Odette Barsa designed especially beautiful sleepwear for women. The family apparently kept the company on the go into the 1980’s – after the designer’s death.
The thing I’ve noticed most about these gorgeous creations is her use of ribbon, woven into trims. I also have a bed jacket by this company with the same kind of decoration.
What a pleasure it is to look at and wear true vintage lingerie and nightwear. Nothing today can compare to the sumptuous feel of the fabrics, usually heavy silk or nylon, and the exquisite craftsmanship.
At some point I’ll be taking you on a tour of my gowns, robes and other interesting little what-nots from years ago.
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com
This one is fun! Not my best colors, but how can I not keep it and wear it? The style is casual, but it isn’t grunge-wear. In fact, it’s a rather stylish summer top with a Country Club feel and an element of elegance.
It’s fully lined in the body and buttons up the back. The sleeves and fringes are left sheer. I just love finding items like this, which tell a story about the type of woman who would have purchased and worn it. I see it with a pair of white capri’s or shorts and leather sandals – flat or with a kitten heel – worn by a dark-haired Italian actress in a James Bond movie. Only your own imagination and personal style put any limits on how it can be combined with other elements of your wardrobe.
Where to go today? Perhaps the Riviera? You just never know . .. . . . . . . . . …
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Viintage Fashion available at Amazon.com
Two-tone beige pumps can be worn virtually any time of year, with almost anything. Notice the cut-out and applique’ detail – and, of course, with genuine leather uppers.
You’ll probably want to wait until June to start wearing your white pumps with pretty summer frocks or suits. These are in leather, also, by a famous maker of true vintage footwear, Red Cross Shoes.
Although very classic and virtually timeless, shoes of this basic shape and style were quite popular in the early 1960’s – think Jacqueline Kennedy during her White House years.
I love the details on these. We’ll be discussing more details on clothing and accessories made before 1970. They were almost always done very carefully and artistically – more so than in later years. Just another example of the quality and craftsmanship found in true vintage apparel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . more reasons to adore it!
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available at Amazon.com
Through till Monday or so, it’s all about details. This dress doesn’t look like much on the hanger – it’s a custom-tailored wrap dress that needs the body to define it’s shape.
The most interesting points about it are in the construction. It’s a fun style that buttons off-side and has hidden inside ties to shape the waist and tame the overlap.
The seamstress used little metallic buttons and the fabric has gold accents on some of the flowers in the print. It has an Asian flavor to the style and the floral designs.
So far, you’re still saying “OK, ho hum, so what? I see stuff that looks like this all the time.” The big deal in this dress, to my vintage-spotting eye, is the fabric.
It is a closely-woven 100% cotton that looks and feels like nothing new. The best way that I can describe the “hand” (feel) of it is if your grandmother still has cotton sheets from the 1940’s or 1950’s that have gotten soft with wear over the years, but are still strong.
The fabric also has a polish. Good polished cotton is rarely, if ever, seen in modern clothing.
So, that’s the secret of this casual dress and what makes it special. . . . . . . . . . . .
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com
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