Category Archives: shoes

True Vintage 1950’s to early 1960’s Semi-formal Special Occasion Dress

Powder pink frock for a special occasion. Love the long sleeves with our current weather and I’m happy with the color that doesn’t feel like Winter. It’s not a Prom dress, but could have been worn to any dressy dance party, a recital or . . . . . . . . . . . . . Very demure, but gives a nod to formal wear with a sheer bodice and scooped back. Of course, it has the 3-layer pouf skirt with stiff attached crinoline, acetate/rayon opaque layer and a gauzy synthetic overskirt that was iconic in the Fifties, up to the very early Sixties. Naturally, the stiletto pumps are mandatory.

Despite it’s tiny size, I believe that this frock was sold in the Misses Department (probably size 10) rather than as a Junior size. Just goes to show how our Misses sizes have changed over the decades. A modern size 10 now would hang like a tent on Stella – a 1950’s size 10 is equal to a current size 2. Perplexing, but the clues all fit together. Go figure (no pun intended) and stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TOTALLY CLASSIC, ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TRUE VINTAGE WARDROBE SHOES. WHAT ARE THEY?

100% LEATHER PENNY LOAFERS. Don’t care who you are, where you are, what your age, what you do; if you want to build a true vintage wardrobe, high quality penny loafers made of leather are a MUST. You might think that this is only an American or western European fashion, but not so. They originated over 100 years ago in Norway and, like the human population, have migrated into mainstream fashion all over the world since then. Men, especially, have been able to wear them as dress shoes since the beginning. They were de rigeuer for high school and college men and coeds at least since WWII; Probably replaced the saddle shoe in most adolescent closets. Mid-century pennies are a strong suggestion.

Highly polished, for smart casual to semi-formal dress. Lightly scuffed or a little dusty for just about everything else. Pretty versatile. Smooth leather in black or cordovan brown is the true classic. The full leather construction is mandatory because it’s original and also allows them to be repaired forever. (OK, a true vintage synthetic sole is acceptable if that is all you can find, but keep looking). In line with my philosophy regarding humane treatment of animals and environmental sustainability, I don’t recommend buying modern retro versions at retail, no matter how nice they are. You can find the real thing at second-hand and they’re better. Also, I’m obviously all about running undercover investigations and that’s a lot more fun because – you just never know. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

20 YEARS BEFORE NEW WAVE, ELECTRIC BLUE STILETTO HEELS FROM THE EARLY 1960’S

Slightly more extreme silhouette, I’d say that these heels are a few years younger than the pink shoes from yesterday. The metallic blue color is very Las Vegas. They look like patent leather and you might expect that because of their age but I believe that they are some type of synthetic. The brand name was probably printed on the insole but has worn away so completely that I can’t depend on it to help me out. Soles are also a synthetic. Very durable, but not a mark of higher quality. These babies were definitely mid-priced but good to go for a long time.

They’re not as tiny as yesterday’s pink pumps and I can wear them! Great find because I have a sateen semi-formal cocktail dress in the same blue color from the same era. That’s one of the most fun things about sleuthing investigations – finding the clues that fit together. Solves the mystery for that outfit! Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PRETTY LITTLE PINK PUMPS

Maybe Peggy Sue wore these to the Prom. Entirely possible – Life Stride brand shoes were mid-priced and available at shoe stores in town centers where everybody shopped in mid-century America. A very popular brand; they often sold purses to match the shoes. This was a big deal for women in the 1950’s and early 1960’s and tons of them were sold. Looks like the company, in some form, is still operating. If you shop Walmart, take a look there but I doubt you’ll find anything nearly as wonderful as these, and certainly not with the history . . .. . . . .

Let me know if you have any Life Stride stories. I’d love to have them for the archives and stay tuned.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS SHOES FROM THE 1970’S

From the Seventies does Forties period, early in that decade, these beautiful leather shoes were made in South Africa. Couldn’t believe my eyes when I spied them. In wonderful condition, even though they were more than 30 years old at the time. I adore peep-toe pumps and virtually anything 1940’s, so this was a no-brainer. Also, investigating the clue was fascinating.

Made for Kinney in South Africa? Wow. Who knew? Of course, things made and sold in any of the countries which were part of the British colonies found their way all around the world, so could end up anywhere. I took them to a shoe repair to have one little piece of elastic on the straps replaced. The owner was a man from Europe who had made shoes there before emigrating. He corroborated my conclusion that these pumps had been very well-made.

Unfortunately, they were about 1/2 – 1 size too big for me and in an open style like this, that’s too much. The fit will be wonky and they’ll be unstable on your feet with not much you can do about it. So, a lucky gal in Australia profited from my discovery. Who knows what streets they’re walking now? I’m going to be on a shoe streak for a little while so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MY FAVORITE 1940’S – EARLY FIFTIES PLATFORM SLING-BACK’S IN SUEDE

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I have so many pairs of shoes that I absolutely love, but these are truly favorites.  So versatile, so comfortable and so “Forties”.

All-leather construction, of course, and well-made.  I even wore them one day walking in a parade on city pavement for a couple of hours, wearing a true vintage dress.  They stood up beautifully and didn’t hurt my feet!

So, I’ll have these for life.  Lovely to not have to say good-bye to favorites – I can just have them repaired eventually.

Ah, the beauty of true vintage . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy

Blog:  Magicvintagespy.com

Book:  How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

A Few 1930’s -1940s – early 1950’s Wardrobe Staples

A Few 1940s Wardrobe Staples

Here are a few items that I ran across by surprise – from the 1940s (or so).  All perfect finishes for a wartime or post-war costume.  Mary-jane all leather shoes (always a classic), Capezio soft leather dance or casual flats and a couple of simple woven bags from the Depression era or time of wartime rationing – a drawstring and one with a metal zip in the top.  It’s fun to find things in such good condition (and at very good prices). You just never know . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy

Blog:  Magicvintagespy.com

MOD BLACK AND WHITE SHOES FROM THE MID 1960’S – SPECTATOR STYLE

MOD BLACK AND WHITE SHOES FROM THE MID 1960'S - SPECTATOR STYLE

A pair of, low-heeled classic quasi-spectator-style Mod pumps.  Black and white is always “in”, and is always de la mode.  Very practical for any Sixties – era outfit.  You can also dance the night away in comfort.

This pair is by the famous maker Florsheim, a quality name for decades.  Looks great Spring, Summer or Fall.  Probably in Winter, too.  A classic’s a classic, right?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE FALL FOOTWEAR – A PAIR OF SHOES THAT REMIND ME OF AUDREY

A PAIR OF TRUE VINTAGE SHOES THAT REMIND ME OF AUDREY

The actress Audrey Hepburn, I’ve read, favored cute little low-heeled shoes like these in the 1950’s and 1960’s when she was making many movies in America and Europe.  Though this pair are not quite that old, they’re of a style that has been around for decades and were made by a company that used to sell good-quality shoes and purses.

Nothing beats the classics and these are pure – Fall colors, back to school, practical casual fashion and comfort.  Fashion items this versatile are a super investment, while looking so unique!  Leather uppers with strong synthetic soles, they’ll last forever if they are looked after.  Ahh, the beauty of a true vintage quality wardrobe . . . . ..

I wear them with a skirt and sweater, a jumper dress, slacks or even a simple suit.  They’re a good choice for a day of shopping or sight-seeing or a long sleuthing assignment . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A BOX OF TRUE VINTAGE SHOES IN THE BASEMENT

A BOX OF TRUE VINTAGE SHOES IN THE BASEMENT

Another of those boxes in the basement which I hadn’t thought about in a while – finds of the last 10 years stored away. It’s always fun to see what’s inside!  Lots of variety from several different decades.

From the top row down, we’ll start with the DUDS, from the viewpoint of a true vintage hunter:

Pairs #1, #2 & #3 – nice to very nice classic styles in leather, 1980s at the earliest to 1990s.  Pretty shoes. Ho hum.  More retro than vintage, but reminiscent of the 1940’s and 1950’s.

Pair #4 – True vintage late 1950s – early 1960s gold-tone all – leather stiletto pumps.  For cocktails and dancing the cha-cha.

Pairs 5 & 6 – True vintage bowling shoes, 1950s – 1970s.  The two-tone ones are suede.

Pair #7 – Original true vintage Dr. Scholl’s leather exercise sandals from the very early 1970s.  They’ve made them in later years, but they aren’t the same.

Pair #8 – Low-heel leather pumps by Johannson from the mid-’60s.

Pair #9 – Leather pumps from the ’70s.  Nothing to lose your wallet over.

Pair #10 – Leather flats from the mid – late 1960s, with price tags still inside.

Well, that was interesting.  I remember finding all of these.  Probably I will sell them, since I run into the issue that all vintage collectors usually do – storage space!  Sometimes you have to (sigh), but as I get better and better at my craft, the non-keepers become fewer and fewer

Don’t forget that one of these pairs might be just what is needed to finish off a Halloween costume soon . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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