I always pick up these old cotton or cotton blend housecoats when I find them. Although there are similar ones being made now, the older ones tend to have the best quality and most interesting styling and decoration.
Such fun to know these little differences that make a big impact on your satisfaction when you wear them!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Although the phrase “made in Japan” used to connote (in Western countries) some cheap trinket back in the WWI, WWII and Post-war days before their technological revolution, Japan is also the country that is known for gorgeous kimonos and traditional garments of the most elaborate embroidered silk.
Another unusual and surprising find. I’m not sure exactly how to date this 100% cotton robe, but it’s beautiful and well-styled in it’s elegant simplicity. The fan motifs are very wonderful and I love the colors (as does Stella – with that auburn hair it’s dynamite on her!).
Definitely a keeper. More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
What a surprise to come across this custom-tailored frock. It’s got many clues that told me of it’s age and how it came to be, but the styling was the real delight. SO unusual to discover a maternity dress or a “tent dress” from the mid-1960’s.
Tent dresses were all the rage for a while during the Mad Mod Sixties. Fortunately, the style didn’t hang around too long. But, what could be more perfect as a maternity design? This one is meant for fall and winter partying in heavy velveteen. I have to say, it is cute on Stella.
After discovering a treasure like this, I wondered what could be next and it didn’t take long to find out. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Wowee! Someone custom-tailored this cute mini-dress that falls from above the bust-line and is a really flattering shape for someone whose waistline has temporarily disappeared. It also could have been a “tent” style, which was all the rage about that time. In any case, it’s perfect for Fall no matter how or why she wore it!
All kinds of “new” stuff, including a wonderful hairdo for Stella. She’s psyched! So am I. We’ll be spreading a lot of rockabilly vibes and more. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Gingham again – it’s always classic and often found in lots of casual clothing from mid-century. 
In this example, we have a custom-tailored design – sort of Western-wear, but just CUTE! Simple shift style, but when I wear it I’ll probably add a belt and cinch the waist. The ruffle at the hem, cross-stitch decoration and interesting elbow-length sleeves all make it unique and would even be a good Halloween costume.
Dresses with these features were popular in mid-century in the United States, when there was a big Western/cowboy craze going on. Ever hear of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans? I’ve learned so much by being interested in true vintage fashion! Happy trails to you, until we meet again. Have fun tonight – arroooooooooooooooooo . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
True vintage house-dresses are some of my favorite finds because they are always so cute, easy to wear all year long and each one has different details to discover. Gingham fabric is always top of the list. It’s fun to find so many different colors besides the wonderful, classic red/white and blue/white combos!
The most outstanding feature of this dress is the lace around the collar – it’s just different from anything that is made now.
I really love 100% cotton fabric in blouses and dresses like this, but often find that even the older ones are a cotton-poly blend. Clothing makers were creative with blended and synthetic fabrics in the Forties when some of the usual materials were diverted for use in making things for the WWII effort. In the Fifties they began concentrating on making fabrics easy-care – less or no ironing needed and easier to wash – but I still find wonderful 100% cottons, too.
So, we’ve benefited and lost from these changes in the marketplace over the past few decades. There’s nothing like the true vintage fabrics, no matter what type they are, but I love the innovations that made improvements in them, too. Each decade has it’s own wonderful fabrics!
It’s been so much fun to learn all these things from my experience in the field – always looking forward to the next investigation . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Classic true vintage ’40’s – early ’50’s style, custom-tailored by Rosalie Couturier. I loved finding this dressmaker’s personal label in the waistband of this beautiful frock! What a nice surprise since it was hidden. The best labels, like this one, were embroidered on cloth.
It’s amazing that this beautiful garment has survived 60 – 70 years in such wonderful condition. Its original owner obviously loved it and cared for it well.
Lovely rayon fabric, with stitched-in pleats on front and back – bodice and skirt. So many little hand-done details. Beautiful, big sculpted shell buttons, fabric-covered belt. A little wear there on the buckle, but that is the only flaw.
And, when I got it home it fit Stella beautifully. Perfection!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
What a huge surprise to
discover this little gem! It’s a 
capelet that may be from Victorian or 
Edwardian times – maybe someone planned to take it on the Titanic voyage!!! (From the looks of it, maybe it went on the Titanic voyage). It’s so old that many theories and stories about it’s history could be possible. Some woman wore this covering her shoulders over a dress. It might have been an evening gown, a day-dress or mourning dress – maybe a costume specialist could tell.
Manufactured trim with antique beads is sewn around the neck and the hem of the capelet. So many hand-stitches!
As you can see, the outer layer of fabric is in tatters, but the black, silky lining is pristine. If the cape were flipped inside out, the beading trim removed and transferred to the other side with a replacement liner made it would be almost new again! Even though non-sewers might think so, it’s not a big job.
Just amazing. I haven’t decided whether I will want to restore it and wear it, sell it to another collector or donate it to a theater or museum. As always, it just goes to show that – you just never know . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Despite the gradually-cooling temps, I’m ready for the BBQ – maybe not the volleyball or badminton game. This gown was custom-tailored of a beautiful fabric (look at those colors to die for!) Though synthetics are often not the most desirable material, that’s one thing that most have going for them – the way they take and hang on to colors.
Probably polyester, but it’s got an uncommon finish that feels almost like moleskin and a nice drape. This is a perfect outfit for the iconic American entertaining genre – the Patio Party, inaugurated in the early 1960’s along with the basement party room with built-in bar. Pretty soon, the days of the chic living-room cocktail party were over – replaced by the Cha-Cha party downstairs and the Patio Party & cook-out in the back yard.
Save those LBD’s for dinner dates. It’s easier to do the Twist and the Limbo in shorts, capris or a long, loose skirt, not to mention a bikini – but I’m not exactly sure where the Pool Party got started. Probably Hollywood, or Miami, or . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
From one of the best Western-wear dealers in the U.S., a vintage gingham men’s shirt in near-perfect condition. (Actually, I found another really nice one, too, but way too big for Madge to model).
For casual wear in the U.S. there is nothing more classic than high-quality Western-wear, made in the U.S. to standards of design that have endured for decades.
Especially in the Southwestern states, this kind of shirt dressed up with a silver bolo tie and a nice sport coat can take you almost anywhere. Go with a plain color or a subtle pattern and you CAN go anywhere. But, be careful about wearing jeans, and super careful about the quality and condition of your boots and hat . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 