Category Archives: vintage accessories

A HOME-MADE HAND-MADE 1950’S NOVELTY KITCHEN APRON

What a great find! Not too many like this one left and it’s a real gem. The apron’s been sewn together of cotton fabric with our ’50’s housewife embroidered on. She has a cotton print pouf dress with a lace collar, pearl necklace and earring. In one hand she holds a coffeepot and in the other a cup, which doubles as the obligatory little pocket for a hankie or small tool.

Finding something so unique and whimsical is a real treat. And, to think that it was made for fun 60 or more years ago is a bonus. So much better than anything modern, no matter how cute.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A CACHE OF TRUE VINTAGE LINGERIE FINDS: TREASURE WORTH SAFE-KEEPING

I came across a whole bunch of classic nylon sleepwear pieces that are ALWAYS worth adding to your collection – even if you already have several.  My rationale? :

1. if you’ve never slept in mid-century nylon pj’s or gowns (just about 1950’s to very early 1970’s), you don’t know what you’re missing!  There is nothing (including silk) that is more comfortable as well as practical in bed and for lounging.  They add warmth and are also cool, plus luxuriously smooth and soft.  The fit is forgiving.  2.  well-made and classically stylish, you won’t find anything equal in modern garments.  3.  often you may find single pieces – these are great for matching later, with an identical or similar mate, or as an accessory, such as the black sleeveless cape pictured above.  I plan to wear it over a black nightgown.

Not to forget, photo 3 is of a satin storage bag I discovered.  These have been staple pieces in women’s undie drawers and storage chests for decades.  Not sure if they are still being made to the same standard, but this one is great.  Pretty peachy pink and brown in the classic style with inner pocket and fold-over styling, plus ribbon closure ties.  Nothing is better for keeping hosiery and delicate garments safe from snags and dust.  Grab these, too, whenever you see one.  A girl can never have too many . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MOD 1960’S NYLON HALF-SLIP

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I’ve got lots of beautiful vintage lingerie, so I’m not in the habit of picking up lots of slips now – BUT – I don’t have a single one with this wonderful mid-Sixties Mod print!  Didn’t take me long to grab this one.

It’s in beautiful condition, so I’ll enjoy wearing it for decades – maybe as a skirt next summer.  The label is so worn from washing that the brand name is no longer legible but I can see that it is “100% Nylon”.  Seems like that was kind of a big deal at one time.

Such fun, and a new thing for me!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FIND – MORE LINGERIE SLIPS FROM WARTIME AND POST-WAR

Fabulous!  Both these slips are rare finds, but the one on left – the oldest – is REALLY RARE.  Let me describe them both, and the most fascinating details –

The long slip on right is a post-war 1940’s – early 1950’s length.  Look at the beautiful embroidery on the bodice.  It’s a very small size (not unusual at that time), but I can wear it and it’s perfect under many of my dresses from that era.  Nice to have the hemline lower for those midi-length frocks.

The shorter slip on left is the real elusive find.  It’s made of cotton or cotton blend, which is extremely rare and sought-after for wear during the warmer months.  I have a couple in white, but BLACK is like WOW!!!!!!!  Black sheer summer dresses in my wardrobe will get a lot more wear now.  Also, look at the bodice decoration – cute embroidery and RUCHING, which is rarely seen and an older style of embellishment.

The red color of the lace may be due to the effects of perspiration over time.  It’s so uniform that I’m not sure about this, but could be that the lace is of a different fabric content (likely) which reacted to the chemicals in sweat.  It could be re-dyed but it is kind of pretty as is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

GORGEOUS MID-CENTURY LINGERIE FINDS – LOVE THESE 1950’S PIECES!

I’m always on the look-out for beautiful lingerie from the 1950’s, 1940’s, 1930’s and 1920’s, especially.  This time I was not disappointed!

Take a look at the lovely lace and the special detail on the half-slip.  These items do show some signs of wear, but they are not important and will serve me for decades more.  As always, gentle hand-washing of true vintage lingerie pieces is the best practice.

More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER ALWAYS-PICK-IT-UP ACCESSORY: MID-CENTURY HANKIES

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When I come across a pretty one, I’ll always snap it up.  This example, quite different from the one I showed a few days ago, was machine-made and not as old.  Although hankies began to lose popularity to Kleenex paper tissues in the 1930’s (for those who could afford to buy them), many women continued to carry fabric handkerchiefs into the 1950’s and even the early 1960’s.  Men, of course, for much longer.

For a special occasion, the use of a handkerchief is more elegant than using a paper tissue – especially for drying tears.  A productive cough and runny nose, on the other hand, call for something more hygienic (disposable) and sturdy than a delicate lace pocket square.

When did manufacturers stop making fabric hankies?  Maybe they still do.  No doubt a supply of both hankies and paper tissues are on hand in many dresser drawers today, along with the dress gloves, purse mirrors and other accessories that every sophisticated woman has at the ready for whatever event may come up on her calendar.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND! GORGEOUS 1930’S – 1940’S WARTIME TO POST-WAR RAYON BED JACKET

 

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What a neat discovery!  I have 2 or 3 lingerie bed jackets from this era already, but haven’t found another for a long time.  Rare, rare, rare.  This one may have been part of some woman’s trousseau, which she stored away lovingly for decades.  Some were made of silk.  This one is glossy rayon.

Pretty bed jackets from the post-war 1950’s are also fabulous, but much different from the older wartime ones.  Notice in the detail close-up the embroidered mesh decoration.  Remember that from the nightgown I showed just a few days ago?

Oh, I’m over the moon again and will also store this garment away lovingly, probably for decades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

BEAUTIFUL POST-WAR LINGERIE SLIP THAT CAN DOUBLE AS A GOWN

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In lustrous black nylon and lace, this is one of those wonderful slips that feel like heaven to touch.  What you can’t see well in this photo, is that the bodice and hemline ruffle are in tiny accordion pleats.

The original label was removed, which I’m always sorry to see, but for a seventy-year-old she’s in marvelous shape.  I have reinforced some places in the stitching that had become weak and re-set one of the straps.  That’s all.  I suspect that the “brown” lace was originally black and that it’s fabric has faded with age.  I kind of like it this way, but may also dye it back to the original – easy to do with most slips because nylon stands up well to hot water.

I love it that we can now wear wonderful lingerie as dresses in the summer, for evening or as sleepwear.  It’s also perfect under midi-length dresses from the late ’30’s to the early ’50’s, of course, (and 1980’s – wait till tomorrow).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE TEXTILE FINDS ARE ALWAYS TREASURE

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Fun and interesting mid-century and antique table and bed linens often show up during my investigations.  The prints are humorous, colorful and pretty.  Modern copycats can’t  come close!  If there is handwork like embroidery or lace, it’s beautiful.  I collect them, too.  The mending and stain removal that is sometimes required is no big deal and anything with too much damage can be made into pillow covers and cloth napkins.  I love using these things at home in my kitchen and bedroom, but there’s more . . . . . . . . . . .

Big pieces of fabric are also wonderful made into clothing and accessories.  Trim can sometimes be added to other garments or a big piece of crocheted or tatted lace makes a beautiful dress or blouse. Can’t you just imagine this cloth made into a summer dress, skirt or blouse, maybe with a matching handbag? Can’t wait to use this cute tablecloth!

Potential vintage fashion treasures abound everywhere!  Use your imagination and you never know what you may uncover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

NEW FIND – DEPRESSION ERA HANKIE WITH BEAUTIFUL HAND-MADE APPLIQUE’

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I still come across true vintage handkerchiefs once in a while and always collect them.  This one is not fine linen or even high quality cotton and started it’s life as a commercially-made piece that probably had no decoration excepting the machine-done edging, BUT the delicate applique needlework down in the left-lower corner is the real story.  Some woman who couldn’t afford more expensive linens made a dainty item with her own hands.  It is almost unbelievable with the tiny, tiny stitches and the steps taken to prepare the pieces that were sewn on to make the flower.

Girls used to be taught this kind of hand work in almost every home before WWII time, and many still afterwards.  If not lace-making, tatting or applique’ by the late mid-century, girls at least learned some embroidery, crochet or knitting.  My own grandmothers still knew how to do it.

Even though paper tissues are more convenient now, a fabric handkerchief is very elegant and just the thing when attending a wedding or other private affair.  The decoration on most of them is gorgeous, whether hand-done or by machine.  Even the printed patterns are lovely or at least colorful and amusing.  If you’re into home sewing, I’ve seen these hankies pieced together and turned into pretty pillow tops, table linens and even blouses, skirts or dresses.

So, another little story unfolds for me to share with you. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM