TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY SEPARATES FOR SPRING AND SUMMER

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Not always the most exciting things to find, but I am always thrilled because true vintage wardrobes cannot be built without them.  What will you wear with that great 1940’s skirt or pair of slacks?  What blouse will be just right under the beautiful skirt suit?

I also love these garments because of the fabric and tailoring.  A hand-knitted sweater from back in the day is always a great find because they’re RARE and much more nicely crafted than machine-knit mass-produced clothing in the stores today.  I love the Forties/Fifties style of this one with gathered shoulders and ribbed cuffs, fitted waist and a scalloped boat neck.  The short-sleeved shirt is a well-tailored cotton version, so common during the 1950’s and early 1960’s for everyday wear.  The pale pastel palette will be just right with skirts, shorts, jeans and summer whites.

I hit the separates jackpot which I’ll continue to show you tomorrow.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WELL-MADE 1980’S DOES 1940’S DAY DRESS

via WELL-MADE 1980’S DOES 1940’S DAY DRESS

WELL-MADE 1980’S DOES 1940’S DAY DRESS

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This is a very cute dress, faithful in many ways to the styles and fabrics of the 1940’s.  Women of that time with moderate means would wear designs like this for work and general day-wear.

Although I’d prefer the real thing,  many 1970’s and 1980’s garments that were doing the Forties thing are worth adding to the wardrobe.  Not much since then.

Notice the interesting buttons, geometric print, slash pockets and waist treatment.  It was also made by Damon’s, a division of Damon and Draper, well-known clothier since the early 1900’s.  This one has found a place!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TIME FOR GLAM AGAIN – LUXE WOOL KNIT BEADED JACKET FROM THE KENNEDY-ERA 1960’S

via TIME FOR GLAM AGAIN – LUXE WOOL KNIT BEADED JACKET FROM THE KENNEDY-ERA 1960’S

TIME FOR GLAM AGAIN – LUXE WOOL KNIT BEADED JACKET FROM THE KENNEDY-ERA 1960’S

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Despite the flash glare, the color of this evening jacket is elegant black black.  There were several companies and up-scale department store brands who made high quality clothing in dense wool knit in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s and here is one example.

Some have survived so well because of their quality and because owners looked after them.  I have a few garments of this type, but not a black jacket so was thrilled to discover this one.  Nothing could be more classic, versatile and wearable for evening.  As always, I look forward to photographing my latest discoveries on the models back at Headquarters so that they are properly displayed.

More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER MID-CENTURY HANDBAG FIND, BUT SO DIFFERENT!

via ANOTHER MID-CENTURY HANDBAG FIND, BUT SO DIFFERENT!

MID-CENTURY COTTON DRESS BY POLLY FLINDERS

via MID-CENTURY COTTON DRESS BY POLLY FLINDERS

MID-CENTURY COTTON DRESS BY POLLY FLINDERS

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Children’s vintage clothing is not my specialty, but when I see a classic dress that has survived in such good condition I usually pick it up.  Polly Flinders brand made pretty, traditionally-designed frocks for babies and children during the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s.

What could be more classic than cotton with hand-smocked design.  Babes, toddlers and pre-schoolers have been wearing similar little day-dresses for decades.  Unfortunately, we all know what usually happens to children’s garments . . . . . . . it’s lucky if they last long enough for the next  brother or sister to wear them before they’re ready for the rag bin.

So, here’s a piece of history that WILL get passed along many decades later.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST RIGHT FOR SPRING! A TRUE VINTAGE COTTON HANKIE WITH NAUTICAL DESIGN

via JUST RIGHT FOR SPRING! A TRUE VINTAGE COTTON HANKIE WITH NAUTICAL DESIGN

JUST RIGHT FOR SPRING! A TRUE VINTAGE COTTON HANKIE WITH NAUTICAL DESIGN

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Traditional for Spring since I-don’t-know-when.  Red, white and blue nautical and sailor motifs have been standard fare forever when the new February fashions come around.  This one is a perfect handkerchief to carry in my “newest” purses!  No well-groomed mid-century gal would have been caught without one.

Fine cotton with a neatly hand-finished edge.  I’ve never seen a design like this before, though hankies for daily use were just as common as packs of paper tissues are now.  Most seemed to have floral motifs, however, so I cherish something unique like this one; also souvenir hankies and other unusual pictorial designs.

True vintage accessories are always fun and daily-use items like this example are rarely found in such pristine condition.  My discovery experiences have been full of amazing surprises lately and they’ll keep on comin’.  Stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM