This frock has been with me for a little while. It’s a pink and blue floral on a charcoal background, with a little bow on the bodice. I have added a cloth-covered belt in charcoal. Unusual shades to take us into autumn, still with a light and outdoor feel. Would look nice with darker leather shoes and handbags, for a change, and maybe a coat or jacket as the weather changes.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This is also a true vintage brand that I already own – so fun to find things by names that I know. It’s a vintage 16, which was a plus size at that time, but still looks pretty cute on Stella.
Plain and everyday, but still worth picking up, to me. All part of the vintage sleuthing craft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Handmade back in the day by “Rosalie Couturier” – I’ve never seen this common and popular style done so elegantly, by one seamstress. All the best of beautiful little details and stunning fit are really only found in purely hand-tailored examples. What a treat it was to find this one!
The fabric is also very special – a rayon or rayon blend that was used in off-the-rack garments only in the 1940’s – 1950’s, if you were lucky. And the buttons! I’m over-the-moon on those – heavy, polished and perfect in their iridescence. Nothing can compare to old shell buttons. You can see in this photo another example of the phenomenon I mentioned a day or two ago – the belt looks slightly darker, probably because it was never cleaned along with the dress. Spy-craft!
Just in time for Spring, right out of classic cinema – Mrs. Miniver or June Cleaver would be right at home wearing this frock any old day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Just about my favorite dress era – WWII to Post-war – and in my size. I was SO thrilled to uncover this wonderful rayon frock in a great green & white on black ferny print. Very well-made and in fantastic condition. Love those mid-century women who looked after their clothing so well. If I’m looking for some green to wear on the 17th of March, this one has enough green to get me in the door.
So iconic and perfect. Drapey rayon in a wonderful art print. It “made” the start of my day. Even though I always expect to find treasure, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Made probably in the late 1940’s by a small designer/tailor, it has all the hallmarks of hand-tailoring – pinked seams, reinforcing at the waist, hand-stitching. Love it!
Someone loved this frock very much because it is nearly in perfect condition. Somewhere, sometime she lost one little rhinestone from a button. That’s all. Then, when her estate was unpacked, someone lost the original belt.
You just can’t find good help anymore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Although this top was made only 20 years ago and wouldn’t be true vintage in my book, it’s got the good retro design and quality construction that made it worth picking up. It’s also a soft wool, with the back neckline zipper which was so popular several decades ago.
I like the design and even the color, which is actually a dark navy but it’s made for a larger gal than I so will probably find another home some day. This blast from the past will last some girl for several decades more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This slinky-knit dress has that wonderful heavy feel that was lost years ago. AND, such a fun print – it’s not atomic or the usual geometric – one of those that you can’t figure out what they must be . . . . . . . .
It apparently didn’t have a belt to start with, but I’m going to put one on. Just a simple, everyday dress but oh so vintage!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It is SO unusual to find a pair of true vintage pajamas with both pieces intact, let alone dating before the 1970’s! I had to use a little of my special sleuthing know-how to do it, but they were hiding in plain sight.
This pair is by Shadow/Line and is made of fine vintage nylon, with netting, lace and embroidery at the neckline and on the front pocket. In a beautiful deep coral pink, which is also an unusual color to find. Yes, there are always fun surprises around the corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
In a ’50’s to early ’60’s style, but with mid-1960’s-type fabric this dress illustrates the creative power that home-sewers in the mid-century had over their wardrobes. The size, style and fabric were completely at their discretion and genre’s could be combined in any way.
This example was made for a teen or a petite woman (the photo is somewhat foreshortened, too, so it’s not quite as short-waisted as it looks), probably as a dressy day or party dress. It’s a simple style in cotton blend with a zip back and elasticized sleeves but shows evidence of extra care and skill in the insertion of piping detail at the waist and flounce on the skirt. There are also strap-keepers sewn in at the shoulders and some seams that were done by hand.
What a fun little mystery-history to unravel! More back to the future on the way . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Love this frock! They had such fun print designs then. This one’s a bit atomic – hope they’re not supposed to be bombs. The wide collar, sleeve cuffs, fabric-covered buttons and bronze color give unusual touches to this example. The original belt would probably have been covered with the same material as the dress.
It’s got some stain damage down near the hem from bleach or a storage spill, but I don’t care. Those kinds of accidents were so common in mid-century laundry rooms and have, unhappily, occurred also to many garments that were stored in basements along with chemicals and cans of paint. As much as I love finding items that are in pristine condition, sometimes the little dings and dirt add a certain je ne sais quoi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY’
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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