Category Archives: Kennedy era

MORE “NEW” TRUE VINTAGE FINDS! TODAY: MID-CENTURY ROBIN’S EGG BLUE LEATHER COAT

IMG_1666 IMG_1667Almost all of the items shown this week come from my friend, Rosalie, the seamstress/tailor and expert handicrafter whom you may remember from previous posts – this time gifted by her daughter, my friend Kay.  As we were wondering exactly what years this fabulous coat came from, a 1958 penny fell out of a pocket and confirmed my best guess.  Thanks!

I’ve come across several coats and jackets from right around 1960 plus or minus that have featured leather in unusual and beautiful hues.  A fabulously-tailored leather garment is always a joy to behold, and to wear.  This one has tab and button detail at both sides of the waist, incorporated with stylish pockets.  No front closures – an interesting feature of a few coats from that time that create an unique look.

Yes, it shows a little wear and damage from storage but is cleaning up nicely. Overall condition demonstrates how well it is made and the care that was given years ago. What a pretty fashion item from the Kennedy era  . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

3 SOPHISTICATED AND CHIC LATE 1950’S / EARLY 1960’S CAR COATS IN FINE SUEDE WITH MINK

3 SOPHISTICATED AND CHIC LATE 1950'S / EARLY 1960'S CAR COATS IN FIND SUEDE WITH MINK

Here are three iconic coats from the Kennedy era that take the car coat to another level. But, despite the somewhat dressy mink collars, they have a sporty, European look and should get a lot of play in a true vintage wardrobe.  With slacks or boots, beautiful leather gloves and a fedora they look fabulous on the street.  Or, worn over a dress with heels to dinner or another dress-up event.

Quite popular in their era and in a variety of colors – I usually find earth tones like beige, browns, rust, gray, and moss green.  The suede leather is always of wonderful quality, with fine grain, great color saturation and a soft, velvety finish. The styles vary slightly – collars can often be easily removed if you’d rather wear a scarf.  Next time I photograph these, I want to show them with accessories.

The great thing about these, to me, is the simple, chic Jackie O styling that looks wonderful over casual or dressy day-wear – dresses, skirts, slacks, or jeans – and transitions into evening with easy elegance. I think they’ve been FAR under-rated and deserve a frequent place in the spot-light.

So, while you’re at it, get some true vintage kidskin gloves to wear with them. Find a coat with 3/4 sleeves – fabulous with longer gloves . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

IT’S STILL FREEZING – BE A PRINCESS IN STYLE! TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S CAMEL HAIR COAT

BE A PRINCESS IN STYLE! TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S CAMEL HAIR COAT

An irresistible  find – 100% camel hair coat from the 1960’s, in a lovely princess style. With pretty trapunto stitching accents in front, this one is a well-bred lady.

Amazing that it’s still so cold some places, but really true. We still need a chic winter coat on hand – not a parka or sports jacket. Although a coat like this is perfect anytime the weather is cold, I especially like the lighter tone in an end-of-winter coat when we’re beginning to wear Spring colors.  Wouldn’t it be great over the dresses I’ve recently posted, also from the same 1960’s time?

Nothing more classic and warm than cashmere or camel hair. When I discovered this one in near perfect condition, in my size and a style I didn’t yet possess – well, what do you think I did? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION

TWO TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY EVENING COATS FOR SPRING AND SUMMER

TWO TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY EVENING COATS FOR SPRING AND SUMMER

Here’s another view of the green evening coat I like to show for St. Patrick’s Day – this time with a more versatile and elegant style from the same decade.  These coats are from the 1950’s/1960’s. Lighter-weight fabrics and fresh colors make them suitable for mild evenings.

So fun, with a little sparkle, the one on left is more subtle with just a bit of pattern in the glossy pale yellow material.  Both have easy, elegant styling but the coat on the right is in-your-face BRIGHT with a silky emerald floral jacquard and huge collar.  VERY much a sign of it’s time.

It’s so important for me to have alternative disguises available . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

EARLY ’60’S (OR LATE ’50’S) DRESSY 3/4 SLEEVED COAT JACKET FROM A CHICAGO DESIGNER

EARLY '60'S (OR LATE '50'S) DRESSY 3/4 SLEEVED COAT JACKET FROM A CHICAGO DESIGNER

This is an LBC  rather than an LBD – a Little Black Coat.  One of my very favorite surprise finds!   And, just perfect for shoulder-season wear – when it’s not too hot or too cold outside yet.

Late ’50’s – early ’60’s – just about First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s time.  She could have worn one like it over a dressy LBD or evening wear.  Look at the trim around the collar and the heavy, glossy fabric.

It has 3/4 length sleeves with bows at the cuff, large covered buttons and a bow at the neck and falls straight in a boxy cut.  Two side pockets at the hips.  The length of the hem would also be 3/4 on a taller person.

From a Chicago clothier – maybe tailor-made and very distinctive.   I’ve never run across one like it before, or since, but I have seen pictures of them from that time.

Just perfect for Stella!  I love it when something like this appears . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

MORE RARE FINDS – PINK KENNEDY ERA SPRING COAT

img_2107

This has been a week of more and more unusual and rare discoveries.  No, I have not found a pink lab coat – it is a lower-end Easter coat made of faux linen or shantung material that pretends to be a more elegant item with the up-scale-looking fabric and decorative tabs at the waist.  Better buttons would certainly transform it.

I have NEVER seen one like this!  Lightweight, but fully lined.  It’s very well-designed and the tailoring is nice for a less-expensive garment.  I can’t imagine wearing it, but even today it would be just the thing for some girly girl to wear over her pretty Spring frock.

Some early – 1960’s lady did enjoy it and took exceptional care.  This coat was obviously kept for special occasions only.  Very out-of-season right now, but I just had to show you. Can only imagine what’s around the corner – stay tuned. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ELEGANT WOOL & MINK COAT FOR THE COOLER MONTHS – TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY

IMG_0975     I came across this beautiful coat while planning for another investigation trip.  Already own a number of similar ones, but I couldn’t resist the elegant lines and perfect condition of this one.  About this time of year, I begin thinking about coats, as well as sweaters and wool dresses.

Gorgeous sculptural buttons, satin lining and, of course, the pretty collar.  Although I don’t approve the fur trade, I will buy true vintage fur pieces sometimes.  This collar looks so trim and elegant and the coat hangs beautifully.

Black is also perfect.  Can’t have too many like this!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE SUEDE LEATHER CAR-COAT, 1950S TO EARLY ’60S

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE CAR-COAT, 1950S TO EARLY '60S

Classic fall/winter coat in beige suede.  The casual style here has a lightweight quilted lining and is great for days that are cool.  Thanksgiving Day celebrations can sometimes be formal, but many Americans enjoy a relaxed dinner with family and/or friends and a day which includes outdoor activities.  Perfect!

I love the heavy plastic buttons and 3/4 or “bracelet length” sleeves that look so great with a pair of longer gloves. If you see a coat or jacket with sleeves that length, don’t give in to the idea that they would be awkward.  They look so striking worn with great gloves and/or bracelets. If the top of your outfit has long sleeves that wouldn’t coordinate well, long gloves can cover the bottoms of them below the cuffs of your coat.

The term “car-coat”, as it was used in the 1940s to 1960s, usually referred to a less formal coat that was of a shorter “fingertip” length so that the hem wouldn’t get dirty as a woman stooped to get in and out of a car.

I also have some different ones – one in beige blanket material,a navy wool and one in a black and white pattern. They may get posted later on as they are for even colder weather.

This is another great style that is so practical for day to day wear and very distinctively true vintage fashion. There’s nothing else like it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ANOTHER DISCOVERY! SOPHISTICATION MADE PRACTICAL IN THIS KENNEDY-ERA CAR COAT

Imagine my surprise at finding this familiar style car coat from the early 1960’s in super-practical fabrics;  All-weather faux suede and a faux beaver collar!  Compare to my beautiful suede leather and genuine mink examples from the same era and you’ll see the similarities.

The design features are the same with big but discreet front pockets, side slits for easy in-out of cars, trains and buses, satin lining and a warm, pretty collar.  What a neat way to get the same elegant look, which can be dressed up or down, with carefree, weather-defying practicality.  Again, it’s a new one on me!  What fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL ICONIC EARLY 1960’S SUEDE COAT WITH MINK COLLAR

BEAUTIFUL ICONIC EARLY 1960'S SUEDE COAT WITH MINK COLLAR

Yes, I know, I know, I know – I already have several of these, but I DON’T have one this color!  These coats are so beautiful and this one so perfect that I just couldn’t resist . . . . . . . . .

I’ve seen this style coat in a range of earth-tone colors with some small variations on the design.  They are impeccably tailored and elegant in buttery suede with darker mink collars.  Must have been very popular in the early ’60’s and now have so many possibilities!  The collar closes in front with special hooks and eyes to create a rolled effect.

I love to imagine mine over a dress, skirt and blouse, slacks or jeans.  Scarves and gorgeous leather accessories complete the look.  Though it was a semi-dress item in it’s original incarnation, today it goes from casual – casual to fairly dressy in the blink of an eye.  I must photograph Stella in this coat with a variety of looks . . . . . . . . .

No wonder I couldn’t say no when I found this dark chocolate version in virtually perfect condition.  It has the original owner’s initials sewn inside, as a fun extra . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM