I was browsing through a few OLD family yearbooks at my parent’s home and look what I found. This photo is fabulous evidence of the classic and enduring style of the spectator pump – couldn’t get better proof than this! Love it when that happens.
And, the rest of her outfit is pretty spectacular, too – reminds me of lots of things in my closet . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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These lovely sandals are very fine, in beautiful kid suede. They have tiny peep-toes – a favorite feature of mine – and sling-back heels.
What a fabulous addition to any 3-season dress or perky pants outfit!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
These pieces were found on opposite sides of the world, several years apart, but they work here. Mid-century sheer dresses require beautiful, but pretty plain, lingerie slips of the right length to carry them off properly.
From Canada, the lovely peach-colored silk slip can double as a dress. Bias cut and the slinky, sexy fit points to the 1930’s as it’s era. Pretty embroidery makes it really special and it has little hardware which make the shoulder straps adjustable..
The sheer party dress, which I found in Australia a few years ago, was probably custom-tailored. Dropped waist and tea length. See the photo showing metallic piping that is sewn around each sleeve and the front of the neckline, with a cowl in back. The fabric also has metallic flower and leaf decoration stamped on. So fabulous to find pieces like this in near-perfect condition!
Picky work to construct this dress, and I’m so astounded by the skill of seamstresses back in the day. Yes, it was a lot of work, but how fun it would be to have something exactly as you wanted with personalized fit!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Puffed, very girly sleeves on a plain, black crepe dress that was a very common part of most women’s wardrobes. Almost everyone had a black crepe dress – often more than one and not just for evening wear. Crepe was such a frequently-used fabric that made even ho-hum garments drape beautifully and look fabulous!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This post was inspired by the fabulous Theodora Brack and her post of a few weeks ago on the blog, Paris: People, Places and Bling. Shirt sleeve styles are, again. doing some very interesting things with pleats, gathers and puffs. Here are a few from my own true vintage collection which show how these styles cycle through the decades.
Pictured here are 1930’s and 1940’s blouses excepting, in photos #1 and #3, the right-hand and left-hand examples are retro Forties, which were made in the early 1980’s. Cotton, silk, rayon and poly. Kimono, pirate, Western-inspired and prissy designs all had their day in the 1940’s and have wound their way up and down runways every decade or two since then. Of course, some decades were known for their beautiful craftsmanship, gorgeous fabrics and special tailoring details so these aspects will always be showcased in true vintage garments from those times.
Modern blouses which follow these style trends will not be nearly as beautiful or as well-made but, I love my finds. Thanks for the opportunity to put them in the spotlight again.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
From the 1960’s back to, maybe the 1920’s, these three are my oldest vintage examples of Hawaiian gowns. From the farthest left, to right –
Psychedelic hues and patterns on the far left – not hard to see the late Sixties here. The center dress is from the 1950’s and is fashioned in the traditional Hawaiian style, with a panel on the back that is almost like a train, without the dragging hem.
On the far right is a mystery dress with a metal side zipper. It has images in the print that are not your standard Hawaiian shirt variety and the fabric is very different –
instead of being the heavy cotton that I’d usually expect, it is a fluid material that I’d guess is rayon. If the label did not indicate that it was made in Hawaii, I’d say it had come from Japan. The toggle closure at the neck is also something often seen on Chinese and Japanese garments. It’s also got a very 1930’s cut – close to the body.
Hmmm . . . . . . . . . this is REALLY Mata Hari undercover espionage stuff. I wonder how she wound her way to the place where I discovered her . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
To wear with a pretty brassiere or camisole, these were the underpants of the ’20’s, ’30’s and ’40’s. In the 1970’s they also came back for a while, though not as sumptuous or luxurious as the originals.
Clockwise, 12, 3 and 6 o’clock are the older ones, made of silk with hand-done embroidery and lace. They also close with buttons on the left side. At 9 o’clock, the newer pair from the ’70’s is of nylon and has nice lace, with an elastic waistband. It also has a matching camisole.
Look at those luscious colors! And, the silk is so smooth and comfy. In most cases, a garter belt and hose would also be worn with these, since women were usually wearing skirts or dresses, and those were often loose-fitting. Nothing there to cramp your Charleston, Lindy or Jitterbug style.
You know what I’d rather wear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s a lovely retro frock from my collection.
It’s a beautiful re-creation of an early 1900’s up-scale day dress style. Wonderful rayon-type fabric, cut on the bias with all the figure-following qualities that has and very well-tailored. Designers from those early decades really knew how to enhance the figure and the designer of this one (no tag or label) – probably from 1980 – 2000 – did a wonderful job of imitating their style.
I prefer true vintage and don’t usually wear a lot of retro, but this frock was too good to pass by. It’s a sheer dress with it’s own rayon slip underneath. The long necktie that wraps around as a belt is perfect. Of course, it’s also my size . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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JUST A SAMPLING – NO MATTER HOW IT LOOKS, THERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT TODAY!
These wonderful cotton prints may have come from clothing that had worn out and had to be re-purposed. Love the pink check that’s in the apron! The quilt has many blocks that are not damaged at all, though some show wear. For being about 100 years old, it was well-looked-after and still holds together.
What I love most about a find like this is the rare materials that all have a story. The prints are so great – little anchors, fleur des lis, vines and flowers, paisley and plaid, checks and stripes. There are more, but I can only show so many photographs at once.
So, I know it’s not a piece of clothing (excepting for the apron accessory) but it’s such a wonderful trip back to fabrics and garments from the early 1900’s. This quilt was probably made between 1920 and 1950. It’s not often that we get to see these, so I jump at the opportunity! It’s one that I only come across now and then and, you just never know . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
More from my favorite(?) decade. This little cutie is a crepe number – very popular in the 1940’s. It’s a day dress and I love the cute trim details! Heavy enough to wear in the cooler seasons, too.
I had another very much like it with plain pockets which I saw worn in a popular movie from that time – just about the same color as mine, too. That was a thrill.
This one is really more gold than yellow but, between the digital camera and the funky light, it’s hard to tell. Women enjoyed fashions like this with their quirky details in the forties. A lot of the clothing from past decades really makes me smile.
This is another teeny one with a side zipper and front buttons to the waist. The trim gives kind of a peplum effect – peplums were also a popular style feature then. I’ll show at least one more soon.
I just love shirtwaist dresses from that decade – one of my favorite true vintage styles. The crepe fabric doesn’t move as much as rayon, but still drapes really nicely – a hallmark of many 1940’s garments for men and women. Swish!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
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