This blouse is unique – it has ruffles all around. I’ve never seen another like it, though some similar ones in photos. It looks like something Ann-Margaret would have worn in a movie, with a skirt or a pair of short-shorts.
Each row of lace is sewn on separately and goes all the way around. Hard to believe that someone may have made this at home, but it’s possible. Anyway, it’s too cute for words.
All these pretty vintage blouses do best with a hand-washing, but it’s so easy to do. (BE SURE IT’S A WASHABLE FABRIC BEFORE YOU TRY THIS!) Swish them in a sink with mild soap (like Woolite or Ivory) for a couple of minutes, then hang them to dry (inside – not in the sun – if you can, let them drip dry). And, that’s probably all you’ll have to do! Helps them to last decades more and keep their shape. Of course, if you’ve got a stain, you’ll have to treat that first.
I just love finding cute surprises like this one. When you’re sleuthing around, they do turn up. You just never know . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . .
Through till Monday or so, it’s all about details. This dress doesn’t look like much on the hanger – it’s a custom-tailored wrap dress that needs the body to define it’s shape.
The most interesting points about it are in the construction. It’s a fun style that buttons off-side and has hidden inside ties to shape the waist and tame the overlap.
The seamstress used little metallic buttons and the fabric has gold accents on some of the flowers in the print. It has an Asian flavor to the style and the floral designs.
So far, you’re still saying “OK, ho hum, so what? I see stuff that looks like this all the time.” The big deal in this dress, to my vintage-spotting eye, is the fabric.
It is a closely-woven 100% cotton that looks and feels like nothing new. The best way that I can describe the “hand” (feel) of it is if your grandmother still has cotton sheets from the 1940’s or 1950’s that have gotten soft with wear over the years, but are still strong.
The fabric also has a polish. Good polished cotton is rarely, if ever, seen in modern clothing.
So, that’s the secret of this casual dress and what makes it special. . . . . . . . . . . .
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com
Simpler styles and, often, less fine materials start to become more commonplace in the ’60s. There are still lots of Items that I love from this decade
A simple style is sometimes the most elegant, and you can’t argue with a shapely sheath dress. The material in this one is a looser weave – kind of what they used to call hop sacking (but wasn’t real hop sacking). It’s a nice cut, but the most distinctive thing about it is the embroidered trim. I’ll post another picture directly following this one which shows a more complete view of it.
It’s got a center-back metal zipper and is unlined. Most probably custom tailored. I love the colors. Some seamstress got creative.
When women commonly made their own garments, the individual variations and touches were endless and made each piece unique. That’s why when you’re out there sleuthing and wondering what you’ll find, you just never know . . . . . . . . . .
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog address: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available at Amazon.com
Magicvintagespy 