Just when the 1960’s treasures were beginning to feel a little hum-drum, up comes a beautiful men’s item that pulls me back to post-war days and some of the best old movies. Stay tuned – I’ll publish it tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
“For Active Americans” on the label – famous baseball star Ted Williams had his own sportswear line that produced outerwear, mostly, from the 1950’s – 1970’s and was sold by Sears & Roebuck and at Simpson Sears in Canada. What an interesting item with history that I did not know!
Although this may have been a men’s or boy’s jacket, I think it is unisex. Small – medium on a sportswoman with room for a heavy sweater underneath and FULL of pockets with sturdy metal zippers and features that would be very handy for a hiker, day-camper, cross-country skier (or hunter – some were made for this). I guess the big pocket across the back was called a “small game pocket” but it would be PERFECT for carrying a lightweight sleeping bag or tent or many other trekking supplies with space above to allow a day-pack to hang.
Virtually unused condition, warm and toasty with a quilted lining and rib-knit cuffs and collar. I hope to go to Montana next year, and this would be a great thing to take along! Reminiscent of mid-century family vacations to the national parks – there’s a whole Happy Days/Kennedy era novel inspired by this one. Tomorrow I’ll show you it’s sophisticated sister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
As usual, I came upon this jacket by surprise and was thrilled by the hand-tailored details. The true color is a nice wheat beige, washed out by the camera flash. The the gold thread-embroidered label would also not photograph well with the flash in my camera, but maybe you can get a close-up view of it with zoom-in feature. It came from a Melbourne store and is made of cloth, as all the older labels of best quality were done.
The jacket is fully lined. The buttons (all are present) are in plastic, with a basket-weave design. The fit is high-hip length in a boxy cut. Sleeves are bracelet length – all nice design features from the Kennedy era. Someday I’ll photograph it again on one of my models for a more elegant presentation – but, until then –
one of the nicest things of all, it fits me . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Another plus is that the fabric is a patented linen-poly blend that gives you the lovely texture without the wrinkling issues of linen.
I love this one that I found by surprise several years ago. Simple classic elegance. It is of fine suede and has a zip-out pile lining! This great feature makes it so versatile for 3 seasons of the year – especially in places that don’t have a really harsh winter.
Lovely vintage features are the covered buttons, piecing on the pockets and cuffs. There are also tabs with buttons at the sides of the waist, which can’t be seen in the photo.
This one is the real deal – a well-made classic, well-worn and well-loved. When you’re spying in the right place, you just never know . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Oh, boy! It happens all the time, but I’m still always thrilled into ecstasies when I discover a garment like this one. A simple, summer-weight woven rayon frock by R & K Originals – made during the mid to later 1940’s.
All the buttons (and really neat buttons!) with their rhinestone and plastic centers are still present. Never seen any exactly like them! There are a few hand-done little mends along the seams, as would be expected in a daily-wear dress that is close to 80 years old and was cherished by its owner, and the dress as a whole is in fantastic condition
It is obvious that this dress was a more economically-made one, even by this well-known maker. I suspect that the wartime shortages of materials and scaled-back design practices of the mid-Forties were still in force when it was manufactured and sold. Still, it’s so characteristic of the times and such a pretty style that I wouldn’t complain! And, in spite of all the austerities, the skirt is still a FULL circle!! The bias-cut makes it hang just right.
What can I say – I’m still over the moon! But, there’s more – stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . .. .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Pictured sideways, because rotating this photo on the blog page introduces all kinds of warping of the image, due to the check pattern in the fabric. Tilt your head, please and use your imagination . . . .
This is such a cool discovery! In 100% nylon with a tiny, tiny black and white hounds-tooth check pattern – this is a mid-century ladies’ stylish answer to the basic rain poncho. True vintage raincoats in this type of upscale design are rare finds, indeed!
The usual, plain versions of this coat were common at least since the Forties and Fifties in uni-sex styles – usually somewhat heavy, clear or dull, grayish vinyl – to be thrown over your entire outfit in rainy weather, right along with vinyl “rubbers” over your shoes and a black umbrella. Pretty ugly.
This one is lightweight with decorative buttons and this black and white check pattern that was so popular in 1950’s wool coats, but on most coats the pattern was in a much larger size. I’ve never seen a vintage raincoat of this style that is printed in an attractive pattern. Still completely practical, but very chic! Also, nicely made – even down to the embroidered fabric tag at the neckline.
What a fun find!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
This one is a favorite of mine. It is of a heavy cotton-type material with a quilted lining. Warm, but not too heavy. Fabulous Forties style and, also, very practical.
The colors are ivory, green and red. It’s perfect for spring and fall weather. The attached belt across the front and some elastic in back give the nipped waist feature that I really love. And, of course, pads in the shoulders. So flattering!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Beautiful true vintage western-wear jacket from the 1950s/early ’60s. Notice the superb workmanship and tailoring (even though it would look best on a size 4 model rather than size 6).
I LOVE the older leather items made in the American west, or in Mexico and Europe. So beautiful! Forgive me if your country has made wonderful leather items, too, and I have not mentioned you here.
The materials are of high quality and have enabled it to last for 50 years with very little sign of wear. Find a jacket of this type and enjoy it for life!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Yes, a lot of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers knitted dresses like these at home! So hard to imagine.
These photos from the Fifties and early Sixties come from McCall’s Needlework magazine – a popular and easy-to-find magazine that could be bought the way we might buy Vogue or Glamor now, on a newsstand somewhere. Of course, knitted dresses were made commercially, too, and I’ve found several. But, the custom-made one-of-a-kind is always the most special.
P.S. Please vote in the Presidential election if you are a U.S. citizen. Get registered if you need to or check your registration status. This is a very important one – not one to sit out. . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It’s the time of year when we start thinking about dressy events, dances and holidays again. I’ll be showing more true vintage formal, semi-formal and dressy looks.
These tops would look great with the velveteen skirt from yesterday. And, I’ve got some formal and dressy frocks that need a special wrap to go with them. Often what you already have in the closet just doesn’t work. That’s the time when our grandmothers would get out their knitting needles and crochet hooks . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 