Category Archives: late Sixties

LOOKING FOR A TRUE VINTAGE EASTER DANCE PARTY DRESS?

LOOKING FOR A TRUE VINTAGE EASTER DANCE PARTY DRESS?

Here’s a pretty frock that’s just right for a dinner date, dancing or a semi-formal party.  I always love sheer/opaque fabric combinations and a flippy hem that moves so wonderfully.

This dress was from a California designer/company that was popular in the 1960’s and 1970’s.  One follower who commented when I first showed it 3 years ago said she would add a silvery belt and sandals. Sounds perfect to me!

Although this particular garment was made a little before the time of “disco nights” in the late Seventies, the style is classic and I’d certainly dance the night away in it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S/1970’S MEN’S LEISURE SLACKS

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ANOTHER NEW FIND.  SOME OF THOSE AWFUL MID-CENTURY SLACKS, IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION.  THESE ARE SO FUNNY, I COULDN’T RESIST!

With a sports shirt and maybe a dark brown poly sports jacket, you’d be right there in 1970’s style.  Put on a different top and jacket and you could go late Sixties.  Well, I guess they were cool then, and they’re cool now – for a different reason.

This pair was made by the Haggar company, which did make decent slacks, and they’re in great shape.  The fabric feels very nice to touch and I’d wear them, too, if they were in a suitable size.

And the checked pattern – so iconic – much better than similar ones in a plain color.  One thing about the poly knits, they did last pretty well if they were taken care of BUT it’s still not common to find men’s garments this well-preserved.  So, it’s another treasure for the archives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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SOMETHING FOR THE MEN! TRUE VINTAGE CUFF-LINKS BY SWANK

SOMETHING FOR THE MEN! TRUE VINTAGE CUFF-LINKS BY SWANK

Costume jewelry for the guys, though they may be sterling silver. Sets like this were standard dress-wear for men in the mid-century and before.  These came through my family, but I always nab nice ones when I find them.

They are by SWANK, in their original packages.  The set on the left, with pearls, were sold at a hometown menswear store.  The set on the right was packaged especially for a department store.  Perfect with your ’50’s,’60’s or ’70’s dress shirt (and tie).

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER FIND! FROM COCKTAILS YESTERDAY TO SHOPPING AND HOUSEKEEPING

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Another mid-century style – this time from the mid-late Sixties –  but in a most casual house dress.  Sorry it’s a bit out of focus – I love this print and always enjoy red.  It’s in a half-size 14, which was  vintage language for Plus-size but it’s really not BIG at all.

The half-sizes were cut bigger in the bust and pretty straight through the waist (I’ve pinned this one in the back) but the shoulders are small, so I can wear it fine with a belt.  It was apparently belted originally because there are signs of belt loops.

I love the embroidered tag sewn in the neckline, the pointed collar and pearlized buttons with stems.  The fabric, again, is a mystery but doesn’t feel like polyester.

A no-nonsense frock that any average homemaker might have worn while going about her daily housekeeping duties.  Just the simplest and easiest thing to wear, and cute to boot!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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NEW FIND! CUTE LITTLE MOD 1960’S JACKET

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In the midst of my series of mid-century finds, lets take a little break for the latest discovery.   I was out sleuthing the other day when I spied this.  Although it’s not the type of thing I usually get excited about, because so many cheap imitations have been made over the past 10 years or so, I liked the quality of the knit fabric and the fact that it was home-sewn.  So, I picked it up . . . . .

Thinking it would be too small for me and I’d just have to end up selling it or giving it away, I slipped it on and – WHOA! – it fits me perfectly and it’s really cute!  Maybe some teenager made this in Home Economics class back in the 1960’s (when they were still offering that in schools).  Kind of a cross between  a bomber and a bolero style – it’s a simple-sew item that would have been an intermediate pattern for someone learning how to set in sleeves.

Originally, it would have had a matching print skirt or slacks – or maybe a sheath dress in one of the solid colors in the print.  Alas, those pieces are long gone, but I’ll enjoy wearing it with my turquoise jeans or my regular jeans until an alternative comes up.  Won’t be one of my prized true vintage possessions, but it may be a go-to super casual jacket on cool-weather days when I’m just out and about.

A little variety is always the spice . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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FABULOUS FIND – ELEGANT SKIRT SUIT BY DESIGNER HENRI’ BENDEL

FABULOUS FIND - ELEGANT SKIRT SUIT BY DESIGNER HENRI' BENDEL

This suit is SO elegant & classic, it’s hard for me to date it precisely. I’m guessing it may have been made during the 1960’s.

One of my favorite ensembles – it has “couture” written all over it and you really understand what that means when it is on the body. What a cut! I always draw admiring looks and compliments when I wear it.

In a slate blue/cranberry weave with a gorgeous cranberry lining. Cuff detail and silver buttons shaped like turtles – I just love it!

If I ever have meetings with bankers or have other reasons to appear very “well – heeled”, this is the disguise I choose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (with one of those slips underneath). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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LOVELY CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE SKIRT SUIT FROM NEW YORK CITY

LOVELY CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE SKIRT SUIT FROM NEW YORK CITY

I’ve SO enjoyed going through my skirt suit collection  for this series of posts! I was reminded of how great a find this one was, during a special trip to the Big Apple.

All the suits you’ll see are from the 1940’s to the mid 1970’s. This one is so classic it could almost go anywhere in that period. In this case, the skirt has been shortened a few inches – always without cutting off material, so the original length can easily be restored!

The details most loved about this one are the great colors – always love the unusual combination of blues and browns – and the suede trim.

The classic cut is also one of the best, best things about any garment and why true vintage is usually way ahead of modern clothing. This suit, like most I’ll show, will look sophisticated and elegant for as long as I own it.

If you think “dowdy” or “matronly” when you see this photo, you’re not using real style sense. Don’t forget that an ensemble like this can be worn many ways, including using the jacket and skirt as separates, and with many different accessories, making it fresh and versatile each time.

And, there’s never any competition for true elegance . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER DISCOVERY – TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSE BY LADY MANHATTAN

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What a fabulous maker’s label!  I just love old Lady Manhattan blouses.  This one is from the  early 1970’s or, possibly, the late 1960’s.  The first thing that caught my eye was the print – then the styling.  There are a few more clues that are the real truth revealing it’s era.

Although this one is casual, it still demonstrates the the classic elegance that was typical of this brand.  Lady Manhattan always made lovely women’s blouses and was still  in the marketplace doing women’s clothing into the Eighties, but I  prefer their mid-century creations.  Too bad Madge isn’t here to model – it’s just about her size.

What a treat!  I come across these only once in a while, so I’m really thrilled.  But then,  everything I find is an uncommon treasure, so it’s rare or more rare and I get the thrill bumps a lot.

Hope you had a fabulous time on New Year’s Eve and are well-recovered by now.  More tomorrow . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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RABBIT FUR TOQUE HAT FROM THE SIXTIES

IMG_1722Here’s a fun find which is different from anything I own (so far). I’d put this on with my black wool sheath and some black leather boots!  It’s a perfect partner to the dress shown earlier today.

Can’t say who made it as the label has gone missing, but I suspect that it was a from women’s dress shoppe or a large department store when they used to have specialty departments for millinery, shoes and furs.  Ladies enjoyed buying a new hat  the same way we focus on shoes today.

As I always say, I never buy modern fur but enjoy the old, old ones while they last.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE END-OF-MOD WOOL SHEATH DRESS

IMG_1737The cut and design of this frock, as unremarkable as it looks (especially in this picture), told me immediately from when and what it was!  It’s a soft wool knit from the late 1960’s.

Beautiful fabric!  And, like the wool dress from a couple of days ago, no itch factor here.  Of course, I’ll still enjoy a gorgeous lingerie slip underneath on a cold, wintery day.  The crocheted trim breaks up the plain lines and the fit is lovely.

So glad that I’ve discovered so many  in-season items recently that are appropriate for this cold that most of us are experiencing now.  For those of you who are not, I’ve still got several summery finds coming up, too.

Later today, I’ll post a little rant about design with pictures  of the true vintage tailoring tools I recently found and how they’re a help to sewing and altering, if that’s something you like to do.  If not, it’s still good to know some of the things that make the difference between  real deal vintage and the copy-cat retro fashions.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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