Category Archives: separates

RARE ONCE AGAIN – 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S MEN’S KNIT POLO SHIRT

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Just LOVE finding these knitwear items that have been so well-preserved for 50 – 60 years!!  Unusual finds are always tons of fun.

This shirt was made by a Sears, Roebuck & Co. brand that quit producing in the early 1960’s.  Very nicely tailored, with a longer tail (prevents embarrassing views that are all too common today).  Hard-to-see in this photo, but the sleeves are a ribbed knit contrast to the flat knit of the body.

These older things all have features and stories to tell that keep revealing themselves.  The star item of my recent adventures is coming up tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

RARE 1960’s CATALINA WOMEN’S CLASSIC GOLF CARDIGAN

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It’s unusual to find a woman’s golf sweater – very mid-century sporty.  Love the turquoise color.  I’m not sure yet whether this knit is of acrylic or wool – there are no tags for content or care.  Regardless, I’ll get a lot of use from this one!

It’s got classic design features like the little front pockets (that are still stitched closed!) and 2-button trim on each side seam at the waist.  Of course, an embroidered cloth label giving the size in inches.

Fun, fun, fun!  I’ve got some men’s clothing to show you, too . . . . . . . . …  . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A VERY COOL GEOMETRIC PRINT TRUE VINTAGE SHIRT FROM THE LATE SIXTIES – VERY EARLY SEVENTIES

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAnother “new” Australian discovery!  Although they’ve been making lots of look-a-like retro fakes for a while now, this one is undeniably true vintage, right down to its label.

I just LOVE this print.  Again, not my own best colors but I can’t help enjoying it so much anyway.  Even the true vintage labels are delights in themselves – often so artistic and interesting.  Sometimes they’re funny!

In your standard poly/synthetic blend fabric of that day, it’ll be easy-care as long as treated gently. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN,THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL HAND-MADE DRESSES FOR FALL

IMG_1046 IMG_1026 Yes, a lot of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers knitted dresses like these at home!  So hard to imagine.

IMG_1035 IMG_1027These photos from the Fifties and early Sixties come from McCall’s Needlework magazine – a popular and easy-to-find magazine that could be bought the way we might buy Vogue or Glamor now, on a newsstand somewhere.  Of course, knitted dresses were made commercially, too, and I’ve found several.  But, the custom-made one-of-a-kind is always the most special.

P.S. Please vote in the Presidential election if you are a U.S. citizen.  Get registered if you need to or check your registration status.  This is a very important one – not one to sit out. . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SPEAKING OF FIFTIES & SIXTIES SWEATERS – SOME FUN EXAMPLES TO KNIT AT HOME!

IMG_1041IMG_1042IMG_1044IMG_1045IMG_1032      McCalls needlework magazine from 1961 has patterns and instructions for these neat tops.  It was one of those times when the fashion gets really playful.  My most recent finds on this trip are ’60’s!

Not quite so intimidating as trying to make some of the dresses and coats, but challenging enough!  There’s no mistaking the styles from that time and I’ll be showing more . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE HAND-KNIT FALL STYLES FROM THE FIFTIES – SO SPORTY AND ELEGANT

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It’s the details and the fit that make these things so wonderful!  That’s what I love about true vintage and hand-constructed clothing.  Check out these photos from a 1950’s needlework magazine, given to me by a woman who did this every year.

For a woman who had the skills to make these, it must have been so much fun to look through the new knitting magazines.  These weren’t runway styles that were out of her reach!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BACK TO SCHOOL TIME! 1950’S/1960’S SWEATERS THAT MOM & GRANDMA WERE BUSY KNITTING . . . . .

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Yes, it’s that time of year again.  I don’t know how many of you had mothers or grandmas who made most of your wardrobe, all year long – BUT, it was not at all unusual back in the day.   And, aren’t these cute and good-looking!    I’ll bet no one else would have had one like it.

These kinds of needlework magazines with patterns were really popular and there used to be little knitting shops around that sold all the necessary supplies.   When I was cleaning out some of the OLD family stuff recently, I found a lot of knitting needles of every size and configuration you can imagine.   I couldn’t begin to understand how they were used . . . . .

In these old magazines that were given to me, I’ve seen ads for knitting machines, too – something small that you could set up and use at home.   Although I can’t imagine devoting the time it would take to make these garments really well, they are SO beautiful that it seems it was well worth it.

I’d love to hear about your own family stories . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A TRUE VINTAGE DO-IT-YOURSELF WARDROBE PLAN FOR YOUR 1956 OCEAN CRUISE

IMG_0970 IMG_0971 IMG_0969 IMG_0968 IMG_0967 IMG_0965 IMG_0964Can you imagine?!   You’re planning to set sail in a few weeks.  Why not spend that time knitting and crocheting your entire wardrobe for the trip?   Sound like a good idea?   Think of the money you’ll save!   Imagine the compliments and envious looks when other women see your gorgeous, custom-made outfits.  Just pull out the instructions in your latest issue of the McCall’s needlework magazine.

Such ambition those mid-century women had!  My pillbox is off to them . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE SEVENTIES DOES FORTIES BLOUSE AND HIGH-WAIST PANTS

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Two finds from the 1970’s, put together perfectly.  I love the cute 1940’s vibe;  these pieces were made in the early 1970’s when that style was revived.  The shirt was from Sears Junior Bazaar and the slacks made by a company called Beeline. How fun!

The pants are long, so they’re great with platform sandals – another thing popular at that time – also part of the 1940’s retro thing.  As a true vintage sleuth, it’s so fun to watch how the styles go around and come around again.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A TRUE VINTAGE SUCCESS STORY FROM THE 1940’S AND A CAUTIONARY TALE

WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT WHAT I GOT!! A SUCCESS STORY AND A CAUTIONARY TALE

I absolutely adore this jacket. AND, it’s got a real story – The silk pants are not original, but the greenish bronze is a good match to the trim and I wear them with the jacket as loungewear.

When I first bought this jacket, it was a light lemon yellow, with emerald green embroidered trim, in a very large size.  From the  1940’s, the fabric was  a mystery – probably acetate or some blend.

It had been sold by a well-known (back in the day) Denver department store and carried their label.  I enjoyed wearing it as a wrap over strappy dresses or with skirts and light blouses. Yellow is not my best color, but it still worked.

After several years, I wondered how it might be to dye it a more flattering color – so, out came the scarlet dye and into the washing machine it went.  I’ve done this a number of times and have a system that USUALLY works – it’s ALWAYS a gamble.

So, what I got was a beautiful orange-red jacket with bronze embroidery (love it!) and in a size that fits me perfectly. Surprise!!

Could have been a disaster if I was not somewhat experienced and prepared.  Colors can turn out blotchy, seams can rip, fabrics can pucker and shrink beyond belief!!  Just a heads – up – the possibilities for success are endless, but so are the hazards, so here’s a word to the wise . . . . . . . . . … . . . . . . . . . learn your stuff well, then you can be adventurous!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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