Category Archives: polyester

TRUE VINTAGE 1970’S ELEGANT DINNER-DANCE-DATE DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1970S ELEGANT DINNER-DANCE-DATE DRESS

It seems to me that nothing from the 1970’s could be as wonderful as a beautifully made dress from the 1920’s, 1930’s, 1940’s or 1950’s, but I still like some of the ones made during the Seventies.  These crystal pleats in the skirt started in the 1940’s, I think, and are always great.

For a more relaxed time while you still want to look well-dressed, elegant but comfortable this is a good choice.  It’s still cool enough in many parts of the world to wear this dress.  It would be very nice for a dinner date and, like some others I’ve shown, excellent for dancing because of the ease of movement.

Although it’s made of the ever-present 1970’s polyester, the fabric is lightweight and hangs well.  I love the pleats in the skirt for that reason.  That’s one nice thing about polyester, no matter what decade it’s from – it holds its shape and travels really well.

The colors in this dress are fresh for Spring, but would carry you through any time of year if the weather permits.  Very versatile and also figure – enhancing because of the cut.  It’s another of those vintage styles which intrigues by draping over and moving with your shape, but not too much.  Bateau necklines are always a favorite of mine, too.

With a skinny belt and very simple jewelry, this one is a winner and worth the investment.  I always like getting big dividends from small investments. . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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NEW TO ME – PRETTY PASTEL YELLOW CLASSIC 1960’S FROCK

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Very early Sixties Spring dress from the early to mid-1960’s.  It’s a real blast from the past in a lady-like style, so typical of that time.  The zipper is metal, but the fabric an easy-care knit which was also popular then – “wash and wear” had become the common thing.

A dress like this is so versatile.  It can be worn almost everywhere, dressed up or down. Especially now when footwear choices are completely open, boots, pumps, sandals or flip-flops could all be possibilities that would not have been “right” when this dress was made.  Oh, you might have gotten by with go-go boots, flats, pumps or dressy sandals but that would have been all.

Ahh, fashion freedom.  Love it!  Can’t have it without true vintage in your closet, too . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LOVE THIS GREAT FIND! TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S BLUE BELL FROCKS POLY HOUSE DRESS

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This slinky-knit dress has that wonderful heavy feel  that was lost years ago.  AND, such a fun print – it’s not atomic or the usual geometric – one of those that you can’t figure out what they must be . . . . . . . .

It apparently didn’t have a belt to start with, but I’m going to put one on.  Just a simple, everyday dress but oh so vintage!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE LATE ’60’S – EARLY ’70’S CALIFORNIA NOUVEAUX HIPPIE DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE LATE '60'S - EARLY '70'S CALIFORNIA NOUVEAUX HIPPIE DRESS

Mod, psychedelic, polyester knit dress – was made just a little past the time of the hey-day of the hippie/back-to-the-land movement.  About the time that popular fashions were beginning to turn back toward mainstream, but still liking the counter-culture vibe in a more modest way.

Prairie-style was also becoming a big thing around this time – leaning more toward Jessica (McLintock) designs than Janice Joplin’s Salvation Army finds.  Also,  polyester was beginning to replace cotton in a big way.

Not quite your pure Love-In roll-a-joint party outfit, but you could still get by with it . . . . . try doing it at a patio party  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE LATE ’60’S CLASSIC SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS – POLY AND PLEATS

TRUE VINTAGE LATE '60'S CLASSIC SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS - POLY AND PLEATS

Classic styling in the fave material of the late ’60’s and early ’70’s.  Poly synthetic that holds color and pleats so well (like forever).  Often called a “secretary dress” today, it’s a conservative style that goes everywhere in a normal day.  Sadly, as you can probably see, by the late 1960’s the quality is beginning to slide – but, it looks much better on a model and has some interesting vintage features making it a worthwhile buy.

I’d put a black belt on to wear and that will give it a really nice shape, as the skirt is fairly full and flippy.  Buxom Madge would put the Va-Voom in this style, but I haven’t taken a new picture with her yet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FIND! FUN SLINKY KNIT MOD 1960’s PATIO DAY DRESS BY ALLEGRO

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Came across this one yesterday and it’s the first I’ve had with this kind of T-back neckline.  Time to dig out the specialty bra.

The things I love best about it are the sunny-fun art print and that wonderful heavy, slinky fabric that was available for a few years.  It’s so delicious on the body and drapes so beautifully.  No, it can’t compare to the gorgeous jersey-knit fabrics from the 1940’s but it is identifiable as part of the family.

So, although it’s kind of a poor cousin, it’s also a very fun find.   This is because its pedigree out-ranks the quality of most all the casual poly clothing that has drowned us in the marketplace since the early 1960’s, with the value and workmanship moving farther down the scale every year.  There’s an embroidered cloth tag from a recognized maker, elegant styling and beautiful material – clues that come to light when you snoop carefully. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

JUST DISCOVERED – THE CUTEST EVER MOD 1960’S MINI

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Love this one!  It’s an easy-wear knit in one of the fun styles that were so popular in the mid-1960’s.  Beatlemania and all of that!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MOD FLOWER-POWER 1960’S 2-PC. DRESS – “NEW” TO ME TODAY!

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Too cute to pass up – I couldn’t believe a knit dress from the  mid – Sixties in such perfect condition.  it’s a real blast from the past.  Pictured here on size 4 Giselle, it’s a vintage size 8 with no room to spare!

Cut for the more conservative set – no mini-skirt here.  But, that’s how fashion always goes – everybody has to follow the trends one way or another.  Such a thrill to find a style that’s been made over so many times in the last decade in it’s original form – back when it was really hot on the streets everywhere.  I can almost see the fashionable housewife who wore it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE BLACK & WHITE KNIT DAY DRESS – SO SMART AND CHIC!

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I have found several of these elegant black and white styles from the ’60’s and ’70’s – and wear them a lot.  As versatile as a Little Black Dress for day and fun to accessorize.  If made by a well-known clothing company or designer, the workmanship was good .

Polyester knits made up until the early 1970’s were usually very nice – good quality and with a substantial feel and nice drape.  A well-made dress or pant-suit could take you through 3 seasons of the year.  Although similar-looking dresses are made now, the older ones almost always have superior tailoring and fabric.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY VICTORIAN-STYLE BOHO FINDS IN EUROPE!

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Talk about fussy and pretty .. . . . .!  Although they’re similar in some ways to the blouses shown yesterday, I like these so much better.  In spite of the high neckline on the left, they’re less prim and will look great with jeans and peasant skirts.

These styles go way back, from the 1890’s (with long gloves or a jacket, of course.  Can’t show those arms!) to the 1940’s and 1950’s when peasant-style was all the rage.  As always, the fashion came back in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s and was just as iconic then.

As I’ve said, it’s rare to find blouses and shirts this old in fabulous condition.  The things that  make this possible are the high-quality construction and fabric plus the fact that people used to care for their clothing much better than we do now.  For modern vintage sleuths, our gain!

So, never give up – just learn how to sneak smarter . .. . . . . . . . . . .. ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM