Category Archives: sleeveless

True Vintage late 1960’s – 1970’s Casual Wedding Dress(?) Alternative + a Frock for Mother of the Bride

Looks like a real stretch to think of this casual cotton dress as a wedding costume, but not necessarily for this time frame. Hippie/peasant/vintage fashions were super-big during this time and casual or non-traditional weddings became very popular. Who knows – it was probably just a summer/vacation/day dress for no particular reason but is pretty enough for a gal who wants to opt out of the “big white wedding” trap and go Boho.

For her mother, on the other hand, the semi-dressy blue frock might not have offended her daughter’s rebellious efforts too much while still allowing Mom to fulfill her Mother of the Bride role with some elegance and decorum. A real advantage of both these dresses is that they were moderately priced and easy to wear again and again in a variety of situations. This is definitely not the most interesting era of beautiful fashion, with the exception of a very few examples, but it does have a specific identity and is very worthy of mention in the chronology of fashion history. More to come – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

True Vintage Early 1950’s -1960 Frock

Had overlooked this archive – so similar to the dress shown just a few days ago. Looks like Grace Kelly had an alternate in the closet. Same color theme, same basic fit, same below-knee hemline BUT look at that crossover neckline! So interesting. I’m not sure if I’ve seen it on any other dress. Also, the dropped waistline is different, though still with that wasp fit. Like the other one, it could also be worn with a poufy petticoat but there is none attached. It’s quite sophisticated but could still go to a party.

I never get tired of finding and showing these girly styles from the early mid-century. Stay tuned . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Heading Toward Spring – Another Pretty Party Frock from the Mid-Century

Still from the same genre and general Post-war Mid-century era as the dresses I’ve been showing since before Christmas, but this frock is so much more Spring-like because of the color. Feels like we’re already looking toward Easter or Prom. I suspect that this one might be just a little bit newer than the one shown yesterday, but it has some conflicting clues with regard to the tailoring and fabric. Unlike yesterday’s, it does have attached stiffening in the skirt and a slightly shorter hemline, though still below the knee. Dating it right between 1955 and 1962 would be accurate.

The butter yellow is different but the most distinctive feature is the neckline. Love the drape in front and the LONG tails in back. The wasp-waist fitting is always stunning on those who wear it well. As we begin to get away from the darker colors and heavier fabrics, the undergarments become critical. Stay tuned . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Beautiful 1950’s Early 1960’s 100% Silk LBD Cocktail Dress

This frock is REALLY a beauty! Made by a higher-end label back in the day, the style is so ingenious and flattering. I love the ruching that makes it so unique. Again, you have to have a special figure to do it real justice but Stella never lets me down in that regard.

As I said, it’s made of 100% heavy silk that needs no lining. This is an LBD that is one-of-a-kind; Never will find another like it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Post-war 1940’s Early 1950’s Strapless Wiggle Cocktail Dress

This one was from Chicago, as the label tells me. It’s not officially an LBD because it is actually dark mid-night navy blue in a smooth, lighter weight fabric to get that sleek silhouette. In spite of the little flesh-color straps, which might have been mostly for hanging purposes, you’ve got to have the right figure to pull this off correctly. Marilyn Monroe did it wonderfully well.

This was a one-of-a-kind find originally sold by a higher-end store in the Windy City. Would love to know who, where, when and how it was worn but, sadly, there were no additional clues. Who cares – she speaks for herself. Stay tuned for more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Sweet 1960’s Formal Frock – White for Winter

In striking black and white, this dress is in a Junior size styled for teenage girls and young women back in the day. Quite modest but sophisticated in textured jacquard fabric with a floor-length empire sash. Formal dresses in the dead of winter often seem to stick mostly with the “Winter” color family of black, white and jewel tones with some metallic thrown in but there’s lots of variety. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER SLEEK AND ELEGANT VINTAGE COCKTAIL PARTY LBD – IN 1970’S ISLAND PATIO STYLE

A not-quite-as-little LBD from the 1970’s with casual vibes. I wasn’t going to show this frock until I got into the Snowbird vacation designs, but it’s such a great comparison to the dressier version from yesterday that it was time. Just as sleek, simple and elegant, but of Hawaiian origin with their wonderful cotton fabric. It’s up to the job in the afternoon as well as the evening.

This dress is a perfect example of functional true vintage wardrobe selection for traveling. One dress can do double or triple duty – from casual to sophisticated, even without accessories.

Semi-formal and Formal season are just starting, so back to those archives again next – stay tuned . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A COLLECTION OF FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S DRESSES FOR EARLY FALL

A COLLECTION OF FAVORITE LATE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S DRESSES FOR EARLY FALL

While it’s still warm enough to wear them, here are several of my favorite casual day-dresses.  They’re great in the Summer, too, but the colors look like Autumn to me.  The plaid fabrics are a wonderful vintage look.

I just love these for running around in every day.  Since the fabric is somewhat sheer, they do  require a slip but they’re super simple to wear and accessorize.  Anyway, who objects to opportunities to wear beautiful true vintage lingerie?

All have unknown maker’s names, or maybe just a union tag.  They were average garments from that time and wouldn’t have been expensive, but they fit really well and look smart.  Exceptional tailoring is one of the reasons that I love true vintage clothing so much.

For some reason, these look like Nancy Drew dresses to me.  How appropriate . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SUMMER DRESS FROM NEW ZEALAND

IMG_1083Here’s a good picture of the a-line shift dress that I found in New Zealand last fall.  Very plain and classic in style, but that’s often the best.  It’s certainly a design that was VERY common in the Sixties decade. Probably custom-tailored, with a metal zip, which I also enjoy finding in a true vintage piece.

The feature I like most about this dress is the fabric.  It’s a nice woven cotton – hard to find now – in a print that uses the colors and dotted style that you will find in the Aboriginal & Maori artwork from Australia and New Zealand.  It’s a wonderful souvenir of my time  there.. . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A COUPLE OF LATE ’40’S – EARLY ’50’S FUN SHIRTWAIST DRESSES IN SUNNY COLORS

A COUPLE OF LATE '50'S - EARLY '60'S FUN SHIRTWAIST DRESSES IN LEAD-INTO-FALL COLORS

I love the colors of these dresses – pink to lavender, with black and white.  Both in a similar shirtwaist style, below-the-knee length and made of a substantial cotton.  Perfect mid-century design.  Absolutely LOVE the collar shapes!

The dress on the left has little houses in a novelty print and some interesting tuck and piping details.  The fabric is a bit heavier, and I’d wear it into Fall.  The one on the right has cute pockets, ric-rac trim and a great plaid.  It really says “summer” and farmers’ markets, to me.  I took the sleeves off for a more flattering fit for me (and saved them, of course!) and wear it often.

Neither one has a label, but I doubt that they were made at home – especially not the left-hand one.  Just goes to show, that labels often go by the wayside. . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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