Category Archives: sheath

NEW FIND! MOD TRUE VINTAGE SHEATH DRESS IN TRAFFIC – SIGN COLORS

NEW FIND! MOD TRUE VINTAGE SHEATH DRESS IN TRAFFIC – SIGN COLORS.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S DEBUTANTE GOWN

Is it too early to start thinking about Prom dresses and formals?

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S DEBUTANTE GOWN

This lovely little frock might have been worn by some young lady at a recital, coming-out party or first formal occasion. I say that because it is small and very demure.

The only decoration are two petite bows at the waistline in back, next to the metal zipper. I suspect that it was specially made for her by a tailor. If commercially-made, it came from a small, exclusive shop.

The dress is a very pale beige taffeta, with lace overlay on the bodice. Moderate scoop neck front and back. Ruched cummerbund waistband,semi-full skirt with attached netting crinoline.

Very proper and very lovely. I actually found another one alongside it, possibly of the same owner. It has a bit more dramatic decoration, but is very much the same and from the same era.

Can you imagine needing a dress like this every year, or maybe more than one! Did her family…

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UPTOWN MOD GIRL FROM THE 1960’S – TRUE VINTAGE IN THE CITY

I CAN’T WAIT FOR VALENTINE’S DAY TO POST THIS ONE AGAIN!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

IMG_0287UPTOWN MOD GIRL FROM THE 1960'S - TRUE VINTAGE IN THE CITY

Here’s something THAT GIRL Marlo Thomas might have worn in her city life. Cute and sophisticated – that’s the feel lots of fashions had at that time. We were breaking away from the traditional.

This one is of a beautiful glossy woven rayon, but not at all like those luscious crepey ones from the 1940’s. It’s perky and substantial.

Classic style, with a mandarin collar, which were very popular then. The rhinestone buttons at the waist let you know that this is a garment with some status.

The tailoring is more or less what you would encounter today, though the hem is done more nicely – with hem tape – and is about 2″ deep. We hardly see that anymore, nor a hem that is nicely finished.

This is, overall, just a really nice dress that a woman with very good taste might wear to a swanky party or out…

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UPTOWN MOD GIRL FROM THE 1960’S – TRUE VINTAGE IN THE CITY

UPTOWN MOD GIRL FROM THE 1960'S – TRUE VINTAGE IN THE CITY.

A FUN FROCK FROM THE FORTIES

A FUN FROCK FROM THE FORTIES.

1951 PARIS DESIGNER ENSEMBLE INTERPRETED BY AMERICAN CLOTHIER NELLIE DON

1951 PARIS DESIGNER ENSEMBLE INTERPRETED BY AMERICAN CLOTHIER NELLIE DON.

1951 PARIS DESIGNER ENSEMBLE INTERPRETED BY AMERICAN CLOTHIER NELLIE DON

This is one of my very favorite designer dress finds!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

1951 PARIS DESIGNER ENSEMBLE INTERPRETED BY AMERICAN CLOTHIER NELLIE DON

This is a really interesting find! A plain belted sheath dress with removable peplum. I encountered a photo in a hallway decoration on the cruise boat last fall that told me the year and the designer. I can’t remember the designer now – can anyone help out? It was a name that we all know.

This one was styled by Nellie Don, which made very available clothing items for women in America – not couture. Usually a year or two after styles came out in Paris they found their way into the U.S. one way or another.

It’s made of an unremarkable fabric – some kind of cotton blend in an abstract print – with a center back metal zipper. But it is an unusual length for that time – just a bit below the knee.

I was quite surprised when I discovered it, hiding in an odd little shop…

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VINTAGE ASIAN SHEATH, MADE IN THE EAST CIRCA?

Here’s a little number to shake you up!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

ImageThis dress is one of my Mata Hari outfits and  came from a shop in, probably, British Hong Kong – maybe Taiwan or somewhere in China.  It has a label with the shop’s name, but no further info.  It is possibly custom-made, as so many of the dressmakers will do in those countries.

Because it is a classic oriental style and a heavy jacquard material, I am unable to date it really closely – also has none of the identifiers that clothing made in the U.S. often will.

In any case, I love Eastern styles and the beautiful silks that they are often made from.  The older dresses are still found.  Some, like this one, are made from a synthetic blend.  Many contemporary dresses are still being made in the traditional styles, so you have to know how to identify the older ones, if that is what you are seeking.  Kimonos…

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TRUE BLUES – MORE TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S DRESSES AND COORDINATING SHOES

TRUE BLUES – MORE TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S DRESSES AND COORDINATING SHOES.

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY OFF-WHITE SPECIAL OCCASION DRESS – AND A SHOE SUGGESTION

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY OFF-WHITE SPECIAL OCCASION DRESS – AND A SHOE SUGGESTION.