Category Archives: shirt

“NEW” DISCOVERY! TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1960’S FLOWER-POWER BLOUSE BY MISTER LEONARD

IMG_1716This is the most wonderful sheer flower-print blouse with big pirate sleeves!!!  It’s so FLOWER POWER in the colors that were popular then.

All the telling tailoring signs of the time are there, too – the cut and the finishing details.  Can’t wait to photograph it on Stella, who will give the style it’s correct shape.

But, the best shape is when I get to wear it!  And, it’s just my size . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S DRESSY BLOUSE

IMG_1682Here’s a great picture of a Sixties blouse that would have been worn to a holiday party or a dance.  Not my style, personally, but it’s so perfectly of that time and in such wonderful condition – how could I resist?

With buttons all the way up the back, a well-finished hem made to wear untucked over dress pants or a long skirt and that jabot-type flounce at the collar (SO ’60’s!), it’s another of those garments with British influence.  Could work very well as part of a Halloween costume, too.

The maker’s label is even embroidered in gold thread.  Someone took very good care of this top and kept it for special occasions.  I’ve been really fortunate lately to find so many vintage blouses and shirts in outstanding condition!  Often, these pieces are like slacks – they accumulate so much wear over the years with stains and tears that they’ll end up being discarded by the original owner.

But, thanks to the superior quality of true vintage clothing and the care many of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers took with their wardrobes, some of them are still out there to be discovered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY BLOUSES AND SHIRTS – I’VE COME UP WITH A TON RECENTLY!

IMG_1684Here’s a proper picture of the wonderful Fifties/Sixties blouse that I recently found in New Mexico.  I’ll start getting into more seasonal items tomorrow, but this top could be worn any time of year with a jacket or sweater.

My favorite look would be to wear this with a pair of cigarette pants, and maybe a neckscarf or colorful costume necklace a’la 1950’s.  Pencil skirt, pleated skirt, capris or shorts – any of those will look great.  True vintage accessories are always important to spark a look like this one.

With regard to the style, I love cap sleeves, extended shoulders and bateau necklines – but the neatest thing is that it’s made to wear belted, with little loops sewn in the side seams.  The original belt is, alas, missing but I think that it was a slim fabric tie.  Easy to replace.  For a dressier look, the buckle belt I’m showing in the photo works really well.

It’s just made for Madge’s figure, no?  But, it looks pretty good on me, too . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ANOTHER RARE FIND! TRUE VINTAGE MEN’S RAYON SHIRT IN A PSYCHEDELIC PRINT

IMG_1707Men’s true vintage shirts in great condition are an even more elusive find than women’s are because, alas, you blokes have never been known for looking after your clothing very well.  So many wonderful pieces just haven’t survived.

But, this one – in the silkiest, most beautiful rayon weave, is almost like new. Looks like another example of the late Sixties, “Carnaby Street” days (like the women’s blouse shown yesterday), but that’s indefinite and subject to further research..

The pockets are so skillfully applied that I almost didn’t see one of them and saw the other one mostly because I expected it to be there.  Superb tailoring and marvelous fabrics are two of the factors that make vintage fashion so fabulous.

Fun, fun, fun . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S WHITE COTTON BLOUSE

IMG_1704There’s nothing like cottons from the 1960’s and before.  And, the gorgeous, lady-like styles from those past decades have never been done as well since then.  I’m always so excited to find another one!

The trims are beautifully made and the tailoring is impeccable.  Nice buttons, too.  The fit is excellent.  The fabric feels soft but substantial and lasts forever.

Although sometimes a little fussy, styles from the late 1960’s are fun and have that British flair that was popular then.  Of course, it looks great with the ribbon skirt shown yesterday or a mini, but I like them with jeans, too, or bell-bottom pants.

The new finds just keep on coming.  Groovy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.BOM

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

MY LAST “NEW” FIND – SWEET TRUE VINTAGE WHITE EYELET BLOUSE

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA From the same era as yesterday’s dress, this is my last “new” find. Although at first glance it looks like many things made recently, it’s not – and everything I said yesterday applies to it, too.

It’s just a cut above things made now and I’ll enjoy wearing it because it makes ME look better! The styling and fit are superior.

The peasant/farm girl/hippie clothing made in the late ’60’s and early ’70s is so fun and flattering that I always snap it up when I find it. Nothing of that style made since then seems to look as good.

So, I’m heading home soon with a dozen or more finds that I’m very happy with! Vegas was also pretty slim pickin’s, but they’re out there. It’s such a transient city that there may not be as many women still here whose treasures from decades past will find their way into the secondary market. Most of the classic glam and glitz came and went . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

I KEEP FINDING TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY BLOUSES – SWEET!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Been having such good fortune with a few rare items turning up for me all month. Love these two – both from the 1960’s or early 1970’s:

1. more black & white in my favorite boat-neck, cap sleeve, pullover style. The only thing missing is the original belt, but that won’t be a big deal to replace. The polyester fabric has a really nice hand. Take a look at the label. It’s a small maker that is new to me – such fun to find!
2. this classic button-front style has such great stripes! It’s the print and colors that made it stand out from the crowd. Takes me right to the late ’60’s and I will love wearing it.

If you love the Sixties and the Beatles music, I recommend the LOVE show by Cirq de Soliel here in Las Vegas. Came highly recommended to me and I pass that on . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

WONDERFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1950´S BLOUSE AND SHIRT – A DELICIOUS NEW FIND!

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COULD IT REALLY BE PIMA COTTON?

When I saw these beautiful colors, classic styles and FELT the scrumptious fabric, I was over the moon.  As I always tell you,  true vintage blouses and shirts are a pure gold find.  And, mid-century designs are my favorite!

The cap sleeve blouse was custom-tailored, like so many mid-century garments.  I love that style and the print is fun.  Also in my beloved turquoise.

Surprise – the red shirt is actually a boys´, but just the right size for me, with a classic wallpaper print.  I love the small wing collar and the slanted front pocket.  Made in California – I couldn´t be happier with the color, too.

Another, and maybe the BEST thing about these shirts is the material.  I said that it feels fantastic and that is an understatement.  In a substantial cotton, which might have been Pima cotton since that was so popular and one of the best available in the 1950´s.  So, it might have come from Pima County in New Mexico!  If you have ever felt one of these old cottons – especially after they have been washed and used for a while – you´ll remember that it feels just like you´ve gone to Heaven.

So, for the second (or third, or fourth) time this trip, I felt like I´d won the jackpot when I spotted these babies.  It`s worth every bit of shoe leather and the trenchcoats that I have to replace . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1960´S BLOUSES ON THE RUNWAY THIS WEEK – NEW TREASURES

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I couldn´t believe my good fortune last week – half a dozen blouses, as well as shoes and dresses.  These are somewhat rare finds, so I always do a happy dance!

Yes, they look very unremarkable in the photos, but I think you trust my snooping skills well enough to follow along while I explain what is so cool about them.

The blouse on the left is in a wonderful, semi-sheer and shimmery mid-century synthetic fabric that is just so pretty.  It also has darts at the shoulders, front and back, that not only make the fit special but also are pretty details that can be seen.  The little Peter Pan collar is very feminine and early ´60´s all the way!

On the right, a Levis shirt is just special in it´s casual sort of way for the fit and the ´60´s sportswear flavor that it will add to my high-waist blue jeans – a favorite everyday look when I´m at home.

Although you might think that “I could go to Walmart and buy shirts like that any time . . . .”, no, no, no.  These jumped out at me from the midst of a crowded rack and they´ll do the same when I wear them.  People who pay attention to fashion – even in a casual sort of way – can usually spot it when they see someone wearing something a little bit different, even if they don´t know why . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – ’70’S POLYESTER FUNKY ART PRINT SHIRTS

TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S – '70'S POLYESTER FUNKY ART PRINT SHIRTS.