So, here’s an earlier version of the dinner dress genre that I showed a couple of days ago. See again the sheer sleeves and over-skirt and classic design elements (the bow tie, self-belted waist and ruffles). Though not a specific retro style, it harks back to special occasion frocks that have been made just about forever.
However – and it’s a big however – this design does not have the level of elegance and true timelessness of the black style I just showed. When you look at it, you know immediately that it is dated. Pretty, if that’s your taste, but dated. A truly elegant garment strikes you first with it’s attractiveness and then takes you a while to decide whether it’s new or not, even if you can decide.
Yes, true vintage for sure but the best of the best? In my opinion, No. That’s just my style bias and fashion arrogance for the day. I still nabbed it and consider it a worthy culprit in the True Vintage Intrigues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Although I’d much rather wear one of my real 1940’s crepe dresses, this one has some nice styling touches. It’s one of the better ’80’s does ’40’s designs I’ve seen. Please forgive that it is a couple sizes too large for Stella.
The augmented shoulders are done well and the whole dress drapes nicely. The back neckline has a keyhole opening that does away with the need for an ugly back zipper. I like the sheer sleeves, too, and the sheer overlay on the skirt. These features were frequently seen on similar dresses made in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Though you can’t see them because of the blouson, there are tabs at each side of the waist that add a nice touch to the design and allow the wearer to adjust the fit – another plus, as far as I’m concerned.
So, rather than being an obviously hop-on-the-fashion-bandwagon retro dress, this frock is simply a well-designed garment with some classic styling elements that make it elegant in any decade. That’s always the best of the best, no matter when it was made.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
An all-round perfect dance dress from the 1970’s. 
Pretty styling on the shoulders makes up for the otherwise ordinary construction. However, for the Seventies it’s a nice example and couldn’t be better suited to dancing the night away. The perfect dress for Karen Carpenter or Olivia Newton-John.
Since it’s not my color, I probably won’t end up keeping it but thought it worth a pick-up for it’s iconic value.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
HAPPY TURKEY DAY EVERYONE! We have so much to be thankful for, and I’ll think of all the excitement and happy times that this mid-century smock has probably seen over the years while I enjoy a beautiful meal at sea.
This is probably the oldest smock I’ve discovered, of delicious cotton that is SOOOOOOOOO soft now. Of course, it was meant to wear while cooking or doing housework, but I may wear it as a summer top, too. Over pants, shorts or a skirt it will be very cute!
I love to imagine the stories that my true vintage garments could tell and, if I look closely, I can find clues. This one tells of how hard it worked, but still held up for many, many years. It tells of how meticulous it’s wearer was in preventing stains, burns or tears. The only damage, which I fixed, was caused by the number of times that sash had been tied on . . . . . . . .
Thank you, also, to you – my faithful followers – who have stuck with me for years and to all who have enjoyed the fun and surprises with me.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
