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LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S DAY DRESS FOR SPRING AND SUMMER. ONE OF MY FIRST FINDS!

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960'S DAY DRESS FOR SPRING AND SUMMER

From shopping, to work, to date – meeting or picnic, this dress is very simple, but stylish and feminine, too. In pale blue, there are two layers of fabric. The outer layer is somewhat sheer with embroidery all over.

The bodice has an interesting shape, with deep pleats along each side that give it some fullness and a cap sleeve effect. This frock definitely has style and could be dressed up or down – very versatile.

Many of the dresses from late ’50’s to early ’60s have elegant details like this. The form-fitting cut of that era seen in sheath dresses is so flattering! True vintage garments are rarely run-of-the-mill and often show these style surprises and very pleasing lines.

That’s one reason why they’re so much fun to find. Each one is a surprise and 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 MID-1950s POUF-STYLE PARTY FROCK BY FRANK STARR

TRUE VINTAGE MID-1950s POUF-STYLE PARTY FROCK BY FRANK STARR

Another of my absolutely fabulous finds – fit for a princess at a party or Prom. This one is a quintessential 1950s pouf dress by Frank Starr, (of California, I believe) in a floral print.  He was a well-known designer at that time.

I’m always amazed at what I find, and this frock really turned the lights on! Organza over rayon or acetate, with a velvet-covered belt & the makers’ label on an inside seam.. In virtually perfect condition.

I can just see Elizabeth Taylor flouncing around in this in one of her movies, playing a young woman ready to go to a dance party.  Imitations are made, but true vintage can’t be replaced and it’s priceless, in my opinion.

This example can hardly compete with the one shown yesterday, or the day before. They are all wonderful and uniquely original. We’ll step backwards in time just a little bit tomorrow. What’s coming up until then? You just never know . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy
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A FABULOUS EARLY 1950’S JUNE WEDDING – IN HANDMADE LACE

IMG_1479     Count on the McCall’s magazine to come up with everything! – including patterns for hand-crocheted or knitted dresses for all the women in your wedding party.  Unbelievable!!

Well, it would certainly have kept the cost down.  Many women did make their wedding gowns and attendants’ dresses in the past, or have them made, but usually the designs weren’t so labor-intensive as something like this.  Can you imagine, with everything else there is to do to prepare for a wedding?

So, that was life in the early 1950’s.   A lot simpler in some ways, a lot more tedious in others – but we’ve lost most of the elegance along the way.  We’ll keep stepping back in time with my latest finds . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – ’70’S BOX BAG WITH LUGGAGE – STYLE HARDWARE

TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S - '70'S BOX BAG WITH LUGGAGE - STYLE HARDWARE

Box bags were quite popular during the mid-century.  Here’s an example from the 1960’s or 1970’s.

This one was made in Italy, where many beautiful handbags were, and still are, made.  It doesn’t have a smidge of leather on it, which Italy is usually famous for, but it is still very well constructed.

After all these years, the hardware remains shiny and unblemished.  The woven exterior looks almost new, as does the interior.  Although it helps that this purse was used little if at all, age and storage can wreak havoc on many items – especially if they are not of good quality.

So, if you haven’t stored your treasures with care, they can deteriorate simply from sitting still while they wait for you to enjoy them.  Keeping them dust-free and clean, inside and out, is important.  Don’t store them in places where the temperature or humidity are too high or too low.  If the item is made of natural materials, using a quality conditioning lotion made for the material once in a while will make a big difference in their appearance and durability.  Lotions and sprays made for leather, skins and wicker are available.  Even vinyl can be conditioned with products made for car interiors.  That’s my wisdom for the day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA

HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA

Another of my favorite things is vintage hand-tooled leather (in purses and belts, etc.). I have a ton of these, too. This one is a special example because of its unusual design.  It’s a lovely piece.

The motif here is trillium flowers. They grow in the northern U.S., parts of Europe (I think – is that right?) and are a symbol in Canada.  They are a beautiful white flower that blooms in the forest.

This purse came from Canada and, I’m sure, was made there. It doesn’t even seem to have been used.  Is it true vintage? That I can’t tell you for sure.  Some people are still quite skilled at doing this leather craft as a hobby today.

Most commonly, at least here in the U.S., we see true vintage handbags like this one with traditional motifs that were popular on Western-wear – even saddles and such.  Many are floral, but not like this.

Some tooled leather purses from Mexico made more recently (1970’s +) have ethnic symbols such as Mexican scenes and the Mayan calendar.

This is just a beautiful example of the craftsmanship in these items, though my favorites are the older ones with motifs from the Western U.S.A.  Lovely examples of tooled leather have been made in many cultures and they are always special to find.  I’ll show more great examples later . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

INTERESTING TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE 1940’s – 1950’S

INTERESTING TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE 1950'S

I have TONS of true vintage handbags and won’t show them all, but I’ll post examples of really lovely ones or unusual styles. This one is croc-embossed leather with out-of-the-ordinary style and color.

True vintage handbags are one of the greatest bargains available, wherever you find them. Today’s purses don’t hold a candle to them in terms of quality or design.

The leather is usually of a high grade and the workmanship is exceptional. Hardware is also more interesting and of better quality than most used today.

Some even came with a small mirror included inside, in a cellophane or waxed paper envelope.  Although they sometimes are not meant to hold a lot of stuff, they are elegant and send the message of strong fashion sense and good taste.

And, it is possible to find true vintage bags that are quite roomy, if you know exactly what you are looking for. This one has plenty of room, even for a small pair of binoculars . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE HANDBAGS FROM THE 1960s

A COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE HANDBAGS FROM THE 1960s

These bags, with the exception of the unidentified tapestry and wood one, are right in the same category with other popular mass-produced purses of the 1960’s.  Almost every woman had at least one.  The little black purse is  by Ande’. The brown purses are by Naturalizer or Air Step, which are or were also the makers of popular shoes.

Back in the day, several of the most popular shoe-makers that had stores all across the U.S. also made handbags to coordinate with their shoes and sold these along with them. Great marketing ploy to snag an impulse buy when a woman went to the shoe store or shoe department of her favorite department store!

Most, if not all, are made of vinyl and are sturdy and nicely detailed. A lot of them have interesting designs and may be of two or three colors together. Not top-of-the-line, but they lasted! They were made for every season of the year – I have several in pastel colors for Spring and Summer.

The tapestry bag has no maker’s stamp. It is roomy and plain inside. Just a handy carry-all in an interesting design – this type was also popular in the ’60s. It reminds me of one that Aunt Clara on Bewitched might have carried!  Fun to find it, in a Canadian eclectic secondhand store. You really just never know . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN LEATHER HANDBAG WITH A GREAT STORY

BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN LEATHER HANDBAG WITH A GREAT STORY

This beauty was made in Florence, Italy and has a fantastic story. First, I’ll tell my part –

On a Mediterranean cruise, I was listening to the excursions director tell about the ports of call that we’d be stopping in.  Part of her presentation was to highlight the special products available in each place, in case we wanted to go shopping.  She flashed a photo of this handbag made in Florence, Italy on the screen and I just about jumped out of my seat.  I had discovered this one above just like it about 2 months before while vintage-hunting in my neighborhood!  When I told the excursions director my story, she congratulated me and said that these bags sell for 300+ Euros!!

Italy has long been known for its exceptional leather goods – some say it’s #1 in the world. This purse is certainly a good example.  It has a gorgeous red leather lining with special internal pockets which I have never seen before.  Each one closes with a snap clasp like old cigarette cases used to.  The outside clasp is like other true vintage ones I have seen that self-lock when the purse is closed.  After I brought it home, I added a black and red leather billfold which I had found on a previous thrifting expedition.  It coordinates perfectly!

This handbag was styled after one which was made decades ago BY SPECIAL ORDER FOR GRACE KELLY, probably after she had married Prince Ranier of Monaco in 1956 and was living as Princess Grace in Europe.  Can you imagine how my little vintage-loving heart swooned when I learned that?!!!

What a great surprise!  Nothing could have added to the joy and mystique of my first cruise experience like this did. You just never know . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TWO TRUE VINTAGE PURSES FOR SPRING & SUMMER BY MORRIS MOSCOWITZ & ANDE’

TWO TRUE VINTAGE PURSES FOR SPRING BY MORRIS MOSCOWITZ & ANDE'

These two are very special, though they may not seem so at first glance. Let me tell you why –

The coral-color clutch is by Morris Moscowitz, a maker of fine handbags until about 1975.  This one is from the Fifties or very early Sixties.  It is fabric on the outside – a linen/rayon blend is what it looks like – and fabric-lined inside (much more nicely than anything I see in the mid-priced range today).  Love the color and the fabric exterior – great for Spring and Summer.  You will find the maker’s name printed in gold inside – MM with the full name in small letters below.  Beware, as always, of logos that look similar, but are not authentic.

The second one can double as a clutch or handbag, made of imitation leather with a fabric lining.  It is by Ande’.   Purses by this maker, in my experience,  were not high-end items but their designs were always innovative and creative and they are nicely made.  For example, this one has a make-up mirror that folds out on a hinge.  You’ll never lose or break this one!  Of course, it would usually be stored inside the purse, as the handle can be, too.  Notice the Lucite clasp.

What else makes these handbags wonderful?  Remember, they are at least 50 years old and have stood up exceptionally well.  Their construction speaks to the quality of the materials and the workmanship in the manufacture of them which is something that we, unfortunately, see very rarely today.

I’ve discovered several of these in my various vintage-hunting episodes and they are each different and distinctive.
Little details are always a surprise! 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 1950’S PARTY DRESS – REMINDS ME OF GRACE KELLY

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S PARTY DRESS - REMINDS ME OF GRACE KELLY

This one was a FABulous surprise find!  I always have my eyes open and my antennae up, but this blew me away!

A sheer layer over plain liner, and fitted drop-waist hourglass shape – the colors are for Fall but work beautifully in Spring and Summer for someone with the right coloring.  It reminds me of a dress that Grace Kelly wore in the Alfred Hitchcock movie, Rear Window in 1954. Just a fabulous film – highly recommended.

The style is a bit different and the colors are, too.  The criss-cross neckline is something not usually seen.  I love it – it’s so fun to find unusual items.

Watch that old movie if you can.  It’s a great one and the clothing is wonderful.  I have at least one other dress that was, in fact, modeled on one of the frocks that Grace wore in Rear Window.  And, also, a dress modeled on the one that she wore to the opening of that movie.  It pays to have older friends who used to do a lot of sewing back in the day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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