TRUE VINTAGE HIGH-HEEL STILETTO PUMPS FROM THE UK: A CLASSIC WARDROBE STAPLE 1940’S – 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE HIGH-HEEL STILETTO PUMPS FROM THE UK: A CLASSIC WARDROBE STAPLE

According to moi, one can never own too many pairs of beautiful pumps.  They can be worn with almost anything, are easy to walk and dance in and are tremendously flattering to most women.  Some lucky girls look just as good in anything, wearing flats, but most legs and overall stature are improved by the height and lift provided by a heel.

This pair are sturdy, standard issue, with no particular brand name (I’m not altogether familiar with branding in the UK).  The important thing is the cut and the materials, which are both exceptional.  Though it’s hard to see in the photo, there is a black leather detail on the outside vamp.  Love it!

I’ll have these for decades. The mid-high heel is very versatile and the neutral brown is good any time of year.  Looks great with white and beige in the summer.  I found them in Canada, where British goods are more common, but I find items made all over the world in places far from their origin. That is half the fun and excitement of the hunt. As always, you just never know . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LATEST NEW FIND! MAD MOD 1960’S DAY DRESS IN A FUN, FLIPPY STYLE

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Another home-sewn frock, this time for school or work.  The spots are just from the camera and a little water at the hem – the condition is WONDERFUL!   Thanks for bearing with me in the less-than-ideal publishing conditions.  Can’t wait to put it on Stella or Giselle for a really good presentation.

Soft knit fabric with embroidered ribbon – such a popular trimming at that mid-century time.  Dolman sleeves and a flared hem – pretty style!  It all screams late 1960’s and was another at-home creation that captured some girl’s imagination back in the day.  Most of us get a thrill from shopping, but can you imagine the step-by-step anticipation and excitement of watching a custom-designed frock come together?  Back in the Sixties and before, that’s what a lot of women experienced.

So, I’ve been from classy designers’ elegant designs to stitching on the dining room table in less than two weeks.  What’s coming next?  You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

BRIGHT RED GIRLY DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1960’S – LOVE IT!

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Even though it’s way too prissy for me, yes, I do love it.  There’s a certain genre from that time that this frock fits right into; and, what could be better than a bright hollyberry-red dressy dress right about now?  Below-the-knee length and just right for dancing.

Some women love the bow ties, ruffles and flouncy skirts, and why not?  Sometimes I do, too.  The long, sheer sleeves are pretty.  Just depends . . . . . . But, regardless, this dress was just too perfect to pass up.  It has many of the nice construction details that I appreciate in a quality garment and that are so characteristic of true vintage fashions.

So, Ho Ho Ho and all that.  This one’s going to party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND! “TED WILLIAMS” BRAND TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SPORTSWEAR

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“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

ANOTHER WELL-DONE 1980’S DOES 1940’S STYLE

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This frock is a higher-quality garment with better fabric than the striped 1970’s version shown a few days ago.  Although I’d hardly call 1980’s-era clothing classic true vintage yet, it’s still a characteristic genre that is worth noting and, sometimes, collecting. Doesn’t sound snooty to say this if you realize how much better-made clothing was before about 1970.

I like this one because of the pretty print and vibrant colors on a nice knit fabric, as well as thoughtful tailoring details.  Although it’s hard to see, there are little black jewel-cut buttons above the side-seam pockets on both sides.  Nice touch!  The shoulders also have a bit of stiffening to add the stronger shoulder line of 1940’s styles – and the midi-length.

This one may not stay with me long, but I do appreciate it for what it is and lots of people love 1980’s designs so, here you are!   More fun ones coming up, with additional kitch-value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

 

TRUE VINTAGE 1960s COCKTAIL PARTY DRESS BY CAROL CRAIG

TRUE VINTAGE 1960s COCKTAIL PARTY DRESS BY CAROL CRAIG This is a timeless, year-round-wearable black crepe dress with a full rayon acetate lining. The decorative band at the bottom is of alternating iridescent and black sequins. It has a vintage nylon zipper in back..

By Carol Craig, a popular maker of the ’50s and ’60s, this dress in classic black crepe can be worn all year long. The simple A-line style suits almost any figure and is form-fitting enough to be very attractive while not overly tight. So, anywhere that sleeveless dresses are considered acceptable, so would this dress be. Pretty versatile!

What sets this apart from the tons of black crepe dresses from the 80s, 90s and 2000s that are out there? 1. the fabric (a little heavier) 2. the lining (full – nice material) 3. the workmanship (zipper put in very well, no loose threads everywhere, small hooks and eyes in the right places) 4. the design (the sequin band at bottom is different and nicer than glitzy trims on most things now)

A dress of this quality today (and a lot of them not nearly as nice) would cost an arm and a leg, but my purse is full of songs!  I never know what I’ll find or exactly where, but that’s half the fun!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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McCALLS 1963 NEEDLEWORK MAGAZINE SAYS – START KNITTING YOUR NEW YEAR’S DRESSES NOW!

IMG_1033 IMG_1029 IMG_1034Although these frocks are in pastels and the weather is often dark and gloomy now,  these are the styles and colors that used to appear as soon as the Christmas and holiday season was over.  Late winter/Spring fashions and travel clothing came out in the magazines and department stores back in the day.

For our grandmothers who were crafty, it would be time to start making your dresses like these that do take a little time to create.  Although they would almost always be knitted or crocheted in wool, they really have a Spring-like feel to them and that was what people loved when travel to warmer places during the winter was short or not possible at all.

Lightweight wool goes through 3 seasons very well.  Clothiers and fashionistas have always known this and included smart and beautiful wool garments in their wardrobes almost all year long.  Now that it’s become easier to care for them, with hand-washing and at-home dry-cleaning, I love my vintage sweaters and dresses up until May, too . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE SWEATERS – FOUND IN AUSTRALIA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI always love finding true vintage sweaters in good condition, because they’re rare and a lot of fun to wear.  The weather is certainly right for them now!

The 1960’s top on the right looks very plain but it’s knitted of a yarn with sparkle, even though it is not a dressy design.  Just a cute, everyday item with Happy Days style (and  looks much better on my mannequin, “Madge”, than on the hanger – couldn’t wait to get it home).

The cardigan on the left is the star of this post.  Of soft wool, it is hand-embroidered and the body is lined.  Full-fashioned with hand-tailored details, as was usually the case with good-quality garments made before 1965 or so.  Though there is no tag saying so, it may have been made in British Hong Kong, as many of them were.

Wait till you see the next things I’ve come up with . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S AUSTRALIAN LINGERIE BED JACKETS – SO FRILLY & FEMININE

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAIt seems that the Australian women really loved these beautiful lingerie items.  I’ve found many in North America, but not as often as when I traveled there.  These are some of the prettiest ones I’ve seen, of those made after the 1940’s.  Nothing can beat the silk ones from before 1950!

Aside from the size differences between our two continents, there are some slight design features that are different, too. The Aussie versions seem to always be of two layers, or lined!

Perhaps this is because they have been imported from England (or the designs have), where cozier items would be more popular due to the dampness there.  It’s a bit of a mystery, and part of what makes these investigations so fun and so interesting . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY CASUAL SUEDE LEATHER JACKET

True Vintage 1950s-early '60s Casual Jacket

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