Category Archives: mid-1960’s

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 FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S FLOWER-POWER BLOUSE

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Unbelievable!  This beautiful fitted blouse in lovely smooth rayon was a “QUEEN” size in the mid-sixties.  It’s labeled as a 13/14 but it fits me with a little extra room in the bust – and I wear a modern size 4.

Who cares, right?!  It’s got all the lovely features of true vintage tailored items, with extra seam allowance and nice darting to enhance the fit. Love the print, the long sleeves and oh-so-Sixties roll collar.

Another unusual discovery and, wait, there’ll be more . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER NEW FIND! TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S HOSTESS ROBE

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Oh, I love these heavy nylon lounging robes from the Sixties!  And, what better color?  I’m in heaven.

The great things about these, after the fabulous fabric, is the easy zip-front styling and the gorgeous trim they often used.  In this case, it’s beautiful embroidered ribbon with gold thread.  Nothing says casual at-home elegance any better.

As you can see, these housecoats, when made as well as this one, can last forever and look just as beautiful every year.  They’re also multiple-use garments – from covering up after a bath, to lounging at home to entertaining at a casual party.

Very festive – just right for the Holidays.  Being an undercover artist requires impeccable timing . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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SLEEK TRUE VINTAGE SIXTIES HOUSECOAT

P1010004.JPGI love robes like this so much!  The cool, heavy nylon and pretty embroidered ribbon trim is so stylish and luxurious.  It just says “quality” all over, and it’s RED!!!!!

It’s an easy zip-up front.  Modern ladies of the mid-late 1960’s loved wearing these for leisure and as hostess gowns.  A little bit of at-home elegance . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE NAME BRANDS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

This pretty Seventies sweater is made by Banff – a company that has made high-quality knit clothing for women for several decades.  Sweaters, suits, jackets, ponchos, etc.   I picked this up very recently, mostly on the strength of the brand name (and, it’s awfully cute, too . . . . . .. )

I can never resist (nor do I want to!) beautiful lingerie from the Fifties and Sixties,  especially when the brand name is not one I see frequently.  This lovely half-slip was made by Dorsay.  The nylon has a wonderful feel and quality, and the applique’ embroidery is gorgeous.

Last, but not least, is a 1960’s bed jacket by Shadowline.  Their mid-priced lingerie and sleepwear is never over-the-top, but their designs are attractive and I can always count on the quality.  Worth it, every time.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE FUR HAT BONANZA – A TOQUE IN CURLY LAMB

This was another one worth nabbing, because though I have similar curly lamb hats in black and marled grey, I didn’t have a luscious chocolate brown like this one.

It’s got a beautiful, architectural design that makes me think of the 1940’s.  It’s true vintage but is so classic that I can’t date it exactly.  Again, in near-perfect condition.

Curly lamb seems to be one of the furs that is easiest to replicate in imitation form, so go for it if you can’t find a real one made in the 1960’s or before.  Leave anything modern on the racks or, preferably, on the animals’ backs.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S COCKTAIL DRESS – SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Imagine my delight finding this LBD!! Very Mad Men, Jackie O and all that.  It was originally purchased at Saks Fifth Avenue.  What could be a better item to have as a wardrobe staple?  I’ll have fun with this one.

A black crepe in perfect condition, from the early to mid-1960’s. However, this design is so elegant and classic, that it’s timeless.

Back metal zipper and generous hem allowance, careful tailoring throughout and a high-quality decorative trim at the neck and hem.  The embroidered label inside is a real plus, too.

Most of my recent finds have been good fits for me and require little, if any, attention.  Thank you, fashionistas of the past, who loved and looked after your clothing so well . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN,THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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