Category Archives: Mad Men

BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S WOVEN WHITE SUMMER HANDBAG

IMG_1725I’ve just found several lovely handbags and will show them to you over the next few days.  Remember, I promised that there will be several warm-weather items coming along with the more seasonal (for the northern hemisphere) kinds of things.

This one is a macrame’ type of weave (the kind of thing that women were really keen about doing at home in the 1970’s), but was done commercially, with not a mistake to be found and on a small scale.  Most home-made macrame’ (not all of it) is much larger so it’s wonderful to find a hand-made item in a small, elegant size and style.

The purse is fully-lined in white fabric, with a small inside pocket and the maker’s label inside, too.  This was the way that they made these bags in the Fifties and Sixties.  The outside is the important part, as the inside is almost always very plain.

Nothing looks nicer with a Spring or Summer frock, casual or dressed-up.  In every true vintage wardrobe, a small selection of white bags is a must!

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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HOW TO SEW WITH TRUE VINTAGE STYLE

Sometimes I come across patterns or notions from the true vintage eras that I love.  It’s worthwhile to pick them up, and I’ll explain why , , , , ,

Whether you sew or not, if you want to copy or have someone else re-make a true vintage garment,  a pattern is a necessity in order to get it right.  Unless you are a master at pattern-making yourself, the original cut of the garment will be impossible to recreate and the result will look like retro – not true vintage.

Beyond the qualities of the true vintage fabric and decorations that are used, the identifying factor of a true vintage design is the cut and, therefore, the way that it fits the body.  There’s no way to cheat on it and the look of the finished garment is unmistakable.

True vintage notions can make a big difference, too.  Buttons, of course, but zippers are probably the most important closure item with regard to getting the fit to be authentic.  Nothing will be more correct than a zipper that is like the original in looks and function.  And, we know how often one of those might need to be replaced . . . . . . .

So, there’s my little rant on that subject.  Of course, there’s lots more to get into if you are a couturier or just an expert needle-worker.  But, it’s worth knowing about, and very interesting when you want to get it perfect.

However, nothing is true vintage except real true vintage, no matter how well it has been reproduced.  But, if you’re very, very good at faking it, it’ll take a master sleuth to expose you . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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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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HERE’S THE LINGERIE SECRET UNDER THE SECRETARY DRESS

IMG_1738Ho, hum.  Traditional, classic, conservative .  Yes, there’s a time and place for the secretary dress last shown, but then what if you put this underneath?! . . . . . . . . . . . .

I was truly tickled pink to find this!  I have several true vintage slips now with the crystal-pleated flounce at the hem, but not a black one!!  All the colors, plus basic white and beige are wonderful, but black lingerie is ESSENTIAL!

These Forties/Fifties slips are truly beautiful and usually just the right lengths to wear with styles from the same era.  In some cases, they are absolutely necessary in order to make a dress fit and feel the way that it was intended to.

So, when you’re all conservative and straight-laced for the office or whatever, you don’t have to step out of your true vintage mood or give up luxury and quality in order to have a little secret fun . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S RED FEATHERED HAT

IMG_1720Can you imagine?!  What a fabulous addition to my collection of feathered hats.  What a perfect stunner for the Christmas holidays!!!

Along with the red wool dress from 2 or 3 weeks ago, and a red velveteen that I’ll show a bit later, this hat would make a statement, for sure.

These Sixties feather hats are just so over-the-top.  Can almost compete with the hats from the Forties.  And this color!!!!!  It’s too wonderful not to treat very carefully, but what about part of your costume for a Halloween party . . . . . . . .

I’m just over the moon, as you can see, because of the things I’ve been finding recently.

You’ll have to imagine with me, especially as we get to more of the dresses, how they look off the hanger.  Can’t wait to be able to photograph them on Stella or Madge, to show them off properly.  Of course, Marlene, Celia and Daphne will look smashing in the hats – and I’ve got 3 more of those coming . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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“NEW” DISCOVERY! TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1960’S FLOWER-POWER BLOUSE BY MISTER LEONARD

IMG_1716This is the most wonderful sheer flower-print blouse with big pirate sleeves!!!  It’s so FLOWER POWER in the colors that were popular then.

All the telling tailoring signs of the time are there, too – the cut and the finishing details.  Can’t wait to photograph it on Stella, who will give the style it’s correct shape.

But, the best shape is when I get to wear it!  And, it’s just my size . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S DRESSY BLOUSE

IMG_1682Here’s a great picture of a Sixties blouse that would have been worn to a holiday party or a dance.  Not my style, personally, but it’s so perfectly of that time and in such wonderful condition – how could I resist?

With buttons all the way up the back, a well-finished hem made to wear untucked over dress pants or a long skirt and that jabot-type flounce at the collar (SO ’60’s!), it’s another of those garments with British influence.  Could work very well as part of a Halloween costume, too.

The maker’s label is even embroidered in gold thread.  Someone took very good care of this top and kept it for special occasions.  I’ve been really fortunate lately to find so many vintage blouses and shirts in outstanding condition!  Often, these pieces are like slacks – they accumulate so much wear over the years with stains and tears that they’ll end up being discarded by the original owner.

But, thanks to the superior quality of true vintage clothing and the care many of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers took with their wardrobes, some of them are still out there to be discovered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ANOTHER FUN FIND! TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S LADIES SKY BLUE CORFAM HEELS

IMG_1712Aren’t these just amazing?  Brand “new” Mod pumps – just right on a date with the man wearing the shirt in yesterday’s post.

This is one of my favorite shoe colors and, in this case, made of easy-care vinyl.  Of course, I would prefer leather but Corfam is iconic Sixties and has its advantages, too.

Mid-heel pumps are also iconic Sixties and will look great with many different outfits.  Wow – I’m really in rare find heaven recently!  Can’t wait to see what’s around the corner . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A VERY SWEET TRUE VINTAGE NIGHTGOWN & ROBE SET FROM THE 1960’S

IT’S WONDERFUL TO ENJOY BEAUTIFUL SLEEPWEAR AS THE NIGHTS COOL DOWN . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

A VERY SWEET TRUE VINTAGE NIGHTGOWN & ROBE SET FROM THE 1960'S

This is a really nice little nightwear combo. The early ’60’s is just about the last time we’ll find the truly beautiful things. With the exception of some exclusive designer or handmade item, the trims are not nearly as lovely as during the ’50’s and before and the quality of the nylon or silk is noticeably inferior when you get into the mid ’60s and ’70’s.

As I’ve said before, in my opinion you can’t improve much on 1930’s, 1940’s and 1950’s lingerie/sleepwear when it comes to overall quality and luxurious beauty. The fabrics from that time and the craftsmanship of the trimming detail is the best!

This is not a va-va-va-voom ensemble, but it is lovely and, if you wish it to be, very sexy in its own way. The embroidery trim is done well and the buttons are the nice sturdy and well-formed little pearlized ones that I always love on true vintage nightwear…

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