Category Archives: mid-1960’s

YOU’RE SO VAIN: The Oft-Forgotten but Fabulous Accessory – HATS

The Oft-Forgotten but Fabulous Accessory - HATS

Although I always love hats, the beginning of Fall always gets me thinking about them more.  And,  there couldn’t be an easier style to wear than this one.

The average woman before 1970 understood the allure and the impact of hats.  They used to be a central part of any outfit and occupied a center-stage position in the wardrobe of any woman or man.

This one is a simple but very effective style from the late ’60s or ’70s,  it has a chain and ribbon band and is made of wool felt.   Carley Simon wears a similar one on the jacket of her famous debut album in 1972.

A wide brim is flattering to most faces and the key, as always, is to try it on before you buy and to learn what flatters your particular face and body.  A great hat can be the most important thing you wear.

They’re also very effective if you’re wanting to be a bit mysterious or difficult to recognize . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A TRUE VINTAGE KNITTED SWEATER CAPE BY BANFF, FROM THE 1960’S OR EARLY ’70’S

A TRUE VINTAGE KNITTED SWEATER CAPE BY BANFF, FROM THE 1960'S OR EARLY '70'S

These types of sweaters/capes/ponchos were popular in the ’60’s and a lot of women knitted them themselves. This one is made by the Banff company, which produced a lot of really nice knits. I have a beaded sweater, knit dresses and suits by them, too.

The greatest feature, to me, is the armholes that allow you to have hands free. Any cape with this design is wonderful because it raises the convenience level big time!

Another nice thing is the button front. Also convenient. The fringe is lovely and the acrylic yarn also great because it washes so nicely and gives warmth but doesn’t have the weight and care issues of most wool items.

Sweet little sweater things, whether cardigans, pull-overs, jackets & coats, dresses and skirts,etc. were really popular in the ’60’s and early ’70’s and are very different from the things made now.

I love finding these beautiful vintage garments that are so unique, stylish and of exceptional quality. This one is an open-weave, so perfect for late Spring, early Fall and cool Summer nights.

True vintage sweater knits are not common finds (are any really common?) but definitely worth the treasure hunt . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 60’S – EARLY ’70’S MINI TRENCH RAINCOAT

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 60’S – EARLY ’70’S MINI TRENCH RAINCOAT.

TWO TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY EVENING COATS FOR SPRING AND SUMMER

TWO TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY EVENING COATS FOR SPRING AND SUMMER

Here’s another view of the green evening coat I like to show for St. Patrick’s Day – this time with a more versatile and elegant style from the same decade.  These coats are from the 1950’s/1960’s. Lighter-weight fabrics and fresh colors make them suitable for mild evenings.

So fun, with a little sparkle, the one on left is more subtle with just a bit of pattern in the glossy pale yellow material.  Both have easy, elegant styling but the coat on the right is in-your-face BRIGHT with a silky emerald floral jacquard and huge collar.  VERY much a sign of it’s time.

It’s so important for me to have alternative disguises available . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

BEAUTIFUL ICONIC EARLY 1960’S SUEDE COAT WITH MINK COLLAR

BEAUTIFUL ICONIC EARLY 1960'S SUEDE COAT WITH MINK COLLAR

Yes, I know, I know, I know – I already have several of these, but I DON’T have one this color!  These coats are so beautiful and this one so perfect that I just couldn’t resist . . . . . . . . .

I’ve seen this style coat in a range of earth-tone colors with some small variations on the design.  They are impeccably tailored and elegant in buttery suede with darker mink collars.  Must have been very popular in the early ’60’s and now have so many possibilities!  The collar closes in front with special hooks and eyes to create a rolled effect.

I love to imagine mine over a dress, skirt and blouse, slacks or jeans.  Scarves and gorgeous leather accessories complete the look.  Though it was a semi-dress item in it’s original incarnation, today it goes from casual – casual to fairly dressy in the blink of an eye.  I must photograph Stella in this coat with a variety of looks . . . . . . . . .

No wonder I couldn’t say no when I found this dark chocolate version in virtually perfect condition.  It has the original owner’s initials sewn inside, as a fun extra . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S MEN’S SUEDE LEATHER WESTERN-WEAR SPORT COAT

TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S MEN'S SUEDE LEATHER WESTERN-WEAR SPORT COAT

Cresco Fine Sportswear designed this great jacket, with front and back yokes, in a buttery camel-color suede. It was probably sold by a Western-wear dealer or fine men’s clothing store.

All the features of fine tailoring are here – a cloth label, 3 outside pockets and at least one inside, full lining plus dyed-to-match buttons on front and at the cuffs.

A sharp-looking gentleman’s garment. True, Madge can’t do justice to the shoulders . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG;  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS FIND – 1960’S MOD LEATHER SWING CAR COAT

With  the fun styling lines of the mid-Sixties, this coat will go with almost everything and be such fun to wear.  Someone loved it because the condition is fabulous.  Also, unlike many coats with fur collars, this one is just basted in place so can easily be removed if only for a trip to the dry-cleaners.  What convenience!

I love the sporty styling of that era and the way that the back hangs loose and swings while the front ties across the waist.  The best of two designs!

A rare find, indeed, but just another day in the life of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER FUN FIND – SUEDE AND FUR SPORTY SIXTIES MIDI COAT

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Once again, a beautifully-cared-for coat from the mad mod era of the Sixties.  This one more closely approaches the late Sixties hippie – boho styling that was popular then.  I have another one, very similar, of suede and shearling which has kind of an Asian-sheepherder vibe.  The predominant elegance of the earlier part of that decade gave way to much more casual design later on.

Regardless, this coat is very well-made and also features the basted-on collar and cuffs that make changing the look or dealing with cleaning a lot simpler.  The suede is still that super-soft fine leather that may be lambsuede (makes me sad just to think about it) which had been a popular coat material  during the Kennedy administration.  That and the beautiful fur trim (again, very sad) is a nod to the elegance that was fast slipping away.

One thing that makes me very happy when I see vintage furs is that today faux furs look virtually identical!  That’s one plus which will make the practice of raising, trapping and slaughtering animals for their furs less popular.  Please, never buy a modern garment made with real fur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HOME-DESIGNED 1960’s MOD-PRINT MATERNITY BLOUSE

So unusual to find a maternity blouse this old, let alone two of them within a couple of weeks! This example is definitely from the 1960’s, per the fabric, but with styling from an even earlier era.

Peter Pan collar, contrasting cuffs, back button closure and a deep inverted pleat in front. Although maternity wear was available commercially long before this garment was made, most early pregnancy-wear seems to have been sewn at home.

It’s fun to see prim and proper pregnant meet psychedelic! More to come – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

FOUND YESTERDAY – A “TRUE BLUE” VINTAGE LITTLE HOME-SEWN SUMMER DRESS

From about 1965 – 1970, this ordinary-looking little frock is an exciting find to me. Why? It’s rare to find a dress from this era in perfect condition and with all the hallmarks of a true vintage piece. And, it’s very cute!

In traffic – sign yellow, which was a very popular color for clothing at that time, it’s an eye-grabber. It’s a slightly – fitted A – line style that is very flattering on the body. Although there are many dresses on the market in recent years that may look identical from a distance, this one stands out on closer examination with authentic construction and styling from back in the day. Always thrills me!

Although some modern companies have tried to mimic these features and fool shoppers into thinking they’re buying a vintage garment, they’re not successful if you know your stuff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG; MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM