This is also a true vintage brand that I already own – so fun to find things by names that I know. It’s a vintage 16, which was a plus size at that time, but still looks pretty cute on Stella.
Plain and everyday, but still worth picking up, to me. All part of the vintage sleuthing craft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This is one of my favorite true vintage styles in warm weather shoes. The fabric uppers and openness are so breezy, cool and feminine. They are such a cross between dressy and casual that they are very versatile and will look just right almost any time.
I’ve found lots of lovely true vintage shoe styles by Johansen since I’ve been sleuthing and they’re always dependably elegant and well-made. Such a pleasure to find and to wear . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here’s a good picture of the a-line shift dress that I found in New Zealand last fall. Very plain and classic in style, but that’s often the best. It’s certainly a design that was VERY common in the Sixties decade. Probably custom-tailored, with a metal zip, which I also enjoy finding in a true vintage piece.
The feature I like most about this dress is the fabric. It’s a nice woven cotton – hard to find now – in a print that uses the colors and dotted style that you will find in the Aboriginal & Maori artwork from Australia and New Zealand. It’s a wonderful souvenir of my time there.. . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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I picked up this little beauty in lovely, soft cotton. It could be from any time after the 1960’s – hard to tell since they’re continuing to sell them in Mexico and some stores in the U.S.
But, doesn’t matter. It’s hand-embroidered in traditional designs and beautiful colors. Authentic hippie attire. Nothing could be more comfortable and boho for summer.
If you’re shopping for a blouse or dress like this one, be observant. I’ve got several dresses and skirts from the 1940’s – 1970’s. Many are not as nice as they used to be . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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I love the styling of this frock, with its wasp waist, free hips, cap sleeves and delicate neckline that really enhance the figure. Madge’s fuller measurements give it the right “va-voom” fit. I also like the peek-a-boo effect of the white band below the waistline.
This was another “surprise find” – always the most fun! Summer days and nights, here we come . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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All three of these frocks were custom-sewn and I think that the top two belonged to the same woman, because they are so similar. Wasp-waisted or halter style, these gingham dresses have been signs of summer for decades. I REALLY wish I had Madge and Stella here to show them off properly!
All are very simple, with back zippers and store-bought trims. The fabric in the yellow and white one is a bit more modern-looking and I would say it was a late-’60’s to early-’70’s creation. The first two would be a few years older.
As plain as these are, I’d never pass them up. I still love them because they are so of-that-time and look really good on. Simple belts add a lot and, of course, you can accessorize . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This is the FIRST dress that Stella modeled for me, and I think it missed being posted. Another recent find, it’s a lovely example of a cotton sundress, with covered belt and ric-rac trim.
Shoes are of the era, though the suede peep-toes might be as much as a decade older. Either one coordinates nicely with the gold and olive tones in the frock.
Such a favorite style! Simple, easy to wear, flattering and always classic . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Classic white beads in a graduated strand are always perfect – they don’t have to be pearls! Just look for beads with tiny spacers or knots in between – much more elegant and better quality. Also perfect are shell necklaces and bracelets. These are always available, but the ones pictured are original vintage and have vintage findings.
Lots of cute costume jewelry is being made now; I just prefer the special extras that are present on the older things. They also have a different look.. . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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It is always appropriate to show my great Native American and Hawaiian dresses in Summertime, even though they are not always the most cool garments to wear. Ocean breezes and high mountain altitudes can help with that! The two on the right are from Arizona, sold by a company called Thunderbird Fashions which made lots of Western-wear dresses, blouses and skirts back in the day. The dress on the left was made in Hawaii. In most cases, women bought these outfits while on vacation in the American West or Hawaiian islands but sometimes a woman living there would include these in her day-to-day wardrobe.
Like a couple of the other items I’ve shown before, they are of heavy cotton with loads of braid trim, ric-rac and color! The Western-wear blouses have a side zipper at the waist.
The Hawaiian outfit on the left was made about the same time as those from Arizona. It is interesting that there are so many similarities in the style although no zipper in this blouse, and the contrast is in the fabric panel on the bodice.
Both styles have a flattering fit, with a wasp waist and free hips. I love wearing them on cooler days in the Summer and Fall and sometimes wear the skirts with another top. Each of these ensembles is different and they are from a time when Western and Hawaiian fashion were all the rage – probably in the 1950’s. Women loved wearing them and vacationers loved bringing them home.
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I love the colors of these dresses – pink to lavender, with black and white. Both in a similar shirtwaist style, below-the-knee length and made of a substantial cotton. Perfect mid-century design. Absolutely LOVE the collar shapes!
The dress on the left has little houses in a novelty print and some interesting tuck and piping details. The fabric is a bit heavier, and I’d wear it into Fall. The one on the right has cute pockets, ric-rac trim and a great plaid. It really says “summer” and farmers’ markets, to me. I took the sleeves off for a more flattering fit for me (and saved them, of course!) and wear it often.
Neither one has a label, but I doubt that they were made at home – especially not the left-hand one. Just goes to show, that labels often go by the wayside. . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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