Category Archives: summer

MORE FINDS! GORGEOUS GOWN AND PEIGNOIR SETS

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These are only 20 – 30 years old, so they hardly qualify as vintage clothing, but – they do, and are so pretty and perfect that I couldn’t pass them up.  Although the materials aren’t as nice as in 1950’s sets, it’s the designs here that more faithful to beautiful lingerie from that Post-war time.  And, they fit me . . . . . . . .

So, I’ll glide around the house in them on the odd lazy morning and not fret about spilling a little coffee, scattering a few crumbs or holding the dog on my lap.

More than this came my way today, so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER VERSION OF THE MID-CENTURY COTTON DAY – DRESS

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A little bit later in the time-line, sleeveless and cap-sleeve day dresses came along as favorite day-wear for women.  This more casual style  continued to keep them in a dress, looking feminine, but also retained the easy-wear aspect that had become so important. Some, like this one, had pretty details that added a bit of dressy feel, but overall these dresses were so comfortable and easy to care for that they were a great liberation from the fussy styles and fabrics and many mandatory accessories that had dominated women’s lives for decades (centuries).

This is what women wore in the 1950’s and early 1960’s the way that we wear jeans today.  Personally, I like having the choice . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

IT’S TIME FOR MID-CENTURY COTTON DAY – DRESSES TO COME OUT OF THE CLOSET

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These fun and beautiful frocks are what EVERYBODY was wearing as everyday-wear between about 1935 and 1965.  The cottons are sturdy but wash and wear to a fabulous softness.  The colors are bright and the motif’s go from traditional floral or medallion prints (like the one here) to atomic geometrics and cartoon novelty images.

I absolutely cannot get enough of these!  The typical fit and flare styling is very forgiving, allowing  me a reasonable fit across about 3 sizes.  A belt can work wonders with almost any garment.  If shoulder pads are appropriate to the era, that makes a big difference, too.

With the exception of the Sixties shift style, this basic shirt-waist design is just about the most comfortable, practical and versatile for day-wear ever; still, it allows for elegance and the irreplaceable look of true vintage fashion.  I’ll keep showing more of these wonderful everyday styles, and whatever turns up.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

RECENT FIND – VERY CUTE LITTLE 1950’S SUNDRESS. GREASE!!

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Here’s Stella showing this frock off properly.  Can’t wait to wear it!  The way the temperatures are going, it won’t be too long. Love the polished cotton and the atomic applique’.

Perfect for summer fun.  With a long metal zip up the back and swirling circle skirt, it’s easy-in and just right for a street dance.  Or, a picnic, or strolling with a date, or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FIND! FUN SLINKY KNIT MOD 1960’s PATIO DAY DRESS BY ALLEGRO

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Came across this one yesterday and it’s the first I’ve had with this kind of T-back neckline.  Time to dig out the specialty bra.

The things I love best about it are the sunny-fun art print and that wonderful heavy, slinky fabric that was available for a few years.  It’s so delicious on the body and drapes so beautifully.  No, it can’t compare to the gorgeous jersey-knit fabrics from the 1940’s but it is identifiable as part of the family.

So, although it’s kind of a poor cousin, it’s also a very fun find.   This is because its pedigree out-ranks the quality of most all the casual poly clothing that has drowned us in the marketplace since the early 1960’s, with the value and workmanship moving farther down the scale every year.  There’s an embroidered cloth tag from a recognized maker, elegant styling and beautiful material – clues that come to light when you snoop carefully. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

LOTS OF 1960’S MOD – THIS ONE FOUND IN PARIS!

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A standard mod-look vintage plus-size day dress from the early-mid Sixties, but, this one is rare to find today because the fabric is Arnel Triacetate – not many of them around now!  It got pushed out of the marketplace by good old polyester, which had some easier-care qualities.

However, triacetate feels really good and not exactly like any of the many polyester incarnations that are possible.  That’s the beauty of true vintage fabrics – the qualities of most have not/cannot be duplicated by more modern materials.  There’s just nothing like them . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN,THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A GORGEOUS LINGERIE NEGLIGEE’ FROM THE 1950’S

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Lingerie nightgowns before 1960 – ’65 were every bit as beautiful as the slips made during the mid-century.  Just look at this pretty lace and wonderful fit.

It’s no wonder that so much of film noir shows actresses in their lingerie – we don’t see so much of that now – it’s either dressed or nude because the wonderful in-between garments are gone.  At-home life used to be a lot more interesting . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BABY-DOLL BRIDAL GOWN & PEIGNOIR SET FROM THE KENNEDY ERA

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Pretty lingerie doesn’t get much better than this – at least not in the mid-priced range. Back in the day, almost any woman could afford to dress herself in this one.  No, it’s not silk or designer-wear, but it’s lovely – by the MOVIE STAR company.

Pretty soon it’ll be time to wear nighties like this, whether you’re a bride or not.  Can’t wait!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

RARE, RARE, RARE NEW FIND! 1960’S MOD PLAY-SUIT – JUMPSUIT

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This is really something!  Mid-century play-suits are rare as hens teeth, so I’m thrilled to discover another one.  So cute – flower-power mod print in cotton, with a long metal zip up the back.

So much fun!  Fashion used to be both and either restricting and full of novelty.  Now we can wear everything and anything we want but you’ve gotta go Indie designer, independent artist or true vintage to be unique.  I guess there always has to be both sides of the coin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

VA-VA-VOOM! HERE’S THE MID-CENTURY LILLI DIAMOND FIND – AS ONLY STELLA CAN WEAR IT . . . . . . .

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This is a real pure silk, fully-lined knock-your-socks-off wiggle dress.  I’ve been encountering a lot of those lately.  Naturally, the fit is a bit snug behind.

In addition, it’s beautifully-tailored, with all the elegant and sophisticated touches that would be expected in a higher-end well-made garment.  However, I don’t think that this was clothing only for the elite.  Many of our mothers and grandmothers might have had one like it hanging at the back of their closets.

So, it’s just been one delight after another, as usual.  I’m still not done showing things that were found during the past few months when my models were nowhere in sight so, stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM