Category Archives: skirt

WONDERFUL RIBBON-ON-MESH SKIRT FROM THE 1950’S

IMG_2738

Garments made like this are so unusual, but very iconic from their time during the days of former president Eisenhower in the 1950’s.  I also own a beautiful black dinner suit made this way that I found a few years ago and have seen a dress or two, but they’re rare now.  Possibly, this skirt had a matching jacket or coat because this style was always, I believe, a dressier one.

It’s hard to imagine the hand-work necessary to make one of these, but they weren’t so high-end that middle-class women couldn’t afford them.  In spite of being a dressier item back when it was made, a pretty blouse or Spring sweater would make this skirt very wearable as a day outfit now.

So, that’s why I’m hauling it out now that the daffodils are up and the flowers making me think of green things again.  Yesterday I found a great old handmade tooled leather purse that I’ll show you when I get it polished up.  It’s in a different league, but from just about the same time.  You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MOD FLOWER-POWER 1960’S 2-PC. DRESS – “NEW” TO ME TODAY!

IMG_2737

Too cute to pass up – I couldn’t believe a knit dress from the  mid – Sixties in such perfect condition.  it’s a real blast from the past.  Pictured here on size 4 Giselle, it’s a vintage size 8 with no room to spare!

Cut for the more conservative set – no mini-skirt here.  But, that’s how fashion always goes – everybody has to follow the trends one way or another.  Such a thrill to find a style that’s been made over so many times in the last decade in it’s original form – back when it was really hot on the streets everywhere.  I can almost see the fashionable housewife who wore it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL SPRING SKIRT SUIT FROM THE SIXTIES

IMG_2613

Though it’s not by a high-end designer, it would have been right for Jackie Kennedy.  This lovely wool suit was just the thing in 1962.  So well-made, with all the little tailoring details that are so important.

One of my favorite things about it is that the mink collar is lightly stitched on, so that it can be easily removed.  It’s nice to have that choice.

Not my color, unfortunately, so I recently put it on eBay but I have two other colors very similar which I can wear.  It’s fun to see how all of them are as alike as colored Easter eggs, yet each one is different . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

 

A TRUE VINTAGE 3 – PIECE 1960’s WOMEN’S SILK SUIT FROM NEW ORLEANS

A TRUE VINTAGE 3 - PIECE 1960's WOMEN'S SILK SUIT FROM NEW ORLEANSOne of the finds that I picked up during an investigation in New Orleans was this lovely ladies’ suit.  Oh, so proper in 3 pieces with a knee-length skirt, back-button blouse and high-hip length jacket, it’s just perfect for lunching or for a business appointment.

The styling is plain, but elegant and well-cut.  Hand-tailored and fully lined, with VERY unusual buttons – kind of like woven ropes – to make it interesting.

This is a basic that is flattering, well-styled and versatile – a staple to have in your wardrobe for decades and with many possibilities.  Of course, the pieces can be worn separately and accessories can vary the look.

I always LOVE finding gems like this when I’m out on the prowl.  They look back to an era of couture-quality fashion that was available to many people – when even the casually dressed woman with a moderate budget could dress with elegance and style in high quality apparel. . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

LOVE THIS RETRO FIFTIES FIND!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This beautiful silk calf-length skirt is almost a full -circle cut.  And, as usual, a perfect fit for me.  What I love best (aside from the fabric) is the atomic abstract art print on the black background.  So unusual and iconically late Fifties – early Sixties.  I’ll love wearing it with a cinch belt and art metal jewelry!

Although true vintage is ALWAYS THE BEST, I like it a lot when modern designers get it right when they feel a vintage vibe.  That happens once in a while and it’s always fun to find an example of that inspiration.

So, I was surprised and delighted again.  Hmmm . . . .stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE TREASURE – IN CLASSIC BLACK

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

So wonderful!!!  Another mid-century pencil skirt – as I’ve said, you can’t have too many. As usual, this one fits perfectly and has the expected tailoring details of a well-made garment.  Ignore the camera spots – it’s beautiful.

Love unraveling the stories of every find; this one was custom-tailored of a soft wool, with acetate liner in the seat.  Tailors used to do this with wool skirts to prevent stretching of the fabric from sitting.  I love the well-constructed waistband and side closure plus the fantastic fit.

Easy to dress up or down.  A basic black piece like this is always chic and when the quality is high plus a perfect fit, that’s what makes the difference between attractive and elegant – between fashionable and chic – between nice-looking and truly well-dressed.  Our grandmothers knew that, and most European women haven’t forgotten.

Would go nicely with the cocktail sweater I found and showed you a few days ago.  I plan to wear it with vintage jackets, blouses and sweaters.  I’ve discovered a trove of skirts lately – more to come . .. . . . . . . . . . . ..  . .. .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS NEW FIND! COTTON PRINT MID-CENTURY SKIRT

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This is SO fabulous!  I love this sportswear skirt from the 1950’s with Grecian urns in pretty colors  printed all around.  In fact, that’s the name of the fabric design, printed on the selvage edge.

Can’t wait to wear it this Spring and Summer!  It was beautifully taken care of, with hardly a flaw.  Thank you to the woman who did that!

As I make my way here and there, to various shops, sales and stores in many different countries, the only thing I regret is that I usually don’t know the names of the original owners of the treasures I discover.  It’s always a big plus when I do, because the specific history adds so much to the story.

Oh, well.  As it is, I can imagine that Audrey, or Jean, or Margaret or Lois bought this skirt to wear on her first Roman holiday – and had a wonderful time!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE CLASSIC BLACK CREPE SKIRTS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The pencil skirt on the left is my favorite, authentic from the 1950’s by a California company called Lorrie Deb.  The skirt on the right is 1980’s does 1940’s from Holt Renfrew – a Canadian high-end retailer.   It’s also a classic style and both fit me to die for.

Nothing is more classic, chic and elegant than black crepe.  It’s also extremely versatile. So many ways to wear it, to so many places.  From cocktail parties to dinner to cotillion dances to funerals and beyond, it can’t be beat.

So thrilled to find both of these perfect pieces at one time!  I’ve got blouses and jackets that will go with them just beautifully.  They’re rare and you can never have too many . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND – GREAT TRUE VINTAGE EIGHTIES DOES FORTIES SEPARATES!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I love these!!  Beautifully-made 1980’s retro ’40’s separates that fit me really well.  I’ll swap out the buttons on the blouse for true vintage ones, but otherwise it’s all perfect.

The neatest thing about the skirt is not the flattering gored swing style (though that’s GREAT) – it’s the fabric.  This skirt is made of wool gabardine twill.  That’s a fabric that was super-popular during the  wartime 1940’s and is rarely seen today.

I love finding well-tailored garments that are cut and constructed beautifully from quality materials – much rarer today than back in the day, so I’m thrilled to discovery these!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WOWEE AGAIN!!! MORE GREAT FINDS TODAY

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-1-11111211111112111Today, on a more-or-less routine survey, I had wonderful good fortune.  I’m just about to re-examine and photograph my newest acquisitions and get them ready to post on the blog.  Because I have already scheduled postings for the next three days, expect to begin seeing these on Sunday, Nov. 13.

Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM