Category Archives: online

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’S SWINGY RAYON DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940'S SWINGY RAYON DRESS

This is a very cool dress from the ’40’s in the characteristic rayon of that era. The skirt is not a full circle, but it swings.

It’s got a side metal zipper – not big enough for Madge’s shoulders. As with many of the dresses for a time period of about 20 years, you really have to wiggle your way into it over your head.

The top is rayon, too, but of an entirely different
texture. The sleeves are skinny and are ruched on both sides at the wrist. An interesting feature.

No label remains, but I’d say that this dress was commercially made. Mid-calf length and slim fit, it makes a nice silhouette with lots of movement. Love it!

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

TRUE VINTAGE MOD-ERA LATE 1960’S BLOUSE BY SYBIL

TRUE VINTAGE MOD-ERA LATE 1960'S BLOUSE BY SYBIL.

TRUE VINTAGE MOD-ERA LATE 1960’S BLOUSE BY SYBIL

TRUE VINTAGE MOD-ERA LATE 1960'S BLOUSE BY SYBIL

A rare find – one of those mystery synthetic garments from the 1960’s. Seems kind of like polyester, but then . . . . . . .

Not to disparage at all – it’s a really nice fabric but I just can’t place it. There were some
very interesting blends back in the day before content
labels were required.

What attracted me most was the style – those beautiful crystal-pleated ruffles are eye-catchers. Ruffles on the front and sleeves were very popular in the late 60’s, usually in a slightly less opulent form than this – a bit too frilly for me, but stunning on the right person.

Picture Twiggy wearing this with a black mini-skirt, lacy black patterned tights, some spiffy mod heels and bold eye make-up and lipstick – with an evening purse – you get the idea. About the time that Mod and Carnaby Street fashions were merging together. Mary Quant and all that. She might have a fit that I mentioned her in relation to this example. It might not be what she would have done at all.

Anyway, it’s a good example and the embroidered tag and sizing all go along with it! Do any of the fashions produced today distinguish themselves so well? I don’t think so, but I’d love some examples. Do you have any? I always look for reference material for the files . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

CUTE LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE HAT FROM THE 40’S OR 50’S

CUTE LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE HAT FROM THE 40'S OR 50'S

This one doesn’t exactly match the suit, but you might be able to get by with it – it’s so close. It’s also from the same time period.

Whatever label it had is gone now, which is a shame because hat labels are very interesting. I might have shown it on a model but Daphne, Celia and Marlene are on their holiday.

Speaking of which, please enjoy your 4th of July if you’re from the U.S. and I’ll be back from the latest mission in a day or two. Caio!

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

TRUE VINTAGE SUIT OR 2 PC. DRESS FROM THE ’40’S – ’50’S

TRUE VINTAGE SUIT OR 2 PC. DRESS FROM THE '40'S - '50'S

What a cute little 3-season outfit with a fantastic hourglass shape. I always love these!

It’s a late ’40’s to early ’50’s style, with little shoulder pads and beautiful tailoring. Although it is unlined and not haute couture, it’s very nicely done and has those wonderful design details that even continue on the back of the jacket.

The ever-popular pencil skirt goes with almost anything. This could be worn as a dress, as separate pieces or as a suit. I see it with a little white blouse or shell underneath, jacket open.

At a time when women were finding their fashion feet again and, actually, going wild with style! Clothing from this era is beautiful and fun to find. Notice that the tags are still on this one – I love surprise discoveries like this. Keep sleuthing because, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . .
ALSO, I’LL BE TRAVELING FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS SO THE POSTS MAY BE A LITTLE BIT WONKY BUT, NO WORRIES, THE INVESTIGATION GOES ON AND I WILL REPORT REGULARLY.
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S HOME-SEWN SHIRT WAIST DAY DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S HOME-SEWN SHIRT WAIST DAY DRESS.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S HOME-SEWN SHIRT WAIST DAY DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S HOME-SEWN SHIRT WAIST DAY DRESS

I show a lot of this style, because it was SO popular from the mid-forties until the early ’60’s. This example is quintessential in all its qualities.

I’m sure this was home-sewn because when I found it I found 3 others obviously made for the same woman. Yes, she may have had a tailor.

Lovely cotton which can’t be found anymore – certainly not in fabric stores. It’s hard to describe if you don’t know it. Looks wonderful, feels wonderful and gets better with age.

Also, the buttons she used are just great! They’re big, plastic and colorful. Some were sculpted in their shape. The sewing is impeccably done and fabric-covered belts always look so crisp and stylish. Naturally, there’s a generous hem (whatever happened to those?).

All four of these dresses were of exactly the same style, each one in a beautiful cotton print. Though I’m sure they were well-used, they hardly looked worn – a testament to the quality of vintage materials and workmanship, as well as the care of the owner.

Each one opens the book on a mystery, just as illusive as they can be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . … . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S RED TAFFETA GOWN WITH A CIRCLE SKIRT

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S RED TAFFETA GOWN WITH A CIRCLE SKIRT.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S RED TAFFETA GOWN WITH A CIRCLE SKIRT

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S RED TAFFETA GOWN WITH A CIRCLE SKIRT

This is a very special dress – the one that the actress playing the “vixen” would wear in a 1950’s movie. Or, the devil with the red dress on. . . . . . . . .

Taffeta seems to be one of the favorite “special dress” fabrics from the ’50’s. I also love boat necks and 3/4 sleeves. Fire engine red always makes a statement. It’s not a debutante party frock – about 100 miles from the little white one I just posted!

I would really like to know the history of this one. Based on where I discovered it, I suspect that it was worn by a small-time bad girl or a wannabe.

One of those “in your dreams” dresses. It’s always good to have at least a few of those handy because, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

LOVELY COTTON SHIRT-WAIST FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S IN FALL COLORS

LOVELY COTTON SHIRT-WAIST FROM THE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S IN FALL COLORS.