Velvet pillbox with a huge satin bow behind. And, lined in brilliant red. Originally from the Sears & Roebuck Millinery Department. Pretty cool!
So timeless and elegant, it’s another forever find . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
“My gosh – look at the time! It’s coming up Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and I must think about winter sweaters – many of them may be Christmas gifts.” Our grandmothers were likely saying things like this to themselves right about now, if they hadn’t been knitting since last July!
Such cute and sophisticated handmade beauties – no comparison to what’s in the stores (especially now). Even if your family didn’t take an annual ski-trip to Vail, Colorado or the Swiss Alps, sweaters like these were popular wardrobe items.
If you love old movies and sit-coms, like I do, you’ll see plenty of them along with “stretch pants” and stirrup pants for everyday as well as being ski-wear. If you can do this kind of needlework, Bravo! I just have to keep my antennae alert for the real thing . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Today, on a more-or-less routine survey, I had wonderful good fortune. I’m just about to re-examine and photograph my newest acquisitions and get them ready to post on the blog. Because I have already scheduled postings for the next three days, expect to begin seeing these on Sunday, Nov. 13.
Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
These McCalls magazine needlework ads would make you think that our grandmas’ lives were all about simple fun in the kitchen and scheming to get their husbands to give in to their wishes.
That’s the stereotype, isn’t it? I wonder how much of that is true? Don’t think I want to go back there, but the sweater is gorgeous!
Hand-knits from that era are really special, sweet and innocent styles . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
I have collected a number of these, from ’30’s to ’60’s but I’ve NEVER seen one made like this! The outer shell is of nylon and looks like what I’m used to seeing, with common decoration of embroidery and lace at the bodice – familiar pearlized buttons at the neck – but THE WHOLE THING IS LINED IN PINK FLANNELETTE! How warm and cozy is that.
Makes me wonder if there’s a Great Britain connection here – they’re always chilly there and looking for ways to warm up. Our filmy lingerie of North America doesn’t quite do it in the damp air over there. This bed jacket could easily have been imported by someone who moved here, or by a British retailer in Australia.
It’s been so much fun to discover the differences between the vintage garments that were sold here in Australia and those at home. And, I’m only a third of the way through this investigation . . . . .
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
Here we have a Lanz Originals cotton flannel gown from the 1960’s. Yes, the hearts & flowers print is too sweet but for this kind of quality and warmth, I bit and bought. I always trust their true vintage clothing to be well-made and classic – in fact, they’re very traditional. Not my favorite, but on a blustery winter night by the fire . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
McCalls needlework magazine from 1961 has patterns and instructions for these neat tops. It was one of those times when the fashion gets really playful. My most recent finds on this trip are ’60’s!
Not quite so intimidating as trying to make some of the dresses and coats, but challenging enough! There’s no mistaking the styles from that time and I’ll be showing more . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It’s the details and the fit that make these things so wonderful! That’s what I love about true vintage and hand-constructed clothing. Check out these photos from a 1950’s needlework magazine, given to me by a woman who did this every year.
For a woman who had the skills to make these, it must have been so much fun to look through the new knitting magazines. These weren’t runway styles that were out of her reach!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Remember this bridal dress and veil that I had a surprise chance to acquire from the bride’s daughter about 6 weeks ago? Well, here it is in all it’s glory. Thought you’d like to see it, too.
I had no idea, on the hanger, how charming and pretty it truly is. And, there couldn’t be a better model for it than Stella. . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 