Category Archives: WARTIME

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’s COTTON PRINT HOUSECOAT

TRUE VINTAGE 1940s COTTON PRINT HOUSECOAT

Not as elegant as the item posted yesterday, but wonderful in its own way.  This sturdy cotton housecoat with a cheery floral print was just an everyday item, it has survived all these years primarily due to it’s quality fabric and solid construction.

In one way, it was a mess when I found it – covered with brownish spots that had undoubtedly been there for years.  But, I know a gem in the rough when I see it and said “I can fix that!”  And, with confidence and experience, I did.

It was well worth the gamble.  Often this is true – sometimes it’s not and it is better to walk away.  Knowing when to walk away is one of the skills I have picked up over the years and has saved me a lot of trouble and expense.

This one, because of its age, was a rare find – but not so awfully rare for the Magicvintagespy .. . . . . . . .poof!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’s DAY DRESS IN RAYON

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940s DAY DRESS IN RAYON

Imagine a woman, after the second World War – during a time of rebuilding and relative prosperity, when hemlines were longer again (no more rationing of cloth).  She is walking down the street in this dress, platform shoes, a hat and matching handbag.

The lovely, heavy rayon material swings in time with her steps and outlines her figure attractively.  She is a woman of upper-middle income, on her way to a business appointment.  Or . . . . . . . .

This lovely rayon material from the 1940s is unique and very wonderful stuff.  It has a feel and drape like nothing found today.  I love the navy/white bulls-eye print with turquoise/white trim.

I bought this one from a long-time antique collector/dealer.  You just never know . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’s UMBRELLA

TRUE VINTAGE 1940s UMBRELLA - iT'S SPRING!?

Okay, so you’ve decided to go out tonight and you’ve got a great outfit but it’s raining !!! An umbrella is required to protect your clothing and your good humor. SO, how about carrying a great one from the ’40s, with a Lucite handle?

This beauty turned up for me completely by surprise, at a place where I found some wonderful ’50s dresses (stay tuned).. I have some other vintage umbrellas, but this is the most spectacular of them all. There’s nothing like it made for many years, so you’ll be sure to attract attention. What a great vintage accessory!

Although I don’t carry it when I don’t want to be noticed, it does go nicely with my black trench coat. . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE JEWELRY FINDS ON THE FLY

Haven’t had much time to sleuth, since I’m just about to take off again – BUT – my eye is always peeled for hidden treasure and I found it!  My first jewelry purchase in a while as I’m picky in that department.

Picky paid off today in a gold-tone Trifari bracelet from the 1950’s or ’60’s and a graduated necklace of black glass that is ’50’s or decades older, strung on a knotted cord.  Smart-looking, timeless mid-century accessories with elegant styling and high quality manufacture.  I’ll wear these for years!

It was a spur-of-the-moment investigation and I’m always prepared for those because – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN,  THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

A FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE LADIES’ HAT – 1940’S / 1950’S

A FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE LADIES' HAT - 1940'S / 1950'S

One of my very favorites – this Spring hat is so distinctive and unusual. With classic lines and straightforward coloring, but a surprising and flattering asymmetrical trim.

That feature reminds me of a green hat that Greer Garson wore in the WWII movie Mrs. Miniver. To die for . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

MY (PERHAPS) LOVELIEST COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE 1930’s – 1940’S PEIGNOIRS

 

MY (PERHAPS) LOVELIEST COLLECTION OF 1940'S PEIGNOIRS

Of rayon and silk, these pretties are some of my best, or most interesting. The embroidery on the two right ones is unusual and the ’40’s white dressing gown is a style that I have seen only 2 or 3 times.

From the glamour days of motion pictures and film noir –

While we’re still snuggled inside, during the transitional weather, these little indulgences are a real treat.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

MORE TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S FOOTWEAR FROM THE SHOE MUSEUM

MORE FORTIES FOOTWEAR FROM THE SHOE MUSEUM

Here’s a real variety of styles in a more casual group. They all look very Spring-like!

Also, imagine these cute, stylish versions in full leather and/or other quality materials, hand-made.  No wonder they’re still around for us to admire.  What a dream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

RARE TRUE VINTAGE 1930’S EMBROIDERED PUMPS

RARE TRUE VINTAGE 1930'S EMBROIDERED PUMPS

A rare surprise find for me – these beautiful pumps in excellent condition, from the 1930’s. Unusual to find shoes from that time in the first place, but with fabric uppers and in such good shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

These might look lovely with a Spring party or tea dress. They would also be beautiful with a tailored outfit for every-day. Of course, that depends on your every-day wardrobe . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

STUNNING TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SHOES AT THE SHOE MUSEUM

STUNNING TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S SHOES AT THE SHOE MUSEUM

Here’s another great collection of sling-backs & pumps.from the shoe museum in Mexico City. Look at the decoration on the vamps and the peep-toes. LOVE peep-toes!

Can you imagine owning beautiful designer styles like this, in 100% leather construction, done by hand?  Heaven!  Used to be, shoes like that were available in most shoe stores.  Now they’re all made of ticky-tacky and they all look just the same.

’40’s shoes are some of my very favorites, and such a pleasure to see so many examples in such beautiful condition.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

LIKE THE LAST 1940’S JACKET AND SKIRT? HERE’S ANOTHER!

LIKE THE LAST JACKET AND SKIRT? HERE'S ANOTHER!

This is one of my very favorite jackets – a lighter-weight rayon/synthetic number with an abstract print in brown on ivory, with black velveteen collar, cuffs & buttons. I wear it with a modern (80’s or 90’s) black silk skirt, at present.

Somewhere between the late Forties and the mid-Fifties this garment with an atomic print made a very stylish statement. It is utterly unique and I LOVE it!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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