Tag Archives: 1940s

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’s DAY DRESS IN RAYON

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940s DAY DRESS IN RAYON

Imagine a woman, after the second World War – during a time of rebuilding and relative prosperity, when hemlines were longer again (no more rationing of cloth).  She is walking down the street in this dress, platform shoes, a hat and matching handbag.

The lovely, heavy rayon material swings in time with her steps and outlines her figure attractively.  She is a woman of upper-middle income, on her way to a business appointment.  Or . . . . . . . .

This lovely rayon material from the 1940s is unique and very wonderful stuff.  It has a feel and drape like nothing found today.  I love the navy/white bulls-eye print with turquoise/white trim.

I bought this one from a long-time antique collector/dealer.  You just never know . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950’s & ’60’s MEN’S NECKTIES

TRUE VINTAGE 1950s & '60s MEN'S NECKTIES

Here’s a collection of neckties that span from the early ’50’s to the late ’60’s.  Brand names include Wembley and others (which I’ve forgotten at the moment).  Some are of silk, some of rayon blend and some of polyester.

Although the widths vary a lot from decade to decade, I don’t think that I would let that keep me from wearing the one I wanted to if I were a man.  They can all look sharp and interesting or fun.

It’s not difficult to find these now.  Once in a while I check for them.  They even make nice belts for women’s clothing sometimes, and women did wear them as ties, too, in 1967 when the British Carnaby Street fashions were really in.  You can wear a skinny one for an Annie Hall look, or whatever.

When it comes to wearing vintage fashion, anything goes . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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MY FAVORITE RED TRUE VINTAGE STILETTO HEELS BY THE KINNEY COMPANY

TRUE VINTAGE STILETTO HEELS BY THE KINNEY COMPANY

If you’ve visited my Facebook page or read my book, you will have seen this picture, but I’ve never talked as much about it, so far, as I will here.  Maybe you remember when Kinney shoes had a store in just about every mall or shopping center and then kind of disappeared. Well, these lovelies were made before that time.  I took them to a shoemaker from Poland who had 25 years experience MAKING shoes and now does repair.  He told me that they were 30 – 40 years old.

They have a ’40s – ’50s vibe but were made in the ’70s. The label is of cloth, embedded in the insole. How often do we see that?! As you can imagine, they are very well-made of leather with Vibram soles.

I love this style so much, and the heels are very high. Any kind of peep-toe pump really gets my attention. Couldn’t resist these, and what a fabulous find!   You just never know . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’s UMBRELLA

TRUE VINTAGE 1940s UMBRELLA - iT'S SPRING!?

Okay, so you’ve decided to go out tonight and you’ve got a great outfit but it’s raining !!! An umbrella is required to protect your clothing and your good humor. SO, how about carrying a great one from the ’40s, with a Lucite handle?

This beauty turned up for me completely by surprise, at a place where I found some wonderful ’50s dresses (stay tuned).. I have some other vintage umbrellas, but this is the most spectacular of them all. There’s nothing like it made for many years, so you’ll be sure to attract attention. What a great vintage accessory!

Although I don’t carry it when I don’t want to be noticed, it does go nicely with my black trench coat. . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE JEWELRY FINDS ON THE FLY

Haven’t had much time to sleuth, since I’m just about to take off again – BUT – my eye is always peeled for hidden treasure and I found it!  My first jewelry purchase in a while as I’m picky in that department.

Picky paid off today in a gold-tone Trifari bracelet from the 1950’s or ’60’s and a graduated necklace of black glass that is ’50’s or decades older, strung on a knotted cord.  Smart-looking, timeless mid-century accessories with elegant styling and high quality manufacture.  I’ll wear these for years!

It was a spur-of-the-moment investigation and I’m always prepared for those because – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN,  THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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True Vintage Mid-Century Classic Toque

Classic Toque

Another stand-by style in ladies’ hats – the toque has been around for many decades. Black & white is perfect for Spring, but goes really well all year long.  The bow thing that they did in the ’50’s and early ’60’s is cute, but the design is really classic and can be Mod, without the decoration.

That’s the enduring beauty of classic styling and quality construction.  Excepting for the veiling, which is easy to replace, this one is in perfect condition . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE LADIES’ HAT – 1940’S / 1950’S

A FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE LADIES' HAT - 1940'S / 1950'S

One of my very favorites – this Spring hat is so distinctive and unusual. With classic lines and straightforward coloring, but a surprising and flattering asymmetrical trim.

That feature reminds me of a green hat that Greer Garson wore in the WWII movie Mrs. Miniver. To die for . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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MY (PERHAPS) LOVELIEST COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE 1930’s – 1940’S PEIGNOIRS

 

MY (PERHAPS) LOVELIEST COLLECTION OF 1940'S PEIGNOIRS

Of rayon and silk, these pretties are some of my best, or most interesting. The embroidery on the two right ones is unusual and the ’40’s white dressing gown is a style that I have seen only 2 or 3 times.

From the glamour days of motion pictures and film noir –

While we’re still snuggled inside, during the transitional weather, these little indulgences are a real treat.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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MORE TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S FOOTWEAR FROM THE SHOE MUSEUM

MORE FORTIES FOOTWEAR FROM THE SHOE MUSEUM

Here’s a real variety of styles in a more casual group. They all look very Spring-like!

Also, imagine these cute, stylish versions in full leather and/or other quality materials, hand-made.  No wonder they’re still around for us to admire.  What a dream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

STUNNING TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SHOES AT THE SHOE MUSEUM

STUNNING TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S SHOES AT THE SHOE MUSEUM

Here’s another great collection of sling-backs & pumps.from the shoe museum in Mexico City. Look at the decoration on the vamps and the peep-toes. LOVE peep-toes!

Can you imagine owning beautiful designer styles like this, in 100% leather construction, done by hand?  Heaven!  Used to be, shoes like that were available in most shoe stores.  Now they’re all made of ticky-tacky and they all look just the same.

’40’s shoes are some of my very favorites, and such a pleasure to see so many examples in such beautiful condition.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM