Category Archives: vintage jacket

FINAL FUN FIND OF THE WEEK: TRUE VINTAGE SIXTIES – SEVENTIES SHIRT JACKET

Though certainly not a star when it comes to quality or design, it’ll be fun to wear when I’m in the mood.  Even the best of the late 1960’s to early 1970’s wasn’t great.

In this case, worth picking up for several reasons.  1.  Perfect condition and commercially-made.  When I see items like this in great shape, they’re usually home-sewn.  Probably women who sewed appreciated the value of their clothing more.  I rarely find a true vintage knit from this era that was commercially-made unless it’s a rag.  2.  The content & care tag and the Ladies Garment Workers Union tag are still present.  3.  The fabric and styling are purely from the era.  Although some fairly faithful retro copycats have been made in recent years, there’s always nothing better than an original.  4. The pattern, collar and color are just cute!

So, that rounds out my week.  We’ll see what happens around May Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

 

TIME FOR GLAM AGAIN – LUXE WOOL KNIT BEADED JACKET FROM THE KENNEDY-ERA 1960’S

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Despite the flash glare, the color of this evening jacket is elegant black black.  There were several companies and up-scale department store brands who made high quality clothing in dense wool knit in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s and here is one example.

Some have survived so well because of their quality and because owners looked after them.  I have a few garments of this type, but not a black jacket so was thrilled to discover this one.  Nothing could be more classic, versatile and wearable for evening.  As always, I look forward to photographing my latest discoveries on the models back at Headquarters so that they are properly displayed.

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

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A FAB LEATHER JACKET FROM THE 1950’S

A FAB LEATHER JACKET FROM THE 1950'S

I love the fit of this jacket! Down the middle of the back, there is a deep inverted pleat. Bracelet-length sleeves are wonderful, too – great for showing off jewelry or beautiful gloves.

Tailoring in these old leather jackets is just outstanding.  Colors are also sometimes unusual, though not garish.  The ones I’ve seen are very subtle and lovely.

A jacket of this type is just right for three seasons of the year . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY CUSTOM-TAILORED CLASSIC SUIT

TRUE VINTAGE CLASSIC WOMEN'S SUIT - JACKET/SKIRT FOR FALL

 

The style is so un-fussy and classic that it could be worn casually  like a day-dress or dressed up.   It could have been made anywhere from the late 1940’s to early 1960’s, but I lean toward the ’60’s because of the cotton velveteen-type fabric, which was popular then.  Hard to be sure, in this case.

I am certain that the suit was custom tailored.  It might even have been done at home. It’s amazing that many women were able to do this. Tailoring requires a lot of skill!

Look at all the covered buttons. And, the buttonholes are also bound. Amazing! Not to mention the lining, interfacing and padding required to make a garment like this fit properly.

Although it looks very elegant as pictured, imagine all the ways it could be worn and accessorized.  As separates, the jacket and skirt add more possibilities.  Simple suits like this can be great additions to any vintage wardrobe, making a variety of quick-changes possible . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SEAL FUR HAT

MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER’S SEAL FUR CAPE

I knew as soon as I saw it, I knew it would be a perfect match – AND IT IS!!!!  Can you believe it – my grandmother’s 1940’s seal cape passed down to me, now with a matching hat.  A professional furrier could probably see the difference somewhere, but it surely isn’t obvious.  I’ve loved this cape for years.

The hat is a quasi-military shape, which was popular during war-time.  The fur on both is absolutely beautiful and has held up so well over all these years.  I always love the 1940’s square shoulders, too, and the family connection makes the cape special.  What a treat to find a piece to go with it!!!

Although you know that I am an animal protection activist and don’t support the fur trade in any way, shape or form, I do love old pieces pre-1965.  There’s no reason in the world to buy modern fur anymore – if you want a new piece, the imitations are fabulous (even beginning in the 1950’s).

Go out and find one and have fun – toot, to-doot, to-doodley-aht-to-doot – he blows eight to the bar (in boogie rhythm . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

 

ANOTHER LUXURY FUR – THIS ONE A STOLE, FROM THE 1950’S

Although it’s probably not THE finest, I think that this fur is genuine mink.  So pretty and stylish, in a color and design that I didn’t yet own.  As always, I love the little details.

The stole has straps sewn inside which keep it from falling off your shoulders.  There are little, teeny pockets at the rounded ends in front – just big enough to curl your hands into to keep them warm.  The silky lining has these WONDERFUL planets and stars embroidered all over!!  AND –

I love the label – “The Store that Quality Built”.  Wish more vendors would take that as their motto now.  AND –

of course, the original owner’s initials are embroidered inside.  Such elegance . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER RECENT FIND – FANTASTIC LATE 1930’S – WARTIME 1940’S MUSKRAT FUR CAPE

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It’s not as fine as a couple others I have, but just as wonderful with the big shoulders, pockets, arm slits and silky lining.  Very good condition, too – just a little wear to the fur along the seams here and there.  I’ll be able to wear it more casually than I would my others.

Some woman who didn’t have the money then for a more expensive fur enjoyed the glamour of that time in spite of the Depression and looming war.  By a furrier in Winnipeg, the animals whose pelts were taken would have been trapped in the midst of Canada’s woodland and prairie country and might have represented the livelihood of some rural family.  As much as I reject the modern fur trade, the hardships of those times were real.

As it is, I can enjoy this antique piece, too, and wear it until it’s done.  Today, faux fur pieces have become so sophisticated and beautifully-made that there’s no reason to support the fur trade.  Cherish the old furs for their bygone charisma and say good-bye forever to animal cruelty.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL SCOTTISH WORSTED WOOL POST-WAR SKIRT SUIT

This is a magnificent find, with all the beautiful tailoring details that I love on post-war suits and dresses.  Notice the notched cuffs, fabric-covered buttons, interesting pocket treatment, back belt, button trim, interesting collar lapels with little embroidered detail and, of course, the fabulous fitted shape.

It’s worth every minute I’ll spend on altering the size to fit me (a simple job, in spite of the professional tailoring).  No need to hire this job out, which is an extra bonus.  Someone loved it very much over the years.  Just one little, tiny moth nibble on the back of a sleeve and, otherwise, no damage or noticeable wear.  Another mother-lode treasure!  And, as always, for a mere pittance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A VERY DIFFERENT TYPE OF AT-HOME JACKET – EMBROIDERED, FROM THE FAR EAST

This is such a beautiful thing – I wish it weren’t  too big for me.  But oh, well, I love it all the same.  Not way old, because it’s poly satin, but the embroidery is to die for and it’s not completely colorfast so may not be too modern.  I’m not always sure about the construction and fabric qualities of garments made overseas.

Anyway, what a gorgeous item to wear around the house and, also, out.  I have a fantastic  embroidered red silk jacket from China that I often wear with black pants when dressing up is the thing.  Looks ab fab.

Tomorrow I’ll show a very recent discovery of the same genre, but older and more the style of Mata Hari.  Something I’d been searching for for a long time . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM