Both of these garments were custom-tailored in the late 1950’s to early 1960’s. Here’s the holiday dress from last year properly modeled on Stella, finally – just look at those wonderful rhinestone buttons and belt buckle. Try finding those now! I’d tend to wear it at Christmas, but it would be beautiful at a dressy Thanksgiving dinner, too.
The skirt is a new find, in a slightly deeper red, which I love. Dresses are great, but I’m always happy to find separates because of their versatility. Now I have something true vintage to wear with pretty blouses and sweaters.
Black is always superb, but I love red and these unusual finds just put me in the holiday spirit!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
I’ve just found several lovely handbags and will show them to you over the next few days. Remember, I promised that there will be several warm-weather items coming along with the more seasonal (for the northern hemisphere) kinds of things.
This one is a macrame’ type of weave (the kind of thing that women were really keen about doing at home in the 1970’s), but was done commercially, with not a mistake to be found and on a small scale. Most home-made macrame’ (not all of it) is much larger so it’s wonderful to find a hand-made item in a small, elegant size and style.
The purse is fully-lined in white fabric, with a small inside pocket and the maker’s label inside, too. This was the way that they made these bags in the Fifties and Sixties. The outside is the important part, as the inside is almost always very plain.
Nothing looks nicer with a Spring or Summer frock, casual or dressed-up. In every true vintage wardrobe, a small selection of white bags is a must!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Here’s a fun find which is different from anything I own (so far). I’d put this on with my black wool sheath and some black leather boots! It’s a perfect partner to the dress shown earlier today.
Can’t say who made it as the label has gone missing, but I suspect that it was a from women’s dress shoppe or a large department store when they used to have specialty departments for millinery, shoes and furs. Ladies enjoyed buying a new hat the same way we focus on shoes today.
As I always say, I never buy modern fur but enjoy the old, old ones while they last.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Sometimes I come across patterns or notions from the true vintage eras that I love. It’s worthwhile to pick them up, and I’ll explain why , , , , ,
Whether you sew or not, if you want to copy or have someone else re-make a true vintage garment, a pattern is a necessity in order to get it right. Unless you are a master at pattern-making yourself, the original cut of the garment will be impossible to recreate and the result will look like retro – not true vintage.
Beyond the qualities of the true vintage fabric and decorations that are used, the identifying factor of a true vintage design is the cut and, therefore, the way that it fits the body. There’s no way to cheat on it and the look of the finished garment is unmistakable.
True vintage notions can make a big difference, too. Buttons, of course, but zippers are probably the most important closure item with regard to getting the fit to be authentic. Nothing will be more correct than a zipper that is like the original in looks and function. And, we know how often one of those might need to be replaced . . . . . . .
So, there’s my little rant on that subject. Of course, there’s lots more to get into if you are a couturier or just an expert needle-worker. But, it’s worth knowing about, and very interesting when you want to get it perfect.
However, nothing is true vintage except real true vintage, no matter how well it has been reproduced. But, if you’re very, very good at faking it, it’ll take a master sleuth to expose you . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Magicvintagespy 