Category Archives: rhinestone buttons

BEAUTIFUL RAYON DRESSY DAY-DRESS FROM THE POST-WAR 1940’S

Taking a short break from the LBDs and going for a little color. This beautiful navy blue fitted rayon dress is a perfect example of the late 1940’s return to more luxurious day wear after the restrictions of rationing were ended. The label is Loma Leads, from a dress company that was organized in the late 1920’s and operated in New York and Paris. It had several departments and was around in one form or another at least into the early 1960’s. A very uptown classic ladies dress from the time when there was more fabric available again, so hemlines came back down and extra tailoring details like the peplum and bodice tucks were again possible. Women had been SO waiting for this! The exuberance of big rhinestone buttons on a day dress speaks to the attitude of a return to extravagance in fashion. The big skirts of Christian Dior’s New Look at this time is another example.

This style, however, is very buttoned-up and, to my mind, underlines the haughty, elegant and “rich” look intended here. After all the restrictions and deprivations of the “make do and mend” wartime years, luxury and affluence were the beckoning horizon for the United States and Canada while Europe was more intent on surviving and rebuilding after all the extensive damage to their infrastructure and land. But, Paris had always led the world of couture and design so fashion bounced back there, too, as Dior and other designers met the challenges and optimism of the new era and resumed their lead.

It is so fascinating to untangle the ways that fashion trends dovetail with historical events. The clues are everywhere and a good sleuth always looks for them. A completely different example from this time tomorrow – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM . . . . . .

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S DRESSY DRESSES FROM AFTER THE WAR YEARS

Here’s another group of finds that were fabulous. Let’s look at the details on these frocks, which were over-the-top when wartime rationing was no more and fashion was ready for a break-out right before the New Look. Lots of glitz – rhinestone buttons, metallic thread, sequins, beads, lots of little buttons and velvet. Hemlines went down again. Rayon reigned – it had become the darling of fabrics.

There was certainly an element of weirdness to some of these designs. The last two black dresses were discovered in Montevideo, Uruguay and had been made by specialty dressmakers. Many of their wardrobe items in that city came from France, and I suspect that there is a lot of European influence in these styles.

The top two designs are squarely U.S. American and the tag on the dress with the big velvet bow indicates that it was made by a company that was producing affordable garments, probably during the early recovery from wartime. The navy blue dress was higher-end and looks so much like the costumes seen in late 1940’s film noir.

Tomorrow we’ll look at some examples of how 1940’s dress styles have persisted during the following decades. Stay tuned . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’s FORMAL DRESSES, PLUS A DRESSY 1930’s CLUTCH PURSE

Beautiful, glossy fabrics – most of them synthetics – and lovely designs. I adore them all, but especially the first one. Let’s look at them one by one.

The first gown has a dark green velvet bodice, trimmed with the same pale green satin fabric that the skirt is made from. So flattering and luxurious. The bright red dress is a more conservative style, but still gorgeous. It’s made of an interesting fabric type which I’ve seen in other 1940’s dresses – it has a satin finish but with tiny black diamonds machine-embroidered all over. I suspect that this fabric, though lovely, was a more economical one.

The blue dress was tailor-made by hand. It is sewn from a bias-cut rayon which gives it that wonderful, drapey fit. The atomic/stellar cut-outs surrounded by seed beads were all done by handwork. I love the cut of the sleeves and the way the bustline and waistline are finished. That back tie belt gives it a really wasp-waist fit.

Finally, the black velvet two-piece dress is an entirely different design. Very proper and buttoned-up in velvet and crocheted lace, with rhinestone-center buttons.

Each of these gowns was a surprising and fabulous find. It’s rare to find 1940’s formal garments in the first place, and to find them in near-perfect condition is almost unheard of. The best bet is if they can be acquired from the original owner, or their estate. This is always a more informative clue when starting any investigation.

I’ve re-opened the 1940’s archives and am finding myself doing a deep dive there. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST PICKED UP THIS LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE PEIGNOIR ON MY RECENT TRAVELS . . . . . . . . .

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While it’s nothing special in terms of its pedigree, I love the styling of this pretty robe and always am delighted with rhinestone buttons!  Sheer and lovely – just right for Blanche Dubois – and, on top of being in “perfect” condition, it’s REALLY PERFECT over a black true vintage gown I own which had no matching peignoir!!

So, go figure. . . . . . . . serendipity always happens for

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS FIND! POST-WAR 1940’S SHEER DAY DRESS

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Thrilled, thrilled, thrilled!  One of my favorite finds, from a favorite decade.  And, in beautiful condition.

Very popular post-war shirtwaist day dress with pretty, carved rhinestone buttons.  This was a day-to-day item for women in the late Forties and early Fifties when nice clothing was becoming available again.  The prints were so interestng.

This one was hiding in a big way, but not from the Magicvintagespy.  What will show up next?  You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS, FABULOUS, FABULOUS! ABSOLUTELY AUTHENTIC 1940’S WARTIME DAY DRESS

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Oh, boy!  It happens all the time, but I’m still always thrilled into ecstasies when I discover a garment like this one.  A simple, summer-weight woven rayon frock by R & K Originals – made during the mid to later 1940’s.

All the buttons (and really neat buttons!) with their rhinestone and plastic centers are still present.  Never seen any exactly like them!  There are a few hand-done little mends along the seams, as would be expected in a daily-wear dress that is close to 80 years old and was cherished by its owner, and the dress as a whole is in fantastic condition

It is obvious that this dress was a more economically-made one, even by this well-known maker.  I suspect that the wartime shortages of materials and scaled-back design practices of the mid-Forties were still in force when it was manufactured and sold.  Still, it’s so characteristic of the times and such a pretty style that I wouldn’t complain!  And, in spite of all the austerities, the skirt is still a FULL circle!!  The bias-cut makes it hang just right.

What can I say – I’m still over the moon!  But, there’s more – stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . .. .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES FROM THE ’50’S AND ’60’S

VERSATILE TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES AND SHIRTS – NEVER TOO MANY!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

MORE TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES FROM THE '50'S AND '60'S Today I’m showing some of my day – to – day blouses in colors, prints and solids. . . . . . hues that can go year-round.  From left to right, they go from the early 1950’s to mid – 1960’s.

The dressier one, which is also sheer and lightweight, is on the left. Rhinestone buttons give it a girly touch. The way we do things now, it can be worn with a casual outfit but it would still look lovely under a suit or with a pretty skirt, as it would have been worn back in the day.

This cotton selection (the 3 on the right) has longer sleeves than my hottest weather group, but they’re so classic that they can really be worn any time and add fun to my wardrobe.  The classic print on the center one and 3/4 sleeves are style elements that are favorites of…

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MORE TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES FROM THE ’50’S AND ’60’S

MORE TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES FROM THE '50'S AND '60'S.

A SHEER, BLACK TRUE VINTAGE (AS ALWAYS) EARLY 1950’S FROCK WITH RHINESTONE BUTTONS

SEXY, SHEER SUMMER DRESS – TRUE VINTAGE FROM THE EARLY 1950’S . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

A SHEER, BLACK TRUE VINTAGE (AS ALWAYS) 1950'S FROCK WITH RHINESTONE BUTTONS

This dress is very special. I’m sorry that I don’t yet have a photo of Stella wearing it, or a personal photographer to take pictures of me wearing it. It is VERY sheer, as you can see, and requires a slip underneath.

The little cap sleeves and dainty collar, plus the belted waist and full skirt make a very flattering and feminine impression. The small buttons down the front, which are purely decorative, have big clear rhinestones at their centers. A fabric-covered buckle belt finishes off the waistline.

This dress closes with a zipper at the left waist. It is a real wiggler to get your shoulders into. If I were any larger, it’d be a no-go! As it is, it works and the skirt swirls around because the fabric is so light, ending right at or slightly below my knees.

You could wear this dress to a party or…

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A SHEER, BLACK TRUE VINTAGE (AS ALWAYS) EARLY 1950’S FROCK WITH RHINESTONE BUTTONS

A SHEER, BLACK TRUE VINTAGE (AS ALWAYS) EARLY 1950'S FROCK WITH RHINESTONE BUTTONS.