Category Archives: short-sleeved

LATEST DISCOVERY: MID-CENTURY LADIES BLOUSE – SO RARE!

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I just LOVE classic mid-century blouses with roll-up sleeves and wing collars!  It’s so unusual to find one in good condition.  This one even has pretty sculpted buttons with a star in the center.  Although it’s barely visible in the photo, there’s even a line of fine embroidery in a contrasting green on the seams in the front placket.

The fabric is also do die for – not sure whether it’s a cotton or rayon because the hand is very smooth.  This shirt is very finely tailored, with all kinds of extra-quality touches on a simple, everyday garment.  Well, that’s just how it goes with true vintage clothing – there’s nothing better.

Almost missed it – but when you’ve got the eye for the subtleties, things turn up.  What will be next? –  you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG;  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS, FABULOUS, FABULOUS! ABSOLUTELY AUTHENTIC 1940’S WARTIME DAY DRESS

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Oh, boy!  It happens all the time, but I’m still always thrilled into ecstasies when I discover a garment like this one.  A simple, summer-weight woven rayon frock by R & K Originals – made during the mid to later 1940’s.

All the buttons (and really neat buttons!) with their rhinestone and plastic centers are still present.  Never seen any exactly like them!  There are a few hand-done little mends along the seams, as would be expected in a daily-wear dress that is close to 80 years old and was cherished by its owner, and the dress as a whole is in fantastic condition

It is obvious that this dress was a more economically-made one, even by this well-known maker.  I suspect that the wartime shortages of materials and scaled-back design practices of the mid-Forties were still in force when it was manufactured and sold.  Still, it’s so characteristic of the times and such a pretty style that I wouldn’t complain!  And, in spite of all the austerities, the skirt is still a FULL circle!!  The bias-cut makes it hang just right.

What can I say – I’m still over the moon!  But, there’s more – stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . .. .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

YES, GISELLE IS BACK – JUST IN TIME TO MODEL MY LATEST FIND . . . . . . . .

img_2421A Mod knit shift dress from the 1960’s or early ’70’s by Mynette – a company which, I think, always specialized in larger size “Plus” clothing for women.  The original owner safety-pinned in some little strips that were sold as strap-holders back in the day.  Lots of women put them in dresses that didn’t already have them – very useful, like detachable dress shields.  Very frequently used during the mid-century.

I’ve put a belt on, but it’s cute just straight, too.  It’s the second time I’ve run into this familiar label recently.  Fun!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

LADY-LIKE & ELEGANT – TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS FROM THE 1960’S

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Back in the mid to late Sixties, while all the Mod stuff was going on, women with more traditional tastes wore beautiful frocks like this one.  Many day dresses were still true to the history of elegant styling, lovely fabrics and excellent tailoring.  This one is by ALGO, a mid- to higher-priced line of dresses that originated in the U.S. and also became popular in Canada.

For example, this fabric is some kind of  a rayon blend with alternating shadow stripes of nubby weave and satiny sheen.  The color is not for me and it’s also too large, but I couldn’t pass it up because it’s such a lovely example of the timeless side of 1960’s style. Probably next Spring it will go on eBay, but I do have other dresses I love from that era.

I’ve still got more to catch you up on, and the next ones are a little more seasonal . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S MOCHA DRESSES – A SLINKY SHEATH AND A PRIM SWEETHEART

IMG_1006 IMG_1004       Two very different frocks.  This first dress is pictured from the side so that the pocket detail shows.   It is  very figure-hugging and zips on the left.  The pocket has interesting glossy braid decoration.   I’ve pictured with it a dark brown silk slip of that era that I wear with it.

The short-sleeved shirtwaist dress is very straightforward and modest, but with cute tailoring details on front.   A pointed collar and bow at the high neck.   Easy to wear with a button front.   The fabric is probably rayon, with a soft sheen.

Both have shoulder pads (of course!) and fabric-covered buckle belts.   Great style and true vintage 1940’s cache’.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S RAYON SHIRTWAIST DRESS AND LINGERIE SLIP

IMG_0991Navy blue again, with a white print.  Shoulder pads; the whole bit.   I just LOVE this style!   Forties rayon drapes so nicely, feels lovely and has a beautiful sheen. Shoulder pads and a belted waist are so flattering to many women and I love the prism-cut rhinestone buttons, too.

Pictured here with the rayon slip I wear with it.  Vintage nylon is wonderful, but rayon and silk slips are, also.  I like to combine similar fabrics  to my dresses in the undergarments I wear with them, if I can, or at least to match eras.

Also, woven peep-toe heels with ankle straps.  These are from the Forties or early Fifties and are also favorites.  All that’s missing are a garter and nylons, a handbag and jewelry – maybe a hat . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE SEVENTIES DOES FORTIES BLOUSE AND HIGH-WAIST PANTS

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Two finds from the 1970’s, put together perfectly.  I love the cute 1940’s vibe;  these pieces were made in the early 1970’s when that style was revived.  The shirt was from Sears Junior Bazaar and the slacks made by a company called Beeline. How fun!

The pants are long, so they’re great with platform sandals – another thing popular at that time – also part of the 1940’s retro thing.  As a true vintage sleuth, it’s so fun to watch how the styles go around and come around again.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY VICTORIAN-STYLE BOHO FINDS IN EUROPE!

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Talk about fussy and pretty .. . . . .!  Although they’re similar in some ways to the blouses shown yesterday, I like these so much better.  In spite of the high neckline on the left, they’re less prim and will look great with jeans and peasant skirts.

These styles go way back, from the 1890’s (with long gloves or a jacket, of course.  Can’t show those arms!) to the 1940’s and 1950’s when peasant-style was all the rage.  As always, the fashion came back in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s and was just as iconic then.

As I’ve said, it’s rare to find blouses and shirts this old in fabulous condition.  The things that  make this possible are the high-quality construction and fabric plus the fact that people used to care for their clothing much better than we do now.  For modern vintage sleuths, our gain!

So, never give up – just learn how to sneak smarter . .. . . . . . . . . . .. ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FEMININE TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S BLOUSES – FOUND IN DUBLIN!

Here we have Victorian meets 1940’s in these girly, secretary-style blouses that were really popular 40 to 50 years ago.  Paired with a straight skirt and mid-heel stiletto pumps, they were office-worthy attire or might have been seen on your favorite teacher.

The polyester used at that time was not as weird-looking and feeling as a lot of it has been since about 1975.  In this case, it’s much more refined-looking and might even be blended with rayon or acetate, which were very popular fabrics in the decades before then.

I’m certainly not professionally trained in costume design, but have learned a lot.  Average off-the-rack blouses from mid-century have many stories to tell.  These probably got a lot of wear, too, but it’s amazing how well they have held up.  Blouses of this style and quality are another rare find – more tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE SEVENTIES DOES FORTIES FLORAL DAY DRESS

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EARLY 1970’S RETRO-STYLE SHIRTWAIST DRESS

I’m dodging out of Paris and into Canada for one day because of today’s find.  In my favorite brown and blue combo, a custom-tailored poly frock from the early 1970’s that rocks the 1940’s vibe.

I’m impressed with how well the tailor set these ruffles on the collar and sleeves.  It testifies to some expertise. i’m not so much into ruffles, personally, but I adore swing skirts!

A simple dress but definitely from that time about 1973 when lots of cutesy ’40’s style elements were coming out in popular clothing.  I so love being able to date a garment very closely like this.  That makes it extra special. It’s a perfect fit for Giselle, too.  We’ll go back to Paris in the same time-frame tomorrow . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM