Category Archives: women’s

INCREDIBLE FIND!!!!! 1930’S – EARLY 1940’S DRESSY FROCK . . . . . AMAZING!

I just LOVE discovering garments like this!!  So old – in such good condition – so cute and detailed – my size . . . . . . .

A Depression – World War II era pretty frock for dancing, dining or partying.  Black crepe, belted, with ruffles at the hem, sleeves and bodice.  Lace overlay and pink blossoms at the decolletage.  Little shoulder pads. Hard to imagine that it was custom-tailored, but there’s no label remaining.  A bit girly for my taste, but when it comes to true vintage I don’t quibble.

Just like so many of the dresses I see in the old movies that I love!  So, another example of what makes life so much fun . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

AUTHENTIC TRUE VINTAGE CUSTOM-TAILORED SHIRTWAIST DRESS – 1940’S/1950’S

AUTHENTIC TRUE VINTAGE CUSTOM-TAILORED SHIRTWAIST DRESS – 1940'S/1950'S.

A FABULOUS EARLY 1950’S JUNE WEDDING – IN HANDMADE LACE

A FABULOUS EARLY 1950'S JUNE WEDDING – IN HANDMADE LACE.

SINCE WE’RE IN A VACATION MOOD, TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S TOP BY TIFFANY TRAVELER

SINCE WE'RE IN A VACATION MOOD, TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S TOP BY TIFFANY TRAVELER.

SINCE WE’RE IN A VACATION MOOD, TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S TOP BY TIFFANY TRAVELER

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Way before L.L.Bean, etc. there was at least one designer making a line of clothing meant for travel. Cool and light, with wrinkle-free ease.

This pretty top by Clair Tiffany is a fun example and a surprise for me. I’ve come across her garments only once or twice before. Synthetic material, with an atomic/abstract print and front tie decoration. Pure turn-of-the-Fifties-to-Sixties style and the colors are unusual, which is one of the best things about true vintage clothing and accessories.

Yes, the advances in fabric treatments have come a long way since then and the convenience factor in travel clothing has grown, but the vintage versions are much prettier and more interesting than what we can buy now. Have you looked through a sampling recently? Bor – ing . . . . . .. . . . . .. at a very high price . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

A GORGEOUS TAILORED DRESSY FROCK – TRUE VINTAGE FROM THE SIXTIES

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SLEEVELESS FROCK IN PRETTY YELLOW POLKA-DOT FABRIC

TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S SLEEVELESS FROCK IN PRETTY YELLOW POLKA-DOT FABRIC.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! 1950’S NEEDLE-WORK PATTERNS THAT FOLLOWED RUNWAY FASHION IN EUROPE . . .

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! 1950'S NEEDLE-WORK PATTERNS THAT FOLLOWED RUNWAY FASHION IN EUROPE . . ..

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! 1950’S NEEDLE-WORK PATTERNS THAT FOLLOWED RUNWAY FASHION IN EUROPE . . .

IMG_1478McCall’s magazine  was a real stand-by for our thrifty and talented Grandmas who wanted to keep up with the latest fashion trends.  They could knit and crochet wardrobes that kept them feeling stylish at a fraction of retail costs, and have a lot of fun doing it!

From what I’ve seen online, the well-known pattern makers for seamstresses like Butterick and Simplicity did the same and were even more popular.  Practically every home had a sewing machine, but some women probably still had the skills to do everything by hand if necessary.

Although it was a lot of work and must have felt like another chore in times of necessity like the Depression, it also gave women a lot of creative freedom.  When they had the time and the funds to  be choosy about fabrics and to adapt their own touches to a pattern or add decorations, knowing how to do this and having the support of companies that sold the things that they needed was a real relief from economic and social limitations that may have faced them every day.

Today, people find that creative freedom by doing things online and go to Walmart to ease their financial hardships during tough times, but it’s not the same.  Somehow, the old way seems more attractive in some ways.  Your thoughts?

By the way, I’ve got several fabulous “new” discoveries and am preparing them to show you . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE FLOWER POWER MID-1960’S DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE FLOWER POWER MID-1960'S DRESS.