Category Archives: shirt

TWO WONDERFUL MEN’S SHORT-SLEEVED SHIRTS – TRUE VINTAGE 1970’S & RETRO

TWO WONDERFUL MEN'S SHORT-SLEEVED SHIRTS - TRUE VINTAGE 1970'S & RETRO

I LOVE these shirts! Of course, I can’t wear them (WAY too big), but I couldn’t resist anyway. The photo doesn’t show you the details well, so I’ll describe. Let’s start with the true vintage shirt on the right.

This one was made in Hawaii in the 1960’s or ’70’s. Beautiful heavy 100% cotton fabric that is so characteristic of true vintage garments made there before about 1975. Since that time, the fabric usually isn’t so nice, nor the construction. My apologies to Hawaiian clothing-makers if there are exceptions.

The prints on these materials are also superb – nice designs and astounding colors. The label and the buttons used are also good clues as to the age of the shirt.

The shirt on the left is retro – probably 1980’s – but it is such a nice reproduction of a 1950’s to early 1960’s men’s shirt that I decided to pick it up. Really nice retro-style fabric that sets it apart. I can’t identify anything about the maker on-line and I’m not sure if the buttons are original or not, but I like it anyway.

So, you see that some of my decisions to buy are gut-level decisions, but they are good decisions. I’ve said good-bye to old experiences of sometimes getting home and saying to myself “Oh, darn, I probably goofed here – I’ll have to give this one away or try to re-sell it”. That was a downer, a drag and a bother.

But, with persistence, experience and growing know-how I finally became . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE (?) 1980’S (?) TIGER PRINT SHIRT JACKET BY ABS

TRUE VINTAGE (?) 1980'S (?) TIGER PRINT SHIRT JACKET BY ABS.

LATE 1970s TRUE VINTAGE BOHO TOP

LATE 1970s TRUE VINTAGE BOHO TOP.

LATE 1970s TRUE VINTAGE BOHO TOP

LATE 1970s TRUE VINTAGE BOHO TOP

i bought this little blouse in about 1977. It is by a company called Nirvana (not the same as the stores that have been around lately or the music group of the same name). Made in India, of cotton. Again, it looks a lot like stuff sold today. The only differences are that the cotton fabric is nicer and the embroidery design is done better than what I usually see now. The stitching is also better – one reason why I still have it after 36 years!

Although it would look better on my mannequin, Madge, there is no special fit. The shoulder straps are adjustable and the waist is a drawstring tie. Mostly, it’s very typical of the time it was made – the sort of thing that everybody wore in the summer.

Most of my true vintage is older than this and has much more interesting style, which is very different from today (excepting for the copycats, if you don’t look too closely). But, I thought I’d go ahead and share these to show you that the differences between true vintage and modern are still there, but are harder to spot after the 1960s.

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – 1950’S LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL SHIRT-JACKET

True Vintage 1950s Wool Shirt-Jacket

This very casual mid-century jacket has great features such as big shell buttons in front and at the cuffs, a lining around the neck and upper back for comfort, modest shoulder pads and front patch pockets. Built for practicality, but stylish in true vintage fashion! The label says: Wonder Fabric virgin wool Vagabond by Chippewa.
I love to imagine who wore this and where it was worn. Feels to me like jeans and saddle shoes or Keds would be just right – for a picnic or raking a few leaves. So much fun to find this one! When you’re being a vintage sleuth, it’s one great surprise after another and you just never know . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

Original True Vintage Party Dressing (or cafe’ boho garb?)

Original True Vintage Party Dressing (or cafe' boho garb?).