Category Archives: long dress

LOVE THIS HAND-TAILORED COTTON GOWN IN A PRETTY PEONY PRINT

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The colors are beautiful and the styling unusual, with a faux train detail back and front – falling from the bodice.  My first impression was that this dress may have been made in Hawaii, but I’m not sure.  There is no label and my impression is that it was made by an individual with tailoring expertise or at a small tailoring shop.

The fabric and construction details say true vintage to me, so I’m going with that.  Such a pretty design – it floats from just above the bust-line, swirling down to the hem, which is cut just a little longer in the back to make the dress fall properly.  This is a detail that is not often (if ever) seen in mainstream patterns that have been cut recently – one of the important styling elements that have gone by the wayside in modern times.  Surely true couture houses still observe them(?).

Anyway, gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.  Very informal but extremely elegant.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LATEST FIND! TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S HOUSECOAT – MOD AND SWEET

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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

 

 

GORGEOUS CUSTOM-MADE POST-WAR FORMAL GOWN IN SUMPTUOUS BLACK RAYON VELVET

Although very similar, I might place this dress as having been made a little earlier than the one shown yesterday – looks late 1940’s to me.  It might or might not have been worn with a crinoline underneath.  Like the other, it’s completely hand-made and this one has the tailor’s label sewn into the neckline.

One of the best things about this gown is the fabric – a plush, heavy velvet that feels like old rayon.  Love the sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves that, to my taste, are done a bit more artfully than those on yesterday’s dress.  I think it’s mostly a style change that took place over a couple of years around the turn of the ’40’s to ’50’s decade.

Anyway, who wouldn’t love it!  I so wonder what events these dresses were made for and where they went.  That part of the mystery is as yet unsolved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

 

 

THE FIRST OF TWO FABULOUS MID-CENTURY FINDS – NEW LOOK CUSTOM-TAILORED BALL GOWN

This gown is hand-tailored with extreme attention to detail.  It would be worn with a crinoline for a full, bell-shape.  Because of the styling, I would guess that it was made in the early 1950’s but, possibly, as early as the late 1940’s.  A special occasion dress, of course, and there’s hardly any evidence of wear.  Maybe it was even made for a Prom or Homecoming dance back in the day.

Women were so happy to dress in longer skirts, sumptuous fabrics and new styles after the austerity of the war years.

I’ll be showing a sister gown tomorrow – very similar style and probably made a few years earlier.  What fabulous discoveries!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

OH, THOSE DISCO DAYS FROM THE SEVENTIES

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An all-round perfect dance dress from the 1970’s.  IMG_3936

Pretty styling on the shoulders makes up for the otherwise ordinary construction.  However, for the Seventies it’s a nice example and couldn’t be better suited to dancing the night away.  The perfect dress for Karen Carpenter or Olivia Newton-John.

Since it’s not my color, I probably won’t end up keeping it but thought it worth a pick-up for it’s iconic value.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LOVE THIS 1960’S PATIO HIPPIE DRESS I JUST FOUND!

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Heavy synthetic knit and great colors.  Again, fabulous graphics on this one with a metal zip up the back.  The lacing tie and empire waistline are fun style features, too.

I know, I get a little excessive with my enthusiastic descriptions sometimes but that’s how I feel when discovering great true vintage garments.  Keep on cleaning out your closets, grandma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND! 1960’S LUXE NEIMAN MARCUS HOSTESS GOWN

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Embroidered all over with gold metallic thread, this designer dress from the famous high-end retailer is a fabulous find!  Couldn’t believe it.  Luxurious at-home wear that can easily  go out and about – there are no “rules” these days saying that would be “not done”.

I love true vintage hostess and patio dresses, as well as other at-home wear from eras past.  Often the better-quality items are in fantastic condition because they were worn sparingly and/or cared for so well by their original owners.

Just another marvelous day in Mid-Centuryland for the Magicvintagespy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PRETTY AND GLAM 1980’S DOES 1940’S RAYON SHEATH GOWN

Definitely retro (not REAL vintage), but I love the styling and the drape of the rayon fabric.  It’s got the iconic fit of 1930’s – 1940’s sheath gowns that were so elegant and dramatic.

The huge hibiscus flower is probably a bit over-the-top in terms of designs from wartime, but some very bold floral prints were made then, too.  Anyway, I think this one rocks!

So, Mata Hari, move over!  The Magicvintagespy is on a roll . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE DRESSES! 1: FABULOUS ’70’S OR ’80’S DOES 1940’S HALTER NECKLINE SUNDRESS

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What a pretty frock!  Although it was retro when it was made 30 – 45 years ago, it’s true vintage now and gorgeous.  So glad that summer is far from over – I’ll really enjoy wearing it.

I’ve discovered a treasure trove of dresses and clutch purses lately, so stay tuned . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER CUSTODIAL DUTY – A 1950’S PARTY GOWN FROM THE FAMILY

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When post-war era women finally have to/decide to move out of their homes, it’s not unusual that they have saved some of their most precious, favorite dresses over the decades.  Of course, it then becomes DECISION TIME.  Well, lucky me!

I was elected as most suited to look after this pink princess, left over from the early 1950’s.  With sequins and netting, it’s got the requisite poufy skirt and strappy top.  I may, with permission, enter it in a show this fall but I’ll probably be looking for the best new owner sometime next year.  I’ll be sorry to part with her, but she is an honored guest until then . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGSPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM