Category Archives: summer

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S TWO-TONE OXFORDS BY JOHANSEN – THEY’RE “IN” AGAIN . . . . .

I’ve come across many shoes by this company – made in the U.S. for many years. Just love these little oxford flats for summer! They echo the blue-and-green trend that went on in the early 1960’s.  Skip off to the party on the 17th.  These will get you in the door.

As always happens, what goes around comes around in the fashion world. Just read that flats are back in again, after the recent trend of heels so high that they aren’t flattering to our legs anymore.

When it comes to design, there’s a “sweet spot” with every style that is absolutely the most attractive cut and shape. A few designers get this just right. A few more stay pretty close, but so many miss the mark altogether.

These shoes are cute and elegant at the same time. I think Audrey Hepburn would approve . . . . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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TRUE VINTAGE SIXTIES SHEATH DRESS WITH SURPRISING TAILORING!

TRUE VINTAGE SIXTIES SHEATH DRESS WITH SURPRISING TAILORING!

The first thing I noticed about this dress was the style, and the long metal zipper on the left side.  When I looked more carefully, the unusual fabric and careful construction wowed me!  With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, need I say more?

The lining, which can be seen at the neckline, is a pale yellow.  The patterned material is light green, yellow and blue . Over that is a sheer layer of light olive, which is hardly noticeable at first but really intensifies the color of the underlying pattern!

This is a  mid-century, maybe custom-made dress of exceptional handmade quality and with beautiful design and fabric.  I LOVE finding things that are different from what I’ve seen before and being surprised!!!  That’s the best fun of sleuthing for true vintage fashion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE FIFTIES SLINGBACK SANDALS!!!

FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE FIFTIES FIND YESTERDAY!!!

Perfect, barely – worn, sling-back peep-toe sandals from the mid-1950’s. My day is absolutely made every time I discover another treasure like these!  Yes, there’s enough green here, too, to qualify for St. Patrick’s Day.

100% leather soles with fabric uppers in an abstract floral print of blues, greens and beige. Unusual and gorgeous.

These are “Tweedies” brand, stamped in gold on the black leather insole of the right foot, with the local shoe store’s name stamped in gold on the insole of the left. I’ve found that it was often done this way back in the day.

Oh, what will be around the next corner? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1940’S RAYON DAY DRESS – ANOTHER FABULOUS FROCK DISCOVERED!!

Just about my favorite dress era – WWII to Post-war – and in my size.  I was SO thrilled to uncover this wonderful rayon frock in a great green & white on black ferny print.  Very well-made and in fantastic condition.  Love those mid-century women who looked after their clothing so well.  If I’m looking for some green to wear on the 17th of March, this one has enough green to get me in the door.

So iconic and perfect.  Drapey rayon in a wonderful art print.  It “made” the start of my day.  Even though I always expect to find treasure, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

True Vintage Early 1960s Dressy Coat Over Your St. Patrick’s Day Frock

True Vintage Early 1960s Evening Coat
I showed this coat a few weeks ago, but what time could be more appropriate for a re-run . . . . . .

Imagine yourself in this, over a gorgeous green dress, on your way to a swanky cocktail party or the church dance.  This beauty is by Lilli Rubin, in emerald rayon blend, lined in turquoise blue!  The collar, neckline bow and elbow-length sleeves are hallmark features of that era, as well as the color.  The fabric is a jacquard with flowers embroidered all over.
What a great surprise it was to find this!!  It starts up all kinds of fantasies about elegant dinners, evenings at the theater . . . . . you just never know . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S GREEN AND WHITE SEERSUCKER SKIRT & TOP SET – JUST THE CUTEST THING!

IMG_1233Another way to pay homage to the St. P’s holiday, I love this little suit!  The skirt is shorter now than it was when the outfit was sold in the early to mid-1960’s, but the skirt lengths did change just a couple of years later when the mini came out.  No one back then would trash an outfit just because of that!  Shortening a hem was a really easy thing to do and many women did much more complex alterations on their clothing to keep them for years.

It looks like a jacket and skirt, but the top is almost like a shirt.  I guess it could be worn either way – would be really cute with a little white shirt underneath.

Notice the detail at the waistline – those little tabs are things that we don’t see anymore.  Just for decoration!  The brand is an inexpensive one that one of the catalog stores sold, I think, but even they did nice little tailoring things.

Seersucker has always been such a classic warm-weather fabric; it’s always fun to see it again.  Olive green and white is a little different, too . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S HAT – ONE OF THE BEST ERAS!

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“Styled by Cinderella  New York” – a classic wool brimmed hat with a sophisticated schoolgirl look. The crown is stamped “Berkshire – Mohn Brothers Co.  100% Wool”.  Love the plaid ribbon band that forms a bow with streamers in the back. There is also a little elastic chin strap attached!

Picture this with a little suit, skirt and blouse, dress, or whatever you like. Hats were SUCH a big thing in the ’40s with imaginative and flattering styles. Some of them were way over-the-top, but this one is understated and just too cute.  Look carefully for gems like this one.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950S LINGERIE SLIP OR DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950S LINGERIE SLIP/DRESS VALENTINE'S DAY STUNNER

This amazing slip (or dress?) is something I have seen only once.  It is of all-over lace, with a red nylon lining, side zip and a side slit.  It has construction features of a slinky dress but in all other ways is made like other lingerie slips of that era.

Imagine wearing this under your party frock or, if you are more daring, alone. Perhaps you won’t want to wear it until after the party . . . .

In any case, it’s a true vintage knock-out item with that great Cat-on-a-Hot-Tin-Roof feeling. Would be a nice little anniversary or Valentine’s Day surprise. When I found it I certainly couldn’t resist.

It was a bit too small for me and I no longer have it (sob).  My only regret now is that I can’t photograph it on Stella, who it would fit to a “T”.  Eat YOUR heart out, Elizabeth Taylor . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

A FACE-FRAMING TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S HAT

A Face-Framing True Vintage 1940s Hat

As many of the hats from the ’40s, this one is pretty dramatic. It sits on the back of the head and is all brim in front, with none in the back. This is one of the decades when hats were super-important – – sometimes the most central part of an outfit.

I must admit that some hats from the ’40s are a bit too wild to be my favorites, but they were always fun and interesting.  And, some are absolutely beautiful . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE BLUE FEATHER 50’S/60’S “SUNDAY” HAT WITH VEIL

Celia loves this one – it’s a little demure/dressy accessory that takes its mood from the occasion, the ensemble and the wearer.  Perfect for Easter, church or any holiday.  LOVE feather hats and veils . . . . . . . . . .

Back in the Fifties or early Sixties, a hat like this was not unusually wild, but it was a statement.  Every woman adored hats and looked for just the right ones to accent her dresses, suits and stunning good looks.

Another of my favorites . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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