TRUE VINTAGE 1970’s DISCO DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1970s DISCO DRESS

Here’s the perfect dress to pair up with those lipstick-red stilettos that I posted yesterday. Silver or gold leather sandals would work nicely, too. It’s made for dancing, with a skirt that is long enough to let you be versatile in your moves and swingy enough to follow your body and the music.

The material is a heavy synthetic jacquard print, which allows movement on the dance floor.  It was made for Disco, but would also be great for Swing dancing.  Back nylon zipper, elastic in the waist.  Looks a lot like modern stuff – the tags, alone, told its age.

I would probably put on a rope, chain or skinny buckle belt because I like waist emphasis. If I’m dancing, it would have to be something that wouldn’t interfere. If I’m out to dinner, a party, movie or other event any kind of belt I liked would be fine.

Alas, this dress is a medium to largish size so won’t fit me  unless I have it altered or do it myself (either is always an option).  Anyway, it’s lovely and RED (a favorite of mine) and very versatile. It simply presented itself to me so, how could I refuse .. . . . . .. . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S STRAPLESS DRESS WITH BEADED BODICE AND MATCHING JACKET

Here’s the flip-side of sweet – my favorite strapless number from the 1950’s. Rayon with beading and a killer fit.

I love to imagine where this one has or could have been. Smokey nightclubs come to mind. Maybe she was a singer.

It was a dark night in the city. The story you are about to see . . . . . . . ….. . .. . . . . … . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

VA-VA-VOOM! TOTALLY MAGICAL TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S VIXEN DRESS

VA-VA-VOOM!  TOTALLY MAGICAL TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S VIXEN DRESS

OK.  Let’s compare this frock to the dress shown yesterday. . . . . . . ..

This was a completely magical find!  For the first thing, I almost missed it.   I was an inexperienced sleuth at the time, years ago, and wasn’t sure what I was seeing.

Second, it was at least 3 sizes too big, with some dowdy design features that were not appealing.  However, this is a 100% silk dress with a designer label.

Look at the draping and the ruching – GORGEOUS!! Another woman remarked about it and woke me up.

After a few very simple alterations, without doing anything that can’t be reversed, voila’! An absolute Mata Hari, femme fatale frock. Who knew?

From the same 1950’s era as yesterday’s dress – just as elegant but with a totally different feel.  This dress is very sexy and dramatic, but not in any way sleazy or tacky.  That’s the beauty of true vintage style and quality . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S COCKTAIL SHEATH DRESS

THIS IS SOME OF THE BEST FUN – FINDING A FABULOUS PIECE AND ALSO HAVING THE CHANCE TO BE CREATIVE .. . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S COCKTAIL SHEATH DRESS

While we’re in the mood, here’s a really special dress from, I believe, the 1950’s. It’s more or less a cocktail style, but could go to dinner and dancing, too.

Originally, it had nude netting on the front bodice and upper back, with skinny binding around the armhole area and the neckline.  The purpose is to give a bare look, without the bare.

Very elegant but, unfortunately, the material had some small holes which could not be repaired. I could not locate material of the same type for a replacement, so I reluctantly removed it and restyled things a bit to make skinny straps instead. It works! Being versatile is an indispensable skill.

I love this dramatic pointy accent on the front! The fabric is also very elegant – probably a rayon that looks for all the world like silk shantung. And the hourglass shape!

Worth of Peggy Lee any…

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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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

BEAUTIFUL HAND-CRAFTED VINTAGE ACCESSORIES WERE ELEGANT AND CHERISHED ADDITIONS TO OUR GRANDMOTHERS’ WARDROBES

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

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…

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A LATE 1970’S POLY-KNIT GOWN AND JACKET ENSEMBLE FROM A MIAMI SPECIALTY BOUTIQUE

A LATE 1970'S POLY-KNIT GOWN AND JACKET ENSEMBLE FROM A MIAMI SPECIALTY BOUTIQUE.

A LATE 1970’S POLY-KNIT GOWN AND JACKET ENSEMBLE FROM A MIAMI SPECIALTY BOUTIQUE

It’s still cool enough to enjoy wearing this glitzy true vintage ensemble.

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

A LATE 1970'S POLY-KNIT GOWN AND JACKET ENSEMBLE FROM A MIAMI SPECIALTY BOUTIQUE

Disco Days again! This silver-sparkly knit dress and jacket are for dancing the night away.

The dress is bare shoulders with rhinestone-studded straps and trim, back zip and a side slit for doing the boogie. The jacket has rhinestone-studded buttons. I have some silver and black platform sandals from the same era that go perfectly!.

This is another of those specialty outfits from a small shop in South Beach Miami, Florida. It has the hallmarks of the late ’70’s – mostly in the fabric and some of the construction details.

Not a high-end garment this time in terms of its quality, but I’ll bet it was expensive because of where it was sold – even back then. Fortunately, all the rhinestones in the buttons and trimming are in place so we can’t fault the value of those items – they didn’t tend to fall apart.

I’m always pleasantly surprised to…

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FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S STRAPLESS DRESS WITH BEADED BODICE AND MATCHING JACKET

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

Here’s the flip-side of sweet – my favorite strapless number from the 1950’s. Rayon with beading and a killer fit.

I love to imagine where this one has or could have been. Smokey nightclubs come to mind. Maybe she was a singer.

It was a dark night in the city. The story you are about to see . . . . . . . ….. . .. . . . . … . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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SAVED MY FAVORITE FOR “THE DAY” – SWEET 1950’S TRUE VINTAGE PARTY FROCK

Have fun!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

This one is my very favorite – in a silvery plum. I think Peggy Lee would have loved performing in this.

Your regular boyfriend can escort you around in this one, but he’d better be prepared for the competition . .. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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