Category Archives: summer

A LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S DRESS FOR DINNER AND DANCING

A LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S DRESS FOR DINNER AND DANCING This frock is in black crepe, with sheer netting on the bodice to give the illusion of a bare neckline. I have seen this feature on one other dress of mine – demure, yet stunning.  Where the decoration begins, it is also lined. The shape skims the body and the whole effect is very flattering.

These dresses have side zippers or unusual back zippers which open only about a foot in the middle of the back, but don’t come to the top of the neck. I’ve seen this on ’40’s dresses only. It allows you to wiggle into the dress over your head but no hope if it’s too small for you!  There’s no way that Madge could get into it, so I’ll have to re-photograph it on Stella some time.

Anyway, it’s beautiful and you can probably picture it. Perfect for dining and dancing, or even a dressy movie date. Put this beauty on and you just never know . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

1960’s SLINKY-KNIT MOD HOSTESS GOWN

img_2464

FLOWER POWER!  Staying in the Sixties, I love this style!  Half caftan/half gown; it accents the waist but hangs free behind and is almost like a cape or a kimono, with a little Nehru collar.  Fun!

Haven’t found a piece of lounge-wear quite like this in a while, so I’m thrilled.  The fabric, the print and the design are so iconic from about 1965 – about 1970.  Fondue Party to Patio Party, here I come!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS, FABULOUS, FABULOUS! ABSOLUTELY AUTHENTIC 1940’S WARTIME DAY DRESS

img_2454

Oh, boy!  It happens all the time, but I’m still always thrilled into ecstasies when I discover a garment like this one.  A simple, summer-weight woven rayon frock by R & K Originals – made during the mid to later 1940’s.

All the buttons (and really neat buttons!) with their rhinestone and plastic centers are still present.  Never seen any exactly like them!  There are a few hand-done little mends along the seams, as would be expected in a daily-wear dress that is close to 80 years old and was cherished by its owner, and the dress as a whole is in fantastic condition

It is obvious that this dress was a more economically-made one, even by this well-known maker.  I suspect that the wartime shortages of materials and scaled-back design practices of the mid-Forties were still in force when it was manufactured and sold.  Still, it’s so characteristic of the times and such a pretty style that I wouldn’t complain!  And, in spite of all the austerities, the skirt is still a FULL circle!!  The bias-cut makes it hang just right.

What can I say – I’m still over the moon!  But, there’s more – stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . .. .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WOWEE AGAIN!!! MORE GREAT FINDS TODAY

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-1-11111211111112111Today, on a more-or-less routine survey, I had wonderful good fortune.  I’m just about to re-examine and photograph my newest acquisitions and get them ready to post on the blog.  Because I have already scheduled postings for the next three days, expect to begin seeing these on Sunday, Nov. 13.

Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

A WONDERFUL HAT, FROM THE SAME ERA AS YESTERDAY’S DRESS . . . . . . .

The always-dramatic Marlene models three views of this gorgeous and flattering scull-cap style, woven of black and white strips and topped with a face-framing ruffle.

I COULD NOT pass this by!  And, it came with a matching hat-pin – always a plus.  In it’s day, it was very wearable with lots of different styles from casual frocks to dressier ones. Very elegant.

When everyone wore hats daily, imagine selecting this cute one and setting it on just right before heading out for shopping or lunch.  That was when men still whistled openly at women on the street . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER 1960’S FIND – A PRETTY DANCE DRESS

img_2207

Not terribly “different” or “vintage-looking” until you examine the details.  This is a typical dance party frock from the time when Barbie was Homecoming Queen . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

CAN’T BELIEVE IT!! 1970’S WHITE LEATHER FRINGED MOCCASIN BOOTIES

img_2090

This is so bizarre – more true vintage white leather shoes with magnificently clean uppers.  Moccasin booties are especially rare and fun to find.

A BIG fad for women in the 1950’s, they were often brought back from vacation as Southwestern U.S. souvenirs.  People have been fascinated with the American West and the Native American culture for decades.

Just the thing to wear with jeans and they were perfect with Native American-made circle skirts and dresses, which were also very popular among more adventurous white American housewives in the Fifties and Sixties.  These were probably made a decade later, but the style is classic.  Also, with the Thunderbird – my personal totem . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER CIRCLE SKIRT

img_1993

The perfect casual circle skirt for summer!  Cotton candy colors, ruffles and beads.  Someone made this for fun the the 1950’s or 1960’s.  I’ll do it justice next summer!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS! RARE PURE WHITE ’60’S STILETTO HEELS IN MY SIZE!!!

img_2033

OMG – pure white true vintage shoes are so rare, and especially in such good condition.  Miss Wonderful (and they are) made these lovely full leather pumps back in the Kennedy era, early 1960’s.  I’m in heaven because I’ve looked for some for ages.

Nothing takes the place of perfectly white “dress” shoes with pretty vintage summer frocks.  Vintage white sandals are not hard to find, but pumps are another matter.  Leather soles, with metal toe taps and almost-new heel caps just seal the deal.  I’ll enjoy these for decades.

Although I’ve been too busy to be looking much . . . . . well, you just never know . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LADY-LIKE & ELEGANT – TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS FROM THE 1960’S

IMG_1799

Back in the mid to late Sixties, while all the Mod stuff was going on, women with more traditional tastes wore beautiful frocks like this one.  Many day dresses were still true to the history of elegant styling, lovely fabrics and excellent tailoring.  This one is by ALGO, a mid- to higher-priced line of dresses that originated in the U.S. and also became popular in Canada.

For example, this fabric is some kind of  a rayon blend with alternating shadow stripes of nubby weave and satiny sheen.  The color is not for me and it’s also too large, but I couldn’t pass it up because it’s such a lovely example of the timeless side of 1960’s style. Probably next Spring it will go on eBay, but I do have other dresses I love from that era.

I’ve still got more to catch you up on, and the next ones are a little more seasonal . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM