Tag Archives: 1940’s

THE FIRST OF TWO FABULOUS MID-CENTURY FINDS – NEW LOOK CUSTOM-TAILORED BALL GOWN

This gown is hand-tailored with extreme attention to detail.  It would be worn with a crinoline for a full, bell-shape.  Because of the styling, I would guess that it was made in the early 1950’s but, possibly, as early as the late 1940’s.  A special occasion dress, of course, and there’s hardly any evidence of wear.  Maybe it was even made for a Prom or Homecoming dance back in the day.

Women were so happy to dress in longer skirts, sumptuous fabrics and new styles after the austerity of the war years.

I’ll be showing a sister gown tomorrow – very similar style and probably made a few years earlier.  What fabulous discoveries!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY SMOCK TO REMIND ME OF FAMILY KITCHENS ON THANKSGIVING DAY

IMG_1756HAPPY 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

 

 

 

PRETTY, PRETTY WARTIME – POST-WAR NYLON BED JACKET BY ROGERS

OK, head back 10 to 20 years for another frilly, girly piece of boudoir lingerie – a beautiful bed jacket, the likes of which has disappeared from our modern wardrobes.  This was another of the lingerie luxuries that women enjoyed until the 1970’s.

Delicate and beautiful, items like this were common in average women’s closets.  They seem a bit over-the-top for everyday wear today, but in mid-century life were (and are) very practical for before bed and early morning activities while women were wearing their nightgowns, without sacrificing feminine mystery.

Gotta tell ya’ – it beats throwing a hoodie or sweater over your pj’s in a cool house. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

OPENING THE TREASURE CHEST – TRUE VINTAGE LABELS ARE SO MUCH FUN

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Classic true vintage ’40’s – early ’50’s style, custom-tailored by Rosalie Couturier.  I loved finding this dressmaker’s personal label in the waistband of this beautiful frock!  What a nice surprise since it was hidden.  The best labels, like this one, were embroidered on cloth.

It’s amazing that this beautiful garment has survived 60 – 70 years in such wonderful condition.  Its original owner obviously loved it and cared for it well.

Lovely rayon fabric, with stitched-in pleats on front and back – bodice and skirt.  So many little hand-done details.  Beautiful, big sculpted shell buttons, fabric-covered belt.  A little wear there on the buckle, but that is the only flaw.

And, when I got it home it fit Stella beautifully.  Perfection!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE CLASSIC COTTON SUMMER BLOUSE

IMG_1486 IMG_1487I’ve left the shirt un-ironed to show that it is 100% cotton, rather than poly or a blend.  And the feel of true vintage cotton – so soft and wonderful after being washed, worn and loved for a while!

The close-up shows some of the detail that covers the front, with tucks and crocheted lace.  A 1/2 inch ruffle goes all the way around the hem.  Few blouses made in the U.S. have this amount of gorgeous, high quality decoration – even the old ones!

For that reason, I wonder if this one was made in Europe where they routinely made glorious cotton garments like this one – maybe still do . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

RARE EARLY MID-CENTURY ICONIC “SANFORIZED” COTTON SAILOR BLOUSE

IMG_1377 IMG_1379 What could be more classic than a sailor collar?  These have been popular fashion for decades and always come back.  Side vents, detachable “modesty panels” in necklines, and tartan plaid have also been important details found in iconic true vintage styles. This blouse was made in the 1940’SIMG_1378 to early 1950’s.  The label says it is made of “Sanforized” cotton – Sanforization was a process developed in the 1930’s.  It’s so unusual to find a blouse from that time that is in wonderful condition!

White cotton blouses used to be a major staple in every woman’s (and man’s) wardrobe. Men still wear them, more than women do, because they usually don’t do any of the ironing that is required!

Yes, they require more care in some ways, but it’s well worth it.  Nothing can compare to this fabric.  Also, if you do get a stain, it’s often easier to remove than from easy-care synthetics because cotton can withstand hot water.

Discovering a garment like this is always a high point of any investigation, for me.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MY TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SHOULDER SEASON FROCK BY LORA LENNOX – FROM KANSAS CITY!

IMG_1441Such a smart-looking little day-dress by Lora Lennox.  Apparently, this was a dressmaker label that was common back in the day.  The polka dots and big buttons are a lot of fun – plus the vibrant salmon – orange color; not garish and softened just a bit by the pinkish undertone.

I ALWAYS love shoulder pads and the hem flounce is very saucy.  These are wonderful when you walk in them.

Doesn’t this dress look fabulous on Stella?  I love it.  And the fact that I found it in Kansas City – well, that conjures all kinds of possibilities in terms of it’s history . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

A TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’S – EARLY 1950’S SKIRT SUIT – JUST RIGHT FOR SHOULDER SEASON

IMG_1453IMG_1452Here’s another ensemble in that lovely salmon pink that keeps coming back every decade or so – more to come!  This suit was such a fun find – look, it still has the original store tags hanging on!

Although it was an ordinary item when it was originally sold – more or less a generic garment with no specific brand label – notice the nice design and cute tailoring details.  Even in lower-priced vintage clothing the attention to smart and careful tailoring was almost always there.

Wouldn’t this be a nice outfit to wear this season to a dressy occasion that calls for something a bit conservative?  Even though I rarely go to events like that, I always keep one or two things ready to go . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

BACK IN TIME AGAIN – 60 OR 70 YEARS. A COTTON HOME-SEWN TRUE VINTAGE FROCK – 1940’S/1950’S

IMG_1239An unusual dark plaid, but a shirtwaist style and definitely for warmish weather.  Notice the second layer of skirt, with a little ruffle at the top.  I wonder if the fabric she used was sold from a narrow bolt, so she had to piece the skirt for that reason???

It’s so much fun to try and unravel the mysteries that older garments, especially, can pose.  Unlike dresses made later, that usually buttoned lower down to make them easy to get into, these earlier ones often button only to the waist.  That’s why those side zippers were so necessary.

It also allowed the waist to be kept really tiny, rather than gathered in by the belt – just barely large enough to get shoulders through, with the help of that zipper opening.  Ahh, fashion . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MYSTERY 2-PIECE SKIRT SUIT FROM AUSTRALIA

IMG_1057     This surprise find from October, 2014 looks a whole lot better on Stella than when I photographed it on a bed in the condo!  I simply cannot date it accurately, though it is true vintage.

Custom-tailored, the padded shoulders and bias-cut skirt panels are a Forties thing, while the bonded knit fabric looks more like Fifties or Sixties (maybe even Seventies) and the buttons are uncertain but the zipper is older.  Could it be Eighties Does Forties using some older notions?

Anyway, it’s a cute little casual suit and will be a LOT of fun to accessorize   It can be frustrating to be stumped, but you know I love a mystery . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM