Could be a Prom – party, wedding or casual summer day dress according to your wish! Love well-made frocks like this one, which has pretty fabric and trim as well as a liner that prevents see-through (excepting for a bit at the midriff and on the sleeves). Just right!
I’m always super-happy to find a gown or long dress of this genre and era. And, in perfect condition. Things just keep getting better . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
A fitted (the best) Western-style shirt in cotton blend with a floral wallpaper stripe and a true vintage paisley scarf, maybe both from “Monkey Ward” (see the shirt label and investigate the nickname online – fun). Again in my size, though the blouse size must have been for a girl at that time.
Unusual finds per their fabulous condition. I’ll enjoy wearing them – very much perfect examples of the fashion era when they were made.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Nothing “Lady of the Manor” about this dressing gown – a little bit more Carnaby Street. Still a perfect hostess gown or leisure wear garment.
Lovely, heavy nylon with cute button trim at the neckline and the Sixties bell sleeves. I love the print and the colors in this gown!
It’s always such fun to find beautiful clothing that is 50 years old but still in perfect wearing condition. I breeze around the house in this one a lot!!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Wouldn’t normally wear these together, but it was convenient to photograph them that way and the look surprisingly good. I’d just been dreaming about finding some wide-leg, high waist pants and more blouses . . . . . . . . . .
Love these! They both fit me really well and I’m already enjoying wearing them. The pants are Bobbie Brooks (always a reliable vintage find) and the blouse is by Mardi Modes New York. How cool is that?! A really neat feather print on the shirt, and nice colors. I wouldn’t wear the neckline in a frilly bow, but prefer a high-neck tie effect. The pants are just super-flattering and, with a navy and ivory coloring, are great with my pea jacket find.
So, it keeps going on and on. What next? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
Look what I did to my dress! You had seen this late 1960’s wool dress before, and I loved the red knit top of it, BUT, the years had not been kind before it came to me and some moths had had a banquet. Just couldn’t live with the little holes here and there, and no good way to fix them.
SO – why not snip it off at the waist and fashion a dirndl/pencil skirt instead? So easy! All I did was finish (by hand) around the waist with a piece of grosgrain ribbon, sew a few hooks and eyes in the placket left where the zipper used to be et voila’! Just for extra fun, I threaded a black tie belt through the crochet so that it ties off in back. Wouldn’t have had to, but it allows me to fit the waist a little more snugly and adds a cute touch.
Brainstorm! Maybe I can wear it with that neat green sweater found recently – and black boots – must check it out . . . . .. … .. . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Since I haven’t shown this top in a LONG time, thought I’d give it a showcase today since it’s so perfect now (still needs a pressing). A wonderful rayon or acetate fabric with gloss and a fabulous print. Made by Alex Coleman.
Last week, I got this blouse out to wear and decided to do a few modifications to the hemlines and add light shoulder padding, just to tweak the fit and got so excited about it again. That’s the fun of classic, quality vintage clothing – it’s good to go forever and can even be refurbished a little with great success – because it starts out so wonderful . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Cute, cute, cute and so exactly of that time! Almost every schoolgirl, college coed and the occasional hip mama was wearing little day-dresses like this one. I’m no certified clothing historian, but if you look back in the old magazines and vintage TV and movies, you’ll see that this is true.
This example may even have been sewn at home. The shirt-dress pattern is very simple and well within the skills of a girl or woman who had learned to sew in Home Economics class (yes, they used to teach that to all the girls) or was taught by her mother. Almost every girl/woman did some sewing of at least a dress or two, and many, many made almost their whole wardrobes that way. If you weren’t a tailor, then coats and most jackets would have been above your skills, but most other garments were possible with a pattern, buttons, etc., and some fabric from a store downtown.
So, I’m all over the map with the things turning up lately and that is one of the best parts of the fun! Wonder what will show up next – I haven’t even shown you everything “new” yet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Just picked these up as curiosity items, in the case of the boots, and fashion finds in the case of the wedgie sandals. Great additions to my collection!
Let’s start with the boots. They look like Sixties style(?) and have old metal Robin zippers up the side. Made for super-practicality, as most fashion rain-wear was back in the day, they are one-piece rubber construction. Not meant to wear in your garden like English Wellies, these were street-wear for very wet (or snowy) days. Waterproof below the zippers. I just love these everyday examples of true vintage products’ sensible value. Nothing frivolous or impractical here, but with a nod to fashion, as well.
Next we go on to a 1980’s brand that I collect whenever I find them – Penaljo made some wonderful 1940’s – 1950’s retro sandals and I show my latest find (the grey ones) along with some I already had (the green and cork pair). Just love these for summer – so wartime/I Love Lucy. ADORE wedge heels – very cute with shirtwaist and sun-dresses, capri’ pants or skirts. Leather construction with good attention to detail. Worth picking up. So, we’re on a roll. Stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Mod, psychedelic, polyester knit dress – was made just a little past the time of the hey-day of the hippie/back-to-the-land movement. About the time that popular fashions were beginning to turn back toward mainstream, but still liking the counter-culture vibe in a more modest way.
Prairie-style was also becoming a big thing around this time – leaning more toward Jessica (McLintock) designs than Janice Joplin’s Salvation Army finds. Also, polyester was beginning to replace cotton in a big way.
Not quite your pure Love-In roll-a-joint party outfit, but you could still get by with it . . . . . try doing it at a patio party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here are two more beauties from Hawaii. The same fabulous construction and fabric, but slightly more modern art prints. Don’t you love those colors? Whenever I find one, I grab it!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 