Category Archives: store

MORE FINDS! TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S FROCK

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Another treasure from the 1960’s.  Sorry my camera/laptop is playing tricks on me again – can’t edit the photo.

This pretty Spring dress was custom-tailored with lots of nice features.  Love the Mod bell sleeves – I’ve run across several of these in the past 2 years, all of a sudden.  It’s fully lined, with raglan sleeves and an invisible zipper center back.

The seamstress knew her stuff and did a very good job. Although it’s plain, it’s very well-made.  The first thing she did right was selecting the fabric – a good quality polyester and/or acetate.  The print and colors are gorgeous – SO SIXTIES!!!

Sorry that this isn’t my color palette (makes me look jaundiced) but I’m sleuthing for true vintage fashion – not only things I can wear.  So, that didn’t stop me.  Never does . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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SOMETHING FOR THE MEN! TRUE VINTAGE CUFF-LINKS BY SWANK

SOMETHING FOR THE MEN! TRUE VINTAGE CUFF-LINKS BY SWANK

Costume jewelry for the guys, though they may be sterling silver. Sets like this were standard dress-wear for men in the mid-century and before.  These came through my family, but I always nab nice ones when I find them.

They are by SWANK, in their original packages.  The set on the left, with pearls, were sold at a hometown menswear store.  The set on the right was packaged especially for a department store.  Perfect with your ’50’s,’60’s or ’70’s dress shirt (and tie).

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER DISCOVERY! TRUE VINTAGE ’70’S DOES ’40’S JUMPSUIT

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FROM THE EARLY 1970’S RETRO FORTIES ERA

This is an unusual purchase for me, but it is so iconic of that early ’70’s time that I just had to nab it – and some of the details are compelling.  Jumpsuits were a big deal (briefly) during the early 1970’s, as they were (briefly) during the 1940’s, too.  Can’t wait to photograph it on Stella.  It’s a small size that will fit her to a “T”.

The first thing that caught my eye was the color – love this wonderful glossy Bordeau wine hue – and the fabric.  It’s a blend of acetate and rayon (very popular in the Forties) and gives the garment that wonderful drape plus adding the depth and shimmer to the color.

Shoulder pads, a nipped waist and plunging back above a button-and-zipper closure.  Couldn’t be a more flattering style on someone with a slim figure.  The waistline also has  belt loops, showing that a wide cinch belt was the original.  It will be fun to find the one I like best. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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NEW FIND! TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S LACE OVERLAY DRESSY DRESS

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A POPULAR CONSERVATIVE DRESSY STYLE FROM THE EARLY TO MID-1960’S

Can’t wait to photograph this frock on Madge, whose figure will show it off to best advantage.  It’s a vintage Junior size 9(which would be about a Misses 6 now) – aimed at teens and young women.  Lace overlay (very popular then for special occasion styles), but in matching color rather than a contrast.  I could almost see it being worn as a non-traditional wedding dress!

The buttons are gold-tone sculpted metal and there is a gold thread in the lace edging around the neckline, sleeve hems and front placket. The hem is quite wide, so I suspect that someone shortened it – either because they were of petite height or because the mini length was in style when this frock was last worn – 1965 or sometime later . . . . . . . . . . . .

Although I think the design is pretty  blase’ (but I’ll have to see it on Madge to make the final judgement), the fabric and tailoring are of excellent quality and it’s always a pleasure to see that.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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2-TONE TRUE VINTAGE HOUR-GLASS DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1960’S – BLUE WITH BLACK UNDERTONES

2-TONE HOUR-GLASS DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1960'S - BLUE WITH BLACK UNDERTONES

Here’s somebody’s pretty frock from the Mad Men – Jackie Kennedy era.  An off-the-rack design from a middle-income lady’s wardrobe that might help her feel a little bit like Marilyn . . . . . . . .

Many dresses that I’ve found from the early 1960’s that are dressy styles are made with this two-color feature. Sometimes it’s woven together, sometimes it’s a sheer layer over an opaque color that comes through.

In this case, it’s a woven fabric.  The style  has those characteristic mid-century design elements of decorative bow, 3/4 sleeves, knee-length, a covered belt and wiggle-dress fitting . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN,THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE NOVELTY MID-CENTURY LINEN TOWEL – THE MOST SEXIST EVER!

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Can you believe this?  It’s so awful it just cracks me up!!

Thank goodness things have changed so much that this is just funny.  I couldn’t possibly pass it up!

I just love these old novelty linens – aprons, tablecloths, napkins, etc.  Some of them are really cute but it’s hard to believe that things like this one were “normal” stuff that most people bought.

I’ve got more “new” true vintage mid-century finds to show you, but couldn’t resist posting this one first . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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FINE TRUE VINTAGE COSTUME JEWELRY BY TRIFARI – THE SMART WOMAN’S CHOICE 1930’S – 1980’S

FINE COSTUME JEWELRY BY TRIFARI - THE SMART WOMAN'S CHOICE 1930'S - 1980'S

Trifari made lovely costume jewelry – here are a few examples of pins and earrings from several decades. Always high quality. Pick them up if you find them . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A TRUE VINTAGE SUCCESS STORY FROM THE 1940’S AND A CAUTIONARY TALE

WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT WHAT I GOT!! A SUCCESS STORY AND A CAUTIONARY TALE

I absolutely adore this jacket. AND, it’s got a real story – The silk pants are not original, but the greenish bronze is a good match to the trim and I wear them with the jacket as loungewear.

When I first bought this jacket, it was a light lemon yellow, with emerald green embroidered trim, in a very large size.  From the  1940’s, the fabric was  a mystery – probably acetate or some blend.

It had been sold by a well-known (back in the day) Denver department store and carried their label.  I enjoyed wearing it as a wrap over strappy dresses or with skirts and light blouses. Yellow is not my best color, but it still worked.

After several years, I wondered how it might be to dye it a more flattering color – so, out came the scarlet dye and into the washing machine it went.  I’ve done this a number of times and have a system that USUALLY works – it’s ALWAYS a gamble.

So, what I got was a beautiful orange-red jacket with bronze embroidery (love it!) and in a size that fits me perfectly. Surprise!!

Could have been a disaster if I was not somewhat experienced and prepared.  Colors can turn out blotchy, seams can rip, fabrics can pucker and shrink beyond belief!!  Just a heads – up – the possibilities for success are endless, but so are the hazards, so here’s a word to the wise . . . . . . . . . … . . . . . . . . . learn your stuff well, then you can be adventurous!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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THE 1950’S HUSBAND’S ANSWER TO BUYING A MINK

THE 1950'S HUSBAND'S ANSWER TO BUYING A MINK

Genuine mink fur novelty jewelry had a bit of mid-century popularity during the 1950’s. Kind of a fun idea at the time, BUT –

if we could go back in time to advise our young grandmothers, we might say  “Be careful what you ask for!”  This whimsical little mink “brooch”  may not be exactly what Ethel had in mind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE LBD – EARLY 1960’S CLASSIC!

FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE LBD - EARLY 1960'S CLASSIC!

This is absolutely one of my best (if not THE best) go-to dresses for almost any occasion – no doubt that I will look stunning and elegant.

A 3-season frock of soft wool knit, with lovely and flattering drape. Look at the graceful folds from the left shoulder and at the waist. Easy fit. So effortless. One piece of fine jewelry, beautiful shoes, a small and elegant handbag and I’m done. Each piece of exceptional quality, but nothing flashy.

This is the type of dress that Jacqueline Kennedy preferred, and it has been seen on many fashionable and well-dressed women for decades.

This one was also an early find, found years ago at the same time as the va-va-voom dress posted day before yesterday and I almost missed it, too!  But now, I spy with my little eye EVERYTHING . . . . . . . .. ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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