Category Archives: Uncategorized

FAVORITE 1940’S – EARLY 1950’S WARTIME OR POST-WAR SHOES

The pair on top, with the vamp decoration, alas was too small for me. But, this second pair goes so well with my wartime and mid-century day and house dresses. I love wearing them all the time. Even love the brand name: Vitality!

So cute. Both these pairs are examples of economical footwear of the time with leather or composite soles and man-made uppers. In spite of the cheaper construction, however, they last and last – unlike many products for sale today. Hope we’re going back in that direction. Too much cheap clothing and accessories in the landfills.

No doom & gloom here. Things look good from behind-the-scenes. Happy Holidays and looking forward to a fabulous 2023!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THIS IS A FABULOUS TAILORED MEN’S JACKET FROM THE MID-CENTURY

Though I certainly couldn’t wear it, how could I pass up this beautiful, iconic men’s outerwear when I discovered it? It’s not vegan, with a shell made from wool and leather but, for it’s time, it’s a wonderful garment worth saving. A casual style with impeccable tailoring. So 1950’s – early 1960’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1940’S VELVETEEN PENCIL DRESS

Though it’s an iconic mid-1940’s style, the dress looks a little plain, eh? But, it’s got beautiful tailoring and a couple of really neat 1940’s style features that aren’t often found anymore. One is a true 1940’s Talon metal zipper. The second is zipper vents at the wrists. Skinny sleeves like these required it for easy dressing and the intended slim, slim fit.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVITAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL 1950’S COCKTAIL FROCK

Yes, it’s a wiggle dress again. Despite the killer silhouette, it looks very demure until you see the back, where it plunges to the waist. The tailoring features are the most notable to me – the fabric is wool as I may never have felt before. It is woven and opaque, but so lightweight that it feels almost as soft and silky as tissue paper. There are also gussets sewn in at the armholes, which is a relatively rare 1950’s construction detail.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

100% SILK KENNEDY-ERA WIGGLE COCKTAIL DRESS

This dress is so beautifully-designed. Look at those tailoring details! Gorgeous silk satin fabric. Superior quality overall. Might have been from Montreal (maybe originally from France), which may explain it! It’s dynamite on just the right figure, as many wiggle-dresses were from about 1952 – 1962.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

EARLY 1950’S MAXI FLARE DANCE DRESS

What a great find! This dress makes me think of the ones the dancers wear in performances of West Side Story. Too bad it’s a size too small for me. So, it goes up on eBay. Maybe someone will want to make a splash at the Prom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MID-CENTURY LILLI ANN – PARIS – WINTER COAT

Beautifully-designed and made winter coat from the late 1950’s – early 1960’s. The fur trim at hemline was an iconic style element at that particular time. In this case, it appears to be mink. The labels indicate that the coat was sold and, possibly, made in San Francisco but probably incorporated design elements from Europe as well as European fabric. This company had an interesting history which is reflected in the reliably great quality of the garments.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1960’S – 1970’S PRAIRIE DRESS. HOME BY THE FIRE FOR CHRISTMAS.

Just right for a cold winter’s evening and perfect for the season in a red and green tattersall plaid. It’s just a heavy cotton, so no sleigh rides but cozy at home is good. Custom-tailored, as so many dresses of it’s vintage were. Love elbow-length sleeves, which are a rare design feature now.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER RED PARTY GOWN, BUT A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT VIBE FROM THE SAME ERA

Red velveteen on a very sophisticated lady. Yes, it’s home-sewn but by a real expert. She was the mother of a friend (and became a friend, herself) who gave me several of her own vintage creations. Lots of careful tailoring details like covered buttons and fabric loops at the nape of the neck. The draped neckline is also an unusual and flattering design feature. Perfect for hosting a Christmas cocktail party.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MID-CENTURY RED VELVET AT-HOME PARTY LOUNGER – A REAL PERIOD PIECE

Super-fun find! A gorgeous, comfy dress, yes, but the fur-trimmed sleeves put it right in a narrow fashion season. In the Kennedy era – late 1950’s to early 1960’s – fur-trimmed cuffs and hems were a short-lived fad. I have discovered several different types but not often. Always a thrill and perfect for the season. Ho, Ho, Ho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM