PRETTY IN PINK: 1930’S – 1940’S – 1950’S NIGHTWEAR FOR THE VINTAGE BOUDOIR

PRETTY IN PINK:  1930'S - 1940'S - 1950'S NIGHTWEAR FOR THE VINTAGE BOUDOIR

Now we’re talkin’!  Setting the mood here for Cupid’s Day.  Some are relatively demure, but all are beautiful nylon and silk sleepwear from a time when those things were really special.

Whether a young girl heading off to college, or a young woman on her honeymoon, one (or two) of these would surely be stowed in her luggage.

Madge likes that cute robe with the double button closure at the waist.  It would work well over the little short-sleeved gown – perfect for dorm room dreams. As for the silk number in the center, well, it is Valentine’s Day so forget the robe . . . . . . . … . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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GORGEOUS AND LUXURIOUS 1930’S – 1940’S SLEEPWEAR FOR ST. VALENTINE’S NIGHT

GORGEOUS AND LUXURIOUS 1930'S - 1940'S SLEEPWEAR FOR ST. VALENTINE'S NIGHT

There’s nothing like a silk or fine nylon gown against the skin. These also have beautiful lace on the bodices.

If you dream of being in the movies, here’s your wardrobe. These are real special prizes of mine.

Forget all the lace and frills on anything modern; one of these gowns will give you complete amnesia.

Have a lovely day, and night . .. . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A CACHE OF TRUE VINTAGE LINGERIE FINDS: TREASURE WORTH SAFE-KEEPING

I came across a whole bunch of classic nylon sleepwear pieces that are ALWAYS worth adding to your collection – even if you already have several.  My rationale? :

1. if you’ve never slept in mid-century nylon pj’s or gowns (just about 1950’s to very early 1970’s), you don’t know what you’re missing!  There is nothing (including silk) that is more comfortable as well as practical in bed and for lounging.  They add warmth and are also cool, plus luxuriously smooth and soft.  The fit is forgiving.  2.  well-made and classically stylish, you won’t find anything equal in modern garments.  3.  often you may find single pieces – these are great for matching later, with an identical or similar mate, or as an accessory, such as the black sleeveless cape pictured above.  I plan to wear it over a black nightgown.

Not to forget, photo 3 is of a satin storage bag I discovered.  These have been staple pieces in women’s undie drawers and storage chests for decades.  Not sure if they are still being made to the same standard, but this one is great.  Pretty peachy pink and brown in the classic style with inner pocket and fold-over styling, plus ribbon closure ties.  Nothing is better for keeping hosiery and delicate garments safe from snags and dust.  Grab these, too, whenever you see one.  A girl can never have too many . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

PRETTY, FEMININE FIFTIES NIGHTGOWN THAT LEADS A DOUBLE LIFE

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This little nightie can also double as a housedress.  It’s made in two layers, so no need to feel your modesty is compromised.  What a girly, pretty thing to wear around the house and I doubt anyone would complain if you ran out for a quart of milk.

Like my other recent finds, it’s early mid-century and has a label that I have rarely seen, which makes it all the more fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

FUN FIFTIES PJ’s FIND

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Nothing better than Sanforized cotton flannel pajamas on cool nights.  Although these were made for men, the Medium size would be OK for lots of women today.  At first, I thought that they were “new”, but one of them was probably worn a little.  They were made in Hong Kong, so the workmanship is up to a higher standard.  I love all of the old details and vintage buttons.  They were sold by Sears back in the day, under the stores’ own label.

Not the most flattering or delicate of sleepwear, but still wonderful!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WARTIME MYSTERY CUSTOM-TAILORED NIGHTGOWN – WHAT A FIND!

Fabulous late 1930’s – early 1940’s styling details, hand-tailoring and original(?) fabrics???  I know the design (a relative had one similar).  The embroidered mesh on the bodice is similar to the wartime dressing gown shown a couple of days ago.  The synthetic(?) fabric is like nothing I’ve felt before.  The gusset at the hemline is a period feature.

IS THIS AN ORIGINAL WWI – WWII GOWN OR AN EXPERTLY-MADE REPRODUCTION?  I can’t be sure.  It’s in almost-perfect condition, but has been around for a while.  No label, of course.  Would love to know it’s story.  Any ideas, you well-trained experts out there? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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JUST FOUND! GORGEOUS 1930’S – 1940’S WARTIME TO POST-WAR RAYON BED JACKET

 

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What a neat discovery!  I have 2 or 3 lingerie bed jackets from this era already, but haven’t found another for a long time.  Rare, rare, rare.  This one may have been part of some woman’s trousseau, which she stored away lovingly for decades.  Some were made of silk.  This one is glossy rayon.

Pretty bed jackets from the post-war 1950’s are also fabulous, but much different from the older wartime ones.  Notice in the detail close-up the embroidered mesh decoration.  Remember that from the nightgown I showed just a few days ago?

Oh, I’m over the moon again and will also store this garment away lovingly, probably for decades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

A VERY SPECIAL HANDMADE LINGERIE NIGHTGOWN WITH MYSTERY HERITAGE

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This is such a WONDERFUL find (aren’t they all?)!  It’s a bit of a mystery, which I love. . . .

The style is late 1930’s – early 1940’s and it’s been custom – made.  There’s no label or sign that there ever was one.  The bodice has embroidered netting (similar to the 1930’s house-dress I found a few months ago in Montevideo – remember?).  It’s finished almost entirely with french seams.  Little bow detail on the bodice – lots of hand-work.

The fabric is some kind of synthetic which isn’t like vintage fabrics I’m familiar with NOR modern ones!?#  There is virtually no sign of wear and just a little bit of age or storage-related damage, which was easy to fix.  The conundrum is – – – – – – – – — – – – – – – – – – :

it’s either true vintage from the WWII era OR a reproduction (not retro-style fashion) which has been expertly made to be identical to the originals.  Whoopsie doo!  Either way, it’s a fabulous gown and a rare and unique discovery which will look stunning on Stella.  More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TWO WELCOME TRUE VINTAGE SLEEPWEAR FINDS

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Ok, not terribly exciting – but happy finds for me.  The PJ bottoms may be a great partner for an early 1950’s pajama top of a very close color that hangs in my closet.  As you can imagine, the color has been difficult to match but the best things are that the fabric on these pants is also very vintage, and they are my size!

The little Kayser nightie will be a favorite.  Simple and sweet, easy to sleep in without any fussy decoration (though I love those, too) and lightweight for the coming summer months.  Always a fun find and perfect for my everyday wardrobe.  What next?  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFULLY-MADE VINTAGE BARBIZON COTTON NIGHTGOWN

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I’d been looking for a lightweight cotton nightie and, luckily, discovered this wonderfully-constructed example by Barbizon, the women’s lingerie manufacturer that opened in 1933.  This gown isn’t too old, made in the 1970’s – 1990’s time frame, but the brand label and quality made it worth picking up.

Though the name remains in the marketplace, the company is no longer in operation, as far as I can tell.  Many lingerie and sleepwear pieces can still be found in vintage clothing stores, on eBay and Etsy.   Barbizon garments were always well-made and pretty.  Though not from the eras that I enjoy most, this gown is classic in design and construction, so I couldn’t be happier.  Just what I was hoping for!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM