Love this dress! The hippie-dippie sleeves, tiny polka dot, empire waistline and sexy fit. Maybe what I like best is the easy-wear of it for hot weather – cool and breezy but gives good sun coverage, too. No, what I like best is its absolute uniqueness and style. SO Stevie Nicks, So Sixties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Come on, Sunshine!!!!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s Stella showing this frock off properly. Can’t wait to wear it! The way the temperatures are going, it won’t be too long. Love the polished cotton and the atomic applique’.
Perfect for summer fun. With a long metal zip up the back and swirling circle skirt, it’s easy-in and just right for a street dance. Or, a picnic, or strolling with a date, or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Pretty easy-wear polished cotton sundress from the early to mid-1950’s, in the New Look style. Bit of an atomic thing going on with the applique’ design. Somebody had a lot of fun with this one!
Can’t wait to see it on Stella – it’s a real knockout on a gal with an hourglass figure. Marilyn would have loved it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Sticking with up-scale day frocks and moving forward a couple of decades, look at this fabulous late Sixties frock! These were iconic color combinations from that time.
This size 10 dress on x-small Stella is a good clue to it’s era. The fabric is a glossy rayon & linen blend – a bit dressy, with a nice drape. A pretty day-time sheath with a bit of attitude.
No matter the time of year, the hunt continues and you just never know. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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More from my favorite(?) decade. This little cutie is a crepe number – very popular in the 1940’s. It’s a day dress and I love the cute trim details! Heavy enough to wear in the cooler seasons, too.
I had another very much like it with plain pockets which I saw worn in a popular movie from that time – just about the same color as mine, too. That was a thrill.
This one is really more gold than yellow but, between the digital camera and the funky light, it’s hard to tell. Women enjoyed fashions like this with their quirky details in the forties. A lot of the clothing from past decades really makes me smile.
This is another teeny one with a side zipper and front buttons to the waist. The trim gives kind of a peplum effect – peplums were also a popular style feature then. I’ll show at least one more soon.
I just love shirtwaist dresses from that decade – one of my favorite true vintage styles. The crepe fabric doesn’t move as much as rayon, but still drapes really nicely – a hallmark of many 1940’s garments for men and women. Swish!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This is a really interesting find! A plain belted sheath dress with removable peplum. I encountered a photo several years ago that told me the year it was designed and the designer. I can’t remember the designer’s name – can anyone help out? It was a famous name that we all know.
This one was styled by Nellie Don, a company which made very reasonably-priced clothing items for women in America – not couture. Usually a year or two after styles came out in Paris they found their way into the U.S. one way or another. So, this dress would probably have hit the store racks in 1952 or 1953.
It’s made of an unremarkable heavy-ish fabric – some kind of cotton blend in an abstract print – with a center back metal zipper. But, it is an unusual length for that time – just a bit below the knee. The Paris trends would have told us when hems wer going up again!
I was quite surprised when I discovered it, hiding in an odd little shop, and it was a revelation when I noticed that photo! You really just never know . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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I’ve always loved the garments made by this company, SWIRL, and this one is no exception. It may not be as old as some of the ones I own, but still has the ’60’s – ’70’s applique’ and the great styling.
Like some other things (the dresses I just came up with . . . . .), you can never have too many . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
FRENCH COTTON ROBE IN A NOVELTY PRINT
Originally purchased from a store on the Champs Elysee (the label testifies!), this mid-century wrap has tons of personality! The colorful motif of rajas, elephants, umbrellas and pennants is humorous like so many of the novelty designs of the early mid-century. It’s always a real plus to unearth one.
Dresses are always wonderful, but a garment like this one is unique and special. The open, kimono styling makes me think of lazy days in a Paris apartment with aromas of cooking, the taste of good cheese and wine and the laughter of friends and lovers. I might even add a snap, hook and a belt and wear it as a dress.
So much fun to find it! Giselle agrees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Sometimes I love short sleeves and sometimes I think that they look dowdy on me. It all depends on the cut and style of the dress, and how it fits my body.
In this case, I decided to remove the sleeves. It’s very simple to do by carefully taking out the stitching in the seam that attaches the sleeve to the bodice. Don’t cut into the material – just save the sleeves as they are. Then you can re-attach them later or include them with the item if you ever decide to sell it.
Finishing off the seam is an easy thing to do, or to have someone else do! Voila! A sleeveless style, which are favorites of mine.
I’m sure that some of you seamstresses and tailors out there will have comments to make about this. Please do!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This fabulous 100% cotton dress was made in West Germany, obviously before 1989 and maybe many years before that. Yes, it’s another new find that’s out-of-season right now in North America and most of Europe, but I love, love, love this anyway and couldn’t wait to show it!
Forties style is so wonderful. I love the cut-in shoulders that give a halter neckline feel without the bare upper back. It’s one of my favorite styles and I’ve been so fortunate lately to find some true vintage Forties, too. Shirtwaist ease is always great – red and white polka dots – a nipped-in waist and midi hemline ………… Fashion heaven!!
Plus, it’s got that true vintage West German quality of workmanship and materials that make it a really good investment, no matter what. It’s in perfect condition and will continue to last. What could be better? . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
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