Category Archives: WWII

TRUE VINTAGE FUR ACCESSORIES FROM THE ’30’S, ’40’S, ’50’S & ’60’S

TRUE VINTAGE FUR ACCESSORIES FROM THE '30'S, '40'S, '50'S & '60'S

It’s still not too late to glam it up with fabulous fur accessories, especially during the variable March weather . . . . . . . our mothers and grandmothers had to be prepared to look chic no matter what!

Marlene and Celia have been waiting for another chance to get into the picture.  Here you see them modeling a variety of mink accessories, with the exception of the black muff far left, which I believe is of rabbit fur and has a small zipper compartment and the black hat, which is curly lamb.

Whole skinned animals, with heads, feet and tails (and little glass eyes) were popular as stoles in the 1930’s & 1940’s, maybe the ’20’s, too.  Big “Eeew!” factor for a lot of people now.  I’ve already covered the fur issue so, if you love real furs (and animals) stick to 1960’s and before.

There’s a dark brown mink scarf that closes with a big mink-covered button (very elegant) and a blonde mink “dickie” to wear at the neckline under your coat.

The hats are probably the most visible accessory when you’re first seen – these are super-flattering but also will be warm. So, when you’re forced to take to the sidewalks, just remember —- to be well-dressed at all times is a gift to yourself and everyone who sees you.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE SHORT BLACK GABARDINE JACKET FROM THE 1940S.

TRUE VINTAGE SHORT BLACK GABARDINE JACKET FROM THE 1940S.

Even though I’d want a heavier coat or jacket over this for winter, I’m often wearing a jacket inside all day this time of year.  For cool days and evenings, I love the trim, square shape of this jacket though the shoulders are not heavily padded.

Nice nipped waist, zip front, cuff detail, front welts and it may have tab detail at the waist and, maybe, the wrists.  It’s simple and tailored with a crisp look.

Not many of these are around now in excellent condition like this one.  Very special – I was thrilled to find it!  Looks equally good with pants or a skirt – that’s the beauty of this short style.  The lack of length means that I could wear it with any style skirt – pencil or full.  So versatile!

Love the ’40s.  This one takes me right into film noir, walking the dark city streets with my private investigator boyfriend, looking out for the murderer . . . . . . . . around that corner?  You just never know . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGSPY.COM

 

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE SWING COAT FOR SPRING, FROM THE LATE 1940s TO EARLY 1950S.

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE SWING COAT FOR SPRING, FROM THE LATE 1940s TO EARLY 1950S.

I LOVE this mid-century  coat!  It’s so post-war / early 1950’s . . . . . .  Great for Spring, Summer and Fall.  Of a light to medium weight rayon blend, it falls to below the knees and has a black acetate lining.. Obviously, it would like more room in my closet!

The collar, those big plastic buttons, the black/white pattern plus the shape tell its date, along with the fabric and the cut.  In the last decade or so we’ve seen modern copycats of this black/white coat.  The black/white check was popular again in the early to mid 1960s, but didn’t look like this one.  The styles change, sometimes in a subtle way, each time there is a repeat but the fabrics and details are usually more likely to tell the different decades apart.  Certainly the newer ones are easier to tell because the older fabrics just aren’t duplicated now.

It’s great to have a small steamer on hand if your space gets a bit crowded to keep things wrinkle-free, though I still haven’t found one that I really like. They’re easy to use and, when used properly, won’t harm clothing.  Be careful that yours doesn’t spit drops of water that can leave spots on some fabrics.  Safer and easier than ironing, most of the time.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

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

MY MOST QUIRKY, OLDEST EVENING COATS – FROM THE 1930’S & 1940’S

MY MOST QUIRKY, OLDEST EVENING COATS - FROM THE 1930'S & 1940'S

These black crepe coats are so fun and individual – I really love wearing them!  While not being fully antique, they are earlier examples from the ’30’s & ’40’s.  One may be from the early ’50’s . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .

On the far left, the characteristic feature of this one are the shoulder tails, which are folded across the front in this picture.  It also has a deep slit in the back hem – almost a long jacket, rather than a coat.

In the center is a rather plain, tailored black crepe coat, but you can see the scalloped hems on the sleeves.  Perfectly elegant and discreet.

On the right, a plain, one – button front crepe coat with ivory lining, deep side slits and mink cuffs at the elbows.  Hardly inconspicuous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

3 TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – 1950’S VELVET EVENING COATS & JACKETS

3 TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S - 1950'S VELVET EVENING COATS & JACKETS

In three lengths, sumptuous and elegant, black velvet evening wraps from the ’40’s and ’50’s.  Can’t see detail in these photos (black is that way!) but the detail, though lovely, is not terribly important because you can see the lines.

The detail is subtle in the garments – the focus is on elegant simplicity, beautiful fabric and beautiful cut.  What could be better over your choice of evening ensemble?

Besides, they’re very discreet at night, in the dark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SECOND FIND: GREAT GABARDINE JACKET FROM THE 1940’S

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Oh, I love this – just my style.  Dark navy gabardine fabric with a fabric-covered belt and interesting details.  Peplum waistlines are so flattering, on the right figure.

This beauty is in such good condition for it’s age.  I do need to replace the tattered lining and re-install shoulder pads, but that is a minor repair.  The best things are the authentic 1940’s styling, the belt in great condition, the quality fabric and tailoring.  I’ll wear it forever.

What’s next?  You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FIND – MORE LINGERIE SLIPS FROM WARTIME AND POST-WAR

Fabulous!  Both these slips are rare finds, but the one on left – the oldest – is REALLY RARE.  Let me describe them both, and the most fascinating details –

The long slip on right is a post-war 1940’s – early 1950’s length.  Look at the beautiful embroidery on the bodice.  It’s a very small size (not unusual at that time), but I can wear it and it’s perfect under many of my dresses from that era.  Nice to have the hemline lower for those midi-length frocks.

The shorter slip on left is the real elusive find.  It’s made of cotton or cotton blend, which is extremely rare and sought-after for wear during the warmer months.  I have a couple in white, but BLACK is like WOW!!!!!!!  Black sheer summer dresses in my wardrobe will get a lot more wear now.  Also, look at the bodice decoration – cute embroidery and RUCHING, which is rarely seen and an older style of embellishment.

The red color of the lace may be due to the effects of perspiration over time.  It’s so uniform that I’m not sure about this, but could be that the lace is of a different fabric content (likely) which reacted to the chemicals in sweat.  It could be re-dyed but it is kind of pretty as is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND! DRESSY POST-WAR UPTOWN RAYON DAY DRESS

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Made probably in the late 1940’s by a small designer/tailor, it has all the hallmarks of hand-tailoring – pinked seams, reinforcing at the waist, hand-stitching.  Love it!

Someone loved this frock very much because it is nearly in perfect condition.  Somewhere, sometime she lost one little rhinestone from a button.  That’s all.  Then, when her estate was unpacked, someone lost the original belt.

You just can’t find good help anymore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM