Category Archives: Uncategorized

FABULOUS DISCOVERY! 1970’S GUNNE SAX PRAIRIE-STYLE FORMAL DRESS

What a great find! It’s always worth investigating; you just never know what evidence might be uncovered. A beautiful Gunne Sax gown, designed by Jessica San Francisco. Robin’s egg blue for Spring.

This frock was worn, probably once, to a formal event or, possibly, to a wedding. In the 1970’s, Prom and wedding-party dresses for young women often looked like this. Gunne Sax was a favorite label of the time and this prairie style was hugely popular. I wonder who cherished and stored her gown for 50 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TEN YEARS LATER AND WE’RE BACK IN 1940’S – STYLE AGAIN

Hemlines down and waists nipped. It wasn’t a pure swing into wartime fashion but many of the similar features came back in the early 1970’s; midi hemlines, shoulder pads, jumpsuits, pastels, little sweaters with puffed sleeves, and platform shoes were really popular. It was 1940’s cutesy-style with a certain babyishness to a lot of the garments. That’s probably because many of these fashions were marketed mostly to teens and women below age 30. The dress above is pretty classic design, but the color scheme is just a hair too sweet from today’s viewpoint. And, of course, there’s the bra-less thing.

This would wind things up for a while, though I do have an investigation on the horizon. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THE NEXT BIG CHANGE – HEMLINES AND SILHOUETTES

THE MINI AND THE TENT DRESS!!! In 1964, Mary Quant introduced them both in London. The tent style didn’t endure for a long time, but we know what happened with the mini-dress. Women were suddenly really FREE in this style. And, even though this particular one was more or les a fad, all bets were off in terms of where women’s style would go from here. (Star Trek was only 2 years in the future . . . . . .)

In the case of this example pictured on Stella, Quant’s revolutionary design captivated the minds of some women so much that even home-sewers attempted to duplicate it. In summer, 1964, this was a good way to stand out in a crowd in the U.S.. Oddly enough, it might’ve worked well as disguise material if you were posing as a mad, mod girl in Britain.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A COTTON SUMMER DRESS LOOK, EARLY 1960’S – STYLE

Once we get past the turn of the 1950’s to ’60’s decade, boy – do styles really start to change! This one is maybe a little more adventurous than the norm because it was custom-made. Compared to the dress from yesterday, the style is free and easy. There’s a V-neckline and fuller skirt though the below-knee hemline remains, but without stiff tailoring or crinoline layers underneath like so many of the Fifties frocks. The print, colors and belt say “Look at me!”.

Which, of course, makes the role very different for our agent in the field. No blending into the background this time, and the trend continues . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

5 OR 10 YEARS (AT LEAST) BEFORE THE TIKI TORCHES, A 1950’S VERSION OF THE PATIO DRESS

A darling little sleeveless cotton day-dress could go to town, to the park or to tea in very proper style. It’s a little early yet for the State Fair or ice-cream socials but that’s where it really belongs. Polka dot prints and ric-rac trim were common in the 1950’s and, always, defined waistlines and belts. I’m still not quite ready for this, but there’s always the ever-popular cardigan sweater . . . . . .

Can’t get away from it – climate change with 80-degree days followed by 40 degrees today. See, the Universe loves us. It taught us all about packing to dress in layers for travel and now we have a new skill that can be used everyday, everywhere!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MAYBE A LITTLE BIT EARLY FOR THE TIKI TORCHES, BUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Good-bye coats! Patio enthusiasts will be hauling out the grill about now. Stella is decked out in her oh-so-fashionable vintage lounging dress from Henri Bendel, by a specialty maker. Love the color combo – very distinctive.

Not much cover for wearing a wire here, but a thigh holster can easily conceal a tape measure, cellphone, lock-pick and other small tools of the trade. As long as there’s a big bush or a garden shed to step behind, she’s set. Of course, an indoor party would be a cinch.

No, I’m not suggesting break-and-enter or other similar crimes. However, during an investigation in an unfamiliar locale there are many times when a photo, measurement or even a GPS locater can come in handy. Occasionally, this agent has encountered old locked boxes, as well. You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

CAN’T BELIEVE THIS WEATHER! TIME TO ADJUST THE GAME-PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It’s just so crazy – suddenly WHOOMPH! we’re in patio-days temperatures. We went from no visible leaves to a forest of green within 1 week. I’m not complaining, but my plans to vet the “summer” evidence file got moved way ahead. An investigator always must be prepared for an unexpected change of plan. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NOT TO BE OUTDONE, EVEN BY THEMSELVES, 1960’S KNITTING STARS TOOK ON MAKING THEIR OWN SPRING COATS

Harking back to 1950’s styles, or with Swiss, Italian and British style inspiration and yarns, intrepid needlecrafters went for it. In the spirit of Jacqueline Kennedy’s famous cloth coats in elegant designs by Oleg Cassini, home-knitters made coats with European and designer style. Even the two white Fifties-inspired designs at top were au courant with an open front or cruelty-free collar which looks like an animal skin (although we know that wool, including knitting yarn, IS fur and is NOT cruelty-free).

I especially like the cape with matching skirt and high-neck sweater. Worthy of Sherlock Holmes, himself, with it’s identity-concealing, equipment-hiding capabilities. A sleuth can swan around undercover, looking like a brainless fashion-plate . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN FRENCH WOMEN’S CLOTHING STYLES HIT THE SCENE IN THE EARLY TO MID-1960’S

Pants, skirts and culottes! Very avant garde for the U.S. But, ladies with knitting needles were not timid and the pattern magazines spurred them on. No one can say that “American” women didn’t avidly follow European high fashion. Investigators have long known that, wherever we are, successful sleuthing depends on being able to blend in. (Must be cautious about calling people from the U.S. Americans, as if we’re the only ones. People from Mexico, Central and South America also identify themselves as American).

The photos I publish are all from vintage McCall’s Needlework and Crafts magazines, an offshoot of the well-known and popular McCall’s women’s magazine that published monthly from 1873 to 2002.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THE SPORTING LIFE BECOMES MORE AND MORE FASHIONABLE FOR THE 1960’S MIDDLE CLASS

On your trip to Europe, at the beach or on the slopes anywhere in the U.S. or the world, it’s great to look fashionable and up-to-date. Hip, Cool, Neat or Mod; whatever your favorite slang, being able to custom-create a sweater with European flavor made you really moderne.

Separates became more and more popular. Today we know that mix and match is the best way to pack for travel. Agents working undercover have always used that rule to create disguises on the fly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM