Category Archives: Post-war

A BEAUTIFUL POST-WAR EARLY 1950’S MIDI DRESS FOR FORMAL COCKTAILS

New Look style without the crinoline. Nipped waist and full skirt. Instead of in the front, as was possible in the 1940’s, there’s a V-shaped seam at the back waist. In this case, we also see the increasingly-popular fur-trimmed sleeves. The fabric is a medium-heavy jacquard with a glossy brocade look. Again, simple elegance though the fur trim does put it alittle over the top, to my eye.

There’s no label, so this gown could have been custom-tailored but it’s quite possible that the owner removed the tag, as so often happened. It’s a lovely semi-formal dress with a neckline which could show off a statement necklace. Doesn’t need that in any way as far as I’m concerned, but you know how some women are. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tomorrow I’ll continue with this 1950’s trend. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A VERY DRESSY SEMI-FORMAL POST-WAR EARLY 1950’S COCKTAIL SKIRT SUIT

This gorgeous fine wool city suit was one of my most treasured finds. It is exceptionally-tailored and in perfect condition. Alas, it is a size too small for me (about a modern 2), but perfect for Stella. So, you can see it in all it’s glory. Early 1950’s women’s clothing was beautifully-designed and fitted with detailed tailoring embellishments. Take note of the rhinestone buckle at the left shoulder.

Not what you would normally think of wearing to a cocktail party, but for a high-end event it would have been perfect. Very professional, elegant – the Post-war era’s power suit. Understated perfection. What more can I say? Tomorrow, another “similar” garment from the same era – more gorgeous perfection. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND – A PERFECT 1980’S DOES 1940’S DAY DRESS

Great “true vintage retro” find! It’s just a perfect go-to-town classic shirtwaist dress for 3 seasons. Elegant in its simplicity. Liz Roberts for Liz Petites was a better mid-priced brand in the Eighties. The dress is well-made and styled. The polyester fabric is a good imitation of the synthetics used in the Forties. I love the knife pleats in the midi skirt.and, of course, modest shoulder pads that are retro-correct but also make the silhouette better on many of us. The print is almost atomic, too, with irregular black shards instead of polka dots. The original belt is missing but, depending on height (I still have to decide), there’s probably excess in the hem that could cover a matching one. You can see that there is an older-style hem allowance – sweet!

So that’s it for my most recent investigation. Tomorrow we’ll return to the mid-century cocktail dress run-down. Stay tuned . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A PROPER BLACK TEA OR COCKTAIL DRESS FROM THE POST-WWII ERA

Frilled up a little by the lace inset at the neckline and lace trimming at the hem, this dress would have been accepted at any semi-formal gathering, cocktails or not. Although it’s a little bit “secretary, librarian, school teacher” in it’s modesty, the cap sleeves, peek-a-boo neckline and nipped waistline are a bit flirty. The ever-present black crepe fabric gives it the figure-skimming drape. Elegant, even though it wasn’t the most expensive frock.

Back when dresses were always the expected attire for any gathering that was professional or vaguely formal, this dress was an easy, comfortable design to meet the need. Styles were loosening up a little, though structure was still important and tailoring very elevated. In the 1950’s things changed hugely in Western society and, of course, in fashion. I’ll be investigating during the next few days but we’ll continue the cocktail fashion timeline next week. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Oops – HERE’S ANOTHER 1930’S PARTY FROCK!

Several elements here from the decade between the two World Wars. Drapey rayon fabric, geometric beading decoration a la’ art deco and a dropped waist/peplum effect, a la; the 1920’s and the early 1940’s. The length also doesn’t know exactly where and when it is – looks pretty short on a tall gal like Stella but would be midi-length on a woman of short stature, or even medium height at that time when average height was shorter than it is today.

As “upscale” as this looks, it was apparently a massed-produced design. That makes it a little easier to understand why the styling was as confused as the times. Marketing always follows social trends. Think about it; we were still recovering from WW1, Prohibition was effecting the economy and the culture, The Depression was strangling almost everybody, war was fomenting in Europe and it was looking like WW2 might happen any day.

Yes, it’s a pretty and fun dress but the historical and cultural overtones are even more fascinating. Just another day in the life of a true vintage sleuth. We ARE going to cross the Post-war border between the 1940’s and the 1950’s by early next week. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEFORE ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISM – FUR AND WOOL COATS AND CAPES FOR DRESSY DAYS AND EVENINGS

Seal, curly lamb, fine wool – even the more masculine overcoat and trench coat styles were worn by women. Remember Ingrid Bergman’s in Casablanca? Classics like this were considered to be very elegant back in the day. They still are, though our choice of materials is changing, thank goodness. Any of them would have been considered appropriate over dressy attire. On a warmer evening, this little velveteen jacket with 3/4 sleeves and a peplum waist would suit for any semi-formal or even formal occasion to keep bare arms and shoulders cozy.

Next, back to the ’30’s – ’40’s “cocktail” dresses rundown. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE SHOES AND BAG TO COMPLETE YOUR 1940’S DRESSY ENSEMBLE

Velveteen pumps, velveteen and velvet bags, even a 1930’s beaded version – what could be more perfect for a dressy evening out? Marvelous finds! Tomorrow I’ll show some 1940’s outerwear for the occasion. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGSPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL 1940’S COCKTAIL FROCK FROM URUGUAY

This semi-formal dress uses sheer material to emphasize the design rather than heavy ornamentation like the decorated frock shown yesterday. In my experience, sheer fabric with embroidered designs was popular in the 1940’s. It’s fun to see how dressmakers used it.

On the shoulders, these are augmented by gathered puffs at the shoulder seams and letting the body shine through rather than sewing shoulder pads in. It’s a nice balancing effect without the military look. Sheer fabric on the bodice is something I’ve seen before, too, but here it is backed by flesh-tone fabric, mimicking a plunging decollete’. The sheer fabric, though not with any embroidery, continues to be used for the long cuffed sleeves and as an over-dress with a long peplum over an opaque base layer.

So, the final result is dressy and sexy but also conservative. Clever design though a bit simpler than the one shown yesterday.This dress was at least partly hand-tailored. It has covered buttons on the cuffs and a long center zipper in back, which was a transition from side zippers that, in my experience, began to take place in the Forties.

Again, I was so intrigued and wondered about the original owner of this dress and where she wore it. Stay tuned for yet more 1940’s fashion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE POST-WAR 1940’S BEADED COCKTAIL DRESS

During a South American investigation, this frock was discovered in the beautiful and historic city of Montevideo, Uruguay. During WW 2, well-to-do Uruguayan women still had beautiful dresses made for them and did some trade in clothing and accessories from France. This dress has the label of a small tailoring shop, is exquisitely made by hand and was obviously owned by a woman from the upper class who would wear it to dinner or any semi-formal festive gathering.

Style-wise, the augmented shoulders, funky ruching on the hips and sleeves plus the midi hem point directly to the late 1940’s. Heavy decoration with beads and sequins is all done by hand, as is the finishing. Look at all the small buttons in back, each with it’s own fabric loop closure. Stay tuned for more from the 1940’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FUN TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S POST-WAR NIGHTCLUB DANCE DRESS

I’m back in black today, but more color coming. I really loved discovering this frock in Texas. Sold by an upscale privately-owned clothing company that had it’s own label. The trim is black velvet tube ribbon and the skirt is made for swingin’ and swayin’. Perfect for wearing to any dance hall or vibrant party, and we know that Texans love to party!

It’s got ruching on the sleeves, which was a favorite ’40’s tailoring feature. Nipped waist and wide skirt plus a midi hem puts in firmly in the post-war time frame. So much fun to discover – a fun dress from a very jubilant time in history. More Forties fashion coming, but dressing it up with an international twist. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM