Yes, it’s a summer dress but how could I resist? We don’t usually find them with all these pretty details – a very Victorian Prairie thing for a hot-weather girl. Looks like it was commercially-made, but there are no tags. I may end up selling it next year but, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Interesting! I’ve come up, in the past 3 or 4 years, with three dresses in this basic style – crossover bodice, wasp waist, poufy sleeves and shoulder augmentation – all in formal styles.
The first find was true 1940’s, the second was ’40’s to early ’50’s and this last is 1980’s doing the Forties thing. This frock’s styling is a real dog’s breakfast. It gives a nod to the bubble skirts of the Eighties in spite of the mid-calf length and in a ’50’s-style bright pastel – which to me is kind of an awkward trendy marketing ploy that fails in the final analysis.
No matter. It’s fun to see what happened with the same style over the years and this one will go to the university theater due to some un-fixable damage. It’s a hoot to explore the back alleys of fashion history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Could be a Prom – party, wedding or casual summer day dress according to your wish! Love well-made frocks like this one, which has pretty fabric and trim as well as a liner that prevents see-through (excepting for a bit at the midriff and on the sleeves). Just right!
I’m always super-happy to find a gown or long dress of this genre and era. And, in perfect condition. Things just keep getting better . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Although very similar, I might place this dress as having been made a little earlier than the one shown yesterday – looks late 1940’s to me. It might or might not have been worn with a crinoline underneath. Like the other, it’s completely hand-made and this one has the tailor’s label sewn into the neckline.
One of the best things about this gown is the fabric – a plush, heavy velvet that feels like old rayon. Love the sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves that, to my taste, are done a bit more artfully than those on yesterday’s dress. I think it’s mostly a style change that took place over a couple of years around the turn of the ’40’s to ’50’s decade.
Anyway, who wouldn’t love it! I so wonder what events these dresses were made for and where they went. That part of the mystery is as yet unsolved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This gown is hand-tailored with extreme attention to detail. It would be worn with a crinoline for a full, bell-shape. Because of the styling, I would guess that it was made in the early 1950’s but, possibly, as early as the late 1940’s. A special occasion dress, of course, and there’s hardly any evidence of wear. Maybe it was even made for a Prom or Homecoming dance back in the day.
Women were so happy to dress in longer skirts, sumptuous fabrics and new styles after the austerity of the war years.
I’ll be showing a sister gown tomorrow – very similar style and probably made a few years earlier. What fabulous discoveries!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I think we’ve got a good show-off of the clear vinyl and gold leather that was so popular in dressy sandals from the Fifties. These came from a private store in Chicago that had shoes specially made under their own label.
There are so many photographs of women in the ’50’s wearing gold dress sandals and sandals with clear vinyl vamps that it’s iconic of that time. Makes me think of Peggy Lee and Cotillion dinner – dances that were such popular social events then.
Off to the Country Club, anyone? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
When post-war era women finally have to/decide to move out of their homes, it’s not unusual that they have saved some of their most precious, favorite dresses over the decades. Of course, it then becomes DECISION TIME. Well, lucky me!
I was elected as most suited to look after this pink princess, left over from the early 1950’s. With sequins and netting, it’s got the requisite poufy skirt and strappy top. I may, with permission, enter it in a show this fall but I’ll probably be looking for the best new owner sometime next year. I’ll be sorry to part with her, but she is an honored guest until then . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGSPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Imagine my shock and awe when I was confronted by this frock – an original by Max Starr, a famous designer of the time, with a pouf crinoline and layers of sheer floral fabric. I MUST get it onto Stella soon – she’s the only one of the girls who can wear it, but it’s just her size!
The belt is covered in velvet and the colors sing Spring! It looks like a beautiful flower garden. This is really a prize. Happy hunting!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s that gorgeous presto-change-o formal that I found a few months ago, showing properly on Stella. Demure and elegant with elbow-length sleeves, thanks to the removable camisole – sleeveless, svelte and sexy without it.
As I said when I first showed in on a hanger, I’ve never seen a style like this one before. True vintage couture styling is often so clever and beautifully-made while being very versatile. Two dresses in one, without going anywhere near the bargain basement!
Such magic can be created with a simple needle, thread and a bolt of fabric. You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It’s pretty gaudy, but somebody loved it back in the day! It can be worn off the shoulder, peasant-style, too. There’s nothing expensive about it, with simple workmanship and “cheap” fabrics so it makes me wonder if this was a wartime frock. If not, it was post-war early Fifties.
Anyway, it’s fun and the second dress I’ve come across in the past couple of years in this style. Must have been at the back of someone’s closet or basement for a long, long time – just safeguarding those special memories of a dance or party date. Hmmm, you just never know. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 