Tag Archives: 1950’s

3 TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – 1950’S VELVET EVENING COATS & JACKETS

3 TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S - 1950'S VELVET EVENING COATS & JACKETS

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

TRUE VINTAGE SWING COAT IN BLACK, WITH PHENOMENAL BUTTONS!

This true vintage beauty from the ’50s or early ’60s was another surprise find.  In textured wool, 3/4 length in a swing design (love that), angled pockets, wing collar and a silky satin black lining.

Label from Marshal Field & Company, Chicago.  The buttons, of plastic or bakelite, are carved to reflect light in such a way that they sparkle as though there were rhinestones! I’ve never seen buttons like this before (and I’ve seen LOTS of vintage buttons).

Like new.  Looks great on!  It was stuck in with a lot of other nondescript coats.  You just never know . . . .Image

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

GREAT TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S WOMEN’S BELTED WOOL CAR COAT

IMG_1138     Whoa!  It’s too big for Stella (or Madge), and for me – but, I love finding wonderful things anyway.  This, I believe, is a vintage size 16.

This coat has a quilted lining and two big pockets.  The wing collar folds over and buttons at the neck for extra warmth.  Perfect for casual good looks on errand day or going to the football stadium in October.

It’s missing the original maker’s name tag, but has a women’s garment worker tag and, hidden under the lining, the tag which I think indicates the size.  Nicely finished and made to last.  Finding it certainly contributed to making my day!  Such fun . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGSPY.COM

 

ANOTHER FIND – LOVELY KENNEDY ERA FINE SUEDE COAT WITH MINK COLLAR

IMG_5160

Yes, I know that I already have several of these but this example was just too good to pass up.  Beautiful, beautiful condition and it’s the ONLY one I have that has a tie belt!  As always, the tailoring is gorgeous and the materials of such high quality.  The styling is elegant, but also fashionable and versatile.  Like some of my others, the mink collar has been attached by hand so it’s really easy to snip it off and wear the coat with scarves or shawls instead.

True vintage coats are some of the most elegant and unique statement pieces that you can wear.  Plus, they’re one of the smartest buys.  Everyone needs at least one good coat. The retro  versions are pretty much worthless so don’t pass by the coat rack next time you’re shopping for true vintage fashion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

A FUN, FUN, FUN FIND! POST-WAR 1950’s COAT WITH LOTS OF NEAT FEATURES

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

MID-CENTURY KENNEDY ERA FUN AND WHIMSEY

Just out and about in our limited Covid way and look what I found – a classic skinny Wembley tie from Sputnik to Camelot time, late 1950’s to very early 1960’s, President Eisenhauer to President Kennedy. Couldn’t pass it up because I LOVE these – they’re so funny!

From back in the day when men usually couldn’t dress themselves on their own. So fun to think about – a time when everything was so innocent, as far as we knew. Of course, housewives were always at home to comfort and advise about domestic matters. This must have been a tie for a bachelor.

I’ll keep it for the days when I’m in an Annie Hall mood or to wear as a belt or hair tie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE PERFECTION!!!

Haven’t shown these in a while – how about my grandmother’s 1950’s kid suede sling-backs with my “new” linen pants posted a couple days ago?

Of course, I’ll have to change the blouse. Oh well, so many white and ivory options. And – I can always put in an order for something in lemon or apricot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEAT, NEAT FIND! A 1970’S – 1980’S MIDI-BLOUSE

Another true vintage retro-style discovery. I love, love, love finding super vintage separates!! This rayon blouse by Esprit will be great with my white 1940’s – style sailor pants, my 1970’s white suit, and, and, and, etc. The style era is about 1935 – 1955. It’s in beautiful condition and fits. The only thing I plan on doing is adding some modest – size shoulder pads to perfect the fit on my body. This also may help the keep the collar in line under jackets. And, I might turn up the cuffs on the sleeves. They are perfectly finished to do this without any additional sewing.

A little style tweak here and there is always fun, as well as making sure that the fit is just right for you, which can make all the difference in the world. With well-made garments, as so many true vintage ones are, alterations are often easier. When a piece is cut well, changing the size a bit doesn’t throw the lines off in a wonky way or require a lot of restyling. It’s harder to do with clothing made for imprecise sizes and without attention to detail.

So, there. A little snooty? But, so true . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A Cozy Mid-Century Housecoat and Very Vintage Robe

This pretty aqua at-home garment by It’s A Charm is remarkable because it looks virtually new after about 60 years. Classically styled, the front snaps are made to look like buttons. The string tie at neckline is fastened on with a little safety pin in order to be removed when you put the item in a washing machine. So practical. The cute flower basket embroidery on the pocket really is Charming.

On the other hand, I can’t help but love this ratty robe (men’s, I think) that needed a little mending at the collar. It’s probably the older of these two pieces and testifies to lots of loyal service on weekends and evenings, year in and year out. Made of cotton fabric in an attractive plaid – I’ll still need to find or make a belt for it, but that should be a cinch (no pun intended?). Who knows – I may even encounter one the next time I get out in the field . . . . which brings up the aviso that outlets may be closing again due to current threats . . . . . . . . . . . .

Still more to come, however.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Fab High-waist Slacks from the 1960’s

Drat! Clear channels are blocked so I won’t be able to send the entire inventory in one product. So, each acquisition will be covered in a separate communique.

These slacks could possibly be from the 1950’s, but I’m going to bet that they’re a few years younger than that. Pants like these have been on my discover list for some time. They have a slim, but not tight, fit. The pleats in front are not bunchy and the hip pockets lie flat!! Plus, there are little notches in the side seams at the ankles. Nice summer-weight fabric in basic bright colors. Perfect condition, fabulous vintage tailoring and THEY FIT!!!

After several months off the streets, it’s nice to venture into circulation again but – as always until further notice – sleuth cautiously and with protection.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM