Category Archives: women’s

PRETTY LITTLE SLINKY KNIT DRESS FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

PRETTY LITTLE SLINKY KNIT DRESS FROM THE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S

I’ve come across many dresses made of this cool, smooth, glossy knit. Most are from the ’50’s and some from the ’40’s. It’s just so comfortable and drapes so well!

This one has a metal zip up the back and a fabric tie belt. There is no tag anymore, but I’m sure it was commercially-made.

There is piping around the neckline and the armholes. This detail can be done at home, but it’s tricky to do really well.

It’s another in-between casual to dressy day dress. It seems there were lots like that because, until the ’60’s, most women and girls wore dresses or skirts every day, for all activities that were not really casual (like sports or a picnic) or at-home.

I often get compliments when wearing something like this to town. Older men like it because it reminds them of how women dressed when they were in their younger years and women spot it as unusual, even if they’re not sure it’s vintage. If they do know it’s vintage, it takes them right back to – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

MOST SIMPLE TRUE VINTAGE EVERYDAY GINGHAM DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1960’S

MOST SIMPLE EVERYDAY GINGHAM DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1960'S.

MOST SIMPLE TRUE VINTAGE EVERYDAY GINGHAM DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1960’S

MOST SIMPLE EVERYDAY GINGHAM DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1960'S

Remember what I said about gingham a couple of days ago? Well, here it is again, in the simplest, cutest everyday dress from about 1963, give or take. In spite of the simplicity, look at the nice little details on the bodice and neckline. Yes, I would wear a slip with it.

Whenever I want to feel really cool, comfy, cute and lost-in-time I’ll put this one on and just be happy. It’s the right thing to wear to the Dairy Queen (if I ate sugar . . . . ). Small dipped cones are a good 7-year-old’s memory. And, no, I don’t own stock in the company.

Believe it or not, this one has an embroidered tag inside – “Stacy Anne” one of the four sisters”. I’ve never seen it again. Does anybody know that brand?

You could probably find something similar at a store today, but it still wouldn’t be the same. It would never make you get off your track in the middle of a paragraph . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S SUNDRESSES

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S SUNDRESSES.

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE – PROBABLY FROM THE 1960’s

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE – PROBABLY FROM THE 1960's.

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE – PROBABLY FROM THE 1960’s

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE - PROBABLY FROM THE 1960's

To change gears a bit today, here’s an example of a beautiful handcrafted item. It’s an evening purse made of black velvet and satin with metallic embroidery all over, front and back.

It was probably made in Hong Kong or Europe and took someone a long time to do by hand. These sorts of items were much more available back in the day. I suppose that you can still get them now, but only overseas or in very specialized shops.

Handiwork of this kind and exquisite workmanship used to be seen in fashion items that middle-income women could afford to buy, at least once in a while. Although it was generally done overseas, many of the major department stores sold it in their better departments. It’s difficult to find now. The hand-crafted items that are sold today generally can’t compare in terms of their quality.

Keep your eyes open for little items like this, hiding here and there. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

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

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LITTLE GINGHAM DAY DRESS

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S LITTLE GINGHAM DAY DRESS.

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LITTLE GINGHAM DAY DRESS

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S LITTLE GINGHAM DAY DRESS

Don’t you just love this one? Well, I do. Gingham isn’t for every day, but it is for always. I love it in shirts, shorts, skirts, frocks, tablecloths, curtains . . . . . . . . . nothing says “vintage” like gingham!

The best things about this one, aside from the great fit, are the neckline detail and the cross-stitch embroidery near the hem. I think that this must have been handmade (oops – as if all clothing were not!).

Anyway, it’s cute as can be and has a very fetching, though lady-like fit. I’ve seen a number of garments with cross-stitch embroidery from this time period, and it seems like it’s often done on gingham. Duh – wonder why – saves a lot of counting – have you ever done cross-stitch? Then you know what I mean – shades of 8th grade home ec.

My, how I do digress – but that’s what true vintage does! It transports us to other times, other roles, foreign lands, fantasy situations – the movies! What better way to go tripping? Well, cruises are nice, a martini or two . . . . . . .

Oh, the vagabond and wayward life of a magicvintagespy. Who knows where the next assignment, or what diversion may take place in the meantime? You just never know . . . . . . . . .

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S CASUAL KNIT DRESS BY LADY CAROL

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S CASUAL KNIT DRESS BY LADY CAROL.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S CASUAL KNIT DRESS BY LADY CAROL

Here’s a fun, very casual day dress from the same time frame I’ve been showing. It’s a knit for Summer, late Spring or early Fall.

This is just an ordinary frock that anyone might have in their wardrobe for everyday wear. Might have been purchased through a catalog, or have been at a store.  The Lady Carol brand is or was located in New York but I’m sure their garments were sold very widely.

It’s just one of those things we like to have on hand that are comfortable, very easy to wear, appropriate in most places and easy to launder.

One can still be elegant dressed in something like this, that doesn’t require any fuss or bother. Many women knew how to do this – it’s a great way to create a little mystery . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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