Nothing special about this dress, excepting that this maker is a respected label when it comes to more recently-made Hawaiian vintage. However, the fabric is really nice – a rayon with a good hand, lovely colors and a great print. Since it’s too big for me, I think I’ll be making some curtains for my bathroom with it!
There are lots of reasons to love true vintage clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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From the 1960’s back to, maybe the 1920’s, these three are my oldest vintage examples of Hawaiian gowns. From the farthest left, to right –
Psychedelic hues and patterns on the far left – not hard to see the late Sixties here. The center dress is from the 1950’s and is fashioned in the traditional Hawaiian style, with a panel on the back that is almost like a train, without the dragging hem.
On the far right is a mystery dress with a metal side zipper. It has images in the print that are not your standard Hawaiian shirt variety and the fabric is very different –
instead of being the heavy cotton that I’d usually expect, it is a fluid material that I’d guess is rayon. If the label did not indicate that it was made in Hawaii, I’d say it had come from Japan. The toggle closure at the neck is also something often seen on Chinese and Japanese garments. It’s also got a very 1930’s cut – close to the body.
Hmmm . . . . . . . . . this is REALLY Mata Hari undercover espionage stuff. I wonder how she wound her way to the place where I discovered her . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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
Since I’ve started getting out the patio frock, here we go – – – – – – Nothing rivals the beautiful workmanship and fabulous fabric found in true vintage Hawaiian fashions from the early Seventies and before. The colors are incomparable. The cottons and rayons are practically indescribable. Men’s shirts are also incredible.
Since at least the 1940’s, dresses made in Hawaii were very desirable for their quality and fit. Some are exceptionally comfy and relaxed. Others are high-volume sexy or very chic.
Think Mata Hari of the islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Love this dress! The hippie-dippie sleeves, tiny polka dot, empire waistline and sexy fit. Maybe what I like best is the easy-wear of it for hot weather – cool and breezy but gives good sun coverage, too. No, what I like best is its absolute uniqueness and style. SO Stevie Nicks, So Sixties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Come on, Sunshine!!!!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Came across this one yesterday and it’s the first I’ve had with this kind of T-back neckline. Time to dig out the specialty bra.
The things I love best about it are the sunny-fun art print and that wonderful heavy, slinky fabric that was available for a few years. It’s so delicious on the body and drapes so beautifully. No, it can’t compare to the gorgeous jersey-knit fabrics from the 1940’s but it is identifiable as part of the family.
So, although it’s kind of a poor cousin, it’s also a very fun find. This is because its pedigree out-ranks the quality of most all the casual poly clothing that has drowned us in the marketplace since the early 1960’s, with the value and workmanship moving farther down the scale every year. There’s an embroidered cloth tag from a recognized maker, elegant styling and beautiful material – clues that come to light when you snoop carefully. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Brocade and crepe, with a little bow at the back waistline – this frock is so well-made and elegant. Formal dance, Prom, Special Occasion, perfect! It needs a pressing, but is in great shape. Remember what I said yesterday about the repeating design elements? Read on . . . . . . . . .
So beautifully tailored with closures and stitching in all the right places, this gown has a feature that I have never seen. The sleeves are part of a bolero bodice that is attached and worn inside the dress and supports the sleeves. That makes it possible to wear this gown as a sleeveless sheath or as pictured here. The sleeves, as on the dress yesterday, have fabric flowers sewn on.
Wow! What a gorgeous and surprise design!! You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
A similar style, but going from day to evening and from pretty to dressy. This dress is also sexy, however, with deep decolletage and sleeves that can be worn off the shoulder. Fabric flower ornamentation on each sleeve. I think this one was custom-tailored, also.
Just made for parties and dancing with a big, sweeping skirt. Probably would have been worn with a crinoline underneath. I found another dance dress a year or two ago with similar tailoring. It’s always fun to see how these features repeat. Tomorrow there’s another with something the same . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I know that these are summer fun frocks but, for those who are wintering down south or just like to think about warmer climes, I had to show these recent finds and to buy them because of their good quality. Nice, heavy knits and well-cared-for by their original owners.
Love little shoulder ties, fun prints and empire waistlines. This style of dress is not unusual to see, but the quality is relatively rare. Most of the time, you have to go back to the 1960’s to find them as nice as these. Another genre that are often this good are the long dresses made in Hawaii – usually Sixties and before.
Of course, these discoveries didn’t thrill me as much as some that I make but still worth it. It’s always good to appreciate garments like these while you’re on the lookout for what’s around the corner – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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