Category Archives: winter

TRUE VINTAGE END-OF-MOD WOOL SHEATH DRESS

IMG_1737The cut and design of this frock, as unremarkable as it looks (especially in this picture), told me immediately from when and what it was!  It’s a soft wool knit from the late 1960’s.

Beautiful fabric!  And, like the wool dress from a couple of days ago, no itch factor here.  Of course, I’ll still enjoy a gorgeous lingerie slip underneath on a cold, wintery day.  The crocheted trim breaks up the plain lines and the fit is lovely.

So glad that I’ve discovered so many  in-season items recently that are appropriate for this cold that most of us are experiencing now.  For those of you who are not, I’ve still got several summery finds coming up, too.

Later today, I’ll post a little rant about design with pictures  of the true vintage tailoring tools I recently found and how they’re a help to sewing and altering, if that’s something you like to do.  If not, it’s still good to know some of the things that make the difference between  real deal vintage and the copy-cat retro fashions.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S HAND-MADE CLASSIC LEATHER SLINGBACK PUMPS

IMG_1717What a great color to find!  Deep charcoal gray, in a very classic style.  They’re a perfect companion for most Fall and Winter vintage (or modern, if I must) skirts, casual dresses, suits and slacks.  The best thing, of course, is the construction.

Not only do they have a leather upper, which can still be found these days, but they have a full leather sole.  So, I can keep them forever and have them repaired when necessary.  Try that with a cheap synthetic sole – no way.

Another of my favorite features in true vintage shoes are the leather insoles. And, if they’re printed in gold with the brand name that’s the very best!  Amazingly, I often find that the gold lettering has stayed on really well, even when the shoes had been worn quite a bit.  These show only light wear, with no need for repairs for a long time.  The hardware on the straps, too, is top quality and won’t ever break.

It’s so much fun finding things that won’t call for any special occasion to wear, and  the mid-heels can do anything!  These pumps will become part of my everyday closet.  Love being transported in time on a daily basis . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE “EIGHTIES DOES FORTIES” OXFORDS: WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

CLASSIC, CLASSIC, CLASSIC LEATHER OXFORDS TO WEAR WITH MY FORTIES FASHIONS . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

About this time of year, the fashion magazines begin showing the “new” Fall styles and, inevitably, I see clothing and accessories that echo many of the wonderful true vintage items in my closets.  These oxfords are officially “vintage” from the Eighties, even though they’re styled after shoes from forty years before that!

Just goes to show that everything that goes around comes around and that is so true with fashion. Of course, some decades do it better than others and having some superbly made originals can be the ultimate best.  I’m happy with these, because they’re still made of good leather with Vibram soles, and should continue to last as long as the 1940’s originals would do.

My original 1940’s ones are still my favorite, but they’ll come later. I’ve got a ton of shoes to photograph and you’ll be seeing lots over the next few weeks. These are from…

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TRUE VINTAGE “EIGHTIES DOES FORTIES” OXFORDS: WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

TRUE VINTAGE "EIGHTIES DOES FORTIES" OXFORDS: WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.

MORE TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES FROM THE ’50’S AND ’60’S

VERSATILE TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES AND SHIRTS – NEVER TOO MANY!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

MORE TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES FROM THE '50'S AND '60'S Today I’m showing some of my day – to – day blouses in colors, prints and solids. . . . . . hues that can go year-round.  From left to right, they go from the early 1950’s to mid – 1960’s.

The dressier one, which is also sheer and lightweight, is on the left. Rhinestone buttons give it a girly touch. The way we do things now, it can be worn with a casual outfit but it would still look lovely under a suit or with a pretty skirt, as it would have been worn back in the day.

This cotton selection (the 3 on the right) has longer sleeves than my hottest weather group, but they’re so classic that they can really be worn any time and add fun to my wardrobe.  The classic print on the center one and 3/4 sleeves are style elements that are favorites of…

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TRUE VINTAGE MEN’S SHIRTS FROM THE 1950’S THAT I LOVE TO WEAR!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE MEN'S SHIRTS FROM THE 1950'S THAT I LOVE TO WEAR!

These shirts are small men’s or large boys’ sizes that I can (just) wear and I LOVE THEM!!!! The fun stitching detail on the blue one and the fabulous print designs on the red ones are wonderful.

These were all commercially – made garments. The boys’ ones may have been sold in chain stores like J.C. Penney or Sears and Roebuck or Montgomery Ward – maybe elsewhere.

The boys’ shirts are made of a quite substantial cotton and the blue one, which is a man’s size, is lighter weight and might be a vintage rayon fabric, which is almost always really nice because of how it feels and fits.

Of course, these shirts don’t have a feminine fit, but still can look amazing on us girls and are so much fun to wear. A really nice edge-into-Fall element for your wardrobe, and I’ll be showing more . . . …

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SMART & CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE ’50’S – EARLY ’60’S

SMART & CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE '50'S – EARLY '60'S.

A CUTE LITTLE ’70’S NUMBER – ONE THAT’S ALMOST TOO SWEET

Traditional, classic lines keep coming back, decade after decade.

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

A CUTE LITTLE '70'S NUMBER - ANOTHER ONE THAT'S ALMOST TOO SWEET

I guess it’s just the high neckline. Lots of dresses from the early ’70’s (except the hippy/prairie/boho styles that were popular then) have a very innocent, girlish look about them. Have you seen the Prom dresses from that time? Watch the movie Footloose.

This one is unremarkable in its tailoring, but it was just that ’70’s cache’ that made me bring it home. I must admit, it is a very classic style and can be done beautifully if it’s with quality materials and exceptional workmanship. But this one just takes us on a daydream journey back 40 years.

It’s fun to watch old movies from that time (or That ’70s Show, I guess), just to see how awful some of the clothing was. Uh, oh – I’m going to get myself into some big trouble here.

But seriously, the dance scene from Footloose is a good tutorial on ’70’s Prom dresses…

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MORGANA MANIFESTS MORE! TRUE VINTAGE FIFTIES FUR JACKET – ELEGANCE FOREVER

MORGANA MANIFESTS MORE! TRUE VINTAGE FIFTIES FUR JACKET – ELEGANCE FOREVER.

A GORGEOUS TAILORED DRESSY FROCK – TRUE VINTAGE FROM THE SIXTIES

A GORGEOUS TAILORED DRESSY FROCK – TRUE VINTAGE FROM THE SIXTIES.