Category Archives: vintage clothing

A TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’S – EARLY 1950’S SKIRT SUIT – JUST RIGHT FOR SHOULDER SEASON

IMG_1453IMG_1452Here’s another ensemble in that lovely salmon pink that keeps coming back every decade or so – more to come!  This suit was such a fun find – look, it still has the original store tags hanging on!

Although it was an ordinary item when it was originally sold – more or less a generic garment with no specific brand label – notice the nice design and cute tailoring details.  Even in lower-priced vintage clothing the attention to smart and careful tailoring was almost always there.

Wouldn’t this be a nice outfit to wear this season to a dressy occasion that calls for something a bit conservative?  Even though I rarely go to events like that, I always keep one or two things ready to go . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE 1970’S HAWAIIAN GOWN

IMG_1355 IMG_1354Although I much prefer Hawaiian garb from the 1940’s and 1950’s, I sometimes will pick up things from the ’60’s, and ’70’s, too.  The fabric used was still very nice  and the tailoring often exceptional.

Back then, Hawaiian apparel was almost exclusively made by small concerns who stuck to traditional designs and workmanship.  Also, the quality of cotton and rayon used was excellent.

This dress, though plain in the front, has a sweet detachable half-belt in back and two pleats fall from it like a faux train – a nod to traditional Hawaiian styling.  The skirt, also, is quite wide at the bottom and sweeps when you walk, giving a rather regal feeling . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

BACK IN TIME AGAIN – 60 OR 70 YEARS. A COTTON HOME-SEWN TRUE VINTAGE FROCK – 1940’S/1950’S

IMG_1239An unusual dark plaid, but a shirtwaist style and definitely for warmish weather.  Notice the second layer of skirt, with a little ruffle at the top.  I wonder if the fabric she used was sold from a narrow bolt, so she had to piece the skirt for that reason???

It’s so much fun to try and unravel the mysteries that older garments, especially, can pose.  Unlike dresses made later, that usually buttoned lower down to make them easy to get into, these earlier ones often button only to the waist.  That’s why those side zippers were so necessary.

It also allowed the waist to be kept really tiny, rather than gathered in by the belt – just barely large enough to get shoulders through, with the help of that zipper opening.  Ahh, fashion . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MID – CENTURY TRUE VINTAGE ELEGANCE: WHAT REALLY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

IMG_1400IMG_1403In these few photos IMG_1404from an early – 1960’s needlework magazine, the styles are very plain and, in some cases, they are so generic that they’re very boring!  BUT, every woman pictured looks smart, elegant, fashionable and attractive.

Obviously, it’s not mostly about their clothing.  Sure, they’re all slim and attractive people but that’s not the main thing, either.  Take away the good fit and quality of what they are wearing (super-important as a base for everything else) and what is left that REALLY does it?

It’s their grooming, posture and ACCESSORIES.  None of those ensembles would look half as good without the accessorizing touches – imagine each of them without the necklace, bracelet, gloves or handsome handbag.  Makes a big difference, doesn’t it?

So, as much as I love fabulous true vintage style and details I also know that I can easily stand out in a room dressed in a plain ’50’s skirt and sweater, or even a pair of jeans with a great true vintage shirt.  Our grandmothers understood that perfectly.  And today, it’s VERY easy NOT to stand out . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

YES!!! LOOK WHAT SHE’S GOT ON HER FEET – TRUE VINTAGE FROM 1938

IMG_1475I was browsing through a few OLD  family yearbooks at my parent’s home and look what I found.  This photo is fabulous evidence of the classic and enduring style of the spectator pump – couldn’t get better proof than this!  Love it when that happens.

And, the rest of her outfit is pretty spectacular, too – reminds me of lots of things in my closet . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S LBD FROM AUSTRALIA – ALWAYS A FAVORITE FIND!

IMG_1079 IMG_1080 IMG_1078     Originally sold from a department store, as so many lovely garments were back in the day, this cocktail dress has beautiful hand-done tailoring details.  The cowl neckline is all hand-stitched, as is the fabric rosette at the waist.

The neckline in back dips to mid-back and closes with a metal zipper and hook and eye.  Attention to detail is one aspect that makes true vintage clothing SO special!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE SPECTATOR PUMPS FROM THE 1970’S

IMG_0911A classic!  These are just a run-of-the-mill example, probably made in the Sixties or Seventies, but they just go to show how enduring this style is.  Spectators have been showing up in fashion since the early 1900’s, at least.

Although black/white and brown/white are the most common, true vintage styles have been made in all the basic colors, including red, tan,, navy and, probably, grey.  If you’re looking for a good city shoe, a pair of spectator pumps is an excellent choice.  A true vintage pair is a fabulous one!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – 1970’S SUMMER DRESS FIND

IMG_1060An improved photo of a previous year’s discovery in Canada –  LOVE this one so much.  A little big on me, so I probably won’t keep it, although altering things to fit is often very much worthwhile.

Just a very cute dress and a neat way that the pattern on the skirt has been arranged – much more interesting and flattering than if the the stripes went straight across all the way down the dress.

This was just a very ordinary, mid – lower priced garment back then.  Wonderful and smart design touches like that are something I don’t often see in modern clothing, even at the higher end.  Vive la Vintage!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

1970’S STRIPED KNIT DRESS – A RARE STYLE SUCCESS

IMG_1059     Although 1970’s fashions are definitely not a big deal for me, I will pick up something that is especially nice.  I like this one because of the diagonal stripe contrast on top, nice drape of the knit fabric and the covered belt.

Sometimes they get things right during every decade and, OK, I’m a style snob in some ways. . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MYSTERY 2-PIECE SKIRT SUIT FROM AUSTRALIA

IMG_1057     This surprise find from October, 2014 looks a whole lot better on Stella than when I photographed it on a bed in the condo!  I simply cannot date it accurately, though it is true vintage.

Custom-tailored, the padded shoulders and bias-cut skirt panels are a Forties thing, while the bonded knit fabric looks more like Fifties or Sixties (maybe even Seventies) and the buttons are uncertain but the zipper is older.  Could it be Eighties Does Forties using some older notions?

Anyway, it’s a cute little casual suit and will be a LOT of fun to accessorize   It can be frustrating to be stumped, but you know I love a mystery . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM