Category Archives: mid-1960’s

TOTALLY CLASSIC, ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TRUE VINTAGE WARDROBE SHOES. WHAT ARE THEY?

100% LEATHER PENNY LOAFERS. Don’t care who you are, where you are, what your age, what you do; if you want to build a true vintage wardrobe, high quality penny loafers made of leather are a MUST. You might think that this is only an American or western European fashion, but not so. They originated over 100 years ago in Norway and, like the human population, have migrated into mainstream fashion all over the world since then. Men, especially, have been able to wear them as dress shoes since the beginning. They were de rigeuer for high school and college men and coeds at least since WWII; Probably replaced the saddle shoe in most adolescent closets. Mid-century pennies are a strong suggestion.

Highly polished, for smart casual to semi-formal dress. Lightly scuffed or a little dusty for just about everything else. Pretty versatile. Smooth leather in black or cordovan brown is the true classic. The full leather construction is mandatory because it’s original and also allows them to be repaired forever. (OK, a true vintage synthetic sole is acceptable if that is all you can find, but keep looking). In line with my philosophy regarding humane treatment of animals and environmental sustainability, I don’t recommend buying modern retro versions at retail, no matter how nice they are. You can find the real thing at second-hand and they’re better. Also, I’m obviously all about running undercover investigations and that’s a lot more fun because – you just never know. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ELEGANT, TINY BEADED EVENING PURSE FIND! MID-CENTURY MAGIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Always such a pleasure to discover these little beauties. Made by a well-known Japanese maker from the mid-1900’s, these small handbags were almost always assembled and decorated by hand. This one is especially tiny, and flat. It has room only for a key, a small amount of money or a charge card, and maybe a small comb and/or lipstick. Just the bare essentials. Almost like some made in the 1920’s and 1930’s but I would place this one from the 1960’s.

Silk or rayon body, with mono-tone black bead decoration, a metal snap closure and an unusual fabric handle. On close examination there are a few beads missing but that will be no problem to fix.

I’ve found so many, but this one is unique! What’s next? Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A BOX OF TRUE VINTAGE SHOES IN THE BASEMENT

A BOX OF TRUE VINTAGE SHOES IN THE BASEMENT

Another of those boxes in the basement which I hadn’t thought about in a while – finds of the last 10 years stored away. It’s always fun to see what’s inside!  Lots of variety from several different decades.

From the top row down, we’ll start with the DUDS, from the viewpoint of a true vintage hunter:

Pairs #1, #2 & #3 – nice to very nice classic styles in leather, 1980s at the earliest to 1990s.  Pretty shoes. Ho hum.  More retro than vintage, but reminiscent of the 1940’s and 1950’s.

Pair #4 – True vintage late 1950s – early 1960s gold-tone all – leather stiletto pumps.  For cocktails and dancing the cha-cha.

Pairs 5 & 6 – True vintage bowling shoes, 1950s – 1970s.  The two-tone ones are suede.

Pair #7 – Original true vintage Dr. Scholl’s leather exercise sandals from the very early 1970s.  They’ve made them in later years, but they aren’t the same.

Pair #8 – Low-heel leather pumps by Johannson from the mid-’60s.

Pair #9 – Leather pumps from the ’70s.  Nothing to lose your wallet over.

Pair #10 – Leather flats from the mid – late 1960s, with price tags still inside.

Well, that was interesting.  I remember finding all of these.  Probably I will sell them, since I run into the issue that all vintage collectors usually do – storage space!  Sometimes you have to (sigh), but as I get better and better at my craft, the non-keepers become fewer and fewer

Don’t forget that one of these pairs might be just what is needed to finish off a Halloween costume soon . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

HOW RARE! A SECOND PAIR OF HIGH-WAIST SLACKS FROM THE 1960’S

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Lightweight true vintage  wool pants with the high waist that I love.  Just perfect for chilly fall weather at the football stadium.  These don’t have quite the wide-leg of that last pair, but still very much from that mid-century time and will be great with some  knee-boots I just bought.

They’re just a mid-priced item (Modern Juniors) with no lining, but tights or a pants-liner “slip” (those do come in handy) will take care of that.

I’ll have to dig through my long-sleeved shirts, sweaters and blazers for just the right combo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SUNNY YELLOW TRUE VINTAGE 1960’s SUMMER SUNDRESS

SUNNY YELLOW SIXTIES SUMMER SUNDRESS

Classic cotton summer sundress in lemonade yellow – this is a Sixties frock with the cute bodice detail that is so common on vintage dresses. . . . . as well as the belted wasp waist.

Yellow and white are so Summery.  It’s wonderful to be out and about again!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

IT’S SO MUCH FUN!! HOME-SEWN DAY DRESSES FROM THE 1960’S

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More custom-tailored stories coming my way – this cute cotton summer frock practically lets me follow the seamstress’s journey as she made this dress for herself.  It’s so fun to think of a girl or woman, way back in the day, going to the fabric store and finding a pattern she loves – picking the material she wants and using her sewing skills learned in Home Ec class and the dreams in her imagination to create a dress that she’ll love to wear.

Wish Stella were here to model it for me, but if you know anything about sewing, all the details of this dress make it crystal clear.  Although I love finding gorgeous designer frocks from the 1940’s, Fifties and before, a simple homemade garment is one of the sweetest surprises. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FLORIDA FEET!

FLORIDA FEET!

Gotta have for summer!  Original vintage low-heeled pumps found in the Miami area. From the late Sixties – early Seventies. One pair more casual, one pair a bit dressy.
Both a little bit mod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960s – 1970s PATIO HOSTESS GOWN

TRUE VINTAGE 1960s - 1970s PATIO HOSTESS GOWN

Now that the weather hotter and sunnier we’re all thinking (or dreaming), of outdoor activities.  The idea of giving or going to casual parties (and what to wear) is all part of it.

In the early 1960’s patios and “patio parties” became the big rage.  People built patios onto their houses like crazy and all kinds of decorative lighting, furniture and dinnerware were sold especially for hosting these gatherings of neighbors and friends.

Hostess gowns in very casual styles and materials were all part of this wave, and they persisted into the mid-1970s.  Of course, long casual dresses have been around for a long time and still are, but the “hostess gown” is kind of a separate breed.

This one is typical.  Most of the earlier ones had a defined waist and, often, a belt.  They are a floor-length style that would also look good as a knee-length dress (hint-hint: if you find one you like but don’t want a gown, think about shortening it to a day dress).

I just love finding these dresses.  They really say summer fun in a very true vintage way. Get out the Tiki lanterns and the barbecue grill and have a blast!  If your patio is big enough, don’t forget the cha-cha and bossa nova records.  The girl from Ipanema might show up – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

JUST FOUND – 1960’s MOD PLUS SIZE SUMMER DRESS BY MYNETTE

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This is also a true vintage brand that I already own – so fun to find things by names that I know.  It’s a vintage 16, which was a plus size at that time, but still looks pretty cute on Stella.

Plain and everyday, but still worth picking up, to me.  All part of the vintage sleuthing craft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S -1970’S CASUAL DRESS FOR SUMMER

TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S -1970'S CASUAL DRESS FOR SUMMER

This style is sometimes seen again in copycat fashions now, but was popular for very casual wear in the late ’60’s or the early ’70s.  Not much to say about it excepting that it’s cute and very easy to wear for summer.

Super-casual with a huge metal zipper in front, you probably wouldn’t wear this to work in an office.  It could be great almost anywhere more relaxed and perfect over a swimsuit.

One distinguishing characteristic is the combo of blue and brown in the print, which isn’t often seen but is a mix that I really like.  It’s also a nice, sturdy, high-quality cotton weave.

As day-wear styles got really casual in the mid 1960’s, clothing became easier to wear but generally less well-made and elegant, as I see it. However, you can’t beat well-styled simplicity . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available at Amazon.com