Category Archives: references

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S DAY FROCK IN SHEER VOILE

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S DAY FROCK IN SHEER VOILE

So now we’re getting into the closet where I store my favorite daily items, which I wear regularly. This beautiful dress is so light and cool – perfect for hot weather.

By Carlye – it’s two layers on top but still needs a slip. Good chance to wear some of my lovely vintage lingerie.

Lots of little design touches that make it unique – pleats and tucks, shoulder detail in the cut of the collar – that’s what’s so delightful about true vintage styles. This may not be a one-off, but I KNOW I’ll never see another one like it.

There are many ways to discover treasure . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S DINNER FROCK BY HENRY-LEE

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960'S DINNER FROCK BY HENRY-LEE.

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S DINNER FROCK BY HENRY-LEE

Another favorite find – I just love surprises!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

IMG_1426This one was hiding in an out-of-the-way spot. You just never know!

It’s a lovely dress in unusual colors. The blue is not a common one, and flattering only to just the right skin and hair tone. The interesting part is the top.

Like many dresses made at that time, a rayon-type under-layer with a lace overlay dresses it up. Sometimes they’re in the same color, and sometimes contrasting, as in this case.

Here, we have a medium lavender color under the blue. Quite uncommon. I love finding these quirky things! The two layers in the skirt have the same contrast, but the chiffon on top is heavy enough that very little of the lavender comes through. Perhaps just enough to draw a little attention when the wearer moves.

And, the under-layer is a taffeta, so it swishes. . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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A CUTE LITTLE ’70’S NUMBER – ONE THAT’S ALMOST TOO SWEET

Traditional, classic lines keep coming back, decade after decade.

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

A CUTE LITTLE '70'S NUMBER - ANOTHER ONE THAT'S ALMOST TOO SWEET

I guess it’s just the high neckline. Lots of dresses from the early ’70’s (except the hippy/prairie/boho styles that were popular then) have a very innocent, girlish look about them. Have you seen the Prom dresses from that time? Watch the movie Footloose.

This one is unremarkable in its tailoring, but it was just that ’70’s cache’ that made me bring it home. I must admit, it is a very classic style and can be done beautifully if it’s with quality materials and exceptional workmanship. But this one just takes us on a daydream journey back 40 years.

It’s fun to watch old movies from that time (or That ’70s Show, I guess), just to see how awful some of the clothing was. Uh, oh – I’m going to get myself into some big trouble here.

But seriously, the dance scene from Footloose is a good tutorial on ’70’s Prom dresses…

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S PARTY DRESS – REMINDS ME OF GRACE KELLY

This will always be a favorite . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S PARTY DRESS - REMINDS ME OF GRACE KELLY

This one was a FABulous surprise find! I always have my eyes open and my antennae up, but this blew me away!

A sheer layer over plain liner, and fitted drop-waist hourglass shape – the colors are for Fall but work beautifully in Spring and Summer for someone with the right coloring. It reminds me of a dress that Grace Kelly wore in the Alfred Hitchcock movie, Rear Window. Just a fabulous film – highly recommended.

The style is a bit different and the colors are, too. The cris-cross neckline is something not usually seen. I love it – it’s so fun to find unusual items.

Watch that old movie if you can. It’s a great one and the clothing is wonderful. I have at least one other dress that was, in fact, modeled on one of the frocks that Grace wore in Rear Window. I’ll show it later on…

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S PARTY DRESS – REMINDS ME OF GRACE KELLY

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S PARTY DRESS – REMINDS ME OF GRACE KELLY.

A LOVELY SUMMER FROCK FROM THE 1950’S, REMODELED A BIT BY MOI

Sexy, summer shirtwaist sundress. True vintage, of course . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

A LOVELY SUMMER FROCK FROM THE 1950'S, REMODELED A BIT BY MOI

This beautiful polished cotton frock – Kay Whitney by Huntington – is absolutely gorgeous. The fabric and the tailoring are top notch.

Naturally, it’s got a fabric-covered belt, the full skirt and a generous hem allowance. It’s not a one-off design, I found, when I saw another identical to it on eBay – but it’s wonderful anyway.

However, this one is one-off now!  As beautiful as it was in its original design, it was a bit too conservative a style to be flattering on me. The shoulder straps were wider and it had a fabric tie sewn completely around the neckline which you would tie in a bow in front. Pretty, but not me.

I removed the tie, making the shoulders skinnier and the neckline wider. I used some of the leftover tie material to make little flat bows at the shoulders. Of course, if you are a purist, you…

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A LOVELY SUMMER FROCK FROM THE 1950’S, REMODELED A BIT BY MOI

A LOVELY SUMMER FROCK FROM THE 1950'S, REMODELED A BIT BY MOI.

A LATE 1970’S POLY-KNIT GOWN AND JACKET ENSEMBLE FROM A MIAMI SPECIALTY BOUTIQUE

A LATE 1970'S POLY-KNIT GOWN AND JACKET ENSEMBLE FROM A MIAMI SPECIALTY BOUTIQUE.

MORGANA MANIFESTS MORE! TRUE VINTAGE FIFTIES FUR JACKET – ELEGANCE FOREVER

MORGANA MANIFESTS MORE! TRUE VINTAGE FIFTIES FUR JACKET – ELEGANCE FOREVER.