One of my all-time favorite shirts again – with crazy chest detail! So many of the vintage men’s shirts had wonderful embroidered designs on front.
This one also has some little covered buttons to add to the motif. Unfortunately, one was missing and is a strange shape to replace, but I’ll keep looking. Until then, I added a touch of embroidery to fill the space. As on the dress yesterday, the buttons can be a major feature.
The material is also a nice drapey, rayon fabric in a wonderful rare shade of blue. True vintage fabrics take dye differently than modern fabrics and many of the colors are unique. I absolutely love finding these shirts in small sizes that I can wear!
You just never know when one might turn up, in the corner of a smokey bar . . .. . . . . . . . . . Oh, and as of tomorrow morning I’ll be on the road again for 2 – 3 weeks. So, I might just turn up somewhere in the corner of a smokey bar . . . . . . . . . . .. but posts will keep on coming, so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
It certainly is a little cooler at night now, and I’d like to show a wonderful top that doubles as a jacket. It was commercially – made and has a label. The cut is so cool – I always love waist-defining styles and strong shoulders. This time, it’s a good fit for Madge!
Just look at those wrapped buttons! They appear on the cuffs, as well. The actual color is a bit less rosy than in the photo and more a burnt orange color, but it’s a very pretty hue. The fabulous rayon fabric has an almost iridescent glow.
For some reason, I like wearing a hat with this jacket. Some kind of fantastic ’40’s topper would really suit, but I don’t have any of the really wild ones. A fedora or big bowler style tipped back is nice.
Equally fab with slacks or a skirt, I really feel like Katherine Hepburn or Lauren Bacall when wearing this. A couple of my favorite actresses from one of my favorite eras . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
These shirts are small men’s or large boys’ sizes that I can (just) wear and I LOVE THEM!!!! The fun stitching detail on the blue one and the fabulous print designs on the red ones are wonderful.
These were all commercially – made garments. The boys’ ones may have been sold in chain stores like J.C. Penney or Sears and Roebuck or Montgomery Ward – maybe elsewhere.
The boys’ shirts are made of a quite substantial cotton and the blue one, which is a man’s size, is lighter weight and might be a vintage rayon fabric, which is almost always really nice because of how it feels and fits.
Of course, these shirts don’t have a feminine fit, but still can look amazing on us girls and are so much fun to wear. A really nice edge-into-Fall element for your wardrobe, and I’ll be showing more . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
3 favorite shirts of mine. Many take-offs have been made and are in the marketplace now, but these are better. I always say that, but it’s true!
Shirt #1 is from the late ’70’s. It’s a retro style in a really nice drapey rayon. I love the parrot and the vibrant colors, plus the way it fits. It has little shoulder pads and a flattering cut. The stripes are reminiscent of vintage bowling shirts.
Shirt #2 has lost its label, but because of the styling I’ll guess it’s ’70’s but it might be ’50’s. It’s a
Western-style shirt with pearlized snap closures and yokes front and back. In gingham, of course!
Blouse #3 is by Ship’n’Shore – that old vintage stand-by maker of lovely cotton blouses. This one is printed with stylized scenes from Europe. Because of the design, I’m also sure that it was made in the late ’60s or early ’70’s.
Love shirts like these – not really old, but with distinctive style and fabric and very wearable every day.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Here are two cotton blouses that are made of quintessential vintage fabrics. I haven’t seen others like them made this way in modern clothing (meaning since about 1975 at the latest).
The first blouse is made of cotton seersucker. This has been a trademark summer fabric since the 1920’s, I’d say – probably before. It is known for being cool and having a nice texture that stands up to heat and humidity.
The second blouse, with the Peter Pan collar and 3/4 sleeves that can be rolled up, is a lightweight cotton blend. These were super-popular in the ’50’s and early ’60’s and, as simple as they look, there’s not been a fabric that performs like this since.
Of course, I like the style details, too – the large buttons and banded scoop neck collar on #1 and the dainty collar and 3/4 sleeves on #2. True vintage blouses are often cut much better, also, so the fit is more flattering. Of course, adding Spandex and Lycra to fabric blends makes for killer fits, but they have their own care and wear problems.
The moral of the story always is: Lookalikes come and go, but there’s nothing like the real deal when it comes to true vintage fashion. It’s hard to fool a seasoned investigator . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Magicvintagespy 