Category Archives: summer

TRUE VINTAGE WORKING GIRL DRESS FROM 1960 – APPLE FOR THE TEACHER?

IMG_1504I love it when I can date a true vintage find to the exact year!  Although this frock is not hugely distinctive, it’s a great example of a specific vintage genre.  I’ve got another to show in a couple of days.

.     This lightweight knit dress (yes, ladies, you’ll need a slip!!) is breezy and practical, with an all-over apple print. Despite the long sleeves,  it’s sheer enough to comfortable in a cool office and would be perfect in a couple of months for the first day of school.  Very professional.

The style is so classic that it’s almost invisible; that is also a basis of elegance.  Skinny self-tie belts were really popular in the early sixties, and I’ve seen them mostly on styles that are classic and streamlined.  Day-wear from that time seems to have verged away from some of the fussy, though beautiful, detailed tailoring of the Forties & Fifties.

So, think old re-runs of popular sit-coms of that year and what the female leads were wearing though, at that time, they’d be mostly housewives . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S EVERY-DAY SHIRT/BLOUSE HOME-SEWN IN ATOMIC PRINT

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S EVERY-DAY SHIRT/BLOUSE HOME-SEWN IN ATOMIC PRINT.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S EVERY-DAY SHIRT/BLOUSE HOME-SEWN IN ATOMIC PRINT

IMG_1503This shirt was very ordinary in its day and not too stylish but, for Yours Truly Magicvintagespy, it was a plum to be picked because of its perfect parking spot in the mid-1950’s era.  A garment like this has lots to say about its history.

It was home-sewn, of cheap synthetic knit material in a print that was designed with the Atomic and coming Computer Ages in mind.  Much less elaborate and artistic than the boats at harbor on yesterday’s blouse, but more characteristic of the time when it was made.

The buttons, too, are interesting (take a close-up look) and are good examples of the stemmed plastic ones that were commonly made in the mid-century.  Lots of them had novelty shapes and fun designs, even if they were very cheap.  Many buttons of that era are gorgeous works of art, but that’s another story . . . . . . . . . .

Some time maybe I’ll do a post of my true vintage button collection.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY BLOUSE WITH FANTASTIC ABSTRACT ART

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY BLOUSE WITH FANTASTIC ABSTRACT ART.

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY BLOUSE WITH FANTASTIC ABSTRACT ART

IMG_1502I just LOVE this shirt with sailboats at anchor in a novelty  abstract print.  When I spied it, I just said WOW!  Rather unusual – it looks like some of the artwork that was hanging in homes early in the 1960’s.

But, it may be from even earlier.  The collar and fabric are a bit of a mystery and the tag is gone. It appears to be a man’s shirt at first glance, but was styled for a woman.

Made to wear over pants or shorts, with little slits in the sides, this blouse is pure casual sports-wear but not as tidy or girly as most women’s things were 50 years ago.

Although I’m tops at closing cases, I do love a mystery . . .. . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE MID-SIXTIES MOD SUMMER MINI-DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE MID-SIXTIES MOD SUMMER MINI-DRESS.

TRUE VINTAGE SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN – INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950’S

From the time when Roy Rogers & Dale Evans were TV celebrities, Happy Trails to you . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN - INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950'S

These two dresses are examples of fashions made and sold in the U.S. Southwestern states (Arizona, New Mexico mostly). They are inspired by traditional Native American designs and may have been made by Native Americans.  My warm-weather wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without them.

Outfits like this were especially popular in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Some from the 1940’s have been seen. Tourists often returned from vacations with one and non-Native people who lived in the region wore them a lot.  It was a real craze for a while.

Ric-rac and braid trim on bright cotton material was popular. The skirts are big and swingy – usually full circle. I have more to show – some have interesting tailoring details on the blouses. Love ’em!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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TRUE VINTAGE SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN – INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN – INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950'S.

TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER – A SAUCY LITTLE FIFTIES DRESS (AND THE LINGERIE SLIP I WEAR!)

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

A SAUCY LITTLE FIFTIES DRESS (AND THE LINGERIE SLIP I WEAR!)

I just love this dress, with the big bow and button in front. The colors are so sunny and really stand out!

It’s made of a heavy cotton that doesn’t show through, but I like to wear a comfy nylon slip under and this lovely orange one from the 1950’s just fills the bill. I really like wearing lingerie that matches my outfit and the fifties were famous for their bright undergarment colors (especially in slips).

With a fabric-covered belt it fits nicely and looks cute as well as lady-like. Just depends on which way you want to go . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER – A SAUCY LITTLE FIFTIES DRESS (AND THE LINGERIE SLIP I WEAR!)

TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER – A SAUCY LITTLE FIFTIES DRESS (AND THE LINGERIE SLIP I WEAR!).