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FUN FIND YESTERDAY – A BOUDOIR BLAST FROM THE PAST

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Out and about at a small estate sale it was fun to browse, but not much of interest until I spotted this mid-century quilted bathrobe. It’s not glamorous, it’s not a Star, but it IS a PERFECT example of a garment which almost everyone’s grandma or great-grandma may have had in her closet in +/- 1950! No doubt it came from an everyday bargain store like Spurgeons, J.C. Penney, Montgomery Ward or Sears & Roebuck. Alas, there is no remaining label, if there ever was one. The scalloped collar hints at the 1940’s, buttons to the mid-calf (modesty covered!), the 3/4 sleeves and tiny rose print were common at various times during wartime and the next 20 years and the pearlized pink plastic buttons with stems are SO Fifties. It’s also in great shape.

Every one of the 6 buttons is present!! The original belt is present!!! The in-seam pocket has no holes!!!! It’s lightweight but cozy-warm without being made of polyester plastic material (I suspect that it is entirely or mostly nylon). It’s clean with no stains and only minor wear, which doesn’t show without close examination.

So, into my closet it hangs as a go-to bathrobe which I will use daily just like Peggy, or Mavis, or Doris, or Annette, or Mary Jane, or . . . .

You just never know .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

GUYS AND DOLLS – TRUE VINTAGE BLING FOR THE NEXT CASINO NIGHT?

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As always, it never fails – even when I’m not looking (when am I never “not” sleuthing?); one for the Gents and one for the Divas. Recently, but in two different places on two different days. It’s hard to say that one of these was more surprising and fun, but I’ll start with the second found, because it has the most “seniority”.

Classic costume rhinestones, in a “formal event” necklace. I’ve found a number of these, so why did I decide to collect this one? It’s got to do with the details: hardly a high-end piece, this bit of paste jewelry was made for the common market. It’s very sparkly (the photo doesn’t do it justice) but has a minor flaw or two in the construction. It’s all cool because this necklace appears to be from the 1940’s or 1930’s and would have been a special element of some woman’s jewel box. I can probably correct the flaw with small tools.

The tie is the man’s equivalent. Made in a great attempt to reproduce a 1950’s version, this 100% silk tie is probably from the early 1980’s. Like so many wonderful kitschy wardrobe items, it was likely acquired during a vacation. Watson’s Desert Inn is/was on Canary Island, and now may have disappeared. The tie, however, is very well-made and has great design harking back to the 1950’s Las Vegas era. Take a zoom in to examine the illustration. As with many items purchased at travel destinations, it looks as though it was never used. Perfect!

As I always say, you just never know. So, stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

RECENT FIND! TRUE VINTAGE SHADOWLINE LINGERIE HOUSECOAT

A beautiful example of a Shadowline housecoat from the 1960’s – early 1970’s. I’ve seen and owned many similar, but this one is special with full length sleeves and hemline. Made from that wonderful mid-century slinky knit nylon, and it also has the small embroidered rosebuds at the neckline which I prefer to the larger variety seen on later styles. Another plus is the fabric-covered buttons. Perfect condition, and in my size!

Shadowline lingerie company was started in 1946 and is still making quality lingerie, but merged with another company in 2008. They have tried to stay true to earlier designs, but apparently many archives were lost in the merger. Some of the 1940’s – 1950’s examples are truly lovely and can still be seen on vintage clothing sites, Ebay and Etsy. Fortunately, they are still using their proprietary 100% nylon fabric “Opacitrique”, which allows for excellent coverage. They also have a version which is sheer for styles which require this and customers who prefer it.

I’m not too familiar with Shadowline’s more modern products so can’t be fair, but I suspect that I haven’t paid attention to them when sleuthing because they just weren’t up to the standard of the older designs. Maybe I’m wrong. At any rate, it’s truly a vintage manufacturer which still makes a good product and should be recommended.

In any case, I will enjoy my mid-century piece and keep eyes open for more – because you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS SURPRISE FIND! BULLOCKS WILSHIRE 100% SILK DRESS 1960’s – ’70’s

  Haven’t been investigating lately – too much traveling. But, it never fails! This trendy day frock was from a high-end hotel shop, probably in Los Angeles. The iconic hotel closed, finally, in 1993 but was opened, I believe, in the late 1920’s. Well-heeled clients bought luxury goods there for decades. 

  This casual day dress is no exception, with all the features of a beautifully-tailored garment: pure silk fabric, hand-stitching, hidden seams, full lining, piped edging on the neckline, armholes and decorating the seams which shape the front of the dress, hooks and eyes closing the top of the neckline at nape, sewn-in strap holders at the shoulders, hem is hand-finished with silk tape. Made in Hong Kong (for that kind of high quality, where else?).

  The floral print is a cross between the psychedelic and flower power designs of the mid 1960’s to early 1970’s in the vibrant clear colors of that era. The A-line shape, Mandarin collar and knee length also reflect the style for conservative high-end day dresses made at that time. 

  Labeled as a size 14, that really dates this dress, too. It’s just a little large for me, which would put it at a modern size 4-6. Asian-made fashions do sometimes seem to run small but I’m not sure if that was true for garments made decades ago for the U.S. market. There’s no obvious evidence that the dress has been altered. Another plus – it’s in almost perfect condition!

  One of the last things I might have expected to find, but that’s what makes sleuthing so much fun! Always surprises; hidden and revealing clues. Stay tuned – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

  

  

A FEW TRUE VINTAGE PURSE ACCESSORIES FROM THE 1950’S TO ADD TO FALL HANDBAGS

A FEW TRUE VINTAGE PURSE ACCESSORIES FROM THE 1950’S TO ADD TO FALL HANDBAGS

A FEW TRUE VINTAGE PURSE ACCESSORIES FROM THE 1950’S TO ADD TO FALL HANDBAGS

A FEW TRUE VINTAGE PURSE ACCESSORIES FROM THE 1950'S

Yes, September often means it’s time to switch out some of the Summer wardrobe for warmer clothing.  Traditionally, it was also the time to put away anything white, including accessories.  That means I’m looking over my collection of true vintage handbags and selecting a couple that coordinate well with my Autumn fashion choices.  Not only does that mean switching out a matching wallet, but other handy purse accessories from back in the day can be included.  What savvy dame would forget to equip her handbag with smart and handy accessories?  Here are just a few.

It’s so fun to look back into our mothers’ and grandmothers’ handbags to see what they used to carry on a daily basis.  These are just a smattering of the interesting items I’ve seen.  Mirrors, combs and tiny brushes, lipstick cases, foldable rain hats, key cases and key-rings all came in different sizes, styles and designs.  An emery board and an orange stick were usually tucked in somewhere.  Smokers also had special accessories – cases, lighters and interesting matchbooks.  Little pillboxes were very decorative and pretty.  I’ve got a few of those.

Above we see two note pads (with attached pen or pencil), a manicure set, sewing kit, mirror set (with normal and magnifying glasses), and an attractive case for a comb.

The intelligent and fashionable woman is always well-prepared when stepping out, no matter what her mission may be.  Efficiency and style – that’s my motto . … . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Iconic ’50s/early ’60s Suede #Coat w/Mink Trim

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S/’60’S TRADITIONAL TAILORED MEN’S PAJAMAS

A LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S JACKET AND SKIRT

I love the apple-green button trim on this navy jacket from the 1940’s. Alas, the original skirt was lost, but I was able to find one with an almost-perfect color, fabric weave and true-to-the-era style. That is phenomenal and rare, but not impossible for the Magicvintagespy.

Aside from the cute and iconic design, these pieces are able to be worn as separates as well as a suit.  The fabric, though it may be wool-based, is still 3-season and makes this find a very practical part of my wardrobe.

The only downside, if there is one, is that this material must be dry-cleaned and should be protected from moth damage.  When adding true vintage clothing to your wardrobe, it’s important to remember that some fabrics which look like the today’s synthetics and blends were often made with wool years ago.  The up-side, which is definite, is that wool lasts forever and the construction of these garments probably will, too!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MAJOR GLAM IN TRUE VINTAGE FURS – STOLE/CAPE AND JACKET FROM THE 1940’S / 1950’S

     When it starts to get cold, I think of looking at my collection of vintage furs.  Beautiful garments of by-gone days – never to be made again, I hope, but worth enjoying while they last.  The stylish cape on the left would only be worn during the day by a society matron and usually saved for evening wear.  The jacket on the right, however, is much more versatile and looked good over a suit or day – dress back in the day as well as with jeans now.

     Just as nature intended to protect their original owners, furs provide great warmth.  They’re still fun to admire and wear, but I can’t help remembering the sacrifice of the animals who produced them when I do.  We humans who have used the animal kingdom to clothe and feed us for centuries must honor that by becoming humane today.

 

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM