Imagine my shock and awe when I was confronted by this frock – an original by Max Starr, a famous designer of the time, with a pouf crinoline and layers of sheer floral fabric. I MUST get it onto Stella soon – she’s the only one of the girls who can wear it, but it’s just her size!
The belt is covered in velvet and the colors sing Spring! It looks like a beautiful flower garden. This is really a prize. Happy hunting!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Made in the U.S. by The American Shirt Dress company, this is not an unusual find – I come across these dresses now and again. They are faithfully-made to the basic design of true vintage shirt dresses from the wartime and post-war days, so they are not a bad buy, but the tailoring is not anything to write home about. The reason I picked this one up is because of the fabric.
Although it’s a cotton/poly blend, the finish is marled and glossy like many fabrics in the Forties and early Fifties were. It’s fun to see what can be done with standard materials when a specialized weave or finish is applied. This gives it an extra ‘elan which most retro fashions don’t have.
So, I’ll enjoy running around in this one on an everyday basis – just like my female relatives from generations back used to do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Beaded and beautiful – one even had a pretty hankie tucked inside! (also found some old pennies) Vintage 1950’s – 1960’s, made in Hong Kong (of course!), made in U.S.A., too. All so clean and well-loved.
The beading is hand-done. The 1930’s – style on the bottom right has the brand name stamped onto the satin lining. The purse made in Hong Kong (bottom left) has, naturally, a silk lining. The larger handbag on top has fun plastic beads crocheted into raffia and Lucite trim. Big enough to hold all your daily needs.
I’m always so impressed by how well mid-century women cared for their clothing and accessories. Yes, it was sometimes an issue of economy – if you can only afford to have one “good” dress, preserving it becomes very important. However, way beyond that was a personal value placed on items of quality that were lovely to look at and wear and the wish to treat them with respect. I try to fill my closets with garments and their complements that inspire the same sentiment.
So, no careless coffee spills, scattered crumbs or dogs in my lap with these . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
These fun and beautiful frocks are what EVERYBODY was wearing as everyday-wear between about 1935 and 1965. The cottons are sturdy but wash and wear to a fabulous softness. The colors are bright and the motif’s go from traditional floral or medallion prints (like the one here) to atomic geometrics and cartoon novelty images.
I absolutely cannot get enough of these! The typical fit and flare styling is very forgiving, allowing me a reasonable fit across about 3 sizes. A belt can work wonders with almost any garment. If shoulder pads are appropriate to the era, that makes a big difference, too.
With the exception of the Sixties shift style, this basic shirt-waist design is just about the most comfortable, practical and versatile for day-wear ever; still, it allows for elegance and the irreplaceable look of true vintage fashion. I’ll keep showing more of these wonderful everyday styles, and whatever turns up. Stay tuned . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This frock was made for a very special occasion. The stylistic features are early mid-century, but I suspect that it was made in the 1960’s or 1970’s. Makes me curious . . . . . .
It’s a war-time/rockabilly/musical performance recital/costume frock that could have almost any of those histories. It’s a bit over-the-top for cocktails. I’m guessing that it was made for someone who was going to a dance or about to sing an aria or perform a concert on the cello.
Whatever! . . . . . . . . . . it’s a fun mystery dress in one of my favorite colors. If it weren’t for the bones in the bodice (awkward packing issue), I’d add it to my selection of disguises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Always right any time of year – an exquisite little number from a famous designer of the time. Wasp-waisted and embellished with rhinestones and netting.
Love halter necklines – this rayon dress is so lovely. The pinkish net in the decolletage keeps things relatively modest, but it’s certainly not a conservative choice!
I treated myself to this one when I won a raffle! It was still, as always, a bargain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It’s pretty gaudy, but somebody loved it back in the day! It can be worn off the shoulder, peasant-style, too. There’s nothing expensive about it, with simple workmanship and “cheap” fabrics so it makes me wonder if this was a wartime frock. If not, it was post-war early Fifties.
Anyway, it’s fun and the second dress I’ve come across in the past couple of years in this style. Must have been at the back of someone’s closet or basement for a long, long time – just safeguarding those special memories of a dance or party date. Hmmm, you just never know. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Very basic, faux suede – which leads me to think that they might have been made during wartime. Perhaps they were just an economical brand of everyday shoe. 2″ Cuban heels – couldn’t be more practical – just right for Lucy or Ethel in the day of an average 1950’s housewife, or classic rockabilly style.
Love these old standard brand names – “Vitality Shoes”. Certainly put a spring in my step when I found them! . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
So, here you go – with the bullet bra shown yesterday, this is what you need beneath your sweater and pencil skirt. Because, ladies, a firm foundation is mandatory.
Without it you’d look just, well, . . . . . . . . sloppy, to put it nicely. Of course, I say this with a smile but that was very much the standard of the time.
Watch old movies from about 1960 to see how it’s supposed to look. And, after all, you do need a garment to support your stockings. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
One of the most bizarre silhouettes in fashion was the “bullet bra”, which made women’s breasts look like torpedoes under their sweaters. Quite unnatural-looking and strange, but it was definitely the thing for a while.
It’s hard to ID in this photo and it’s not right for Madge to model, but the surest way to recognize these brassieres is from the pointy shape of their cups. Also, the construction of older bras is characteristic, too. Maybe it will suit Stella better . .. . . .
1950’s and early 1960’s bras often have heavier elastic and lots of stitching on the cups, with a more definite shape, even if they aren’t of this particular style. A “foundation garment” really was that – like building a brick house.
Thank goodness, now we prefer more subtly-tailored lingerie, physical strength and fitness to give us the body shape we prefer. But, many ’50’s and early ’60’s garments require a firm girdle and bra underneath to support their characteristic lines – looks great and its FUN!!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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