Just had to re-photograph this lovely rayon gown from Paris in order to show it off properly. I’ll do a couple more with my recent wedding gown finds.
It’s from somewhere between 1920 and 1945. Haven’t had time to research more extensively. Love the old-style ruching and lace – so beautiful and rare.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Two very different frocks. This first dress is pictured from the side so that the pocket detail shows. It is very figure-hugging and zips on the left. The pocket has interesting glossy braid decoration. I’ve pictured with it a dark brown silk slip of that era that I wear with it.
The short-sleeved shirtwaist dress is very straightforward and modest, but with cute tailoring details on front. A pointed collar and bow at the high neck. Easy to wear with a button front. The fabric is probably rayon, with a soft sheen.
Both have shoulder pads (of course!) and fabric-covered buckle belts. Great style and true vintage 1940’s cache’.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
When I found this cutie, it was one slim dress – probably about a size 2 – 4, but very tight and petite in the bodice, so hard to squeeze into. It also had a little wear on some of the seams.
I mused and pondered about how to save the dress so that I could wear it because I love the style and, especially, the pink/brown/ivory printed material. It feels so wonderful – can’t explain it – you’d have to experience it yourself. Some kind of synthetic or poly-knit, which was popular then and I’ve never seen any quite like it. Love the color combo!
So – brainstorm! There was a seam right at the waist and I separated the top from the bottom. A stretchy band of matching brown knit lengthened the top just right for my torso and a simple elastic waistband in the skirt made it very easy to wear. It works!
I opened a seam along the left side of the top for more ease and added some hooks and eyes. A little hand-done repair here and there salvaged this find for many more wearings. Can’t wait to wear it with some of my Forties shoes!
Just goes to show that there are gazillions of possibilities . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Navy blue again, with a white print. Shoulder pads; the whole bit. I just LOVE this style! Forties rayon drapes so nicely, feels lovely and has a beautiful sheen. Shoulder pads and a belted waist are so flattering to many women and I love the prism-cut rhinestone buttons, too.
Pictured here with the rayon slip I wear with it. Vintage nylon is wonderful, but rayon and silk slips are, also. I like to combine similar fabrics to my dresses in the undergarments I wear with them, if I can, or at least to match eras.
Also, woven peep-toe heels with ankle straps. These are from the Forties or early Fifties and are also favorites. All that’s missing are a garter and nylons, a handbag and jewelry – maybe a hat . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This cute little shirtwaist dress was a surprise find. Love it so much! With a fabric-covered belt, Peter Pan collar and bows on the sleeves, in wonderful classic navy blue.
I have several pairs of shoes that would go well, but I’m showing these stilettos with little curlicues on the vamps – a favorite pair.
As Coco Chanel would say, no outfit is complete without pearls. I collect nice ones whenever I run across them. Most are costume, but some are real. It’s fun to find different styles & hues, and they go with everything . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s another mid-century at-home leisure outfit. This one is a sumptuous lipstick red velvet design that mimics 1930’s – 1940’s style – I have a true vintage 1930’s rayon robe with tasseled sash – but this one, while still true vintage, is probably from the 1950’s or 1960’s.
LOVE the glamorous look and luxurious feel. What a treat to make a RARE discovery like this one (of course, that happens to me a lot, and each one is a delight!).
With pinked seams, rolled cowl neckline, a long back zipper and the wonderful rayon tassels on the belt plus a lovely embroidered tag. I can just see “The” Marilyn wearing this backstage in her dressing room, can’t you?
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Glass beads, rhinestones, crystal, topaz, mother of pearl and silver, Lucite and nickel – these gorgeous pieces span from, I believe, the Twenties to perhaps as late as the early Fifties. It’s worth taking a close-up look.
Many of the chains are of silver. Most of the stones are semi-precious. The lobster claw clasp seen on the second to the left is a replacement for the original. The silver serpentine chain on the topaz pendant is also modern.
The large pink glass bead necklace was handmade in the ’20’s or ’30’s, with a brass chain. The rhinestones and Lucite are set in nickel or pot metal.
So pretty any time of year . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Good with almost anything, a variety of jewelry items for women and men with polished semi-precious stones were really popular in the mid-century. Necklaces, bracelets, pins, sweater clips,cuff links, tie pins, rings – you name it.
Generally, these pieces were not of fine construction in gold or silver, but they lasted a long time anyway. Sometimes they came in sets, as the pendant and bracelet pictured at top. Often people would purchase them at vacation sites as souvenirs. Hobbyists sometimes made them at home, too.
I like to wear mine with many outfits, from casual to semi-dressy. It’s a real iconic mid-century touch.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Two finds from the 1970’s, put together perfectly. I love the cute 1940’s vibe; these pieces were made in the early 1970’s when that style was revived. The shirt was from Sears Junior Bazaar and the slacks made by a company called Beeline. How fun!
The pants are long, so they’re great with platform sandals – another thing popular at that time – also part of the 1940’s retro thing. As a true vintage sleuth, it’s so fun to watch how the styles go around and come around again.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I’ve really been scoring the RARE finds over these past few weeks – older garments and accessories, iconic styles and items in great condition! Can’t wait to get back to Headquarters and put this wartime bridal ensemble on Stella, who is the only one of my models who will be able to wear it. Until then, I’ll tell you the story of this lovely gown and it’s matching veil. As an additional blessing, the tale comes directly from the original family.
Although many brides were wearing suits and shorter dresses to be married in 1940, this bride chose the traditional full-length gown and veil for her ceremony. It was purchased through a well-known department store, where her father was a buyer, and may have come from Europe. The rayon dress is not a high-end item, but is an iconic design of the time and elegant in it’s simplicity. An unusual feature is the antique ivory color, which is original. The full-length veil of fine netting with embroidery flows from a delicate headband decorated with dried flowers and vines.
The gown was stored away after the wedding and cherished by the family for many years. Now, I will continue to care for it with the love and respect it deserves.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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