Tag Archives: 1940’s

MY BEAUTIFUL WARTIME FRENCH-MADE DRESSING GOWN FROM MONTEVIDEO

Couldn’t wait to get this gorgeous gown onto Stella.  She’s just the right size (and maybe I am, too, if I can bear to risk wearing it!).  The embroidered netting and roses on rayon are so, so 1930’s – 1940’s.

I love the special tailoring touches from that time such as the longer hem in back that makes a little train.  This dress was probably meant to fit someone a little shorter than Stel.

It would seem that Montevideans from early in the wartime era loved their fashions and accessories from France.   More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

JUST FOUND! GORGEOUS 1930’S – 1940’S WARTIME TO POST-WAR RAYON BED JACKET

 

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What a neat discovery!  I have 2 or 3 lingerie bed jackets from this era already, but haven’t found another for a long time.  Rare, rare, rare.  This one may have been part of some woman’s trousseau, which she stored away lovingly for decades.  Some were made of silk.  This one is glossy rayon.

Pretty bed jackets from the post-war 1950’s are also fabulous, but much different from the older wartime ones.  Notice in the detail close-up the embroidered mesh decoration.  Remember that from the nightgown I showed just a few days ago?

Oh, I’m over the moon again and will also store this garment away lovingly, probably for decades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

SWISHY, SASSY AND SOPHISTICATED EIGHTIES DOES FORTIES DAY DRESS

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When I don’t find the real 1940’s thing, this will do.  When a dress is as nicely done as this one, I collect it and wear it with no worries.

In a pretty true-to-Forties style, of 100% rayon with an abstract leaf print, this frock wraps in front and ties to one side.  Well-fitting with some smocked elastic in the waistband behind and well-placed buttons and snaps inside to prevent gaps.  This is a design that rivals the best vintage styles with attention to tailoring detail and makes any garment a pleasure to wear.

Modest-sized shoulder pads and a midi-hemline add to the figure-enhancing final result.  Easy, worry-free wear and flattering style never came any better.  Although it’s only baby vintage, just about 35 years old, I’m pleased and will wear it a lot!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL POST-WAR LINGERIE SLIP THAT CAN DOUBLE AS A GOWN

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In lustrous black nylon and lace, this is one of those wonderful slips that feel like heaven to touch.  What you can’t see well in this photo, is that the bodice and hemline ruffle are in tiny accordion pleats.

The original label was removed, which I’m always sorry to see, but for a seventy-year-old she’s in marvelous shape.  I have reinforced some places in the stitching that had become weak and re-set one of the straps.  That’s all.  I suspect that the “brown” lace was originally black and that it’s fabric has faded with age.  I kind of like it this way, but may also dye it back to the original – easy to do with most slips because nylon stands up well to hot water.

I love it that we can now wear wonderful lingerie as dresses in the summer, for evening or as sleepwear.  It’s also perfect under midi-length dresses from the late ’30’s to the early ’50’s, of course, (and 1980’s – wait till tomorrow).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A VERY SPECIAL HANDMADE LINGERIE NIGHTGOWN WITH MYSTERY HERITAGE

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This is such a WONDERFUL find (aren’t they all?)!  It’s a bit of a mystery, which I love. . . .

The style is late 1930’s – early 1940’s and it’s been custom – made.  There’s no label or sign that there ever was one.  The bodice has embroidered netting (similar to the 1930’s house-dress I found a few months ago in Montevideo – remember?).  It’s finished almost entirely with french seams.  Little bow detail on the bodice – lots of hand-work.

The fabric is some kind of synthetic which isn’t like vintage fabrics I’m familiar with NOR modern ones!?#  There is virtually no sign of wear and just a little bit of age or storage-related damage, which was easy to fix.  The conundrum is – – – – – – – – — – – – – – – – – – :

it’s either true vintage from the WWII era OR a reproduction (not retro-style fashion) which has been expertly made to be identical to the originals.  Whoopsie doo!  Either way, it’s a fabulous gown and a rare and unique discovery which will look stunning on Stella.  More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SECOND FIND – AN EIGHTIES DOES FORTIES SEMI-FORMAL DRESS

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Interesting!  I’ve come up, in the past 3 or 4 years, with three dresses in this basic style – crossover bodice, wasp waist, poufy sleeves and shoulder augmentation – all in formal styles.

The first find was true 1940’s, the second was ’40’s to early ’50’s and this last is 1980’s doing the Forties thing.  This frock’s styling is a real dog’s breakfast.  It  gives a nod to the bubble skirts of the Eighties in spite of the mid-calf length and in a ’50’s-style bright pastel – which to me is kind of an awkward trendy marketing ploy that fails in the final analysis.

No matter.  It’s fun to see what happened with the same style over the years and this one will go to the university theater due to some un-fixable damage.  It’s a hoot to explore the back alleys of fashion history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FIND – DEPRESSION ERA HANKIE WITH BEAUTIFUL HAND-MADE APPLIQUE’

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I still come across true vintage handkerchiefs once in a while and always collect them.  This one is not fine linen or even high quality cotton and started it’s life as a commercially-made piece that probably had no decoration excepting the machine-done edging, BUT the delicate applique needlework down in the left-lower corner is the real story.  Some woman who couldn’t afford more expensive linens made a dainty item with her own hands.  It is almost unbelievable with the tiny, tiny stitches and the steps taken to prepare the pieces that were sewn on to make the flower.

Girls used to be taught this kind of hand work in almost every home before WWII time, and many still afterwards.  If not lace-making, tatting or applique’ by the late mid-century, girls at least learned some embroidery, crochet or knitting.  My own grandmothers still knew how to do it.

Even though paper tissues are more convenient now, a fabric handkerchief is very elegant and just the thing when attending a wedding or other private affair.  The decoration on most of them is gorgeous, whether hand-done or by machine.  Even the printed patterns are lovely or at least colorful and amusing.  If you’re into home sewing, I’ve seen these hankies pieced together and turned into pretty pillow tops, table linens and even blouses, skirts or dresses.

So, another little story unfolds for me to share with you. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST RIGHT FOR SPRING! A TRUE VINTAGE COTTON HANKIE WITH NAUTICAL DESIGN

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Traditional for Spring since I-don’t-know-when.  Red, white and blue nautical and sailor motifs have been standard fare forever when the new February fashions come around.  This one is a perfect handkerchief to carry in my “newest” purses!  No well-groomed mid-century gal would have been caught without one.

Fine cotton with a neatly hand-finished edge.  I’ve never seen a design like this before, though hankies for daily use were just as common as packs of paper tissues are now.  Most seemed to have floral motifs, however, so I cherish something unique like this one; also souvenir hankies and other unusual pictorial designs.

True vintage accessories are always fun and daily-use items like this example are rarely found in such pristine condition.  My discovery experiences have been full of amazing surprises lately and they’ll keep on comin’.  Stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM