Category Archives: summer

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

PRETTY (AND ALMOST PERFECT!) IN PINK – A MID-CENTURY PILLBOX HAT THAT LUCY, JACKIE AND DIANA WOULD LOVE

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Marlene is mesmerizing in this gorgeous veiled hat.  Just covering the eyes, it adds a bit of mystery to a bright and open face.  She was so inspired by the Spring hue that she even changed her haircolor . . . . . . . . . . . .

I’ve honestly not seen a veil made this way before and am a bit unclear about how it is supposed to be worn. However,  it’s situated in the right direction so maybe this is it. Perhaps it could be worn tipped a little farther back on the head.  Many hats from the Forties had parts hanging over the shoulder in kind of a gypsy touch.

Anyway, it’s beautiful and just right for the season.  When flowers and grass are coming up,  here we go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL 1940’S – 1950’S WHITE STRAW HAT WITH GROSGRAIN BOW

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I found two wonderful mid-century straw hats on my last expedition!  This one is summer-perfect and great with Marlene’s coloring.  It’s a simple style that suits almost everyone and the big bow gives it a coquettish allure.

Straw hats are so lovely and grosgrain ribbon a classic and elegant trim.  More tomorrow . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER 1940’S HAT FIND – THIS ONE WITH THE BOX!

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I’m always tickled to have the original box for any of my hats!  In this case, I don’t know the brand of the hat (if there was one) but I know WHERE it came from.  The department store Famous-Barr in St. Louis, MO was a division of the Macy’s chain for decades and finally closed in 2013.  It had evolved in the early 20th century from two other store members of the Federated Department Stores organization and opened in 1914.  The old department stores were such fun and so exciting for women, where they could receive very personal and professional service – now we just see glimpses of them in classic movies.  Modern malls and superstores can’t compare.

Anyway, this “pretty” with a black velvet crown, bow decoration and a lacy woven ribbon brim is elegant without the weight of heavier styles that might dominate during the colder months.  This one lets you carry the season-less drama of black into Summer and early Fall.  Works for me . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE ’40’S & ’50’S STRAW HATS IN FALL PASTELS

TRUE VINTAGE '40'S & '50'S STRAW HATS IN FALL PASTELS

Something different for today. This group of hats are similar in that they are most all of straw (the bucket hat is made of mesh) and in colors that can be worn into the fall – no pinks or pastel blues.

I love hat labels. The one with the navy band has one that says “coast to coast LINDA JANE Exclusive”. The bucket hat has a Union label inside. Tells a little about their history and who may have worn them (and where).

As accessories go, I’d say that hats may have the edge in terms of adding the most panache and/or mystery to any ensemble. Up until the early ’60s, when they sort of died out after Jackie Kennedy’s pillbox was done, a hat was SUCH an important item in the wardrobe and most women didn’t go anywhere of significance without one. (including the grocery store and the movies)

So now, they inspire fantasies of dress-up. I can get into that . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion