Category Archives: mid-century

WHAT I WEAR EVERY SUMMER – 1940’S OR ’50’S CIRCLE SKIRT AND BLOUSE

WHAT I WORE YESTERDAY - 1940'S OR '50'S CIRCLE SKIRT AND BLOUSE

I’ve shown a circle skirt or two before. Here’s one of my favorites! In a farm theme print, with colors that segue into Fall. Novelty prints on old fabrics are wonderful!!

Coral color is a favorite of mine. This blouse is not really old (1970’s or maybe 1960’s). I dyed it, because I had other blouses of the same hue. Turned out a PERFECT match for this skirt!

Soft cotton from years of wear and washing – I believe that the skirt is home sewn, but very well. It has an inside tab at the waist that buttons, with two choices for size. At the sides, there are tabs that pull through two rings, allowing you to tighten the waist to fit. One side pocket.

Simple design, easy wear. I really love the adjustability of the waistline.

The print shows horses and wagons and trees, a barn. I wear this all Summer, but it doesn’t look too summery to wear all Fall, until it gets too cold. Would go nicely with a sweater.

I found this one hiding at a friend’s place. It pays to check around because you just never know . .. . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

TRUE VINTAGE COTTON CANDY CONFECTION OF A FROCK – EARLY 1960’S

TRUE VINTAGE COTTON CANDY CONFECTION OF A FROCK – EARLY 1960'S.

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE WRAP-AROUND DRESS BY SWIRL

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE WRAP-AROUND DRESS BY SWIRL.

PRETTY LITTLE SLINKY KNIT DRESS FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

PRETTY LITTLE SLINKY KNIT DRESS FROM THE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S.

PRETTY LITTLE SLINKY KNIT DRESS FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

PRETTY LITTLE SLINKY KNIT DRESS FROM THE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S

I’ve come across many dresses made of this cool, smooth, glossy knit. Most are from the ’50’s and some from the ’40’s. It’s just so comfortable and drapes so well!

This one has a metal zip up the back and a fabric tie belt. There is no tag anymore, but I’m sure it was commercially-made.

There is piping around the neckline and the armholes. This detail can be done at home, but it’s tricky to do really well.

It’s another in-between casual to dressy day dress. It seems there were lots like that because, until the ’60’s, most women and girls wore dresses or skirts every day, for all activities that were not really casual (like sports or a picnic) or at-home.

I often get compliments when wearing something like this to town. Older men like it because it reminds them of how women dressed when they were in their younger years and women spot it as unusual, even if they’re not sure it’s vintage. If they do know it’s vintage, it takes them right back to – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

MOST SIMPLE TRUE VINTAGE EVERYDAY GINGHAM DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1960’S

MOST SIMPLE EVERYDAY GINGHAM DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1960'S.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S SUNDRESSES

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S SUNDRESSES.

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE – PROBABLY FROM THE 1960’s

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE – PROBABLY FROM THE 1960's.

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE – PROBABLY FROM THE 1960’s

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE - PROBABLY FROM THE 1960's

To change gears a bit today, here’s an example of a beautiful handcrafted item. It’s an evening purse made of black velvet and satin with metallic embroidery all over, front and back.

It was probably made in Hong Kong or Europe and took someone a long time to do by hand. These sorts of items were much more available back in the day. I suppose that you can still get them now, but only overseas or in very specialized shops.

Handiwork of this kind and exquisite workmanship used to be seen in fashion items that middle-income women could afford to buy, at least once in a while. Although it was generally done overseas, many of the major department stores sold it in their better departments. It’s difficult to find now. The hand-crafted items that are sold today generally can’t compare in terms of their quality.

Keep your eyes open for little items like this, hiding here and there. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LITTLE GINGHAM DAY DRESS

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S LITTLE GINGHAM DAY DRESS.