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
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
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
Home-sewn for some special event in the 1970’s or late 1960’s. The velvet is plush and silky. The trim is elaborate with accordion pleats and lace. It’s been a long time since almost every town had a store where everything needed to custom-make a dress like this one was available in one shopping trip.
Women used to linger over illustrations in pattern books to pick out something they loved, then stroll through the aisles of fabric bolts to find just the right one. This was an event full of hopes and fantasies – very different from heading to the mall or Walmart for a mass-produced dress made of polyester by workers who earn hardly enough to make ends meet.
The whole story unfolded in my mind when I discovered this one. It’s always an adventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Times may be scary, but don’t take your eyes off the prize. We’re getting there. Have a beautiful, joyful day.
Blessings, The Magicvintagespy
From about the late 1950’s to the mid-1970’s a classic jacket like this one would go almost anywhere, day or evening, over your slacks, skirt or dress. Not meant for formal wear, but always part of a “well-dressed” woman’s wardrobe. Leather items were considered to be “quality” garments. Well-crafted and elegant in style, outerwear like this replaced the previous “car coat” when longer hemlines were not the daily standard anymore.
We’ve continued to love leather jackets of various styles over the decades since the “bomber jacket”, developed by the military during WW1, became popular as a fashion item after the 1940’s. Although it requires some extra care, properly tanned leather is durable and maintains its good looks. Now, however, we are better-informed about how leather for clothing is produced and have the dilemma of choosing to go vegan in our clothing selections. As you know, I’ve made my choice.
Less vulnerable to the elements than fur, my leather jackets will continue to serve me for the rest of my life if I look after them. I’ll probably never have to make the choice between authentic and faux leather. True vintage leather garments and accessories made before 1980 are investments and still an ethical choice.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here are a couple of very practical dresses which are super-authentic but easy to wear for everyday. They also wash well (excepting for the dreaded oil-based spot which can be stubborn on polyester fabrics – but there are effective ways to manage stains). Outfits like this are very sturdy and durable for work, school, shopping or just taking in a matinee’.
When you want to wear true vintage garments but don’t have time to be especially careful of them and don’t want to worry about wrinkles, a few pieces like these are very handy and also demonstrate your vintage savvy. Tomorrow, the perfect “wrap” for this. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I just LOVE rare finds of these early mid-century robes with gorgeous medallion prints and satin trim. As Madge illustrates, they look just as good on a girl as a guy though sizing is sometimes a barrier. In this example, I have to concede that it’s true for me and send it along to someone of larger stature.
Anyway, it’s a fabulous example of early mid-century men’s night-wear in Sanforized cotton. The design is classic, of course, but the trim, print and fabric verify it’s age and fashion era. I’d love to wear it with my men’s pajamas of similar age and design, but can’t bear the idea of cutting into it in order to alter the size. Ah, well, such is the plight of the true vintage sleuth, but well worth the peril. We always live to spy another day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Heavy sweater “wraps” have been on the scene at least since the 1940’s, according to my closet, but have always seemed sidelined from the fashion spotlight. Lighter-weight beaded cardigans have certainly had their day in the vintage clothing spotlight but their more substantial sisters often go unnoticed. With furs, satin and velvet taking center state for evening and other dressy occasions, elegant garments like this one have gotten less attention – especially during the early mid-century. However, this seems to have become less true in the 1960’s and 1970’s, when heavy knits came into mainstream fashion again.
The jacket above belonged to my mother – a perfect fit for me which I’d like to keep. Alas, bright yellow is NOT my color so it’s another item which will be moved on. Made by the label Banff, the quality is unmistakable and lasting. As those of you who’ve followed me know, I own several Banff pieces and recommend them highly as a worthy true vintage brand. These days, a pair of elegant trousers and blouse with this sweater would be suitable for many events that formerly would call for formal dress. Ahh – love fashion freedom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLO: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
There are a few more vintage fashion posts coming your way as of tomorrow, so stay tuned. However, I can’t miss this opportunity to urge all of you who are citizens of the United States to exercise your right to vote in this Midterm election. Midterm elections are always important, which many people don’t understand. This one is especially so. Please don’t sit it out. Make a plan, Show up. Help protect our American Democracy for all of us. Let’s defeat those who want to take away free and fair elections and to limit the choices that we can make about our own bodies and futures. Let’s choose free and fair elections and the right of every American to have a say. Let’s defeat them with our votes at the polls. It’s the American way.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 