Love this true vintage coat! Beautiful wool, by Sterling, also with a one-button closure and lovely shawl collar. This kind of sumptuous material is pure vintage and the pattern makes it unusual.
Neutral colors make it perfect for any cold season – autumn on into winter.
It was a surprise find that I snapped up in a flash! Most of my finds are that way, which is what makes vintage-hunting so much fun and such a wonderful bargain.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This lovely true #vintage #coat is in a brown tweed with flecks of other warm colors and has a brown acetate lining. Though the photo doesn’t do it justice, it is really cute and has a nice swing. It makes me think of Britain, though I think it was made in the U.S. – “a Petite by Fashioned”. It’s so classic and of high quality that I can’t say exactly when it was made.
I love the little straps with buttons that decorate the collar on either side of the neck. Little touches like this are the delight of true vintage items and aren’t done nearly as well (if at all) on more modern #clothing.
This coat closes with only one hidden button in front. I have one or two others like this and several, as well as capes, that don’t close at all or just at the neck. I wondered when I wore it the last time if it would be warm enough in 20-something cold. It was just fine!
So, don’t let lack of button closure discourage you from buying a great vintage coat if you #find one that you love. Adding a belt is always a cool option, if you want to.
I was thrilled to find it – I’ve never seen another like it. True vintage is so original! You just never know . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It’s still cool enough to wear them for dressy evenings and I love to top my party-wear with these old fur-trimmed lovelies. The brown one is from the Forties and is of a light-weight wool with dyed rabbit trim. The black coat is lined rayon crepe with mink at the cuffs – perfect over a little black dress.
This time of year, with Valentine’s behind us, St. Pat’s day and Easter approaching is full of special events going on and good opportunities to dress up a bit. Never to be missed! Go forth and enjoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
These black crepe coats are so fun and individual – I really love wearing them! While not being fully antique, they are earlier examples from the ’30’s & ’40’s. One may be from the early ’50’s . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .
On the far left, the characteristic feature of this one are the shoulder tails, which are folded across the front in this picture. It also has a deep slit in the back hem – almost a long jacket, rather than a coat.
In the center is a rather plain, tailored black crepe coat, but you can see the scalloped hems on the sleeves. Perfectly elegant and discreet.
On the right, a plain, one – button front crepe coat with ivory lining, deep side slits and mink cuffs at the elbows. Hardly inconspicuous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
In three lengths, sumptuous and elegant, black velvet evening wraps from the ’40’s and ’50’s. Can’t see detail in these photos (black is that way!) but the detail, though lovely, is not terribly important because you can see the lines.
The detail is subtle in the garments – the focus is on elegant simplicity, beautiful fabric and beautiful cut. What could be better over your choice of evening ensemble?
Besides, they’re very discreet at night, in the dark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This unusual ensemble was hand-tailored – and beautifully done! I just love finding true vintage garments that have been custom-made. The workmanship is often astoundingly fine.
Just look at those great buttons, too! Rarely have I found these, plus that hat. The fabric is a beautiful marled woolen weave in Autumn colors and both pieces are fully-lined.
A wonderful discovery from the late 1950’s – early 1960’s. Wowee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
You know I’m not a big coat collector, though my behavior this season might make a liar of me – so many fantastic vintage examples have come my way. Couldn’t pass this one up. It was sold by the old bargain department store where so many mid-century women shopped – Woolworth’s – and carries their label.
For one, the blue and gold plaid is unusual, as well as the scalloped collar and pocket flaps – this is a style more often seen in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The swing cut and midi length are almost always signs of the early mid-century time, too.
The feature which surprised me most is the zip-out pile lining – so practical and progressive for that era (I thought!). Without the liner, the wool shell is medium weight and has a nice black lining of rayon or acetate – good for spring, fall and mild winters. The liner has complete sleeves that end in ribbed cuffs to make the coat truly warm for cold winters. Such a perfect outerwear garment to be sold to modern mid-century women who were practical and thrifty to a fault (having lived through the Depression and WWII) but also ready for style and plenty to come into their lives again, which it did with a vengeance in the 1950’s.
The icing on the cake is that this coat is in almost perfect condition. Yes, it was worn, but so well-looked-after that you’d hardly know it and those few little signs will be easy for me to repair. So sorry that it’s way too big for me, but just had to buy it and show it to you, while repeating the story it tells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It was the height of my happy dance when I spied this lovely! Almost-perfect condition (just a little hole mend in an inconspicuous area and missing belt) and from my favorite decade(s). Sorry that the pic is a bit out of focus – the apple print is very sweet.
A simple v-neckline with a fabric string tie. Seam at the waist, belt loops and gentle shaping, midi-length. With the black rayon background, the belt will be very easy to replace. Perfect for everyday.
Tomorrow, we’ll be traveling up toward modern time (as late as the early 1970’s). Keep watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG; MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Although this top is not haute couture and it needs a simple stain treatment, it’s a great find to me because of it’s age and all the interesting characteristics. It’s times like this when I really miss having access to my models – Madge or Stella would show off the unique features of this rare blouse and the true fit more clearly.
Love the early mid-century collar design and the utility pockets. It’s got pinked seams and other hallmarks of hand-made garments from back in the day. Hard to know how it was originally worn; Either a smock, maternity blouse or shirt cut for a full-figured (though not large) woman. It’s fun to think what the seamstress had in mind.
The fabric is a really nice color combo with an unusual feel to the weave. There are a hodge-podge of vintage buttons for one reason or another and I may see about replacing them with a matched set from the same era.
So rare to discover a blouse from the war-time 1940’s and I’m really thrilled! Wonder what’s next – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Fabulous! Both these slips are rare finds, but the one on left – the oldest – is REALLY RARE. Let me describe them both, and the most fascinating details –
The long slip on right is a post-war 1940’s – early 1950’s length. Look at the beautiful embroidery on the bodice. It’s a very small size (not unusual at that time), but I can wear it and it’s perfect under many of my dresses from that era. Nice to have the hemline lower for those midi-length frocks.
The shorter slip on left is the real elusive find. It’s made of cotton or cotton blend, which is extremely rare and sought-after for wear during the warmer months. I have a couple in white, but BLACK is like WOW!!!!!!! Black sheer summer dresses in my wardrobe will get a lot more wear now. Also, look at the bodice decoration – cute embroidery and RUCHING, which is rarely seen and an older style of embellishment.
The red color of the lace may be due to the effects of perspiration over time. It’s so uniform that I’m not sure about this, but could be that the lace is of a different fabric content (likely) which reacted to the chemicals in sweat. It could be re-dyed but it is kind of pretty as is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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