Category Archives: sheath

OOPSIE DAISY, BACK IN THE 1940’S WITH A BLACK CREPE COCKTAIL FROCK

For cocktails and/or dinner, a dressy but elegantly designed garment. Either pre- or post-WWII (probably Post-) a simple rayon crepe sheath with a midi hemline. Notice the beautiful drape of this fabric. Modest but semi-flashy rhinestone decoration and an eye-catching deep keyhole neckline, saying “YES! The war is over and we can party in beautiful dresses again!”

This one came from Australia so may even have been made in Britain, as much of their clothing was before the 1970’s or so. The arrival of fast fashion put an end to many quality brands and their exports as well as iconic department stores and ladies’ clothing shops which used to sell them. Today we can have boatloads of cute crappy stuff instead of a selection of well-made and lovely garments and accessories. Progress? Ha! Don’t believe it. I’m old enough to remember my grandmother’s good stuff and trips to the city with my mom for Christmas shopping. Stay tuned for more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fun and Unusual 1960’s – 1970’s Mod-ish Cocktail LBD with Maribou

Another one-of-a-kind mid-century cocktail frock. De rigeuer black crepe-ish fabric with a full lining. Unusual 3/4 kimono-ish sleeves with maribou trim. Elegant and easy body-skimming style. Made by a company called Dresstown which seems to have straddled the U.S./Canada border about 50 years ago. Not high-end, but distinguished. Again, never will find another like it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE AMERICAN WOOL JUMPER DRESS FROM THE LATE ’50’S OR EARLY ’60’S

TRUE VINTAGE AMERICAN WOOL JUMPER DRESS FROM THE LATE '50'S OR EARLY '60'S

Here’s a very special woven wool jumper dress with big shell buttons.   I have it pinned since it’s a little too teeny for Madge, you see how much difference a little change in one’s figure could make in the fit!

It’s really cut for a petite woman, maybe slightly under average height.  But, a couple more inches here and there and VAVOOM!  Unfortunately, a shade too much on the petite side for me and no Vavoom, so I sold it before Stella joined me and it would have fitted her well!

Dresses like this were super popular right around 1960 and might have been worn with a turtleneck, but a blouse would have been more likely.  I show it with this sweater just because the color matches so well.

The most outstanding feature of this design is the big abalone shell buttons asymmetrically closing the front.  And, the hem-line is fairly long, especially on a shorter person.  A sign of the times.

Definitely a sophisticated back-to-school or a career dress for some aspiring young woman!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE SHORT-SLEEVED SHEATH DRESS FROM THE 1960’S – CUSTOM TAILORED

A PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE SHORT-SLEEVED SHEATH DRESS FROM THE 1960'S - CUSTOM TAILORED

This pretty dress is in an unusual shade of blue, kind of between a Wedgewood and French blue.  A combo that I always love and don’t come across often enough – blue and brown.  It was custom – made, with hand-done crewel embroidery on the front.

The easy sheath style is always perfect, and the short sleeves make it less obviously Summery or better for a cooler location.  I love their fluttery cut and the brown lining peeking out.  The main material is a sort of hop-sacking weave, which was very popular in the late ’60’s.  Just the right weight for going into Fall.

Back metal zipper and fully lined in a lightweight cotton blend material. Flattering but simple.  Madge fills it out beautifully, no?

Looks just right for a teacher, or, or, or . . . . . . . . .
I wonder who . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . … . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SLEEVELESS FROCK IN PRETTY YELLOW POLKA-DOT FABRIC

I’ve had such a run of finding 1960’s dresses lately!  But, I’m also finding items from decades before and it’s all so exciting.  This pretty summer frock is a dropped-waist style that adds a twist to what would otherwise be a plain, but very elegant, sheath.  This kind of casual elegance was so much a part of early-Sixties fashion.

The fabric I love because polka-dots and bright yellow are always so great for summer dresses.  It’s a synthetic with a nylon feel, but may be a blend.  Might have been custom-tailored, as so many true vintage dresses are, but it’s hard to say since the sewing skills our grandmothers had were so professional.  Labels can be missing for many reasons.

This one just makes me want to wear it to a carnival and go on all the rides while eating cotton candy and winning at least one Teddy Bear . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

A LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S EVERYDAY SUMMER SHIFT DRESS

NEW FIND - A LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S EVERYDAY SUMMER SHIFT DRESS

Now that we’ve passed the first day of glorious Summer and the weather is certainly cooperating, it’s time to show this little frock.  It’s very simple, cool, and very cute!

So much fun to discover one of these because not many of them have survived.  Plain shift style – but certain features tell its age.  Notice the vintage snaps on the shoulder straps.  Usually you see these on older Western-wear garments.

I especially like the way that the neckline is constructed – it makes all the difference in how the dress falls. Even though it’s as casual as a house-dress, it also looks good with a chain or macrame’ belt, and I like the patch pockets, too.

This is just the kind of “jeans-and-t-shirt” outfit that women were likely to wear for everyday in the late Sixties, when actually wearing jeans and a t-shirt was not quite as common as it is now.

Put on some pretty sandals and a necklace, carry a cute purse and you’d look super out and about town.

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

True Vintage 1930’s – ’40’s Summer Day-Dress by Lora Lenox

True Vintage 1940's Summer Day-Dress by Lora Lenox

Such a beautiful coral color on this fun and spunky frock from the late 1930’s or early 1940’s.  I love the great big buttons and the pleated flounce at the hem.  Polka dots all over.  The fabric is an interesting textured weave with some pattern in it, like some men’s shirts of the ’40’s and ’50’s that are so intriguing.

Made by Lora Lenox, a company that manufactured women’s clothing over several decades. This one was definitely a moderately – priced item, but not of poor quality.  Just to have survived since the ’40’s in such good condition says a lot.

It’s got the hallmark shoulder pads and a variation of that classic shirtwaist style.  When I caught sight of it, half-hidden, it was the color that arrested my eye.  Coral is so flattering to most women and so perfect for Summer!

Keep your peepers peeled, ’cause you just never know . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

ANOTHER 1960’S SUMMER SHEATH DRESS

A SECOND VIEW OF THIS 1960'S SUMMER SHEATH DRESS

Notice the way in which the embroidery follows the curve of the figure by placing it along the side seam.  So pretty and flattering!  A woman could always feel attractive and well-dressed in a frock made this nicely and with such gorgeous details.  This is another of my earliest finds.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S FLORAL SHEATH SUMMER DRESS

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960'S FLORAL SHEATH SUMMER DRESS

I absolutely love the flattering drape of this fitted dress! The fabric is a synthetic blend of some type, probably containing nylon.

During the late ’50’s and early ’60’s the lean sheath styles were very alluring, yet proper. That seems, to me, to be one of the best fashion qualities of lots of the true vintage styles.

This one goes from Spring, with a light jacket or sweater, right into Summer. The combination of green and blue was very popular in the early 1960’s for a year or two – so this one may come from that time.

So, a ladylike frock that can be worn almost anywhere – simple style and classic lines. It would look nice with white shoes.  Though the standard rule was “No white until after Memorial Day in the U.S. (last of May) and not after Labor Day (first Monday in September),  those rules don’t apply anymore so wear your white shoes whenever you like!

I’m not sure, but this dress might have come from Canada. Sometimes, with a closet the size of mine, you just never know . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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TRUE VINTAGE 1960s – ’70s FULL LENGTH FLORAL PARTY GOWN

TRUE VINTAGE 1960s - '70s FULL LENGTH FLORAL EASTER PARTY GOWN

,Zooming into Summer now, you may be looking around for outfits to wear this weekend, to a garden or patio party . .

A beautiful gown in a pastel floral print, perfect for a dance, dinner, theater event, etc. – anything a bit more formal that this week’s celebrations or events might throw at you.

This one has an empire waistline seam, a sheer layer of fabric over an opaque lining and a center back zipper. No slip necessary, though I do have a true vintage long crinoline underneath in this picture. I’ll show that to you later as it is very interesting, itself.

I’m not sure whether this dress was made in the ’60s or ’70s. I lean toward the ’60s, but it is a classic style with only one tag left inside that is not a definite answer to the question. But, the fabric just has a ’60s feel to it . . . . . . .

Anyway, it is lovely and radiates the feeling of cheerful, bright sunny days. This is the kind of thing that we all like to start wearing this time of year. If it were shortened (or maybe even if not) and without the crinoline it could be worn as a day dress, because of the simple style.

Look for things like this now. Lots of older women made a habit of cleaning out their closets in the Spring, and you just never know . . . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy
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