Category Archives: WARTIME

TWO UNUSUAL TRUE VINTAGE EVENING COATS – 1940’S – 1950’S

TWO UNUSUAL TRUE VINTAGE EVENING COATS - 1940'S - 1950'S

It’s still cool enough to wear them for dressy evenings and I love to top my party-wear with these old fur-trimmed lovelies.  The brown one is from the Forties and is of a light-weight wool with dyed rabbit trim.  The black coat is lined rayon crepe with mink at the cuffs – perfect over a little black dress.

This time of year, with Valentine’s behind us, St. Pat’s day and Easter approaching is full of special events going on and good opportunities to dress up a bit.  Never to be missed!  Go forth and enjoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

3 TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – 1950’S VELVET EVENING COATS & JACKETS

3 TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S - 1950'S VELVET EVENING COATS & JACKETS

In three lengths, sumptuous and elegant, black velvet evening wraps from the ’40’s and ’50’s.  Can’t see detail in these photos (black is that way!) but the detail, though lovely, is not terribly important because you can see the lines.

The detail is subtle in the garments – the focus is on elegant simplicity, beautiful fabric and beautiful cut.  What could be better over your choice of evening ensemble?

Besides, they’re very discreet at night, in the dark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A FUN, FUN, FUN FIND! POST-WAR 1950’s COAT WITH LOTS OF NEAT FEATURES

You know I’m not a big coat collector, though my behavior this season might make a liar of me – so many fantastic vintage examples have come my way.  Couldn’t pass this one up.  It was sold by the old bargain department store where so many mid-century women shopped – Woolworth’s – and carries their label.

For one, the blue and gold plaid is unusual, as well as the scalloped collar and pocket flaps – this is a style more often seen in the 1930’s and 1940’s.  The swing cut and midi length are almost always signs of the early mid-century time, too.

The feature which surprised me most is the zip-out pile lining – so practical and progressive for that era (I thought!).  Without the liner, the wool shell is medium weight and has a nice black lining of rayon or acetate – good for spring, fall and mild winters.  The liner has complete sleeves that end in ribbed cuffs to make the coat truly warm for cold winters.  Such a perfect outerwear garment to be sold to modern mid-century women who were practical and thrifty to a fault (having lived through the Depression and WWII) but also ready for style and plenty to come into their lives again, which it did with a vengeance in the 1950’s.

The icing on the cake is that this coat is in almost perfect condition.  Yes, it was worn, but so well-looked-after that you’d hardly know it and those few little signs will be easy for me to repair.  So sorry that it’s way too big for me, but just had to buy it and show it to you, while repeating the story it tells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1940’S SLINKY KNIT DAY DRESS FIND

It’s great to be back at Headquarters where I’m able to show this dress on Stella. A hanger could never do it justice because of the hour-glass fit.

What a treat is always is to discover wartime and post-war garments! I also love the slinky synthetics that were popular at that time. So comfy to wear and the drapey fit is always flattering.

Love the old zippers, too. This one has a metal TALON brand. And, it’s an unusual style for that time, not often seen, but you just never know . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MYSTERY PATIO HOSTESS GOWN WITH SUCH INTERESTING BACKGROUND . . . .

Long, sweeping gown in a beautiful, heavy cotton(?) – the photo on left shows the cut while the photo on right gives the true color and close-up of the interesting print.  This dress has many construction contradictions; some point to 1940’s and some to 1960’s.  Undoubtedly, it was custom-tailored.

Maybe our mid-century tailor was very experienced and knew how to use various methods to achieve exactly the slinky, hourglass fit she wanted.  The bell sleeves and commercial braid trim say 1960’s but the mid-back zipper placement, dip in the front waistline and fabulous art print fabric say 1940’s.  Looks like a film noir hostess gown.    I love a mystery!

Anyway, it’s an absolute beauty and fits me like a glove.  Dresses with the zipper placed mid-back are always a trick to get into and out of – pays to understand the method.  However, when the fit is right and the construction good, it’s a snap.  Tomorrow I’ll show you a cute shift with a clear Sixties pedigree.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SECOND FIND: GREAT GABARDINE JACKET FROM THE 1940’S

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Oh, I love this – just my style.  Dark navy gabardine fabric with a fabric-covered belt and interesting details.  Peplum waistlines are so flattering, on the right figure.

This beauty is in such good condition for it’s age.  I do need to replace the tattered lining and re-install shoulder pads, but that is a minor repair.  The best things are the authentic 1940’s styling, the belt in great condition, the quality fabric and tailoring.  I’ll wear it forever.

What’s next?  You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FIND – MORE LINGERIE SLIPS FROM WARTIME AND POST-WAR

Fabulous!  Both these slips are rare finds, but the one on left – the oldest – is REALLY RARE.  Let me describe them both, and the most fascinating details –

The long slip on right is a post-war 1940’s – early 1950’s length.  Look at the beautiful embroidery on the bodice.  It’s a very small size (not unusual at that time), but I can wear it and it’s perfect under many of my dresses from that era.  Nice to have the hemline lower for those midi-length frocks.

The shorter slip on left is the real elusive find.  It’s made of cotton or cotton blend, which is extremely rare and sought-after for wear during the warmer months.  I have a couple in white, but BLACK is like WOW!!!!!!!  Black sheer summer dresses in my wardrobe will get a lot more wear now.  Also, look at the bodice decoration – cute embroidery and RUCHING, which is rarely seen and an older style of embellishment.

The red color of the lace may be due to the effects of perspiration over time.  It’s so uniform that I’m not sure about this, but could be that the lace is of a different fabric content (likely) which reacted to the chemicals in sweat.  It could be re-dyed but it is kind of pretty as is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

POST-WAR DRESSY DINNER FROCK, CUSTOM-TAILORED IN SOUTH AMERICA

Here’s another dressy frock from Montevideo, Uruguay – probably just a few years younger than her sister shown yesterday.  This dress is stylish, but not as Crawford vampish as the other.  The 1940’s styling has been played down, excepting for the puffy shoulders and embroidered mesh trim.  I forgot to take a picture with the black curly lamb jacket  which was also a recent find, from the early 1950’s.  Would be a perfect wrap over this dress.

No, it is not bare on the bodice.  The mesh has been lined with a flesh-tone panel which is a perfect match for bare skin peeking out at the shoulders.  The tailoring of these mid-century frocks is just astounding, especially when they were hand-made by dressmakers.  The well-to-do ladies in Montevideo would have had much of their clothing custom-made to their specifications and fit.

However, remember the dressing gown from a few days ago?  It was also hand-made, but from France, and probably purchased before the European war.  Many Montevidean women purchased French fashions and accessories back in the day.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WARTIME 1940’S DRESSY FROCK, HANDMADE IN MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY

Though WWII was raging in Europe and Argentina next door was experiencing unrest, the 1940’s were a relatively stable and prosperous time for Uruguay and this shows up in the architecture and antique goods which I discovered there.  The country profited from beef supplied to other countries and the more well-off citizens lived a good life.  Their clothing and household goods reflected that.

This beautiful frock was hand-tailored in a dressmaker’s shop.  All of the embellishment was applied by hand and the tailoring is hand-done, too.  As you can see, it’s loaded with beads and sequins, plus all the little button and loop closures up the back.  Madame must have had a household staff, one of whom helped her dress and looked after her wardrobe.  I love the 1940’s styling with the big, padded shoulders and ruching at the hips.  These funny hip details were flattering only to slim figures, but they’re loads of fun, anyway.

So, a real treasure find.  I’ll show you her younger sister tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

PRETTY ’80’S DOES ’40’S FROCK – LOVE THIS VERSION!

What a fun and versatile dress!  I’ll enjoy wearing this one lots of places.  It’s another pretty faithful re-creation that made it worth picking up.  Lovely floral print rayon, a flouncy neckline ruffle, side zip, midi hem and, of course, shoulder pads.

Most retro fashions are not worth much more than for the rubbish heap, but a few makers paid some attention to quality and authentic design.  Well done!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM