Puffed, very girly sleeves on a plain, black crepe dress that was a very common part of most women’s wardrobes. Almost everyone had a black crepe dress – often more than one and not just for evening wear. Crepe was such a frequently-used fabric that made even ho-hum garments drape beautifully and look fabulous!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This post was inspired by the fabulous Theodora Brack and her post of a few weeks ago on the blog, Paris: People, Places and Bling. Shirt sleeve styles are, again. doing some very interesting things with pleats, gathers and puffs. Here are a few from my own true vintage collection which show how these styles cycle through the decades.
Pictured here are 1930’s and 1940’s blouses excepting, in photos #1 and #3, the right-hand and left-hand examples are retro Forties, which were made in the early 1980’s. Cotton, silk, rayon and poly. Kimono, pirate, Western-inspired and prissy designs all had their day in the 1940’s and have wound their way up and down runways every decade or two since then. Of course, some decades were known for their beautiful craftsmanship, gorgeous fabrics and special tailoring details so these aspects will always be showcased in true vintage garments from those times.
Modern blouses which follow these style trends will not be nearly as beautiful or as well-made but, I love my finds. Thanks for the opportunity to put them in the spotlight again.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Yes, you can also make your husband’s, son’s, father’s, boss’s (lets not get carried away) next necktie, etc., etc, etc, . . . . . .
This red shirt was custom-made, but by a western-wear retailer out West, sometime in the ’40’s, ’50’s or maybe the early ’60’s. Bespoke attire was a common luxury, even here in the U.S. Of course, it’s been a tradition and beautifully done in Europe for decades (centuries?)
I’ve recently seen some ads for what looks like business and formal clothing that can be ordered custom-made, with one fitting or at-a-distance alterations near the end of the process. An improvement on ready-to-wear, but not like having it constructed from the first detail by a tailor having that in-person relationship with you and your body, giving you a perfect fit, exact style preference and real-time preview.
And what a nice luxury it was to have that done for you, or to have the leisure time to do it yourself . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Navy leather pumps with a little bit of nautical-style trim, and modest platform soles. Chunky heels. 100% leather construction (of course!). Classic, classic, classic and built like a brick house. No wonder they’re still skipping the streets 70 years later!
Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Just as classic as the Little Black Dress, little black pumps are obviously just as iconic. Perfect style and durability for about 70 years. This is a dressier pair, of suede leather, which probably saved them the more frequent wear of an everyday shoe and preserved them for me.
I’m so glad! This heel height couldn’t be more comfortable – elegant and flattering, too.
Great for dancing.
And, sometimes, for making a quick get-away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Imagine my surprise (this is always SO much fun!) – I came across a true vintage label, Lady Carol, but in one of their 1980’s incarnations, before the company was sold for good. I have one of their 1950’s/early 1960’s frocks, which I love, but had never run across any of their later items before. Classic ’40’s style, but with ’80’s fabric and tailoring – they got in on the retro trend of that decade.
There are several old companies that are still in business, but they are just “modern” manufacturers now making modern styles in a modern way – I don’t pay attention to what they are doing. In this case, a true vintage dress by a true vintage maker (now gone) doing a specific true vintage fashion trend (Forties retro) was worth picking up.
It’s a bit too big for Madge (and moi), but in a style that is easy to alter. Just another example of the truth that when you’re on a sleuthing mission, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
The original price is still visible on the soles, written in grease pencil. $14.99. Looks like they may have been tried on and that was it!
Dark coffee brown leather, with pert little bows on a v-shaped vamp – this pair comes from the late Forties to early Fifties. The Naturalizer brand was a closet staple for well-dressed women. It was the flagship brand for the Brown shoe company of St. Louis, MO since 1927.
It’s always important to do a background check . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG; MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I’ve had really good fortune finding clutch handbags recently and several have been leather. It’s always fun to find party bags like the one below but most are made of cloth or vinyl – even the old ones – a true vintage leather bag is a real treasure!
The bag on top, however, is my greatest love. It’s from the Forties or Fifties and is SO elegant. The style is superbly simple, but the design is unusual. Picture holding the bag with both hands, with the front facing you as in the photo. Place your thumbs on the metal tabs at each side and push gently – that releases the clasps to open the bag! I love the creative closures that are on many of the best vintage handbags. Some of them locked in place, and it was a puzzle to figure out how to release them the first time. This bag posed that problem to me for a few seconds.
Both these handbags have smooth, clean linings and pretty pockets inside. I’ve been fortunate enough to discover accessory items which were really well cared-for by their original owners so have hardly any damage. Many women used to tuck them away in drawers and closets with tissue-paper wrappings and stuffing, saving and protecting them for the next special occasion – or for the next woman who would love them. . . . . . .
More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Nothing says New Wave ’80’s like leopard print and shoulder pads! Love this slinky beauty – what fun to wear! This is one of my favorite styles.
If you can’t have the true 1940’s, it’s the next-best thing. Stay tuned for the next best thing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
What a pretty frock! Although it was retro when it was made 30 – 45 years ago, it’s true vintage now and gorgeous. So glad that summer is far from over – I’ll really enjoy wearing it.
I’ve discovered a treasure trove of dresses and clutch purses lately, so stay tuned . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 