Just when the 1960’s treasures were beginning to feel a little hum-drum, up comes a beautiful men’s item that pulls me back to post-war days and some of the best old movies. Stay tuned – I’ll publish it tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Another home-sewn frock, this time for school or work. The spots are just from the camera and a little water at the hem – the condition is WONDERFUL! Thanks for bearing with me in the less-than-ideal publishing conditions. Can’t wait to put it on Stella or Giselle for a really good presentation.
Soft knit fabric with embroidered ribbon – such a popular trimming at that mid-century time. Dolman sleeves and a flared hem – pretty style! It all screams late 1960’s and was another at-home creation that captured some girl’s imagination back in the day. Most of us get a thrill from shopping, but can you imagine the step-by-step anticipation and excitement of watching a custom-designed frock come together? Back in the Sixties and before, that’s what a lot of women experienced.
So, I’ve been from classy designers’ elegant designs to stitching on the dining room table in less than two weeks. What’s coming next? You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s something THAT GIRL Marlo Thomas might have worn in her city life. Cute and sophisticated – that’s the feel lots of fashions had at that time. We were breaking away from the traditional.
This one is of a beautiful glossy woven rayon, but not at all like those luscious crepey ones from the 1940’s. It’s perky and substantial.
Classic style, with a mandarin collar, which were very popular then. The rhinestone buttons at the waist let you know that this is a garment with some status.
The tailoring is more or less what you would encounter today, though the hem is done more nicely – with hem tape – and is about 2″ deep. We hardly see that anymore, nor a hem that is nicely finished.
This is, overall, just a really well-made dress that a woman with very good taste might wear to a swanky party or out to dinner. But, don’t try to go incognito in this one . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
This frock is sooo iconic late Sixties and in perfect condition! It’s Flower Power, British influence and Edwardian style. I’ll bet it was made for a Prom or Spring Fling dance. What a Blast from the Past!!!
Look at the sequence of iridescent buttons at the sleeves and the ruffled flounces. Sheer flocked flower design over a pink liner. Back in the day, it was usual to hire a seamstress to make these types of dresses or to make them at home unless the high school was in an expensive neighborhood.
It’s just so cute and tells such a typical story. It’s fun to know something about those times so that I can read the book very easily! Not sure what I’m going to do with this, but it was just too fun to pass up. It would make a really sweet short dress . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Following in yesterday’s footsteps, here’s another summer-weight find but so cute that I had to pick it up. I haven’t seen true vintage plaid house-dresses often, and I just LOVE them. Wish you could feel this fabric – it’s the softest cotton imaginable – been loved and washed for many years and still looks wonderful!
Nothing could be simpler and more classic than this design, but it’s well-constructed and built to last. Ruffles around the pocket and pretty embroidery trim. It’s nice when practical clothing is also elegantly well-made and just plain fun. Makes housework like play-day (if your imagination is good!)
So, enjoy. Tomorrow we’ll get to see more new-to-me true vintage dresses (they’re ALWAYS true vintage) but still for every season of the year. If you travel, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I know that these are summer fun frocks but, for those who are wintering down south or just like to think about warmer climes, I had to show these recent finds and to buy them because of their good quality. Nice, heavy knits and well-cared-for by their original owners.
Love little shoulder ties, fun prints and empire waistlines. This style of dress is not unusual to see, but the quality is relatively rare. Most of the time, you have to go back to the 1960’s to find them as nice as these. Another genre that are often this good are the long dresses made in Hawaii – usually Sixties and before.
Of course, these discoveries didn’t thrill me as much as some that I make but still worth it. It’s always good to appreciate garments like these while you’re on the lookout for what’s around the corner – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
What a thrill to discover this one! I’m on a roll, finding beautiful dresses and other true vintage garments in virtually perfect condition. This is a sophisticated wiggle dress from the late 1950’s – early 1960’s time.
Another frock in my favorite turquoise, and beautifully-made. Full lining and shapely cut. Couldn’t be better! Marilyn would have loved it . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Even though it’s way too prissy for me, yes, I do love it. There’s a certain genre from that time that this frock fits right into; and, what could be better than a bright hollyberry-red dressy dress right about now? Below-the-knee length and just right for dancing.
Some women love the bow ties, ruffles and flouncy skirts, and why not? Sometimes I do, too. The long, sheer sleeves are pretty. Just depends . . . . . . But, regardless, this dress was just too perfect to pass up. It has many of the nice construction details that I appreciate in a quality garment and that are so characteristic of true vintage fashions.
So, Ho Ho Ho and all that. This one’s going to party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I was so elated to discover this rare sweater knit. There are only two others in my collection so far that are similar and obviously from the same era. Possibly designed for men back in the day, but definitely unisex.
The knit is glossy and heavy and the patterns are absolutely fantastic in my others, too – very neat geometric designs – part of the atomic craze. Just look at this one! A very MOD pattern, but before that time. And, in such near-perfect condition. That ‘s one other advantage – they are quite durable.
Fun, fun, fun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
From roughly the same era as yesterday’s dress, this one is a poly-cotton 1940’s throw-back with a wasp waist and puffed shoulders, plus 3/4 cuffed sleeves. Little button trimmings, a fabric-covered belt and contrast-pleated skirt complete the design features.
The most unusual and striking element, to me, is the use of an unusual and distinctive color combo that is also characteristic of some of the older styles and what made them so interesting. True vintage garments are full of tailoring and color surprises.
I was happy to find this piece that is faithful to that tradition, even though it was an inexpensive retro style in it’s 1960’s – early 1970’s time. Modern retro-styled dresses hardly ever do it so well. Can’t wait to put it on Stella and see it properly displayed!
We’ll be hovering around the 1955 – 1975 time frame for a few days. Stay tuned for more pleasant surprises . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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