Category Archives: ladies

TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER FORMAL DRESS FROM THE 1970’S OR 1980’S

TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER FORMAL DRESS FROM THE 1970'S OR 1980'S

This dress is not really old, but it is so cute/pretty that I couldn’t resist picking it up and showing it to you. such pretty colors!

There is a sheer layer with the flower print, over a solid layer – like many of the dresses I’ve shown.  I love the big bow in front – too much!

It almost looks like a ’60’s thing, but I know it’s not that old.  The bodice has some sequins decorating it, too, but it’s not a super-super dressy thing otherwise.  It could almost be worn to a garden party or fund-raising afternoon event, of the right type.

Anyway, a lovely frock – authentically vintage, and just makes me feel like going to a party.  It’s so sweet – would make a wonderful disguise . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

A LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S EVERYDAY SUMMER SHIFT DRESS

NEW FIND - A LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S EVERYDAY SUMMER SHIFT DRESS

Now that we’ve passed the first day of glorious Summer and the weather is certainly cooperating, it’s time to show this little frock.  It’s very simple, cool, and very cute!

So much fun to discover one of these because not many of them have survived.  Plain shift style – but certain features tell its age.  Notice the vintage snaps on the shoulder straps.  Usually you see these on older Western-wear garments.

I especially like the way that the neckline is constructed – it makes all the difference in how the dress falls. Even though it’s as casual as a house-dress, it also looks good with a chain or macrame’ belt, and I like the patch pockets, too.

This is just the kind of “jeans-and-t-shirt” outfit that women were likely to wear for everyday in the late Sixties, when actually wearing jeans and a t-shirt was not quite as common as it is now.

Put on some pretty sandals and a necklace, carry a cute purse and you’d look super out and about town.

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

LOVELY COTTON SHIRT-WAIST FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

LOVELY COTTON SHIRT-WAIST FROM THE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S IN FALL COLORS

Here’s another dress from about the same time as the last one.  It has the same features of design – the side metal zipper is the most significant.  I don’t know why that was a favorite feature, rather than allowing the front opening to be longer.

Although it was more trouble to put that side zip in, it was hidden (more or less) from view and allowed the front and back lines of the garment to be unbroken.  My best guess is that this style feature is more elegant than a back zip or long front opening would be.

So many of the styles and tailoring methods from the ’50’s and before paid a lot of attention to keeping the lines of a garment very elegant, with good fit and clean silhouette.  Back zippers on pants and skirts are a good example of this.

This dress is, I’m sure, custom tailored.  The skill of the sewer is excellent and it would challenge the quality of any commercially-made things today, outside of haute couture.

The reds, golds and mossy browns in this print make me think of leading into Fall, but let’s not rush our summertime, when the livin’ is easy . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

A GLIMPSE OF TRUE VINTAGE LINGERIE – OOH!

A GLIMPSE OF TRUE VINTAGE LINGERIE - OOH!

So, under all these sheer dresses . . . . . . . . . This is a pretty tame but VERY practical full slip, made of cotton batiste for wearing under summer clothing in hot weather.  There don’t seem to be many of these around anymore, and usually they are not as nicely embellished as this one.

But, just look at that ruching and lace.  It’s lovely, sweet and would be so cool.  Now, women might wear THIS as a summer dress alone!  There’s also a deep ruffle at the hem.

The length gives it away as a 1940’s to early 1950’s style.  Possibly even 1930’s.  Because of the label, I’m going to go with the ’50’s.

Of course, on really hot days it’s nice not to be wearing more than one layer.  But, if you’ve got a pretty, sheer dress on in the bright sun, well, it’s up to you but I’ll wear the slip.

Cotton, naturally, is better than nylon (can you imagine!?) when it’s 95 degrees in the shade.  I’m certainly glad to have found one that’s so pretty, just in case . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY ’60’S SHEER SUMMER DAY-DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY '60'S SHEER SUMMER DAY-DRESS

This was a fun find, with its own attached scarf and in cool, floaty fabric again.  The really unusual thing, to me, is the color combo.

It’s an all-over print in purple with black accents on an olive background.  That’s a great combination which you don’t see often – especially for summer!

By Westover – New York.  Fabric-covered belt.  It’s one of those fun, flirty and feminine styles that I’m sure some woman loved wearing, even if her day was just a pretty average one.  Of course, she’d have a pretty slip underneath, too.

I’ve never seen another one like it.  It’s a real one-of-a-kind style, as so much true vintage is.  Each one is a unique discovery – you just never know. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SHEER SUMMER SHIRT-DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S SHEER SUMMER SHIRT-DRESS

Here’s a really pretty summer shirtwaist dress from the ’40s.  It has many features that I love such as a covered fabric belt, decorative touches on the bodice, color-match buttons with rhinestones and a very flattering shape.

These sheer dresses were a big thing for at least 2 decades, according to what I have found.  Gives us a chance to wear our beautiful lingerie and let it peep through just a little without being indiscreet.

Just seeing that silhouette makes me think of classic movies and how put together the average woman often looked then.

I believe that the fabric is a rayon or perhaps a rayon/cotton blend. Many of the fabrics used then were very interesting in their qualities and their properties – quite different from what we have today, in spite of all our easy-care progress. There’s nothing like the older ones.

True vintage is often very bashful – or maybe just cunning.  It likes to hide and to be sneaky.  I usually discover it in odd places or in corners.  But, sometimes it hides in plain sight.  You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

True Vintage 1930’s – ’40’s Summer Day-Dress by Lora Lenox

True Vintage 1940's Summer Day-Dress by Lora Lenox

Such a beautiful coral color on this fun and spunky frock from the late 1930’s or early 1940’s.  I love the great big buttons and the pleated flounce at the hem.  Polka dots all over.  The fabric is an interesting textured weave with some pattern in it, like some men’s shirts of the ’40’s and ’50’s that are so intriguing.

Made by Lora Lenox, a company that manufactured women’s clothing over several decades. This one was definitely a moderately – priced item, but not of poor quality.  Just to have survived since the ’40’s in such good condition says a lot.

It’s got the hallmark shoulder pads and a variation of that classic shirtwaist style.  When I caught sight of it, half-hidden, it was the color that arrested my eye.  Coral is so flattering to most women and so perfect for Summer!

Keep your peepers peeled, ’cause you just never know . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

BACK TO THE FIFTIES! OR, A BEACH BLANKET BINGO BIKINI

BACK TO THE FIFTIES! OR, A BEACH BLANKET BINGO BIKINI

Although this bathing suit would be perfect for Annette Funiccello in 1961, it comes from the mid 1950’s.  By Lanz (remember the red Jingle Bells dress I showed in December, also by this company?), with a metal zipper in the middle back of the bottoms(!).  Boy, was I thrilled to find this one!!!

A froth of pastel gingham ruffles, it couldn’t be sweeter.  Seems that it would also enhance your measurements a bit! Anyhow, it is sturdy enough for playing volleyball, too, or maybe even a little jog (those ’50’s bra-tops are STURDY!)

So, even at the YMCA, there might be a chance to show off this one.  Summer’s definitely here and you just never know . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S -1970’S CASUAL DRESS FOR SUMMER

TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S -1970'S CASUAL DRESS FOR SUMMER

This style is sometimes seen again in copycat fashions now, but was popular for very casual wear in the late ’60’s or the early ’70s.  Not much to say about it excepting that it’s cute and very easy to wear for summer.

Super-casual with a huge metal zipper in front, you probably wouldn’t wear this to work in an office.  It could be great almost anywhere more relaxed and perfect over a swimsuit.

One distinguishing characteristic is the combo of blue and brown in the print, which isn’t often seen but is a mix that I really like.  It’s also a nice, sturdy, high-quality cotton weave.

As day-wear styles got really casual in the mid 1960’s, clothing became easier to wear but generally less well-made and elegant, as I see it. However, you can’t beat well-styled simplicity . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available at Amazon.com

ANOTHER 1960’S SUMMER SHEATH DRESS

A SECOND VIEW OF THIS 1960'S SUMMER SHEATH DRESS

Notice the way in which the embroidery follows the curve of the figure by placing it along the side seam.  So pretty and flattering!  A woman could always feel attractive and well-dressed in a frock made this nicely and with such gorgeous details.  This is another of my earliest finds.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM