Again, my good fortune kicked in with this find.  Gowns of this genre in almost perfect condition are rare discoveries.  The only flaws are a few small tears at the bottom of the netting skirt (it is so hard to keep heels from catching there) and some shoulder strap repair needed.  One could hardly expect the original owner to make it through a night of dancing and partying  without suffering a casualty or two (even in 1955).  She did very well!

Very easy to fix or disguise, and the dress is otherwise beautiful.  Makes me wonder where it was worn and what the evening was like.  A tailor or experienced seamstress can easily make a new strap from original material in the skirt and no one will notice the little tears near my ankles so, party on!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

via BEAUTIFUL COTTON SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS IN THE MID-CENTURY STYLE

Right on the heels of that gorgeous hand-knit dress shown yesterday I discovered this beauty, very faithful to the classic shirtwaist style of the 1940’s, 1950’s and early 1960’s.  It’s of a sheer cotton, with pretty floral embroidery.  Perfect to wear with a pretty, but plain, cotton lingerie slip.

It is beautifully-tailored  and in perfect condition.  I suspect that it is a more recent retro style, but cannot date it exactly. No label.  No matter, it is so lovely that I’m over the moon.  I may change out the buttons to old pearl ones but otherwise am completely happy with this discovery.  Glad to stay in the 1950’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

This 2 – piece dress is a super-rare find and in fabulous condition!  Handmade in the early 1950’s, the yarn is a very glossy, heavy type and the overall style makes it a dressy garment.  I’m amazed at the condition of an item like this after more than 60 years!

Some woman did her needlework magic in order to have a frock that was the current style, in a color and pattern that suited her.  Such a pretty soft pink, it is perfect for cocktails.

I’ve only had one of these so far, but my incredible good fortune lets me understand the details – a friend’s mother gave me one very similar that she had knitted for herself in 1952.  It was also very carefully conserved.  Thank you, Rosalie!

More Fifties finds on the way . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

via PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE NYLON SLIPS USHER US INTO THE 1950’S

Last, but not least, in Santiago I uncovered this lovely lingerie.  The wonderful colors of the 1950’s always make them worth collecting – but I buy good examples even if they’re white!

The quality and decoration can’t be beat by anything made since the mid-1960’s.  As always, they’re so comfortable and important under garments from the mid-century era.  My latest finds are just around the corner – well, a little farther than that . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

via STICKING WITH 1940’S STYLE . . . . . . .

This frock is a retro version from the 1980’s.  Of heavy cotton in a pretty floral print and with an attractive design, it was worth picking up.  Although you can’t see the detail well in this photo, it has a wide, ruffled neckline, padded shoulders and puffed short sleeves, covered buttons and a gored, full midi-length skirt.

Looks very nice on!  I will enjoy wearing it and not having to be quite so careful of it – investigations can sometimes get a little messy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

via FORTIES INGENUITY FOR THE LADY-IN-WAITING

From Santiago de Chile, I always love finding cotton day frocks but this one was a wonderful surprise – styled with snaps at the sides of the waist, which allow it to be worn throughout a pregnancy!  I’ve never come across this type of true vintage maternity garment before.

This one was just an everyday, off-the-rack frock.  Santiago is a very old city, but without the history of elegance of Buenos Aires (oops, I’m going to make some enemies here).  This dress had evidently come from abroad, as the tag is in English.

At any rate, I’m thrilled with this find and had a couple more that were worth picking up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM