Category Archives: purse

TRUE VINTAGE HANDBAG, 1950s TO EARLY 1960s WITH A TAPESTRY FRONT IN SPRING COLORS

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE HANDBAG, 1950s TO EARLY 1960s WITH A TAPESTRY FRONT IN SPRING COLORS

This beautiful bag was hanging on a rack with other very ordinary modern purses. I don’t think that the store personnel had a clue, but the magicvintagespy never fails to spot one . . . . . . .

Although it is faux leather and not top-of-the-line with no maker’s name inside, I love the pretty tapestry cover on the front. It is very well-made, as are most purses of that era, whether high-end or mid-priced. The colors are subtle and chic for Spring (or any season). It would be especially pretty with the season’s neutral colors like ivory, beige, or gray, as well as any solid color in the tapestry. It’s always great fun to find an unusual bag like this one.

My finds don’t always follow the weather, but I try to post photos of things that we would wear currently in North America. I know that doesn’t…

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PRETTY CLASSIC VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE ’50’S – EARLY ’60’S

PRETTY CLASSIC VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE '50'S – EARLY '60'S.

SMART & CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE ’50’S – EARLY ’60’S

PRETTY CLASSIC VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE '50'S - EARLY '60'S

Here’s a beautiful leather handbag in a classic shape and with the quality of leather. I have collected them whenever possible because of their outstanding value and elegant design.

This one is beige leather inside and out, with a snakeskin quilt overlay. It’s so classic in design and neutral in color that I can carry it any time of year. It has lasted for decades and, with good care, will last decades more.

I always use a leather conditioner on my leather goods once or twice a year and store them in a way that won’t encourage mold or mildew or cause them to be bent out of shape.

Like your shoes, there’s nothing that is more telling about your good taste and willingness to invest in the best than the kind of handbag that you carry.

I’m not big in favor of designer names just for their own sake. I’d much rather have a high quality item that looks elegant than an obviously designer item to show off – many times I think they look cheap no matter how high the price may have been.

Nothing can beat the elegance and obvious chic of a well-selected true vintage handbag . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE – PROBABLY FROM THE 1960’s

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE – PROBABLY FROM THE 1960's.

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE – PROBABLY FROM THE 1960’s

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE - PROBABLY FROM THE 1960's

To change gears a bit today, here’s an example of a beautiful handcrafted item. It’s an evening purse made of black velvet and satin with metallic embroidery all over, front and back.

It was probably made in Hong Kong or Europe and took someone a long time to do by hand. These sorts of items were much more available back in the day. I suppose that you can still get them now, but only overseas or in very specialized shops.

Handiwork of this kind and exquisite workmanship used to be seen in fashion items that middle-income women could afford to buy, at least once in a while. Although it was generally done overseas, many of the major department stores sold it in their better departments. It’s difficult to find now. The hand-crafted items that are sold today generally can’t compare in terms of their quality.

Keep your eyes open for little items like this, hiding here and there. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA

HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA.

INTERESTING TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE 1950’S

INTERESTING TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE 1950'S.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – 1960’S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – 1960'S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – 1960’S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - 1960'S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG

Back in the ‘ 50’s and ’60’s, purses made of woven materials like reeds, wicker, raffia, synthetic strands and other natural and natural-looking things were really popular. Some were decorated with whimsical designs and were very casual. Some were trimmed in leather and were almost dressy. Most were in-between, for everyday use.

I’ve found a ton of these over the years because they were so popular and are not really old, as vintage fashion items go. So, it did not really tax my sleuthing skills but, finding the best of these items in good condition can still be a challenge.

This one is a real cutie, with just enough attitude because of it’s structured shape and leather trim to have some high-fashion aspirations like lunching and club-prowling, which it may realize under some conditions.

However, it’s still just basically a small-time, hand-crafted little purse, even though it is from British Hong Kong. I don’t hold that against it one bit. Every wardrobe should have at least two or three of this genre, as they’re very versatile.

And, just like my example here, they often come from some pretty exotic places . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – ’70’S BOX BAG WITH LUGGAGE – STYLE HARDWARE

TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S – '70'S BOX BAG WITH LUGGAGE – STYLE HARDWARE.