Wool felt with leather interior and exterior hatbands – it’s a quality item that was sold by a western-wear dealer in Denver, Colorado. This one could be several decades old or just a couple – that’s how durable and stylish true vintage apparel is!
When it’s taken care of, it lasts and lasts and never goes out of fashion.
What could be better than that? Tomorrow we’ll see . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
For Spring or Fall – or any time the temps are in that mid cool-ish range – a lightweight 3-season wool knit skirt suit by Butte Knits. I LOVE the olive drab color and the flattering fit.
This is one of a few examples I’ve found of mid-60’s suits like this, or similar. The high-end knits are so comfortable and easy to wear, but ready for just about any setting. It’s also two separates that can easily be paired with other skirts or pants for a different look.
I think my Aussie friends down under would love a garment like it at this time of year . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Though it’s not by a high-end designer, it would have been right for Jackie Kennedy. This lovely wool suit was just the thing in 1962. So well-made, with all the little tailoring details that are so important.
One of my favorite things about it is that the mink collar is lightly stitched on, so that it can be easily removed. It’s nice to have that choice.
Not my color, unfortunately, so I recently put it on eBay but I have two other colors very similar which I can wear. It’s fun to see how all of them are as alike as colored Easter eggs, yet each one is different . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
So wonderful!!! Another mid-century pencil skirt – as I’ve said, you can’t have too many. As usual, this one fits perfectly and has the expected tailoring details of a well-made garment. Ignore the camera spots – it’s beautiful.
Love unraveling the stories of every find; this one was custom-tailored of a soft wool, with acetate liner in the seat. Tailors used to do this with wool skirts to prevent stretching of the fabric from sitting. I love the well-constructed waistband and side closure plus the fantastic fit.
Easy to dress up or down. A basic black piece like this is always chic and when the quality is high plus a perfect fit, that’s what makes the difference between attractive and elegant – between fashionable and chic – between nice-looking and truly well-dressed. Our grandmothers knew that, and most European women haven’t forgotten.
Would go nicely with the cocktail sweater I found and showed you a few days ago. I plan to wear it with vintage jackets, blouses and sweaters. I’ve discovered a trove of skirts lately – more to come . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Fabulous condition, too! It needs a button, but I can do that. I may even have a matching one in my stash. So fun to find one of these in great shape.
This type of sweater was such a common and vital part of a man’s wardrobe before 1965. After that, styles changed and these weren’t seen as often. The classic golf sweater carried on the design, but is of a completely different genre.
College boys, Dad and Grandpa used to sport around in these cardigans during Happy Days and Mad Men times. Sometimes they’d be worn with a casual shirt and tie. Great- and great-great granddads had their versions, too. I don’t find one very often but, when you’re sleuthing, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It’s unusual to find a woman’s golf sweater – very mid-century sporty. Love the turquoise color. I’m not sure yet whether this knit is of acrylic or wool – there are no tags for content or care. Regardless, I’ll get a lot of use from this one!
It’s got classic design features like the little front pockets (that are still stitched closed!) and 2-button trim on each side seam at the waist. Of course, an embroidered cloth label giving the size in inches.
Fun, fun, fun! I’ve got some men’s clothing to show you, too . . . . . . . . … . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Although these frocks are in pastels and the weather is often dark and gloomy now, these are the styles and colors that used to appear as soon as the Christmas and holiday season was over. Late winter/Spring fashions and travel clothing came out in the magazines and department stores back in the day.
For our grandmothers who were crafty, it would be time to start making your dresses like these that do take a little time to create. Although they would almost always be knitted or crocheted in wool, they really have a Spring-like feel to them and that was what people loved when travel to warmer places during the winter was short or not possible at all.
Lightweight wool goes through 3 seasons very well. Clothiers and fashionistas have always known this and included smart and beautiful wool garments in their wardrobes almost all year long. Now that it’s become easier to care for them, with hand-washing and at-home dry-cleaning, I love my vintage sweaters and dresses up until May, too . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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“My gosh – look at the time! It’s coming up Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and I must think about winter sweaters – many of them may be Christmas gifts.” Our grandmothers were likely saying things like this to themselves right about now, if they hadn’t been knitting since last July!
Such cute and sophisticated handmade beauties – no comparison to what’s in the stores (especially now). Even if your family didn’t take an annual ski-trip to Vail, Colorado or the Swiss Alps, sweaters like these were popular wardrobe items.
If you love old movies and sit-coms, like I do, you’ll see plenty of them along with “stretch pants” and stirrup pants for everyday as well as being ski-wear. If you can do this kind of needlework, Bravo! I just have to keep my antennae alert for the real thing . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This was another surprise discovery and I was absolutely amazed! Someone safeguarded this lovely outfit for decades in the back of her closet. It’s hardly been worn, if at all.
Aside from the killer ’40s fit, look at the tailoring details on the jacket – the piping on cuffs and collar and the little “pocket” at each shoulder, just for fun!
There is a maker’s label on the jacket facing. Lightweight wool material in a tattersall check of ivory, black, sky blue and cranberry. The jacket is lined. The skirt swings. Love it! I have lots of suits from the ’40s – ’60s and love to mix and match the jackets and skirts with other items from my wardrobe, as well as wearing them as a suit for certain occasions – there’s nothing more arresting and pulled-together-looking. Great way to make an impression.
Love fun surprises! but, ah well, it’s all just in another day of sleuthing . . . . you just never know. .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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These McCalls magazine needlework ads would make you think that our grandmas’ lives were all about simple fun in the kitchen and scheming to get their husbands to give in to their wishes.
That’s the stereotype, isn’t it? I wonder how much of that is true? Don’t think I want to go back there, but the sweater is gorgeous!
Hand-knits from that era are really special, sweet and innocent styles . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
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