Category Archives: online

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S JACQUARD COCKTAIL BLOUSE

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S JACQUARD COCKTAIL BLOUSE

Here’s a lovely, oh-so-flattering jacquard blouse for cocktails, dinner, dancing and parties. It looks superb with a long black skirt or black cigarette pants.

Notice the little bows at the waist. It also buttons up the back (I LOVE that feature of so many ’50’s blouses) with 5/8″ covered buttons. Very swank.

The fun thing about 50’s separates like this is that they were dressed up or down, since rock and roll, rhythm and blues and, later, cocktail parties became such a rage – on top of the more formal and traditional occasions that were always part of the social scene.

As usual, the cut and tailoring of this piece is outstanding. The fabric is quite nice, too. Just the right thing for a woman of intrigue to have in her closet, no? . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S COCKTAIL SHEATH DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S COCKTAIL SHEATH DRESS

While we’re in a New Year 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!

Worthy of Peggy Lee any day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

NEXT FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S/EARLY 1960’S HAND-MADE HOUSE DRESS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Gingham again – it’s always classic and often found in lots of casual clothing from mid-century.   OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

In this example, we have a custom-tailored design – sort of Western-wear, but just CUTE! Simple shift style, but when I wear it I’ll probably add a belt and cinch the waist.  The ruffle at the hem, cross-stitch decoration and interesting elbow-length sleeves all make it unique and would even be a good Halloween costume.

Dresses with these features were popular in mid-century in the United States, when there was a big Western/cowboy craze going on.  Ever hear of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans?  I’ve learned so much by being interested in true vintage fashion!  Happy trails to you, until we meet again.  Have fun tonight – arroooooooooooooooooo . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

RARE, RARE ANTIQUE FIND!!! LADIES’ HAND-MADE CAPELET – 100 YEARS OLD??????

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA           What a huge surprise to

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA discover this little gem!  It’s a OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA capelet that may be from Victorian or OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAEdwardian times – maybe someone planned to take it on the Titanic voyage!!!  (From the looks of it, maybe it went on the Titanic voyage).  It’s so old that many theories and stories about it’s history could be possible. Some woman wore this covering her shoulders over a dress.  It might have been an evening gown, a day-dress or mourning dress – maybe a costume specialist could tell.

Manufactured trim with antique beads is sewn around the neck and the hem of the capelet.  So many hand-stitches!

As you can see, the outer layer of fabric is in tatters, but the black, silky lining is pristine.  If the cape were flipped inside out, the beading trim  removed and transferred to the other side with a replacement liner made it would be almost new again!  Even though non-sewers might think so, it’s not a big job.

Just amazing.  I haven’t decided whether I will want to restore it and wear it, sell it to another collector or donate it to a theater or museum.  As always, it just goes to show that – you just never know . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE 1980’S (?) NEW WAVE TIGER PRINT SHIRT JACKET BY ABS

TRUE VINTAGE (?) 1980'S (?) TIGER PRINT SHIRT JACKET BY ABS

NEW WAVE 1980’S SHIRT JACKET

This shirt/jacket is an unusual one for me to include in my collection – is it true vitage or not?  The A B S clothing company was started in 1982, so it might be 30 years old and animal prints were iconic at that time (again!).  If it was made in 1982 or 1983, I’d be willing to call it true vintage and I’ll explain why.

Animal prints have been a significant fashion trend at one time in the 1940’s, mid/late 1950’s, late 1960’s and again in the New Wave early 1980’s, as far as I know.  They show up at other times, too, but were a bigger deal in the fashion world at these specific times.

When I saw this item, I immediately thought of the early ’80’s and was also impressed with the quality of the garment.  I have since learned that the A B S company is known for making better-quality clothing than most of what we find now.  This shirt was also made in the U.S.A., which is unusual (if not unheard of) in modern clothing.

The deciding factors for me were the quality construction – 1. the fabric is heavy, with a nice hand (feel).  2. The pattern is really well-matched at the seams, so that it isn’t broken up across the garment (an important tell-tale sign of high quality).  3. The buttons are very nice black plastic faceted to look like jet beads.  4 .The shirt/jacket has french cuffs with button cuff-links (which, fortunately, were not missing!)  Overall, it is a garment of significantly better quality than most.  My size – excellent condition.

So, I have included it and described my thinking that justified buying it.  Sometimes you can’t be absolutely sure and some knowledge and skills to make smart decisions come in handy.  This is a time when price can be the final deciding factor, as well as how much you love it.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE HIGH-HEEL STILETTO PUMPS FROM THE UK: A CLASSIC WARDROBE STAPLE 1940’S – 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE HIGH-HEEL STILETTO PUMPS FROM THE UK: A CLASSIC WARDROBE STAPLE

According to moi, one can never own too many pairs of beautiful pumps.  They can be worn with almost anything, are easy to walk and dance in and are tremendously flattering to most women.  Some lucky girls look just as good in anything, wearing flats, but most legs and overall stature are improved by the height and lift provided by a heel.

This pair are sturdy, standard issue, with no particular brand name (I’m not altogether familiar with branding in the UK).  The important thing is the cut and the materials, which are both exceptional.  Though it’s hard to see in the photo, there is a black leather detail on the outside vamp.  Love it!

I’ll have these for decades. The mid-high heel is very versatile and the neutral brown is good any time of year.  Looks great with white and beige in the summer.  I found them in Canada, where British goods are more common, but I find items made all over the world in places far from their origin. That is half the fun and excitement of the hunt. As always, you just never know . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A FUN FROCK FROM THE FORTIES

A FUN FROCK FROM THE FORTIES

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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

1951 PARIS DESIGNER ENSEMBLE INTERPRETED BY MID-CENTURY AMERICAN CLOTHIER NELLIE DON

1951 PARIS DESIGNER ENSEMBLE INTERPRETED BY AMERICAN CLOTHIER NELLIE DON

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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS CIRCA 1930s TO 1940s

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS CIRCA 1930s TO 1940s

This dress is very intriguing to me.

I strongly suspect that this frock was custom tailored; very well done. Putting in all the lace edging is not easily accomplished by someone who is not a good seamstress..

The buttons are also very interesting. They are delicate, lacy and iridescent, though I feel sure that they are not made of mother of pearl. They seem to be a plastic of some kind – or possibly celluloid. The belt was made to have a slide-through buckle, which is missing. I have 2 or 3 that could replace it beautifully – another reason to collect these things when you can.

The material is a floral print and has a feel which makes me question exactly what it is made of. It doesn’t swing like the rayon dress shown yesterday, but it’s not a plain old cotton either. Hmmm . . . . . . . . .

These are some of the mystifying clues that make finding true vintage fashion so much fun. Plus, it’s a wonderful dress!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

UPTOWN MOD GIRL FROM THE 1960’S – TRUE VINTAGE IN THE CITY

IMG_0287UPTOWN MOD GIRL FROM THE 1960'S - TRUE VINTAGE IN THE CITY

Here’s something THAT GIRL Marlo Thomas might have worn in her city life. Cute and sophisticated – that’s the feel lots of fashions had at that time. We were breaking away from the traditional.

This one is of a beautiful glossy woven rayon, but not at all like those luscious crepey ones from the 1940’s. It’s perky and substantial.

Classic style, with a mandarin collar, which were very popular then. The rhinestone buttons at the waist let you know that this is a garment with some status.

The tailoring is more or less what you would encounter today, though the hem is done more nicely – with hem tape – and is about 2″ deep. We hardly see that anymore, nor a hem that is nicely finished.

This is, overall, just a really well-made dress that a woman with very good taste might wear to a swanky party or out to dinner. But, don’t try to go incognito in this one . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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