Tag Archives: 1940’s

ANOTHER PRETTY PARTY SWING DRESS FROM THE 1940’S

Love this color so much, and it’s been fun to wear. The previous two frocks shown have been reproductions but this one’s the real deal. Side metal zipper, generous hem allowance and hand-applied sequin trimming. I believe that this dress was home-tailored.

And, instead of being made from a jacquard or faux satin, it’s a plush red velveteen fabric; couldn’t be more winter-holiday-festive than that! Whether it’s Christmas, New Year’s or Valentine’s Day – just perfect for dancing the night away. . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1980’s DOES POST-WAR 1940’s LUX COCKTAIL FROCK

This gorgeous dress is made from a beautiful, glossy fabric which is reminiscent of vintage rayon satins. The styling elements are true to era and the tailoring is impeccable. This garment was made by a professional, even if in his or her own home! It’s a little big on Stella but you can still see the lovely fit. The back-tie sash helps with that while making a big fashion statement from the rear view.

A woman living in the post-war United States with some money to spend would have been delighted with the renewed availability of fine fabrics and flattering luxury designs with full skirts and long hems – a perfect style in which to celebrate the new peacetime. Made in the more modern version, this frock is easy to wear, easy to store. The purchase was a winner but, though I love the persimmon color, it’s just too big for me. So, time to pass it on to a new home for the holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1970’s DOES 1940’S FESTIVE SWING DRESS

This dress is made very faithfully to style elements of the wartime 1940’s. The zipper told me that it was made during the early 1970’s during the Forties fashion revival of that time, but otherwise it could have been original. Sometimes well-done reproductions are even better in some ways such as ease when dressing (zippers are not in hard-to-reach places) and laundering. However, there’s NOTHING as wonderful as original vintage so I love finding beautiful reproduction garments from eras where a lot of the originals no longer are with us. More to come, in colors and styles just right for the coming season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BRIGHT MID-CENTURY DAY DRESS FROM A TIME OF AUSTERITY

Love the color, the atomic print and collar shape. I believe that this dress was made during the 1940’s, when sewing materials were hard to come by. However, if so, our seamstress didn’t skimp on the hemline. What tells me that this may have been a wartime dress or sewn at a time when money was scarce is the lightweight material in some kind of synthetic and the very pared-down design. The bright color and au courant print for that time speak to how wartime women and manufacturers rose to the challenges during a very difficult era and held on to their fashion-sense.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM