Category Archives: Post-war

ANOTHER WARTIME – POST-WAR STRAW HAT. THIS ONE HAS SUEDE TRIM!

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Spring, Summer, Fall?  Who cares?!  This unusual ladies hat will make any simple outfit a stand-out.  Suede leather is a unique combination with the woven straw.

The odd UFO platter shape makes me lean toward dating it in the Forties, but who knows for sure.  During the decades of millinery-mania, there were many innovative and even bizarre styles.

It’s so fun to find an example of that hat madness that is not a run-of-the-mill, frequently-seen design.  More on the way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..  . .. ..

 

ANOTHER RARE FIND – 1940’S TO 1950’S MEN’S COTTON SPORTS SHIRT

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What fun to find this!!  Love true vintage men’s and boys’ shirts and tops.  Since men usually tend to be much harder on their clothing than women do, it’s unusual to encounter garments that have survived, especially in wonderful condition like this one.

Just an everyday casual shirt, it’s still got a great fit, fun collar and wonderful lightly-brushed cotton fabric.  Happy Days all over again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Just found ANOTHER circle-skirt dress from the Fifties!

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In kind of a sheer, crinkley  synthetic with a side zipper, this home-sewn frock was standard day-wear for for an average gal in the early to mid-1950’s.  Of course, she would have worn one of the beautiful slips from that day underneath – or a camisole and crinoline petticoat to make the skirt stand out.

Someone made this looking forward to sunny Spring and Summer days.  Nothing could be more flattering to a slim figure, whether curvy or not, than a wasp waist, full skirt, cap sleeves and a pretty neckline.  It’s New Look all over with a below-the-knee hem and close-to-the-body bodice.

What a great find!  More to come – stay tuned. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MORE FAB TRUE VINTAGE SUNGLASSES – NEW WAVE FROM THE 1980’S

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Flygirls by Black Flys – love that Eighties vibe that zoomed back to the 1940’s again.  It seems like the early 1970’s does Forties thing was early Forties puffed shoulders, cute collars, jumpsuits, platform shoes and, maybe, little shoulder pads.  The early – mid 1980’s does Forties was WWII and post-war BIG shoulders, peplum waists, shirt-dresses, platform shoes, pencil skirts in longer lengths and some accessories like large paste and rhinestone brooches.

So, these New Wave glasses remind me of that time when sunglasses were first being worn by regular folks and considered fashionable.  Usually they were made from one of the first plastics that were being invented around the time of the two World Wars and becoming more and more popular.

Of course, the case is pure 1960’s – early Seventies flower-power retro that I found.  It’s great for these glasses because it is hard (very protective), coordinates color-wise and fits the glasses well.  It’s so important to protect your true vintage items from damage – they’re irreplaceable pieces of fashion history and such wonderful parts of a wardrobe!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

NEW TO ME – GORGEOUS 1940’S – 1950’S LINGERIE SLIP

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I just had a windfall of finding a whole armful of lovely pastel full slips from the ’50’s and early ’60’s, but I’m going to show you this one first, which I found a few days ago.  It’s older, and longer, and more elaborately-styled in a design which I rarely find.

This slip is from the era when lingerie was made as if it were the main attraction of your whole outfit.  Forget what you’re wearing on top of it – the beautiful underthings is what’s really going on.  Look at those stunning crystal pleats on the bodice and the flounce at the hemline.

A slip that is so well-styled, carefully-made and of a wonderful, heavy nylon or rayon (or cotton, for summer) that it could stand alone as a dress is the kind of slip that our grandmothers wore every day.  Some were fancier than others, but even the more day-to-day items were elegant.

More pretties to come, and more to discover.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST PICKED UP THIS LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE PEIGNOIR ON MY RECENT TRAVELS . . . . . . . . .

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While it’s nothing special in terms of its pedigree, I love the styling of this pretty robe and always am delighted with rhinestone buttons!  Sheer and lovely – just right for Blanche Dubois – and, on top of being in “perfect” condition, it’s REALLY PERFECT over a black true vintage gown I own which had no matching peignoir!!

So, go figure. . . . . . . . serendipity always happens for

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER “NEW” BRIDAL ENSEMBLE – FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

When it rains, it pours!  Wedding dresses have been coming my way.  This beautiful frock would also do nicely as a semi-formal dress for Prom or something similar.

Pretty taffeta with a brocade design woven in – the head-dress is very sweet with little pearls and flowers and a short veil.  The dress is really a straight sheath, with a poufy over-skirt lined by a netting crinoline.  I think that elbow-length sleeves are so chic and elegant – it’s nice to see them here, finished with a little bow.

I don’t need a wedding dress or a Prom dress so this set may end up going to another bride or to a high school dance, but either way it will be a fabulous find again for some lucky girl . . . . . . . .. .. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

“NEW” ACQUISITIONS – TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY AND 1980’S RETRO FOOTWEAR

Just picked these up as curiosity items, in the case of the boots, and fashion finds in the case of the wedgie sandals.  Great additions to my collection!

Let’s start with the boots.  They look like Sixties style(?) and have old metal Robin zippers up the side.  Made for super-practicality, as most fashion rain-wear was back in the day, they are one-piece rubber construction.  Not meant to wear in your garden like English Wellies, these were street-wear for very wet (or snowy) days.  Waterproof below the zippers.  I just love these everyday examples of true vintage products’ sensible value. Nothing frivolous or impractical here, but with a nod to fashion, as well.

Next we go on to a 1980’s brand that I collect whenever I find them – Penaljo made some wonderful 1940’s – 1950’s retro sandals and I show my latest find (the grey ones) along with some I already had (the green and cork pair).  Just love these for summer – so wartime/I Love Lucy.  ADORE wedge heels – very cute with shirtwaist and sun-dresses, capri’ pants or skirts. Leather construction with good attention to detail.  Worth picking up.   So, we’re on a roll.  Stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THREE OF MY OLDEST TRUE VINTAGE HAWAIIAN GOWNS

THREE OF MY MOST VINTAGE HAWAIIAN GOWNS

From the 1960’s back to, maybe the 1920’s, these three are my oldest vintage examples of Hawaiian gowns.  From the farthest left, to right –

Psychedelic hues and patterns on the far left – not hard to see the late Sixties here.  The center dress is from the 1950’s and is fashioned in the traditional Hawaiian style, with a panel on the back that is almost like a train, without the dragging hem.

On the far right is a mystery dress with a metal side zipper. It has images in the print that are not your standard Hawaiian shirt variety and the fabric is very different –

instead of being the heavy cotton that I’d usually expect, it is a fluid material that I’d guess is rayon. If the label did not indicate that it was made in Hawaii, I’d say it had come from Japan.  The toggle closure at the neck is also something often seen on Chinese and Japanese garments. It’s also got a very 1930’s cut – close to the body.

Hmmm . . . . . . . . . this is REALLY Mata Hari undercover espionage stuff.  I wonder how she wound her way to the place where I discovered her . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL 1940’S – 1950’S NYLON NIGHTGOWNS

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These gorgeous lingerie gowns were another surprise find – always so much fun! The shoulder detail is what really makes them stand out – the way the straps are joined in the front. They just don’t make ’em like this anymore.

The sheer panels and the gathers are also lovely, as well as the cloud-soft feel of the nylon fabric.

Sigh – to die for . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM