Marlene and Celia are back and . . .. .. introducing Daphne, far right. She’s stuck in the ’60’s and ’70’s and is kind of a California casual gal so doesn’t care much for most of my elegant looks. However, she is wearing the less traditional, graphic patterned lace today. I suspect that these are from the 1960’s.
These are a totally different look and sometimes double as a shawl. In the U.S., many women of the Catholic faith used to keep lace head coverings around to wear to church and they’ve always been popular souvenirs of a trip to Mexico or Spain where they were called mantillas (roughly pronounced mon-tee-ya). Over the centuries women and girls have worn them not only in strictly religious ceremonies, including weddings and funerals, but at traditional social events, too. It seems that many cultures have their own version of the lace scarf and how to wear it.
So, there are many interpretations of the lace “mantle” and how/where to wear one. Make up your own . . . . whenever a touch of elegance, allure and the unexpected is desirable . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
The time is approaching when I’ll be able to do investigating in the field again. In the meantime, I’d still like to review and share some of the highlights and history of my true vintage purse collection.
Don’t know about you, but I’ve been so put off in recent years by outrageously expensive “designer bags” with mediocre styling and quality. The elegant and classic or funky and fun examples from the past, many of which have survived to this day, are way ahead on almost all counts, in my opinion.
I’ll get some posts started for you later this week. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
These scarves are of a vintage style I see rarely – sewn in a continuous circle and open in the back. You can scrunch and spread them but they have no elastic built in. Mid-century film stars loved this style.
The idea is to make a chic “hat”, pinned and adjusted to your type of hairstyle, or a quick and elegant solution to bad hair days. They’re usually sheer rayon, nylon or silk.
Must have been, more or less, a brief “fad”. It would be easy to make or fake now, but the real thing is always more intriguing . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Celia and Marlene are modeling the ever-chic-and-elegant scarf tie style popularized by and named for Grace Kelly in the early 1950’s. It frames your face and covers your hair beautifully, doesn’t flap or blow and lets you show off that gorgeous true vintage print scarf you just found!
Celia wears a vintage floral print in silk which highlights rose and blue tones. Marlene opts for a multi-color basket-weave print with a coffee brown border, also in silk.
This is one of the most elegant disguises I wear . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
The colorful, naive graphics of true vintage souvenir scarves and hankies are SO much fun!! It’s wonderful to find one in silk, or any high quality vintage fabric like rayon or fine 100% cotton.
The designs are always so cute and bright. Not a good disguise, though, unless I’m wanting to look like a tourist . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This neckline accessory would look great with a Spring dress for an afternoon of casual shopping. I love, love, love finding old scarves with their original labels still attached, and this one is so interesting.
Hand-finished scarves from Japan were common in wardrobes before and after WWII. In this case, the fabric content is unique – a blend of silk (how Japanese is that?!) and Vinal, an unusual synthetic material trademarked there. I could find very little about this on the internet, but have seen many old scarves made of sheer chiffon-like fabric that is similar but may have been made elsewhere and not be the same.
Although the labels on scarves are sometimes obtrusive and may need to be removed, they should always be saved. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Found this great headscarf, in superb condition. I always pick these up when I come across them because they are unique. The floral, geometric or novelty prints are irreplaceable. What could say “SPRING!” better?
Hand-rolled edges and interesting fabrics make them quality items which obviously stand up well over time (if not silk or fabulous mid-century rayon, they are often made of one of the mystery synthetics of that era as this one probably is).
Nothing sparks up an outfit like one of these attention-grabbing pieces. Anyone with an “eye” will know that it didn’t come from a mall store or even modern Europe. But often, it just leaves them perplexed – “That’s a nice scarf. Where did you get it?” . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 