Very early Sixties Spring dress from the early to mid-1960’s. It’s a real blast from the past in a lady-like style, so typical of that time. The zipper is metal, but the fabric an easy-care knit which was also popular then – “wash and wear” had become the common thing.
A dress like this is so versatile. It can be worn almost everywhere, dressed up or down. Especially now when footwear choices are completely open, boots, pumps, sandals or flip-flops could all be possibilities that would not have been “right” when this dress was made. Oh, you might have gotten by with go-go boots, flats, pumps or dressy sandals but that would have been all.
Ahh, fashion freedom. Love it! Can’t have it without true vintage in your closet, too . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I love this little shirtwaist with a saucy, sassy French foodie print. The style is what almost every woman wore as everyday dresses in the Fifties and early Sixties. A classic day dress – house dress.
It’s a little bit sheer, so you have to wear one of your lovely slips underneath, but women almost always did during the mid-century era – sheer dress or not. Because they were usually wearing a garter belt or girdle and nylons, they needed lingerie to mask the lines and let the dress move on top.
Perfect for shopping and light work around the home; coffee with the neighbor. Easy to wear.
It’s what “happy days” was all about . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Sorry I didn’t get this photo into my St. Patrick’s Day series. Can you imagine that dress worn under the emerald green satin evening coat I showed then? Perfect!
Both these garments are in a lightweight fabric. The blouse is probably a rayon georgette and the dress in a crinkly rayon or poly that is lined with acetate. Pearl buttons on the blouse and a rhinestone detail on the bow belt of the dress. Stella is wearing my favorite leather Deliso – style pumps from the Eighties. 
The dress has a well-known label of the time which I have shown before – L’Aignon (the spelling might be a bit off). A bright jewel tone like this and filmy fabric could be worn any time of year, but I like it in Spring or Fall.
These are not new finds – I’ve had them for a while and they are keepers!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY .COM
Handmade back in the day by “Rosalie Couturier” – I’ve never seen this common and popular style done so elegantly, by one seamstress. All the best of beautiful little details and stunning fit are really only found in purely hand-tailored examples. What a treat it was to find this one!
The fabric is also very special – a rayon or rayon blend that was used in off-the-rack garments only in the 1940’s – 1950’s, if you were lucky. And the buttons! I’m over-the-moon on those – heavy, polished and perfect in their iridescence. Nothing can compare to old shell buttons. You can see in this photo another example of the phenomenon I mentioned a day or two ago – the belt looks slightly darker, probably because it was never cleaned along with the dress. Spy-craft!
Just in time for Spring, right out of classic cinema – Mrs. Miniver or June Cleaver would be right at home wearing this frock any old day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Still for cooler weather, but a pretty, peachy color. It’s hard for me to classify this dress. It’s kind of a hybrid style with an unclear purpose. Part Boho prairie, part Victorian lady, part Prom dress, part hostess gown. Got me!
The prairie-style and long Victorian/Edwardian-style dresses became really popular again in the late Sixties and early Seventies; plus the construction and materials give lots of clues to it’s original era.
Made of a heavy nylon-feeling fabric and has an embroidered makers’ tag. Never seen anything quite like it, but I was intrigued.
Could even be a Spring party dress! Good idea . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
