Category Archives: skirt

TRUE VINTAGE SKIRT SUIT FROM THE 1940’S

True Vintage 1940s Jacket & Skirt Suit

This was another surprise  discovery and I was absolutely amazed!  Someone safeguarded this lovely outfit for decades in the back of her closet.  It’s hardly been worn, if at all.
Aside from the killer ’40s fit, look at the tailoring details on the jacket – the piping on cuffs and collar and the little “pocket” at each shoulder, just for fun!

There is a maker’s label on the jacket facing.  Lightweight wool material in a tattersall check of ivory, black, sky blue and cranberry.  The jacket is lined.  The skirt swings.  Love it!  I have lots of suits from the ’40s – ’60s and love to mix and match the jackets and skirts with other items from my wardrobe, as well as wearing them as a suit for certain occasions – there’s nothing more arresting and pulled-together-looking.  Great way to make an impression.

Love fun surprises! but, ah well, it’s all just in another day of sleuthing . . . . you just never know. .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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’60’s – ’70’s RETRO 1940’s HIGH-WAIST GORED SKIRT

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NOT AS OLD AS I USUALLY LIKE, BUT WHEN I SAW THIS I SAID TO MYSELF “I’LL WEAR THIS A LOT!”  NEEDS A LITTLE CLEANING, BUT NO BIG DEAL.

SOOOO, IT’S BEEN ADDED TO MY CLOSET AND BECOMES MORE VERSATILE EVERY TIME I LOOK AT IT.  STYLES LIKE THIS WERE REALLY POPULAR IN THE LATE 1960’S AND EARLY 1970’S AND, OF COURSE, DURING THEIR FIRST(?) INCARNATION IN THE 1940’S.

STILL HAVEN’T LOOKED AT IT WITH ALL OF MY BLOUSES AND JACKETS – WHICH ONES? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

BEAUTIFUL HAND-MADE DRESSES FOR FALL

IMG_1046 IMG_1026 Yes, a lot of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers knitted dresses like these at home!  So hard to imagine.

IMG_1035 IMG_1027These photos from the Fifties and early Sixties come from McCall’s Needlework magazine – a popular and easy-to-find magazine that could be bought the way we might buy Vogue or Glamor now, on a newsstand somewhere.  Of course, knitted dresses were made commercially, too, and I’ve found several.  But, the custom-made one-of-a-kind is always the most special.

P.S. Please vote in the Presidential election if you are a U.S. citizen.  Get registered if you need to or check your registration status.  This is a very important one – not one to sit out. . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER CIRCLE SKIRT

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The perfect casual circle skirt for summer!  Cotton candy colors, ruffles and beads.  Someone made this for fun the the 1950’s or 1960’s.  I’ll do it justice next summer!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A TRUE VINTAGE DO-IT-YOURSELF WARDROBE PLAN FOR YOUR 1956 OCEAN CRUISE

IMG_0970 IMG_0971 IMG_0969 IMG_0968 IMG_0967 IMG_0965 IMG_0964Can you imagine?!   You’re planning to set sail in a few weeks.  Why not spend that time knitting and crocheting your entire wardrobe for the trip?   Sound like a good idea?   Think of the money you’ll save!   Imagine the compliments and envious looks when other women see your gorgeous, custom-made outfits.  Just pull out the instructions in your latest issue of the McCall’s needlework magazine.

Such ambition those mid-century women had!  My pillbox is off to them . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE “LITTLE BLACK SUIT” FROM THE 1960’S, WITH A SPECIAL BLOUSE

Probably my favorite 3-season skirt suit (Spring, Summer, Fall)! It has a GREAT fit (very saucy) and neat 3/4 sleeves.  It’s so light that you can ditch the jacket during really hot weather.

In this picture it looks like Madge’s dresser was having an “off” day, but I have left the blouse un-tucked in order to show it better – it is NOT true vintage, but was made by Trashy Diva in New Orleans.  Her couture deserves special mention because she designs with vintage features and uses vintage fabrics. I have referenced her shop in my book.

This lightweight little suit is as versatile as a little black dress.  It can be dressed up or down, with or without the jacket.  Any variety of tops can be worn and changes the presentation completely, from work to shopping to cocktails, to dinner, etc., etc.  It also shows off jewelry beautifully against the black fabric.

This garment was never a high-end item, but was worn by a very fashionable woman who I knew.  I was so pleased to find it at her friend’s yard sale across the street one day!   As always, it goes to show that you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WINTER TO SPRING COLORFUL TRUE VINTAGE LADIES’ SKIRT SUITS

WINTER TO SPRING COLORFUL TRUE VINTAGE LADIES' SKIRT SUITS

Here are three lovely wool skirt suits in pastels and sunny red. Back in the day, “winter white” would be “out” by now – worn only till the end of January. The pastels would traditionally have shown up in the first half of February, when resort vacation clothing also would make an appearance.  This is the time of year that many people took their annual beach vacation.

The holidays are behind us, it’s a new year and I’m sure you’re ready for a change!  These are just about the last of my wool suits for this winter . . . . . . . . . .

From the early 1960’s, in true Jackie O (sorry, Jacqueline) style, these lady-like but perky ensembles make us think of sunnier skies. The blue and pink are of boucle’ and the red is a smoother weave.

Boxy jackets and straight skirts, the sleeves (at least on the pink and red) are bracelet length which looks great with gloves and also lets you show off your charm bracelet to best effect.

Of course, if the weather remains very cool where you are, these beauties will be gorgeous at Easter, so don’t get tired of wearing them too soon . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL SUIT FROM AROUND 1960

A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL SUIT FROM AROUND 1960

This skirt suit has the shorter Chanel – style jacket and a straight skirt that hits near the knee. Also 3/4 sleeves so characteristic of that time.  The jacket is the stand-out piece here and every woman was wearing this style in 1962 – including Jacqueline Kennedy.

Made by Puritan’s Forever Young line, which the actress Gloria Swanson was affiliated with at one time – the things that make it most different from others in my closet are the HUGE, gorgeous buttons made of braided cord and the loose weave of the fabric.  It’s a style made to wear with only a simple, shell-type blouse, or no blouse at all.  You would need to wear one of your lovely slips underneath.

A perfect transitional ensemble for Fall or Spring – when I don’t want something too heavy, but still want to be warm. As always, these separate pieces can do double duty in many different ways and the style is perfectly classic.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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GORGEOUS TRUE VINTAGE BLACK RIBBON-DECORATED SKIRT SUIT – EARLY 1960’S

GORGEOUS BLACK RIBBON-DECORATED SKIRT SUIT - EARLY 1960'S

This suit is so chic and understated, but makes a real appearance!  It’s decorated all over with swirled ribbons stitched down.  In classic wool, of course, but not as heavy as the winter ensembles I’ve been showing.

Reminds me of some of the things that European women have traditionally worn when they are in mourning.  But, it’s a sophisticated ensemble and would make a great dinner suit.  That’s probably how it was worn when it was sold, about 55 years ago.

In the early ’60’s they made some dresses and suits that were entirely of ribbons swirled around and stitched down on some kind of mesh or lightweight fabric. I inherited a dress like that which had been my grandmother’s and found a green skirt made that way last year – all true vintage, of course.   An intriguing style, which I don’t often run into . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER ‘POWER SUIT’ FROM THE 1940’S WITH DYNAMIC STYLING

ANOTHER 'POWER SUIT' FROM THE 1940'S WITH DYNAMIC STYLING

I just love the hugely distinctive tailoring on this jacket!!  The ensemble, of course, is woven of wool.  Big shoulder pads and a belted jacket which leaves the back hanging free.   The belt passes through slits in the waistline of the jacket that allow the back to fall straight. There is decorative button detail at each shoulder-blade area in the back, too.

The jacket, alas, was found without a matching skirt. But, by searching high and low I discovered one almost a perfect match. The original was probably longer than this one is, however.

Although this suit doesn’t have a fur collar, the collar is very high for warmth and a sweater could easily be worn underneath, rather than a blouse.  it could be worn alone, without a coat, on a cool or cold day.  Very practical, standard dressy day-wear for wartime and post-war women.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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