Here’s the other gem that was hiding out when the yellow pouf formal turned up. (see post 2 days ago). Similar era but entirely different, and not made for the same woman. Hmm . . . . . . .
Reminiscent of Grace Kelly in it’s modest sophistication and with a metal zipper by Waldes, this gown may be from the early 1950’s or even the late 1940’s. Someone loved it, as it’s in near-perfect condition. Worn by a second-time-around bride, bridesmaid, matron of honor, mother of the bride, Prom queen? I guess we’ll never know, but best guess is a one-time event that wasn’t a bit rowdy. I suspect a wedding.
What a wonderful find, also becoming more and more rare. But, clues are still out there. Stay tuned . . . . .
As you know, retro fashions are not my focus but I couldn’t pass this one up. Very well reproduced as to style and well-made. Initially, I thought I might pass it on but I love the fit on Stella (and, surprisingly, on me!). It’s a rayon frock with the appropriate slinkiness while being good for day. I love the way the pleats in front give the skirt a nice flounce, so appropriate to that Thirties vibe. I’m going to put some little shoulder pads in it for myself and will enjoy it a lot!
As you know, I’ve been on holiday from the sleuthing trade since late October but had several finds right before that time and also something recent. So, I’m ready to catch you up while I have a bit of time at Headquarters.
A tiny, tiny, tiny dress and SO Fifties! This was a size 5, maybe in ’55. Now a size 00 or smaller. Perfect condition. This was a really exciting discovery, as these frocks have become more and more scarce. Sadly, there is no label inside excepting the all-important Garment Workers tag. It’s always so much fun, and useful data, to have a maker’s label to research or use to tell more of the story. Labels are always a first-line clue.
Fortunately for the investigation, another gown was hiding in the same spot! Did they belong to the same suspect even though they are quite different? Rare clues sometimes travel together. Stay tuned . . .
Over the past 4 weeks since my last post, I’ve been preparing for another extended overseas investigation. Although several clues have been encountered in the meantime, it has been unrealistic to broadcast them until I return to Headquarters in early November. So, stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Have a phantasmic Halloween, a Phenomenal Election Day and a beautiful Thanksgiving.
Always such a pleasure to discover these little beauties. Made by a well-known Japanese maker from the mid-1900’s, these small handbags were almost always assembled and decorated by hand. This one is especially tiny, and flat. It has room only for a key, a small amount of money or a charge card, and maybe a small comb and/or lipstick. Just the bare essentials. Almost like some made in the 1920’s and 1930’s but I would place this one from the 1960’s.
Silk or rayon body, with mono-tone black bead decoration, a metal snap closure and an unusual fabric handle. On close examination there are a few beads missing but that will be no problem to fix.
I’ve found so many, but this one is unique! What’s next? Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
First, a home-tailored dressy frock. It’s sweet as can be in a common design from 1960 + or – 2 or 3 years. But, IN YOUR FACE RED! The fabric is a medium-heavy jacquard weave. The style is modest but form-fitting and fits me like a glove. The original pattern would have been about a size 12 but now is a modern 4. You can see why I miss my mannequins – it would look stunning on statuesque vintage size 10 Stella (a modern 2) and movie starlet perfect on size 4 Giselle.
What makes it extra special? It’s in perfect condition and very well-made by someone with experience. Has a big hem allowance which is finished off with matching hem tape. The fitting darts are well-done and the decorative bow under the bustline is well-constructed and properly attached. The thing I like most, though, is that there are gussets in the armholes! That is an older tailoring technique frequently used in the 1950’s and before that gives the underarm area a little extra ease and avoids some of the wear and tear that is often seen where the underarm seams meet on a dress or blouse. However, gussets do have some corners and have to be properly done to avoid the same problems with the seams. Anyway, I just love finding these specialty features that tell a lot about the tailor and help to date garments. This one was perfect for dinner, dancing or any special date.
My next find is a lingerie dressing gown of roughly the same age – maybe a tad newer. The label is difficult to read after many washings but says Queentex, a brand which I have never seen before and may have been specific to Canada, where I happen to be sleuthing now. What’s not to love about it? A two-layer construction, with opaque material covered by a sheer, lightweight over-dress. Fabric is a substantial, glossy nylon typical of better lingerie pieces of that time. The condition is almost perfect. It’s a lovely aqua blue color with darker blue embroidery on the front bodice. The neckline closes with a fabric loop and little pearlized button. Ruffles around the collar and the bottom of the over-dress I can do without, but that’s just me. The design does call for some extra attention in those locations. This garment was perfect for before-bedtime relaxing when she’s out of her frou-frou outfit and make-up. Could have been worn by the same gal size-wise. You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Wow! Look what I discovered today. All in one place, just waiting to be uncovered. It started off with these wonderful late ’60’s/early ’70’s poly shirts – one men’s and one women’s. They both have lovely cloth embroidered labels at the neckline and are in virtually perfect shape. Fabulous collars with internal collar stays and great prints. Love that green geometric and I’m always drawn to paisley, though the patchwork style is not my favorite so it won’t be a keeper.
