Category Archives: wool felt

SPECIAL WARTIME AND POST-WAR STYLES FROM THE 1940’S

Classic designs made subtle changes over the decade which reflect the evolution of style and the social and historical events taking place at that time. Party dresses for special occasions have always been a “thing”. Skirt suits from Utility-style in the mid-’40’s to embellished designs were more like couture garments in the Post-war years. A matching hat was always essential.

High-school Prom tradition is about 100 years old now. The popularity of skirt suits for women began about the same time. Since about 2000, traditional styles in both these categories have shifted in major ways, so the focus on these types of garments in my investigations has gone from around 1920 through the 1990’s, with the spotlight on 1930’s – 1980’s. The Forties through the Sixties have been my favorite decades for classic structured suits, as they were more like two-piece dresses before and after and very trendy in design. Good luck finding a true vintage suit or Prom dress from the 1920’s or even the ’30’s but after 1940 the clues are still out there.

Although there were some very nice styles from the 1920’s and 1930’s, the prettiest suits and formal dresses, in my opinion, came from the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. Lots of attention to detail, flattering fit and high quality. In decades after that, frocks were not as interesting and suits were generally more boring, too. Tomorrow I’m going back to late 1930’s – 1940’s for dresses with one or two ’80’s WWII retro styles thrown in. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WEIRD EARLY 1930’S – 1940’S LADIES’ HATS

The late 1930’s, coming out of the Depression, and early 1940’s were very strange times for hats. Little bowlers with chin straps and straw hats looked almost like women had raided their grandfathers’ closets. After that, hats became really odd and sometimes frankly ugly, in my opinion. Later in the Forties some beautiful hats were worn but, let me tell you, the one’s I’ve seen that have survived have generally been pretty strange. I have a photo of a relative in 1940 who wore a hat along with her wedding suit that looked like a battleship sitting across her head.

Above, we have grandpa’s hats, plus a pretty picture hat and an early wartime model that looks like a cross between a tam-o-shanter and a French beret that have been parts of Naval uniforms. I’m not quite sure how it was meant to be worn.

Later versions with veils and flowers or feathers are softer and more stylish – looking more like what we saw in the Post-war late ’40’s and early 1950’s period. In the meantime mid-’40’s came the fedora styles for women, which are my favorite. Very wearable, versatile and almost universally flattering (and perfect for any undercover agent) but not as interesting.

But, all the pre- and post-WWII fashion trends ARE very interesting and I’ll continue to delve into them. Stay tuned for fabulous wartime Utility Suits and post-war skirt suits plus 3 Prom dresses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE TRUE VINTAGE HATS FOR MID-CENTURY ENSEMBLES

Aren’t these fun and beautiful! From the 1940’s to the early 1960’s, women would hardly leave the house without a hat. Straw, suede, velvet, synthetic mesh, wool felt and ribbon were all used frequently. Artificial flowers and real feathers were, too. The combinations and designs were almost limitless. Finding a hat that flattered you and accented your clothing was an epic quest.

Even though I’ve been told that numerous groundhogs predicted an early Spring this year (yay!), I’ll be leaving the Spring fashions for a bit while concentrating on some beloved and practical vintage wardrobe items that have kept women and men warm on frigid days like the one’s we’ve been living with. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

At Home for the True Vintage 1950’s Holidays – Part 1

Here’s a beautiful 1950’s dress by Lantz that would be perfect for Christmas Eve with family or good friends. It’s made of cozy wool felt with black embroidered decoration. Pure Fifties wasp waist and midi hemline. I love the little stitched decoration trimming the neckline and sleeves. What could be more festive and Christmas-y than a frock like this?

It’s appropriate for the family dinner, no matter who’s there, and could easily go to any type of celebration or event away from home. Cocktails around the fire would be perfect but, at some point, the dresses and sweaters will come off for more comfy duds. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL MID-CENTURY HAT IN EMERALD GREEN – TRUE VINTAGE MADE IN FRANCE

IMG_1508Just recently, I’ve encountered a string of true vintage accessory items.  Here’s one of the cutest . . . . .

A tiny toque style hat that sits on top of the head – not quite a Forties doll hat, but almost.  Perhaps closer to a Sixties pillbox style, but not quite that, either. Good guess that it may come from the 1950’s.

Don’t know what they would have called this design in France, but we can be sure that it was on the leading edge of fashion when it was made, because the French always have been.

Emerald green wool felt, with a grosgrain ribbon and bow detail.  A simple style that packs a punch.  Always fun for St. Patrick’s Day, but this gorgeous color is such a beautiful accent anytime – especially when it enhances the coloring of the wearer to perfection . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TWO FORTIES – FIFTIES HATS – OUT OF WINTER INTO SPRING

TWO FIFTIES HATS - OUT OF WINTER INTO SPRING

Cautiously still in shoulder season – sticking to classic tones and sizes – these can still be called Spring hats.  The very special one at left on Marlene would have accompanied a particular suit or frock.  Hats used to be so creative and capable, if carefully selected, of making a stunningly good impression!

The navy wool hat at right on Celia is the perfect one to wear with an early Spring coat in a coordinating tone.  It is simply a classic wardrobe staple and warming when the weather is cool.

Nothing picked up the spirits like a new hat. It seems that women loved them even more than new shoes!  Well, I can understand that, because around your face and shoulders the right hat can make you look absolutely beautiful . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

3 TRUE VINTAGE 1960’s MEN’S HATS – STETSON, FELT OR LEATHER

3 TRUE VINTAGE 1960's MEN'S HATS - STETSON, FELT OR LEATHER

While we’re acknowledging some accessories that were popular for mid-century, how about the ever-present men’s hat?  Men’s vintage clothing is not my specialty, but sometimes I can’t resist. These can look just as cute or smart on women as they look handsome on men.

I still love seeing a man in a hat and, if you watch old movies 1965 and back, men wore hats almost ALWAYS when they were away from home.  There were few exceptions to that rule. Men’s hat styles were almost as important as the trends in women’s frocks.

However, the design of classic accessories seems to morph more slowly than garment designs do and the style changes in men’s hats have been subtler over the decades, though still very important.  Most dress hats are still made of wool felt and will last forever if protected from moths and properly stored.  All it takes is a little brushing once in a while and making sure that it doesn’t get crushed.

This classic brimmed style can go with lots of things, from boho to casual to smart casual to elegant. Remind you of anyone? Come fly with me, come fly away . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

SOPHISTICATED 1940’S LADIES’ HAT OF SUEDED WOOL FELT

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This hat is made of the most wonderful fabric that feels almost like fine suede leather! It’s so hard, sometimes, to photograph black items – I hope that you can see the two bows under the brim in the first photo.  The hat is almost a beret, but has stitched decoration on top and a kind of souffle’ construction so that it can puff up or lay flat on the head.

I suspect that it would be worn more like the first photo, in order to expose the bows above the hairline.  Tricky to do with any kind of hairdo and probably would require hatpins.  What women used to go through to get the “right” look!

So, maybe it was designed to be worn with a sleek head and hair coiled up underneath or massed beneath at the nape of the neck.  It’s fun to wonder what the milliner who designed this beauty had in mind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

BEAUTIFUL MID-CENTURY HAT IN EMERALD GREEN – TRUE VINTAGE MADE IN FRANCE

BEAUTIFUL MID-CENTURY HAT IN EMERALD GREEN – TRUE VINTAGE MADE IN FRANCE.