Category Archives: jumpsuit

GREAT NEW FIND TODAY! BUT, IN THE MEANTIME, A BIG CONTRAST TO THE JUMPSUIT IN MY LAST POST –

This one couldn’t be more different than the Boho outfit I posted two days ago! Looks like it might have been worn to a 4th of July country club event. Very prissy and proper. It’s from the 1970’s and was made by a well-known women’s clothing company – possibly Jonathan Logan. I can’t remember the label because I sold it on eBay right away – NOT my style. However, it was a good example of the jumpsuit evolution and worth collecting.

Aside from the utilitarian work uniform that Rosie the Riveter wore in the 1940’s, jumpsuits (cute as they are) are not in the least bit practical. One nice thing is that the fit can be sleek and slim – no need to tuck in a shirt or top – but anyone who’s worn one knows that they are very inconvenient. There were some cute ones in the early 1970’s when Seventies did Forties but after a couple of evenings bar-hopping, gals often decided to leave them in the drawer and go for their Chic jeans instead. But, we didn’t learn our lesson because they showed up again in the early 1980’s when the Forties were revisited. Then I was horrified to find that, especially for dress-up nights, some designers came up with truly ugly ones in knits and velvets in the 1990’s#@*!! Can you imagine going to an event and wrestling with that in the washroom all evening with the hem dragging on the floor? Forget it! This is a style that I hope we don’t see again.

So, the tide turned today when I discovered a lovely mid-century piece that I can’t wait to show you. Not going to give it away now, but I will be posting it tomorrow. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1960’S EARLY 1970’S BOHO HIPPIE JUMPSUIT

Here’s one of my favorite “just hanging – out” things to wear. What a find! Just perfect for “Indian Summer”. I know that old term isn’t correct anymore, but it’s very descriptive of the time of falling leaves, bonfires, harvest moons, cider and hayrides – all the traditional stuff from this autumn time of year. It’s still patio party season, too; fun to imagine the events where it was worn back in the day. The colors are just right as leaves begin to turn red and gold.

Love the pleated flounce at the bottoms of the legs! Lace-up bodices were a big thing at this time, too. Prairie style really got into it right around 1970. This fabric print is somewhere between psychedelic and ethnic, which looks more like a couple of years before that, but the styles kind of mooshed together then so it’s hard to say exactly. If the garment has a label, that helps. This one did not. Could have been home-sewn – lots of gals were still doing that then.

I’d wear these jumpsuit styles a lot if they weren’t so inconvenient!! Stay tuned as I pull out more of my Fall clothing (and there’s always the odd investigation)

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1970’S – 1990’S DOES 1940’S. TRUE VINTAGE RETRO DRESSES AND JUMPSUITS.

The Seventies, Eighties and Nineties produced a lot of popular retail styles that imitated 1940’s designs. Some were very well done and others not so much, to be charitable. As I’ve said, it’s hard for me to call these decades true vintage but, technically, they are. The two purses echoing shapes and tapestry design popular in the Forties might have shown up in the 1960’s.

All of these could be fun and the reproduction details became best during the mid-1980’s but, unfortunately, modern polyester fabrics and production techniques lowered the quality a lot. No valid comparison, in my opinion, to true vintage from the 1940’s – even the home-sewn versions that were made from older clothing during rationing.

Of this group, the best-made is the black velveteen custom-tailored frock from the 1980’s or 1990’s. It was made by an expert seamstress and is worthy of being called a reproduction in the Post-war New Look style. The retail day-dresses are versatile and the prints are great – pretty faithful to authentic ones that I’ve come across. I always love the padded shoulders and cinched waistlines that are very flattering but were also a nod to the style of military uniforms. Jumpsuits were just for fun in the Seventies, but always are inconvenient. I suspect that the jumpsuits worn by women working in the war effort during the Forties had drop seats, which makes it a little bit better. I do have a pair of high-waisted slacks from the ’40’s that have an ingeniously-designed drop seat that looks quite good.

So, these clues were fun to find and seemed worthy of collection though I always prefer the real deal. Speaking of which, I just came across another archived file of true vintage 1940’s dresses which I will show tomorrow. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Home for the True Vintage Holidays – Part 2

After the guests, if there were any, are gone it’s time for the serious waiting-for-Santa to begin. Best behavior is still very important (he can always chuck your present into orbit, you know) but comfort and relaxation are essential until you just can’t avoid the bed any longer.

What could be more comfy than a 1980’s does 1940’s cotton flannel jumpsuit in a classic lumberjack weave? I just love this, shoulder pads and all! In a warmer clime, a ruby red negligee’ from the Fifties to early Sixties is perfect and I’ve never found a prettier one than this. As the sun settles out of sight, the temps do tend to cool and this 1970’s Vanity Fair plush robe will do the trick. I love having snuggly true vintage at-home wear for every season and occasion.

Good luck staying awake. See you in the morning. Blessings and Ho, Ho, Ho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS FUN FALL FIND TODAY – TRUE VINTAGE 1970’S JUMPSUIT!

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Another nod to the 1940’s, 1970’s style.  Cool!  I’ll have so much fun wearing this one, right away!  Lovely knit with covered buttons on the cuffs – although it was a mid-priced item, it’s still been well-made by the fabulous Ladies Garment Workers Union.

Just the right weight for the transitional weather that we’re about to step into and perfect Autumn colors.  I’m looking forward to a Labor Day weekend music & beer party in a few days but, I think I’ll wear one of my mid-century Mexican skirts this time – just because.  These fabulous jumpsuits only have one little drawback . . . . . . . . . . . .  In spite of the similarities with cat burglar leotards, not good for sleuthing in, either . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

HERE’S MY LATEST RETRO 1940’S JUMPSUIT

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1980’s true-to-the-Forties retro New Wave styling.  Fun club and party-wear.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE NEW WAVE 1980’S RETRO 1940’S JUMPSUIT

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More fun!  I like some of the corduroy 1970’s jumpsuits, but the 1980’s version is much more over-the-top and, of course, has BIG shoulder pads in BRIGHT electric colors.  New Wave fashions have a real in-your-face quality that, I think, is more appealing than the 1990’s Dallas glitz was.  After that, everything REALLY went down the tubes . . . . . . . .

So, while we’re away from the best mid-century fashion, might as well take advantage of how much girls just wanna have fun.  Although the best of these jumpsuits are not a dime a dozen, when I find a good one I’ll grab it.  This one was made by a California company, to that adds to it’s pedigree . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

RARE, RARE, RARE NEW FIND! 1960’S MOD PLAY-SUIT – JUMPSUIT

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This is really something!  Mid-century play-suits are rare as hens teeth, so I’m thrilled to discover another one.  So cute – flower-power mod print in cotton, with a long metal zip up the back.

So much fun!  Fashion used to be both and either restricting and full of novelty.  Now we can wear everything and anything we want but you’ve gotta go Indie designer, independent artist or true vintage to be unique.  I guess there always has to be both sides of the coin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WOWEE AGAIN!!! MORE GREAT FINDS TODAY

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-1-11111211111112111Today, on a more-or-less routine survey, I had wonderful good fortune.  I’m just about to re-examine and photograph my newest acquisitions and get them ready to post on the blog.  Because I have already scheduled postings for the next three days, expect to begin seeing these on Sunday, Nov. 13.

Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER DISCOVERY! TRUE VINTAGE ’70’S DOES ’40’S JUMPSUIT

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FROM THE EARLY 1970’S RETRO FORTIES ERA

This is an unusual purchase for me, but it is so iconic of that early ’70’s time that I just had to nab it – and some of the details are compelling.  Jumpsuits were a big deal (briefly) during the early 1970’s, as they were (briefly) during the 1940’s, too.  Can’t wait to photograph it on Stella.  It’s a small size that will fit her to a “T”.

The first thing that caught my eye was the color – love this wonderful glossy Bordeau wine hue – and the fabric.  It’s a blend of acetate and rayon (very popular in the Forties) and gives the garment that wonderful drape plus adding the depth and shimmer to the color.

Shoulder pads, a nipped waist and plunging back above a button-and-zipper closure.  Couldn’t be a more flattering style on someone with a slim figure.  The waistline also has  belt loops, showing that a wide cinch belt was the original.  It will be fun to find the one I like best. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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