Category Archives: wool

FINALLY! TRUE VINTAGE EARLY SPRING COATS FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

FINALLY! TRUE VINTAGE EARLY SPRING COATS FROM THE 1940'S - 1950'S

Yes, these are still wool coats, but lightened up in color and style. They definitely have a Spring-like feel, though still substantial enough to ward off the frigid temps that are hovering in many places.  No matter Global Warming, etc.;  some years are still pretty cold and some places continue to freeze while others turn balmy.  I’ve heard it was recently -30 degrees in southern Ontario, Canada!  That means, also,  Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho,  Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York . . . . . . . . . and cold nights in many other places

In other words, don’t write off the importance of having a fabulous true vintage wool coat or two (or 3, or 4 . .. . . . . . .).   I love heavier ones for deep winter, but these are such cute, girlish/ladylike designs – they put a spring in my step (no pun intended, but why not!). Very neutral, so they can complement the pastels that we want to start wearing now.

I just love the design details of these mid-century, wartime and post-war outerwear garments with big collars and buttons, smart trimmings, fun pockets and beautiful fabrics.  From preppy to I Love Lucy – It’s fun to have all three and to pick the one that’s just right . . . . . . . . . .

 

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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ELEGANT WOOL & MINK COAT FOR THE COOLER MONTHS – TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY

IMG_0975     I came across this beautiful coat while planning for another investigation trip.  Already own a number of similar ones, but I couldn’t resist the elegant lines and perfect condition of this one.  About this time of year, I begin thinking about coats, as well as sweaters and wool dresses.

Gorgeous sculptural buttons, satin lining and, of course, the pretty collar.  Although I don’t approve the fur trade, I will buy true vintage fur pieces sometimes.  This collar looks so trim and elegant and the coat hangs beautifully.

Black is also perfect.  Can’t have too many like this!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER UNUSUAL FIND FROM MY CLOSET – TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950’S COAT

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Love this true vintage coat!  Beautiful wool, by Sterling, also with a one-button closure and lovely shawl collar.  This kind of sumptuous material is pure vintage and the pattern makes it unusual.

Neutral colors make it perfect for any cold season – autumn on into winter.

It was a surprise find that I snapped up in a flash!  Most of my finds are that way, which is what makes vintage-hunting so much fun and such a wonderful bargain.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY FALL COATS & JACKETS TO MAKE AT HOME!

IMG_1030 IMG_1048 Need a new coat?  Well, in just a few minutes of your spare time . . . . . . Right!   McCalls Needlework Magazine used to publish patterns for projects like these all year.  In the 1950’s and 1960’s it was so common.

Aren’t they beautiful? – But, can you imagine making one??  Your grandmother might have.  I rarely find a hand-knitted one now, but once in a while . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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A CLASSIC MID-CENTURY TRUE VINTAGE CASUAL SWING COAT

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This lovely true #vintage #coat is in a brown tweed with flecks of other warm colors and has a brown acetate lining. Though the photo doesn’t do it justice, it is really cute and has a nice swing.  It makes me think of Britain, though I think it was made in the U.S. – “a Petite by Fashioned”.  It’s so classic and of high quality that I can’t say exactly when it was made.

I love the little straps with buttons that decorate the collar on either side of the neck.  Little touches like this are the delight of true vintage items and aren’t done nearly as well (if at all) on more modern #clothing.

This coat closes with only one hidden button in front.  I have one or two others like this and several, as well as capes, that don’t close at all or just at the neck.  I wondered when  I wore it the last time if it would be warm enough in 20-something cold.  It was just fine!

So, don’t let lack of button closure discourage you from buying a great vintage coat if you #find one that you love.  Adding a belt is always a cool option, if you want to.

I was thrilled to find it – I’ve never seen another like it.  True vintage is so original!  You just never know . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TWO UNUSUAL TRUE VINTAGE EVENING COATS – 1940’S – 1950’S

TWO UNUSUAL TRUE VINTAGE EVENING COATS - 1940'S - 1950'S

It’s still cool enough to wear them for dressy evenings and I love to top my party-wear with these old fur-trimmed lovelies.  The brown one is from the Forties and is of a light-weight wool with dyed rabbit trim.  The black coat is lined rayon crepe with mink at the cuffs – perfect over a little black dress.

This time of year, with Valentine’s behind us, St. Pat’s day and Easter approaching is full of special events going on and good opportunities to dress up a bit.  Never to be missed!  Go forth and enjoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE SWING COAT IN BLACK, WITH PHENOMENAL BUTTONS!

This true vintage beauty from the ’50s or early ’60s was another surprise find.  In textured wool, 3/4 length in a swing design (love that), angled pockets, wing collar and a silky satin black lining.

Label from Marshal Field & Company, Chicago.  The buttons, of plastic or bakelite, are carved to reflect light in such a way that they sparkle as though there were rhinestones! I’ve never seen buttons like this before (and I’ve seen LOTS of vintage buttons).

Like new.  Looks great on!  It was stuck in with a lot of other nondescript coats.  You just never know . . . .Image

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

GREAT TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S WOMEN’S BELTED WOOL CAR COAT

IMG_1138     Whoa!  It’s too big for Stella (or Madge), and for me – but, I love finding wonderful things anyway.  This, I believe, is a vintage size 16.

This coat has a quilted lining and two big pockets.  The wing collar folds over and buttons at the neck for extra warmth.  Perfect for casual good looks on errand day or going to the football stadium in October.

It’s missing the original maker’s name tag, but has a women’s garment worker tag and, hidden under the lining, the tag which I think indicates the size.  Nicely finished and made to last.  Finding it certainly contributed to making my day!  Such fun . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGSPY.COM

 

WHAT A RARE FIND – CUSTOM-TAILORED WOOL COAT WITH A MATCHING HAT AND HUGE PEARL BUTTONS!

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This unusual ensemble was hand-tailored – and beautifully done!  I just love finding true vintage garments that have been custom-made.  The workmanship is often astoundingly fine.

Just look at those great buttons, too!  Rarely have I found these, plus that hat.  The fabric is a beautiful marled woolen weave in Autumn colors and both pieces are fully-lined.

A wonderful discovery from the late 1950’s – early 1960’s.  Wowee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A FUN, FUN, FUN FIND! POST-WAR 1950’s COAT WITH LOTS OF NEAT FEATURES

You know I’m not a big coat collector, though my behavior this season might make a liar of me – so many fantastic vintage examples have come my way.  Couldn’t pass this one up.  It was sold by the old bargain department store where so many mid-century women shopped – Woolworth’s – and carries their label.

For one, the blue and gold plaid is unusual, as well as the scalloped collar and pocket flaps – this is a style more often seen in the 1930’s and 1940’s.  The swing cut and midi length are almost always signs of the early mid-century time, too.

The feature which surprised me most is the zip-out pile lining – so practical and progressive for that era (I thought!).  Without the liner, the wool shell is medium weight and has a nice black lining of rayon or acetate – good for spring, fall and mild winters.  The liner has complete sleeves that end in ribbed cuffs to make the coat truly warm for cold winters.  Such a perfect outerwear garment to be sold to modern mid-century women who were practical and thrifty to a fault (having lived through the Depression and WWII) but also ready for style and plenty to come into their lives again, which it did with a vengeance in the 1950’s.

The icing on the cake is that this coat is in almost perfect condition.  Yes, it was worn, but so well-looked-after that you’d hardly know it and those few little signs will be easy for me to repair.  So sorry that it’s way too big for me, but just had to buy it and show it to you, while repeating the story it tells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM