Nothing “Lady of the Manor” about this dressing gown – a little bit more Carnaby Street. Still a perfect hostess gown or leisure wear garment.
Lovely, heavy nylon with cute button trim at the neckline and the Sixties bell sleeves. I love the print and the colors in this gown!
It’s always such fun to find beautiful clothing that is 50 years old but still in perfect wearing condition. I breeze around the house in this one a lot!!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
More things that I love about colder weather – it’s a time when we feel like wearing something a little heavier at night (or just wearing something, period). Here are 3 beautiful nylon gowns with applique’, embroidery, bows, lace and gathers.
Back when it was a pleasure to get dressed! The longest is from the ’40’s, I believe, or the very early ’50’s. Nylon was rationed during wartime, so that would put it into the late ’40’s at the earliest.
The two shorter gowns would be from the ’50’s and show a little more decoration – when items were more lavish after the Forties, and hemlines higher.
Like ’50’s lingerie, you can’t beat the nightgowns of that time for feminine detail and, sometimes, over-the-top frills! On the other hand, early ’30’s and ’40’s silk gowns are to die for. We’ll see some of that, too.
Dressing for day or dressing for bed – could be an adventure in itself . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I love the fit of this jacket! Down the middle of the back, there is a deep inverted pleat. Bracelet-length sleeves are wonderful, too – great for showing off jewelry or beautiful gloves.
Tailoring in these old leather jackets is just outstanding. Colors are also sometimes unusual, though not garish. The ones I’ve seen are very subtle and lovely.
A jacket of this type is just right for three seasons of the year . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Exquisite nylon bed jackets, in lovely pinks. There’s nothing that feels so luxurious as sitting in bed or in a boudoir chair with one of these over your beautiful nightgown while enjoying a cup of tea.
These are so comfortable and pretty, almost any time of year. As always, the fabric, decoration and details can’t be matched by things sold today.
Sweet dreams! . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Now we’ll go, almost, to the other end of the spectrum for some standard-issue men’s or boys’ cotton PJs – though they’re spiffed up with some really neat prints.
Plain and basic in their style, they’re well-made enough to have survived in good shape. They could even have been from the ’40’s, but I don’t think so. Somewhere between 1955 and ’65 probably hits it.
Though not luxurious, they are comfortable (I can wear them!) and a lot of fun! The red fans on the right are an unusual, to me, motif for men’s pajamas but, hey, what do I know? They are a traditional East Asian motif and may have been an influence of the Pacific arena wars the U.S. had just been through in the Forties and Fifties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
The style is so un-fussy and classic that it could be worn casually like a day-dress or dressed up. It could have been made anywhere from the late 1940’s to early 1960’s, but I lean toward the ’60’s because of the cotton velveteen-type fabric, which was popular then. Hard to be sure, in this case.
I am certain that the suit was custom tailored. It might even have been done at home. It’s amazing that many women were able to do this. Tailoring requires a lot of skill!
Look at all the covered buttons. And, the buttonholes are also bound. Amazing! Not to mention the lining, interfacing and padding required to make a garment like this fit properly.
Although it looks very elegant as pictured, imagine all the ways it could be worn and accessorized. As separates, the jacket and skirt add more possibilities. Simple suits like this can be great additions to any vintage wardrobe, making a variety of quick-changes possible . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
With all the casual elegance of the mid-1960’s, this metallic frock is the greatest! I was just thrilled to find this. It’s fully-lined and in great shape. I had to tack up the hem and give it a light cleaning – that’s all!
More perfect party-wear. Couldn’t ask for more this holiday season. I enjoyed this one on New Year’s Eve. Simply-made and easy to wear, that’s the best of the best when it’s also high quality.
Love true vintage . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This little ’60’s or ’70’s frock is a bit whimsical in coloring, but very traditional in style. The maker is Lanz, which started in 1922 making Tyrolean costumes in Austria. The brand became well-known with sportswear in the mid-century U.S. and branched out.
Although their styles were fun and popular, they also remained loyal to traditional design and high quality. This dress is a little too fussy for me, but I thought it was worth picking up for the reputation of the exceptional brand name. Always fun to say “hello” to an acquaintance I’ve made before . . . . . . . I’ve got at least 3 of their garments already.
The fabric seems to be silk, though there is no content label. With this maker, I wouldn’t be surprised. I put a red belt on for the photo, but it is not original. The original belt may have been a tie belt – probably purple, but I’m not sure yet. Fortunately, the hem allowance is large enough to provide the fabric for a replacement (love that!!).
Anyway, it kind of looks appropriate for this time of year with some family gatherings and more traditional events on the calendar.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
We’ve done a little film noir leisure dressing for the men, so here are 3 of my very favorite women’s things of the same era. The fabulous ’30’s robe with shoulder pads and tassels, the cute little wartime rayon dressing gown and the glam ’40’s rayon dressing gown. Hollywood movie star all over!
Imagine Veronica Lake or Joan Crawford sweeping into the room. Deanna Durbin would have looked sweet in that blue and white dressing gown.
I like to recline in one of these while sipping a cognac and reviewing the latest assignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I know Madge doesn’t look much like your granddad, but she was handy. These are just about my favorite men’s robes – with the black satin accents. Not easy to find now!
This is such a classic style that it’s difficult to be sure what decade it’s from. The pattern is helpful and the type of material, as well as other clues. The satin trim is rare, as is the Sanforized cotton fabric.
Almost every old movie has scenes with men at home, wearing something like this. especially if the man is enjoying his leisure hours. It really takes me back to classic cinema. Beats a track suit any day.
The thing about this style is that it is also deadly attractive on women. There’s something very fun and sexy about wearing your partner’s clothing once in a while – from shirts and PJs to robes, sweaters and jackets. Other stuff doesn’t usually work too well.. . . . . . . . . . . . .
I have another similar one which I’ll show later; it’s in a different fabric. Perfect costume for film noir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN,THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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