Category Archives: store

WILD FIND – I LOVE ‘EM! MID-CENTURY “SCHOOLTEACHER” EYEGLASSES

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These are a little bit scary, but I wear them once in a while for fun and the prescription is almost exactly what I need, too!  That’s a real plus, not having to remove or change the lenses.

What a rare find.  Still a cats-eye style, but not as exaggerated or embellished as some were.  I was lucky enough to find, several years ago, a pair of Ray Ban Cats sunglasses also with a prescription that suits.  Ah, the delights of skulking through dark alleys in search of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

STILL IN DISCOVERY MODE – SOMEONE CUSTOM-TAILORED THIS CUTE LITTLE BOLERO JACKET ABOUT 60 YEARS AGO

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All hand-made – it’s a classic style which we still see, but the fit and style are different in the way that only true vintage designs can be.  It hits just above the waist and belongs over a plain, black or white dress.  I probably have one or two that will fill the bill . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER RARE DISCOVERY – JUST FOUND THIS MEN’S MID-CENTURY ALL-WEATHER JACKET

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What could be more classic than this?  Made by a company called Peters; they produced this basic style for several decades.  We can still find some companies making similar ones, but I always like the REAL true vintage.  Just saw a classic film last night, made in 1950, where many young men were wearing “this” jacket!

Dacron easy-care water-repellent – nothing is more smart and practical than a well-made jacket like this.  And, it’s in almost perfect condition (they stood up well!).  In spite of that, they’re not easy to find because they were usually worn, and worn, and worn – and eventually gave up the ghost.  Someone took very good care of this one, just for me . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

FABULOUS 1940’S DAY DRESS – ANOTHER FIND FROM THE WARTIME YEARS

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Love this frock!  They had such fun print designs then.  This one’s a bit atomic – hope they’re not supposed to be bombs.  The wide collar, sleeve cuffs, fabric-covered buttons and bronze color give unusual touches to this example.  The original belt would probably have been covered with the same material as the dress.

It’s got some stain damage down near the hem from bleach or a storage spill, but I don’t care.  Those kinds of accidents were so common in mid-century laundry rooms and have, unhappily, occurred also to many garments that were stored in basements along with chemicals and cans of paint.  As much as I love finding items that are in pristine condition, sometimes the little dings and dirt add a certain je ne sais quoi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY’

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE HANDBAG FINDS

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Of course, the two bags on the right are elegant essentials forever but I’m really thrilled to find the mid-century souvenir summer purse on the left.  So bright and cheerful!  It’s in perfect condition, was handmade in the Philippines, and is of a shape that I’ve never encountered before in a handbag of this type.

So practical and roomy – styled like a classic handbag rather than a beach bag or tote.  I’ll use this for a long time as an everyday summer purse.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SOPHISTICATED 1940’S LADIES’ HAT OF SUEDED WOOL FELT

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This hat is made of the most wonderful fabric that feels almost like fine suede leather! It’s so hard, sometimes, to photograph black items – I hope that you can see the two bows under the brim in the first photo.  The hat is almost a beret, but has stitched decoration on top and a kind of souffle’ construction so that it can puff up or lay flat on the head.

I suspect that it would be worn more like the first photo, in order to expose the bows above the hairline.  Tricky to do with any kind of hairdo and probably would require hatpins.  What women used to go through to get the “right” look!

So, maybe it was designed to be worn with a sleek head and hair coiled up underneath or massed beneath at the nape of the neck.  It’s fun to wonder what the milliner who designed this beauty had in mind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER WARTIME – POST-WAR STRAW HAT. THIS ONE HAS SUEDE TRIM!

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Spring, Summer, Fall?  Who cares?!  This unusual ladies hat will make any simple outfit a stand-out.  Suede leather is a unique combination with the woven straw.

The odd UFO platter shape makes me lean toward dating it in the Forties, but who knows for sure.  During the decades of millinery-mania, there were many innovative and even bizarre styles.

It’s so fun to find an example of that hat madness that is not a run-of-the-mill, frequently-seen design.  More on the way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..  . .. ..

 

MORE FUN TRUE VINTAGE HANDBAGS DISCOVERED

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Garay, made in Hong Kong, Lumured – famous names from the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s. Classic as they come, and in wonderful condition.  I’ll be keeping these for a while.

Never can have too many – especially in navy (not as many around as in black) and white (not as many in pristine condition).  The woven wicker bags are sturdier and more abundant, but finding one that’s undamaged and  has great Lucite trim is another plus. The vinyl interior is very plain, but is a great foundation for a beautiful cloth lining, which I’ll probably make and attach myself (pretty simple).  Remnant pieces of vintage fabric or old scarves and hankies are perfect for the job!

I’m still working through the most recent finds, but I’m sure there will be more.  Maybe tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

1980’S HILO HATTIE HAWAIIAN SHIFT DRESS – I BOUGHT THIS FOR THE PEDIGREE AND THE FABRIC

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Nothing special about this dress, excepting that this maker is a respected label when it comes to more recently-made Hawaiian vintage.  However, the fabric is really nice – a rayon with a good hand, lovely colors and a great print.  Since it’s too big for me, I think I’ll be making some curtains for my bathroom with it!

There are lots of reasons to love true vintage clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER MOD 1960’S MINI-DRESS DISCOVERED!

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Cute, cute, cute and so exactly of that time!  Almost every schoolgirl, college coed and the occasional hip mama was wearing little day-dresses like this one.  I’m no certified clothing historian, but if you look back in the old magazines and vintage TV and movies, you’ll see that this is true.

This example may even have been sewn at home.  The shirt-dress pattern is very simple and well within the skills of a girl or woman who had learned to sew in Home Economics class (yes, they used to teach that to all the girls) or was taught by her mother.  Almost every girl/woman did some sewing of at least a dress or two, and many, many made almost their whole wardrobes that way.  If you weren’t a tailor, then coats and most jackets would have been above your skills, but most other garments were possible with a pattern, buttons, etc., and some fabric from a store downtown.

So, I’m all over the map with the things turning up lately and that is one of the best parts of the fun!  Wonder what will show up next – I haven’t even shown you everything “new” yet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM