Category Archives: sexy

CUTE AND SAUCY TRUE VINTAGE LITTLE BLACK DRESS, FIFTIES – STYLE

CUTE AND SAUCY LITTLE BLACK DRESS, FORTIES - STYLE

Just love this!! Sometime from the late 1950’s to the early 1960’s this little frock was someone’s favorite.  It’s Peggy Lee in her early mid-century years, all over!!!!!

Glossy textured rayon – I always love sheer panels like this on the shoulders.  The bodice is decorated with embroidered white flowers which have pearl centers.  Nothing could be better for dinner out or a date night.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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VA-VA-VOOM! TOTALLY MAGICAL TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S VIXEN DRESS

VA-VA-VOOM! TOTALLY MAGICAL TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S VIXEN DRESS

OK.  Let’s compare this frock to the dress shown yesterday. . . . . . . ..

This was a completely magical find!  For the first thing, I almost missed it.   I was an inexperienced sleuth at the time, years ago, and wasn’t sure what I was seeing.

Second, it was at least 3 sizes too big, with some dowdy design features that were not appealing.  However, this is a 100% silk dress with a designer label.

Look at the draping and the ruching – GORGEOUS!! Another woman remarked about it and woke me up.

After a few very simple alterations, without doing anything that can’t be reversed, voila’! An absolute Mata Hari, femme fatale frock. Who knew?

From the same 1950’s era as yesterday’s dress – just as elegant but with a totally different feel.  This dress is very sexy and dramatic, but not in any way sleazy or tacky.  That’s the beauty of true vintage style and quality . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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1950’s LBD WITH SHEER BLACK SLEEVES AND SEDUCTIVE SHAPE

1950's LBD WITH SHEER BLACK SLEEVES AND SEDUCTIVE SHAPE

Leave it to the 1950’s to produce the most come-hither styles . . . .. . .. How could anyone resist this one?  The inventors of the “cocktail dress” knew their stuff.

Rather than a sleeveless style, “demure” sheer sleeves add just the right touch of modesty and mystery and end up amping the “sexiness” to new levels.

One of the mistakes that so much modern fashion makes – it’s so in-your-face that after the shock and awe wear off in a few minutes, it’s pretty boring and tacky.  True vintage fashion rarely, if ever, makes that goof.  It’s usually has just the opposite effect.  And, high quality materials and tailoring is the cherry on top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

BEAUTIFUL DELICATE COLOR TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – 1960’S SLIPS TO WEAR WITH YOUR PASTELS

BEAUTIFUL PASTEL TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - 1960'S SLIPS TO WEAR WITH YOUR PASTELS

Here are great nylon slips for Spring into Summer wear. When the weather has us in the doldrums, these will pick up the spirits and coordinate with the lovely pastels we are beginning to wear again.

Gorgeous lace and embroidery – the slip on the left may even be 1940’s. We know we’re getting into the 1960’s with the one far right because of the fabric and construction – not just the length – .some pre-WWII slips were short, too, depending on the style.

It’s fun to know all the details but I love each one . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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SCORE!! FOUND A TRUE VINTAGE KENNEDY ERA PARTY DRESS

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Wowee!  I love it so much!  First off, this beautiful frock appeared to my spying eyes and I was transported to a dance in 1960 . . . . . . . . . . .

Sheer, printed fabric over an acetate sheath – so pretty and feminine, with fabulous movement in the skirt.  The pleats make the bottom half of the dress look a completely different color, though the fabric is exactly the same.  Such wonderful wizardry in the beautiful tailoring tricks seen in true vintage garments.

This is the kind of find I live for – and I’m glad that they are frequent!  I’ll have so much fun with this one.  It’s done a lot of dancing and needs some TLC, but nothing I can’t handle – getting ready to party on.  The “new” finds are coming more frequently now, so stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

I’VE GOT THE DOWNRIGHT GORGEOUS BLUES: TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – 1960’S LINGERIE NYLON SLIPS

I'VE GOT THE DOWNRIGHT GORGEOUS BLUES - TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S LINGERIE NYLON SLIPS

These slips, on top of the beautiful colors, have some of the nicest lace and embroidery decoration!  They’re very similar in the construction techniques, but each one is unique.

The 1950’s were so big on vivid colored lingerie and, of course, the nylon had a wonderful “hand”. The one on the far left, especially, could almost double as a dress.  In the early 1960’s some variation in length became more available, which will work under shorter styles.

They make dressing such a pleasure and sleuthing always an adventure . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – 1950’S DANCE PARTY DRESS

I WOULDN'T KICK HER OUT OF THE ST. VALENTINE'S DANCE, WOULD YOU?

A gorgeous dance dress that may have been for Prom or just for any Big Band dance party – they used to be so popular back in the day.   Will LOVE to see her on Stella, when I get around to it.

The year I found this beauty (not long ago),  a famous label made one in the same basic style but not nearly so well done.  No lovely flowers at the waistline and (horrors!) in a choice of several different colors.  Can you imagine spending $250 for a dress and seeing one just like it (but maybe blue) at the party, too?!

After purchasing her for about 70 cents (that’s right – seventy pennies!) and exercising a little of my rehab know-how, this is what I had about 4 days later and just my size.  Not bad, huh?

This  frock could show up any time and have her dance card full immediately.  The Belle of the Ball and completely unique.  Some girls have all the luck . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

MORE “NEW” FINDS! TRUE VINTAGE “TEA” DRESS A’LA SCARLETT O’HARA

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Here’s another mystery dress with regard to dating it exactly.  It’s a tea-length party gown which has done some duty over the years and has a very interesting neckline, made to be worn on or off the shoulder.  The bodice is boned, front and back, and the color is a rip-roarin’ red!  Scarlett would approve.

Always fun, and I know that it’s at least forty years old.  I doubt that it was custom-tailored, but there is no label.  Interesting tailoring details in a seldom-seen style, which fits me to a T!  However, I think I’ll need to invest in a corset for the best fit – I’ve never owned a regular brassiere that would do it justice.

When I get back to Headquarters, however,  I’m sure that Madge will be able to do it justice.  More tomorrow – stay tuned  .. . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

TWO LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE DRESSING GOWNS FROM THE 1920’S – 1940’S

TWO LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE DRESSING GOWNS FROM THE 1930'S - 1940'S

These kinds of lingerie items are so special and rare. Dainty, lightweight robes like the one on the left were standard bedroom wear in the ’40’s and before – the thing to wear between rising and dressing.

The contrasting colors of the rayon gown on the left are so unusual and little details like the tiny buttons and shoulder-augmentation make this a distinctive garment – not just something to throw on absentmindedly.  It’s from the late 1930’s to 1940’s.

The gown on the right is even older. It is of white/ivory rayon satin, with side snap or hook closure in a plain sheath style. I’ve paired a  bed jacket with it, made of similar fabric. This could be adapted to a formal dance or wedding gown and would be from the late 1920’s to the 1930’s, similar to a Coco Chanel design of that time (the dress – not the bed jacket).

Anyway, they are wonderful finds and gave me a real thrill to discover them! The fun never ends . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

1950’S FRENCH ROOM GLAMOUR & CREATIVE SLEUTHING SUCCESS

FRENCH ROOM GLAMOUR & CREATIVE SLEUTHING SUCCESS

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this jacket! It was from the “French Room” of some department store in the 1940’s – 1950’s and has the most lovely European couture style.

French blue with royal purple cuffs and attached scarf, wicked fit and unusual tailoring details. So unusual! Near the same time, I also found a French wool hat in the same purple – PERFECT!

I looked for several years for the perfect skirt or dress to go with it and, voila’, it did appear, as I knew it would.  Perfect color and fit – a sleeveless sheath dress.  Purples are hard to match, like many other hues.

Ooh, la la! Oui, oui!  So now I have my cute little outfit with just the right sassy chic.  Ce la vie for the Magicvintagespy.  Now for the shoes – I have the most perfect pumps from France in brown leather, but I would so much like purple. . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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