PRETTY EARLY 1960’S DAY DRESS

Here’s one of the loveliest examples of a Kennedy-era day dress I’ve found. The special characteristics that stand out here are the bubbly, happy print and the “whipped cream” texture of the synthetic fabric. They’re features identified with those few years surrounding John’s and Jackie’s “Camelot” and not often done as well since then. Women’s clothing between about 1955 and 1965 combined the elements of feminine style and fun in really wonderful ways.

Although the fabric is a type of polyester or poly blend, the light weight and the fit of the dress make this a cool summer confection. It really makes me think of some kind of dessert. Although I’ve loved the frock for years, the fit never loved me and I couldn’t bear to re-style it. Its a real Marilyn Monroe piece that looks it’s best on a voluptuous figure.

So, I’m happy to let it go to someone who can allow it to fulfill it’s mission. More to come . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BIG CLOSET CLEAR-OUT GETTING STARTED

Oh, my. As always happens to those of us with huge collections of vintage fashion items, the storage capacity eventually becomes overcrowded. My evidence lockers at Headquarters are straining at their limits and a rapid de-classification and release of archived material is imperative. The procedure has now begun, to be accelerated in the last week of June and on into July and August.

To you, my community of agents-in-training and aspiring students, an early look at the items which are going public will be published on this site as promised. Many were produced in the commercial market decades ago and became prototypes for a range of popular mass-produced apparel which has been manufactured in recent years more or less faithfully to these originals. Some are unique one-off constructions which were produced by unidentified or rogue elements of the underground handcrafting couture movement which has been operating in the shadows of popular commerce for centuries.

Look for more posts, beginning today and stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

*If any of you are interested in starting or adding to your collections of archived intelligence, the items described will be on public offer in the eBay marketplace under the seller name Singswing. It’s refreshing for an agent to be able to poke one’s nose out from undercover once in a while though still using an alias.

GREAT “NEW” FIND – VINTAGE HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER WALLET

An unexpected find! I’ve had little to no opportunity lately to be in the field, but yesterday I stumbled upon this wonderful mid-century wallet. It is beautifully tooled, personalized and in pristine condition. Couldn’t be better! As you know, loyal followers, I really love tooled leather pieces from back in the day.

This one is so perfectly done. The workmanship is exquisite and the design is classic tooled leather art. I have only one such wallet, so far, and will love adding this to it’s best match among my leather art handbags.

Thank you MAG (or Margaret?) for passing it along and to my fellow sleuths who have stuck with me during this underground period. There will be more regular posts, probably beginning late this month but one never really knows – so, stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TO MY FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS:

TO MY FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS:

I received word yesterday that Facebook plans to discontinue my page, How To Find the Best in Vintage Fashion, in May. They cite the reason being that the type of account is short on security and needs an upgrade. Sorry, Facebook, but I’m not sure that I want to “upgrade” security with you.

For those of you who have followed me on Facebook, I’m sorry about this news. However, I continue to link with Twitter, LinkedIn, WordPress, Tumblr, Pocket and several boards on Pinterest as well as being available online as Magicvintagespy.com. At the bottom of every post are the available links.

There are big doings happening within the infrastructure of my cell, which is currently operating from a remote location. This is necessary right now. However, when I am able to go to ground at Headquarters once again (probably in June) there will be a large turnover of archived material taking place, with related data-sharing. At present, this is all the intelligence that can be published. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS FORTIES – FIFTIES HAT FIND

FABULOUS FORTIES – FIFTIES HAT FIND

WHAT A CUTIE! So sorry not to have Marlene or Celia here to model it properly but, believe me, this hat is so sweet and flattering. It fits on the crown of the head but can also be worn at a tilt, which is so great. The pedigree of this find is also fantabulous. Glenover, Henry Pollak, Fifth Avenue, New York. This company made hats between the 1920’s and, at least, the 1960’s from what I can find out. In this case, it’s 100% wool velvet, with a sassy little detail on the side. Perfect cocktail or city hat.

It does need blocking and a bit of stitching around the inner hatband. The poor feathers have had it, too, so I’ll need to replace them. Otherwise, just a little touching up will do the job. Aside from deep soil or a tear, there’s not much that will ruin a hat like this one so it’ll be ready to roll in a jiff. Very World War 2 understated or Audrey Hepburn sassy. I’ll wear it a lot!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Rare find – 1950’s or early 1960’s Katz housecoat

While this may not seem exciting to you, it is to me and I’ll tell you why. Katz was in business for almost 100 years, since the late 1890’s, and started off making underwear then branched in several directions until closing in the 1990’s. I have found only 2 items made by the Katz company over all my many investigations, which seems illogical. So, I consider a garment made by Katz to be a rare find. So much for the pedigree – let’s see what else is very cool . . . . .

Another thing about this brand is that, though they seem to have been mid- to low-priced items, the quality of construction is exceptional. All the finishing is very well done and the decoration is made to last. The buttons and lace are of excellent quality. Although this coat is at least 60 years old, it is clean and untorn. We could chalk these two points up to the higher standards of quality usually seen in true vintage garments and the better care of their wardrobes that our mothers and grandmothers took. However, this is still not true in every case. The only things I need to attend to are re-stitching one bit of seam and replacing a button, which I’m sure I already have a good match for.

The design is extremely basic so might be considered boring, but I’ll be keeping this coat because it’s the only one of its type that I’ve seen which is just a mid-thigh length. Very unusual. So convenient and cool. Definitely worth picking up. I also unearthed an accessory item from the same era and with similar credentials. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: Magicvintagespy.com

TO MY FOLLOWERS –

TO MY FOLLOWERS –

Uncovered a couple of neat finds today. The sort of fun wardrobe items I will use often, with plenty of mid-century history and pedigree. Will post soon. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM