Category Archives: Post-war

FOR EASTER, CHURCH OR A ST. PATRICK ‘S DAY DRESSY EVENT, A TRUE VINTAGE GREEN FEATHER HAT IS CHIC!

FOR CHURCH OR A ST. PATRICK'S DAY DRESSY EVENT, A GREEN FEATHER HAT IS CHIC!

No matter when you wear the green hat, it’s going to draw attention. So, why not St. Paddy’s Day? The black and white number with artistic feather trim is also to die for.  Chin straps were so practical.

These two are from the 1950’s and/or 1940’s. Marlene and Celia are feeling pretty “haute mode”.

Just love feather hats, and I’ll be showing some more before the Spring fashion parade is through. Notice that we’ve also got a veil. . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ONE OF MY FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SWING JACKETS – ELEGANT AND STRIKING

ONE OF MY FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S JACKETS - ELEGANT AND STRIKING

Couldn’t believe it when I spotted this one – an ivory crepe swing jacket with lovely shoulders and fabulous drape. It closes with a single covered button at the neck.  It’s a great silhouette, very elegant with lots of presence!

Over skirt, dress or slacks it’s so elegant and moves wonderfully. One of my best examples of what made Forties
fashions fabulous . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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CUTE TRUE VINTAGE RED HAT FROM THE 1950’S OR BEFORE . . . . . .

CUTE TRUE VINTAGE RED HAT FROM THE 1950'S OR BEFORE . . . . . .

Here’s Marlene in a great hat – might look good with that bright red ’40’s suit shown a few days ago . . . . . . .. It’s a beanie style with a tassel, all in Valentine red wool.

This is another example of what I call “witty” vintage style – fun, even amusing, details or designs that just make us smile. True vintage is full of that in a much better way than I ever see it done now.

Take a look at the necklace, too. I’ve got another picture of it coming later, but this one might even have better detail resolution.

Time to switch a bit, away from the truly Wintery-looking things. The hat collection is coming, plus some jewelry – though most of that will be later – maybe this summer. Got to get through the LBD’s first, and the shoes, some more Springy things plus the odd this and that which always turns up.  In other words, stay tuned . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER ‘POWER SUIT’ FROM THE 1940’S WITH DYNAMIC STYLING

ANOTHER 'POWER SUIT' FROM THE 1940'S WITH DYNAMIC STYLING

I just love the hugely distinctive tailoring on this jacket!!  The ensemble, of course, is woven of wool.  Big shoulder pads and a belted jacket which leaves the back hanging free.   The belt passes through slits in the waistline of the jacket that allow the back to fall straight. There is decorative button detail at each shoulder-blade area in the back, too.

The jacket, alas, was found without a matching skirt. But, by searching high and low I discovered one almost a perfect match. The original was probably longer than this one is, however.

Although this suit doesn’t have a fur collar, the collar is very high for warmth and a sweater could easily be worn underneath, rather than a blouse.  it could be worn alone, without a coat, on a cool or cold day.  Very practical, standard dressy day-wear for wartime and post-war women.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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THE FUN NEVER STOPS!

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-1-11111211111I’m on a roll finding mid-century dresses and there’s more to come, but first –

Let me show you the neatest thing that also revealed itself . . . . . . . . . . .

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COTTON SCARF PRINTED AS A COMMEMORATIVE ITEM FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH II’S CORONATION IN 1953

It’s written in the right-hand lower corner.  Love the kitchy illustrations.  Perfect for my 1950’s home!!  Not to mention the closets . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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BRIGHTLY COLORED MID-CENTURY (’40’S & ’50’S) SUITS WITH LOTS OF DETAIL

BRIGHTLY COLORED MID-CENTURY ('40'S & '50'S) SUITS WITH LOTS OF DETAIL

Showing some reds here together – always a favorite color! The most amazing things about these are the pocket details and, of course, the overall quality cut and styling.

I can always depend on a true vintage suit of my correct size to fit beautifully. Even off-the-rack garments were made to such a higher standard that the things made today can’t compare.

I have hemmed the red skirt on the right (folded up, NOT cut off!) but otherwise haven’t had to do a thing. These babies were well-looked-after by their first owners and I continue by storing them properly, since they are wool.

That’s another topic – SO much vintage clothing was made of wool back in the day. Even lightweight weaves and knits that we could mistake for synthetics are actually wool. The important thing about this is to learn what the fabric is when you buy a vintage garment so that you don’t make mistakes when caring for it.

It’s no fun to throw something in the wash and have it come out as doll clothing or horribly misshapen. Nor do we want to find little moth holes in our favorite blouse, sweater or pants. LOVE delightful surprises, but not those!

Just another little tip from . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A FAVE WASP-WAIST SUIT FROM THE LATE 1940’S

A FAVE WASP-WAIST SUIT FROM THE LATE 1940'S

Here’s a wonderful post-WWII skirt suit that has that superb hour-glass shape that I love. To me, it’s an era that produced some of the most flattering clothing – like the suit from yesterday, also.

In wool, with stripes of charcoal, mid-blue and wine. Padded shoulders. Cheeky little turned-up cuffs. And, a longer skirt which is very versatile on it’s own, too.

Although thoughts of Spring are definitely in mind, we could wear these gorgeous garments for at least another month in this kind of weather and I take advantage of every chance I have!  Let’s see what else I can find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TAILORING DETAILS OF A PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE WOOL JACKET FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

TAILORING DETAILS OF A PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE WOOL JACKET FROM THE 1940'S - 1950'S

I’m showing the back view of this jacket because it has the most interesting features. The front is nice, too, but plainer – vintage clothing can be very witty in this way, with little unexpected surprises.

The collar detail at the back of the neck is something I’ve seen several times. The little back “belt” and the bows on the cuffs make it so interesting.

The placement of the details makes this a somewhat unusual jacket – usually the decorations are on the front. Dresses, also, are likely to have really fun details sewn in.  I think this is especially true with garments from the wartime and post-war eras late 1930’s to early 1950’s.

Finding garments like this is always a thrill. You just never know when one will turn up . .. . . . .. . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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THE FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE MYSTERY DRESS FIND EXPERIENCE!!

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FABULOUS CUSTOM-TAILORED GOWN

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Wow!  Another nice little journey that made my day!!  Not only did I spy this little number by turning a corner in a place where I don’t usually look, but when I got her home and made a closer examination, many elements of her story revealed themselves.  What a fun surprise!

The second two photos are what I first saw.  I knew it was true vintage right off the bat, but the lace puzzled me.  It looked a bit too modern and odd in it’s placement, but then I’ve been surprised before doing a little research in the past, so that didn’t stop me.  There were other factors which testified to her era . . . . .

Later on, I found more.  And, the lace was tacked on as an afterthought.  Did the original seamstress just want to gussy it up a bit or was it adapted as a costume years later?  It has a bit of a dance-hall girl flavor to it . . . . .

So, off came the lace and look what happened to the skirt when it wasn’t tied up a bit! Not a full circle, but with lots of movement.  And the fabric is incredible – a heavy rayon with a double-sided pattern that you could almost wear inside-0ut.  I’ve got a two-piece jitterbug dress from the pre- or post- WWII era that is made of similar material, so I think that I’ve got my time frame.  I’m going to go with that . . . . . . . . how cool!

It’s always fun to spot something that immediately leaves no questions, but those that reveal an on-going mystery story are the real icing on the cake.  More tomorrow . . . . .

 

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

 

 

 

 

ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE 1940’S TO EARLY 1950’S JACKETS

ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE 1940'S TO EARLY 1950'S JACKETS

From my just-about-favorite era, this is one of the items I have acquired from a vintage clothing shop and I just LOVE it. The shape and all the contrast trim is so smart!  It has a bit of a military vibe, which so many wartime  designs tended to.

As always, it is very well-made and tailored in mid-gray wool with charcoal accents on the collar, buttons and cuffs.

Alas, the original skirt was not with it, but it was not difficult to find a charcoal skirt that matches well, though is shorter than most skirts would have been, except during the war when they were shortened due to rationing of fabric.

This color and style is easy to mix and match with different-style skirts and slacks, especially if you stick with the charcoal color. A go-to jacket forever . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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