Category Archives: wiggle dress

TRUE VINTAGE 1950S LINGERIE SLIP OR DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950S LINGERIE SLIP/DRESS VALENTINE'S DAY STUNNER

This amazing slip (or dress?) is something I have seen only once.  It is of all-over lace, with a red nylon lining, side zip and a side slit.  It has construction features of a slinky dress but in all other ways is made like other lingerie slips of that era.

Imagine wearing this under your party frock or, if you are more daring, alone. Perhaps you won’t want to wear it until after the party . . . .

In any case, it’s a true vintage knock-out item with that great Cat-on-a-Hot-Tin-Roof feeling. Would be a nice little anniversary or Valentine’s Day surprise. When I found it I certainly couldn’t resist.

It was a bit too small for me and I no longer have it (sob).  My only regret now is that I can’t photograph it on Stella, who it would fit to a “T”.  Eat YOUR heart out, Elizabeth Taylor . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S WIGGLE DRESS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

TRUE VINTAGE 1950S WIGGLE DRESS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

Oooh!  Wish I had a party to go to – you can be sure I’d wear this.  By Jonathan Logan in cherry-color velveteen.  Deep V-neck front and back, back zip.  The straight sleeves have short zippers at the wrists – a surprise feature that I’ve rarely seen excepting on wedding dresses.

Looks good on Madge, huh?  You can be sure that there are no pockets! Nothing shows off the figure like a “50s wiggle dress or 1930s bias-cut gown.  Women wearing these look nothing but elegant because they are cut and made so well.  Let’s bring back the days of high-quality, elegant AND alluring clothing again (but till then, I’m thrilled to be the Magicvintagespy. ) And, you just never know . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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MADE FOR A BOND GIRL? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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The most interesting dress – by Lawrence Kazar  New York and it looks like a “daring” mid-’60’s design to me, but may be 1980’s as I can’t find any earlier history on this designer.  The fit is slinky and small but the armholes are cut very low and it’s styled to wear without a bra.  That’s a trick to do effectively but this design succeeds.  If your dimensions are right, it’s a knockout!!

Besides the bra-less top, the most distinctive feature is the peek-a-boo waistline which was sometimes seen around 1965 or so.  It’s very nicely tailored and such a gorgeous color.  So, Mod or Dynasty, I really couldn’t care less.  Oh, James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S COCKTAIL SHEATH DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S COCKTAIL SHEATH DRESS

While we’re in a New Year mood, here’s a really special dress from, I believe, the 1950’s. It’s more or less a cocktail style, but could go to dinner and dancing, too.

Originally, it had nude netting on the front bodice and upper back, with skinny binding around the armhole area and the neckline.  The purpose is to give a bare look, without the bare.

Very elegant but, unfortunately, the material had some small holes which could not be repaired. I could not locate material of the same type for a replacement, so I reluctantly removed it and restyled things a bit to make skinny straps instead. It works! Being versatile is an indispensable skill.

I love this dramatic pointy accent on the front! The fabric is also very elegant – probably a rayon that looks for all the world like silk shantung. And the hourglass shape!

Worthy of Peggy Lee any day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

A TRUE VINTAGE LBD FROM THE SIXTIES – THIS ONE DEFINITELY FOR DANCING!

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE LBD FROM THE SIXTIES - THIS ONE DEFINITELY FOR DANCING!

If you’ve ever seen a good dancer wearing one of these, you’ll know what I mean. The fringe around the hem just doesn’t know when to quit!

Some dresses have fringe all over, and that’s just WILD. But, a fringe at the bottom lets you remain demure and sophisticated (why is everyone staring at me?) while your dress gets all the attention.

This one is a sexy black crepe sheath, with a fitted waist. Stay VERY cool, and it could be a great costume for hiding in plain sight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FIND! FUN SLINKY KNIT MOD 1960’s PATIO DAY DRESS BY ALLEGRO

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Came across this one yesterday and it’s the first I’ve had with this kind of T-back neckline.  Time to dig out the specialty bra.

The things I love best about it are the sunny-fun art print and that wonderful heavy, slinky fabric that was available for a few years.  It’s so delicious on the body and drapes so beautifully.  No, it can’t compare to the gorgeous jersey-knit fabrics from the 1940’s but it is identifiable as part of the family.

So, although it’s kind of a poor cousin, it’s also a very fun find.   This is because its pedigree out-ranks the quality of most all the casual poly clothing that has drowned us in the marketplace since the early 1960’s, with the value and workmanship moving farther down the scale every year.  There’s an embroidered cloth tag from a recognized maker, elegant styling and beautiful material – clues that come to light when you snoop carefully. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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VA-VA-VOOM! HERE’S THE MID-CENTURY LILLI DIAMOND FIND – AS ONLY STELLA CAN WEAR IT . . . . . . .

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This is a real pure silk, fully-lined knock-your-socks-off wiggle dress.  I’ve been encountering a lot of those lately.  Naturally, the fit is a bit snug behind.

In addition, it’s beautifully-tailored, with all the elegant and sophisticated touches that would be expected in a higher-end well-made garment.  However, I don’t think that this was clothing only for the elite.  Many of our mothers and grandmothers might have had one like it hanging at the back of their closets.

So, it’s just been one delight after another, as usual.  I’m still not done showing things that were found during the past few months when my models were nowhere in sight so, stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

“NEW” FIND – ’50’s – ’60’s SEXY SECRETARY WIGGLE DRESS!

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Love this fit!  So Marilyn Monroe in the movies . . . . . . .

The fabric is really pretty, even though this is just a very average dress for the time.  It’s probably a woven rayon blend but has nubby black thread going through the plaid and the beige has a real pinkish tone – one of those unusual materials that make true vintage clothing so interesting and attractive.   On the fold-over collar there’s a little buttonhole thing that you can see and there’s a big button in the middle of it – but not in the picture.  I had taken it off to do a little stitching.  I love the large button touches on so many dresses of that time.

Anyway, it’s a very fun fashion in a lot of ways and I’m so glad that it was waiting for me!  And,  it wasn’t the only one.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – 1960’S PANTYGIRDLE WITH GARTERS

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - 1960'S PANTYGIRDLE WITH GARTERS

So, here you go – with the bullet bra shown yesterday, this is what you need beneath your sweater and pencil skirt.  Because, ladies, a firm foundation is mandatory.

Without it you’d look just, well, . . . . . . . . sloppy, to put it nicely.  Of course, I say this with a smile but that was very much the standard of the time.

Watch old movies from about 1960 to see how it’s supposed to look.  And, after all, you do need a garment to support your stockings. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A FUN FROCK FROM THE FORTIES

A FUN FROCK FROM THE FORTIES

More from my favorite(?) decade.  This little cutie is a crepe number – very popular in the 1940’s. It’s a day dress and I love the cute trim details!  Heavy enough to wear in the cooler seasons, too.

I had another very much like it with plain pockets which I saw worn in a popular movie from that time – just about the same color as mine, too. That was a thrill.

This one is really more gold than yellow but, between the digital camera and the funky light, it’s hard to tell. Women enjoyed fashions like this with their quirky details in the forties. A lot of the clothing from past decades really makes me smile.

This is another teeny one with a side zipper and front buttons to the waist. The trim gives kind of a peplum effect – peplums were also a popular style feature then. I’ll show at least one more soon.

I just love shirtwaist dresses from that decade – one of my favorite true vintage styles. The crepe fabric doesn’t move as much as rayon, but still drapes really nicely – a hallmark of many 1940’s garments for men and women. Swish!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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