I turned to another bin and look what was hiding – a sparkly mid-century handmade evening clutch, 2 high-quality leather wallets and a leather card case. The bag is from Hong Kong (always one of the best) with faux jet highly reflective faceted beads woven together as a mesh over a silk or rayon lining. Very simple and tailored with one inside pocket and a metal zipper close. The dark brown wallet and card case are made with a paper-thin leather that I see only once in a while. Often it was called “Morrocan leather” and made in the U.K. or elsewhere overseas. The wallet here was a Tilley product and even has a zippered coin compartment on one side and slots for 3 cards on the other. Bills go inside and it has a metal snap closure. As always, Tilley products are uber-practical and exceptionally well-made. The card case is very similar but unbranded. It folds once and has two window slots inside as well as the card slots on the outside. Lastly, a beige leather ladies’ wallet in two tones, by Buxton. It is fairly slim, too, which is always nice inside a purse and has features I love like an external coin purse with a kiss closure and a decorative tab lock with a metal snap. 3 inside card slots place it in the later part of the mid-century since earlier styles usually had cellophane sleeves to hold cards, photos, etc. They can be a little messy to access and didn’t stand up over the long-term. This one’s an elegant beauty. I like to match the colors with my vintage handbags.
As with the case of fur or reptile skins, I don’t buy anything made of leather at retail, either. But when I happen on a beautiful secondhand vintage piece I will collect and use it until it’s journey is done because quality design and craftsmanship should be honored. Buying vintage, secondhand doesn’t support the market for animal products and their production will end when we stop purchasing them new, so that’s my path and the one that I encourage.
You just never know, and that’s the adventure. She’ll have fun, fun, fun . . . . . . . . . . ..so stay tuned. . . . ..
As always, there it was. Crocheted and assembled in the 1960’s or early 1970’s is my best guess. The yarn appears to be a more “modern” acrylic, but it also resembles very similar bags I have discovered which were made in the Depression/War-time era of 1930 – 1945.
Also as usual, this one seems to have been carried very little. Women who have lived during any time of some deprivation, whether due to historical and cultural events or simply a time of budget crisis in their own lives, have tended to care for their wardrobe items very conscientiously. The gal who made this purse had good needlework skills and even took the extra step of constructing and adding dividers to create 4 separate compartments made of matching fabric and some type of poster board. Very practical use of what was at hand.
It has a bit of storage wear, but the color is still a vibrant, dark navy (please overlook the camera and sunlight wash-out) and the stitching is very sound. Of course I had to pick up this one-of-a-kind accessory piece which tells it’s own story. But, who was She? Sometimes you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
As you can see, I’m not at Headquarters and haven’t been doing any real espionage lately BUT the clues are still out there. During recent investigations I’d been losing sight of 1940’s and 1950’s lingerie slips, which used to be commonly sighted before the Pandemic. Alas, as the former generations leave the scene, their precious wardrobe items also start to disappear. So, can you imagine my excitement when this lacy nylon slip came into view?!
It’s not a luxury item, but see the pretty embroidered label, the wide ribbon straps with metal hardware and abundant lace trim. The nylon fabric is substantial and slinky, the bodice is shaped with seaming and pointy cups and a panel of the floral-patterned lace and mesh has been appliqued under the bustline and down the front to below the waist. An interesting plus about this particular piece is that it has a short length, which is quite unusual for slips made in the 1950’s to very early 1960’s. There’s been no alteration to the original hemline so it may have been manufactured as a petite size. At any rate, that makes it much more versatile and it will become a part of my closet.
This type of decoration with this quality of lace hasn’t been seen in several decades excepting from a very few small and pricey companies that are still trying to keep vintage-style glamor alive. Even though this slip requires a little bit of TLC (just one small mend), I’d rather have an original piece of the REAL THING any day. Naturally, I had to share this find and encourage all sleuths to keep eyes open because you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Magicvintagespy 