One of my most cherished dresses, probably from the post-war period but, possibly, from before the war ramped up in the early 1940’s. My favorite thing regarding this frock is the fabric print with the neckline detail a close second. Very artistic. The cold rayon of that era was so fabulous in it’s soft hand and exquisite drape – such a beautiful fit and supremely comfortable.
It’s always impossible for me not to go into a bliss state when I examine a beautiful garment like this; So much history and outstanding tailoring. There will be more – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oh, the tailoring details! Decorative buttons, finished buttonholes, little fabric tabs on cuffs and pockets. To die for. Of course, it’s fully-lined. No label, so I’m not sure if this piece was purchased from a tailor or if the original owner removed the label, which so often happened.
Anyway, I love it to pieces and that’s why I have kept it even though it is a bit too small for me. And, we know what that means . . . . . . . . . . . . yes, the archives must continue to be purged. So, more fun for my loyal followers and more room in the closets for me. Because, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I’m not big into retro fashion, as you know if you have followed me for some time, but once in a while I discover a stand-out. This beautiful frock qualifies, with velvet fabric that has a luscious hand and many of the right tailoring details.
Of course, the shoulder extension and midi length create the correct silhouette. Simple elegance is always a plus and long sleeves are great on cool weather fashions. They were more common on party dresses back in the day than they are now. I love this keyhole back and the rhinestone button accents on the back of the neckline. Though you can’t see it in the photos, the upper back of this dress has a crossover design which adds a lot of interest and also makes putting it on and off much easier.
Though it’s an ’80’s – ’90’s does ’40’s retro, it was definitely worth collecting.
It’s raining today (Yea! We need it) so I’m posting photographs of a beautiful Mary Lane all-weather coat that has been in my closet. So well-tailored with big sculpted buttons and braid trim on a very practical rain-repellent fabric. Full lining! Bound buttonholes! Mary Lane was a company which made women’s clothing to a high standard for decades.
How could I give it up? Well, ongoing investigations keep on bringing in new clues and one can only keep so many archives so something had to give and I’ve put it on eBay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Iconic as as can be, and of course I loved them, but had to let them go. Just a little too big and heavy for my face so sometimes we must be realistic. This pair was made by well-known true vintage eyeglass maker Liberty U.S.A. These were not heavily used, but some wear shows that they were just so well-made that they kept their like-new looks for decades. Perfectly right for the Rockabilly/Geeky/Mad Men look.
By the way, I’m on eBay but not under my cover name. Must protect my incognito . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Love it, love it, love it so much! Believe it or not, this is the 5th cotton dress I’ve found over time – in the same place, made from the same pattern, probably by the same person. I’m thrilled to find another one. The fabrics and buttons are such high quality and the pattern fits me to a “T”. So flattering. So fun!
I’m guessing that this pattern is an authentic design from the mid-1940’s, with a wartime shorter hemline and, always, shoulder pads. Would love to know it’s history – did it belong to someone’s mom or grandmother once or was it purchased as a re-issue of the original? Original patterns from decades past are being re-issued by the original companies (I know that Vogue Patterns has done this) and, while pricey, they’re worth it. Love seamstresses who have the skills to reproduce vintage styles with accuracy and excellent tailoring.
This one’s been well-loved and worn, but excepting the fringe it’s in good vintage condition. So iconic that I couldn’t resist picking it up. Lots of clues here, and I was also able to speak to a witness who provided additional information.
First clue: Always look for the origin. I researched this Western-wear label and it seems that the store no longer exists. No surprise after 60 or 70 years but this may not always be the case. The way that the label is made also gives me information about it’s age. However, be alert to copycats on more modern items. Second clue: scope out anything that may not have been original (added decoration, changed buttons, zip replacement, mending, etc.). Each one of these features can fill out the story to a remarkable degree. Third clue: Look at signs of wear or damage – they also can tell a story.
What I have learned about this garment by investigating as above: 1. It was purchased in the 1950’s or 1960’s. 2. The store may have been part of a chain rather than a single entity. Part of this conclusion comes from investigation of the label itself and also from the quality of the garment – very good, but not the best I’ve seen. 3. The beads are not original. This conclusion was affirmed by the witness who offered a statement. 4. The original owner, now deceased, took good care of her coat but wasn’t always careful. The inside is virtually pristine but there are a few light spots on the outside which had not been cleaned and significant damage to the fringe. Part of this damage is inevitable due to the age of the leather but also looks accidental. I wonder if repeated seatbelt use without care may have caused this.
This person was also the one who got married in the eyelet dress which I showed a couple of days ago. It looks like there was a change in her size during the time between acquiring these two garments, so that’s another clue as to the ages of the garment and owner and the eras during which it was worn.
How fun! I hope that you enjoyed this little journey through an investigation. There will be more, so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Here’s one of my wartime Utility Suits. They were called this because they were made in a very basic way – without expensive notions, simple design and conserving on fabric by making hems shorter. This was a way of supporting the war effort so that metal, wool and silk (plus certain other things) could be conserved for making equipment, parachutes and uniforms. Women wore these less-expensive costumes to save money and as a demonstration of their patriotic duty. This example was still made with excellent tailoring and good quality wool gabardine.
I said good-bye to her yesterday (sob) but I still have so many beautiful post-war and early 1950’s skirt suits. Somethin’s gotta give . . . . . . . . . . . … The archive clean-out and new discoveries go on, so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What a fabulous discovery! I was able to get the history of this frock directly from her daughter. Mom was married in 1940 and this was her gown. The only addition on that day, as far as I know, was a ribbon belt. Not sure if she ever wanted to let this dress do double duty in the summer, but it certainly could have.
Although women got married in satin and lace in the 1940’s, so many women of that era were much more practical and, if necessary, frugal. The wartime restrictions and rationing made that almost inevitable for everyone but the wealthy. However, lots of women – even before the war – were opting for a more “modern” solution, wearing suits and daily-wear to be married. The Depression, which had just wound down, was surely a big influence. My own grandmother, also in 1940 and from “by your bootstraps” parents, opted for a suit that had an ocelot jacket (horrors!). I can only guess that this was to show that Mother and Daddy were making it (in a relatively modest way) after all.
What an interesting time that was. In the Sixties and Seventies there was a return to simplicity and budget-wise trends. Then we saw the Dynasty decade where glitz and glamor went over-the-top again. Now we’re just opting for big is better and planning on a wedding that costs several thousand dollars but, fortunately, like with fashion today, it’s OK to do whatever you want. I opted for a retired judge and one witness.
So, this is just one of the new additions and archived finds that are making their way onto the blog. Most, though not all, are going on eBay, too. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Just discovered 4 true vintage WWII and Mid-century clues! And, the evidence has been preserved in excellent condition. Will continue to post the facts, old and new. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Magicvintagespy 