE BLUE HALF-SLIPS FROM THE FIFTIES AND EARLY SIXTIES

PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE BLUE HALF-SLIPS FROM THE FIFTIES AND EARLY SIXTIES

The half-slip – an essential garment under many dresses and skirts.  Especially as the weather becomes a little warmer, full slips sometimes are not right under lighter dresses and blouses.

Like most of the beautiful lingerie of the fifties, early sixties and before, these are nice enough to wear on their own on a hot day – put on a pretty sheer blouse and a cinch belt, et voila!  Clothing so lovely that it can be appreciated just for itself is such a pleasure to wear . . . . . . . . … .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A GORGEOUS LINGERIE NEGLIGEE’ FROM THE 1950’S

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Lingerie nightgowns before 1960 – ’65 were every bit as beautiful as the slips made during the mid-century.  Just look at this pretty lace and wonderful fit.

It’s no wonder that so much of film noir shows actresses in their lingerie – we don’t see so much of that now – it’s either dressed or nude because the wonderful in-between garments are gone.  At-home life used to be a lot more interesting . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FOR WHITE NIGHTS – 1950’S BEADED EVENING SHELL BLOUSE

FOR WHITE NIGHTS - 1950'S BEADED EVENING SHELL BLOUSE

Now that we’re beginning to feel like getting out of sweaters and wool . . . . . . .  Whether you’re clubbing or out for a very elegant dinner, this beautiful beaded shell would steal the show.   Bead decoration was still done beautifully in the late ’50’s- early ’60’s.

Not the same as beading in the 1920’s and earlier, but equally nice. Dance the night away . .. . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LET’S BE ELEGANT – LUNCH AT SARDI’S ANYONE?

LET'S BE ELEGANT - LUNCH AT SARDI'S ANYONE?

True vintage from the 1950’s, this one was not made for a lunch date at the local diner.  We’re in to Spring-weight fabric here, but black and white is always season-less (or is it dark navy? It’s close . . . .)

Just look at the beautiful drape on the bodice, and the sweet cap sleeves.  The jacket, again, has 3/4 sleeves to show off the elegant gloves and fine bracelet or watch.

Another of those outstanding ensembles which can take you almost anywhere . .. . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ELEGANT TAILORED FORMAL FROM THE EARLY 1960’S

Here’s that gorgeous presto-change-o formal that I found a few months ago, showing properly on Stella.  Demure and elegant with elbow-length sleeves, thanks to the removable camisole – sleeveless, svelte and sexy without it.

As I said when I first showed in on a hanger, I’ve never seen a style like this one before. True vintage couture styling is often so clever and beautifully-made while being very versatile.  Two dresses in one, without going anywhere near the bargain basement!

Such magic can be created with a simple needle, thread and a bolt of fabric.  You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

“NEW” FIND – ’50’s – ’60’s SEXY SECRETARY WIGGLE DRESS!

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Love this fit!  So Marilyn Monroe in the movies . . . . . . .

The fabric is really pretty, even though this is just a very average dress for the time.  It’s probably a woven rayon blend but has nubby black thread going through the plaid and the beige has a real pinkish tone – one of those unusual materials that make true vintage clothing so interesting and attractive.   On the fold-over collar there’s a little buttonhole thing that you can see and there’s a big button in the middle of it – but not in the picture.  I had taken it off to do a little stitching.  I love the large button touches on so many dresses of that time.

Anyway, it’s a very fun fashion in a lot of ways and I’m so glad that it was waiting for me!  And,  it wasn’t the only one.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL SPRING SKIRT SUIT FROM THE SIXTIES

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Though it’s not by a high-end designer, it would have been right for Jackie Kennedy.  This lovely wool suit was just the thing in 1962.  So well-made, with all the little tailoring details that are so important.

One of my favorite things about it is that the mink collar is lightly stitched on, so that it can be easily removed.  It’s nice to have that choice.

Not my color, unfortunately, so I recently put it on eBay but I have two other colors very similar which I can wear.  It’s fun to see how all of them are as alike as colored Easter eggs, yet each one is different . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

 

NEWLY DISCOVERED ACCESSORIES AND SHOES – HERE WE GO . . . . . . .

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True vintage late 1960’s 100% leather hand-made stiletto heels.  What shoes should be!!! Black patent leather with fabric bow decoration.

These were originally sold at a well-known mid-western department store.  They were made to last, and they have.  Small metal taps at the toes to prevent wear.  The soles have not been repaired, but they can be forever as needed.  That’s the beauty of these beautiful vintage items.

More on the way – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM