Category Archives: Kennedy era

HALLOWEEN’S IN THE BAG – TIME FOR ALL 1950’S HOMEMAKERS TO THINK ABOUT THANKSGIVING & CHRISTMAS . . .

IMG_0935 IMG_0936Although we do Christmas marketing almost year-round, back in the mid-century time no one thought seriously about Christmas stuff until after the American Thanksgiving in late November.  But, if you’re making lots of your gifts . . . . .

McCalls needlework magazine promoted doing just that – to economize as well as adding a personal touch.  Can you imagine getting all that done ?!

For many of our grandmothers, that was just part of the day-to-day.  And, they did produce beautiful things – from hats, gloves, sweaters, socks and scarves to dolls & their clothing, tablecloths & bedspreads, just to name a few.

I love discovering some special true vintage handmade item that was probably made as a gift or a table decoration for a special family holiday. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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EARLY 1960’S FUN AND GAMES – WHAT A DIFFERENT LIFE OUR GRANDMOTHERS LED!

IMG_1039IMG_1040These McCalls magazine needlework ads would make you think that our grandmas’ lives were all about simple fun in the kitchen and scheming to get their husbands to give in to their wishes.

That’s the stereotype, isn’t it?  I wonder how much of that is true?  Don’t think I want to go back there, but the sweater is gorgeous!

Hand-knits from that era are really special, sweet and innocent styles . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE FIND – FROM THE LAND OF OZ. MID-CENTURY LINGERIE BED JACKET

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA     I have collected a number of these, from ’30’s to ’60’s but I’ve NEVER seen one made like this!  The outer shell is of nylon and looks like what I’m used to seeing, with common decoration of embroidery and lace at the bodice – familiar pearlized buttons at the neck – but THE WHOLE THING IS LINED IN PINK FLANNELETTE!  How warm and cozy is that.

Makes me wonder if there’s a Great Britain connection here – they’re always chilly there and looking for ways to warm up.  Our filmy lingerie of North America doesn’t quite do it in the damp air over there.  This bed jacket could easily have been imported by someone who moved here, or by a British retailer in Australia.

It’s been so much fun to discover the differences between the vintage garments that were sold here in Australia and those at home.  And, I’m only a third of the way through this investigation . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

DISCOVERED! RARE 1960’S HAWAIIAN SHIRTS

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Rare fabric, rare makers, rare designs.  Men’s shirts, but small – for me!  Love these!!  I have a few, but these are unique.  So fun to find labels that I rarely or have never seen, fabric that I had to research and these great prints that just pop out like nothing else.

And, as always, at a fabulous bargain . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER AUSSIE FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S WORKING-GIRL PUMPS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA    A kind-of unusual-looking style, don’t you think?  These need a polish and a little cleaning, but they’re in excellent condition. Leather pumps by “Diana” – rather high cut on the vamp.  They remind me of what I see teachers wearing in old photos.

Investigating across the world is challenging, exciting and always intriguing.  One thing that was fun in Australia is that several of the things I found are familiar, but still a bit different from what I discover in the U.S. and Canada.  Their own brands and, maybe, some other foreign influences have given the styles a unique twist.

As always, you just never know . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S WESTERN-WEAR LEATHER JACKET FOR FALL

True Vintage Leatherwear

Beautiful true vintage western-wear jacket from the 1950s/early ’60s. Notice the superb workmanship and tailoring (even though it would look best on a size 4 model rather than size 6).

I LOVE the older leather items made in the American west, or in Mexico and Europe.  So beautiful!  Forgive me if your country has made wonderful leather items, too, and I have not mentioned you here.

The materials are of high quality and have enabled it to last for 50 years with very little sign of wear.  Find a jacket of this type and enjoy it for life!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND – CHIC AND ELEGANT MID-CENTURY HAT

What fun!  I haven’t discovered a fabulous true vintage hat in  quite a while.

Very pretty turban-look that’s actually a large pillbox style.  Sits nicely at any angle.  The color is a mushroomy brown with hints of green and it’s from the 1940’s, 1950’s or early 1960’s. Velour/velvet fabric in great condition – so sophisticated, but versatile.  I’ll wear it a lot.

So goes the day of . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A SPECIAL FIND FOR WINTER NIGHTS

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Here we have a Lanz Originals cotton flannel gown from the 1960’s.  Yes, the hearts & flowers print is too sweet but for this kind of quality and warmth, I bit and bought.  I always trust their true vintage clothing to be well-made and classic – in fact, they’re very traditional.  Not my favorite, but on a blustery winter night by the fire . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER ‘NEW’ FIND – A 1960’S LACE OVERLAY JUNIORS PARTY DRESS

Isn’t this pretty?  It’s another iconic early to mid-Sixties style that I’ve seen before – a party/dance/special occasion frock made for junior sizes.  Empire styling and cute bows.  These are almost always manufactured by some smaller maker – sometimes they have a department store name.

That’s how some of the best middle-priced dresses were marketed – sold in small stores around the country or well-known department stores.  More popularly-priced clothing was available through the Sears, Montgomery Ward and Penney’s stores and catalogs – catalog shopping was huge.

I think it’s so cool that our grandmothers could buy a moderately-priced dress like this and find hand-stitched details inside.  That disappeared not long after this one was made . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

 

ANOTHER 1960’S FIND – A PRETTY DANCE DRESS

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Not terribly “different” or “vintage-looking” until you examine the details.  This is a typical dance party frock from the time when Barbie was Homecoming Queen . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM