These two dresses are examples of fashions made and sold in the U.S. Southwestern states (Arizona, New Mexico mostly). They are inspired by traditional Native American designs and may have been made by Native Americans. My warm-weather wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without them.
Outfits like this were especially popular in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Some from the 1940’s have been seen. Tourists often returned from vacations with one and non-Native people who lived in the region wore them a lot. It was a real craze for a while.
Ric-rac and braid trim on bright cotton material was popular. The skirts are big and swingy – usually full circle. I have more to show – some have interesting tailoring details on the blouses. Love ’em!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here are two cotton blouses that are made of quintessential vintage fabrics. I haven’t seen others like them made this way in modern clothing (meaning since about 1975 at the latest).
The first blouse is made of cotton seersucker. This has been a trademark summer fabric since the 1920’s, I’d say – probably before. It is known for being cool and having a nice texture that stands up to heat and humidity.
The second blouse, with the Peter Pan collar and 3/4 sleeves that can be rolled up, is a lightweight cotton blend. These were super-popular in the ’50’s and early ’60’s and, as simple as they look, there’s not been a fabric that performs like this since.
Of course, I like the style details, too – the large buttons and banded scoop neck collar on #1 and the dainty collar and 3/4 sleeves on #2. True vintage blouses are often cut much better, also, so the fit is more flattering. Of course, adding Spandex and Lycra to fabric blends makes for killer fits, but they have their own care and wear problems.
The moral of the story always is: Lookalikes come and go, but there’s nothing like the real deal when it comes to true vintage fashion. It’s hard to fool a seasoned investigator . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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From the ’50’s with a back center zipper, longer skirt and skinny, covered belt. White piping detail around the neck and armholes and lovely floral embroidery + applique’ on the skirt. Too bad it doesn’t show well in this photo.
This dress is very feminine and is another that can be casual or semi-dressy, depending on how you wear it. In any case, it always looks cool, classic and lady-like.
It has no label so who knows where it was made. Finds like this one are rare, but not for me . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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These shirts are authentic from Hawaii when they were very well-made and always a vacation souvenir. The shirt on the left, especially, is from the 1940’s or ’50’s – made of cotton with a bark cloth print. It’s also got buttons made from, I think, coconut shell.
The shirt on the right is newer – 1950’s to ’70’s. It is also cotton and is from the shop at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. That is (or was) a famous hotel on Waikiki Beach which had their own line of clothing with their label. The buttons are also distinctively theirs.
What’s so great about these shirts? The lovely cottons, the great prints and the “exotic” origin. I don’t have any of the fabulous rayon shirts from the ’40’s that were made there – maybe someday – noting better to wear during a tropical investigation on a hot summer night . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
I love the colors of this dress. Blues and violets in a funny, abstract print that looks like computer cards from back in the day. It’s a happy dress that reminds me of the show Happy Days.
There’s no label, so it might have been home-made, but done so well that who would care? I was just watching a movie about swing dancing and saw a lot of frocks that looked like this.
Swing dancing is one of the most joyful things I can imagine . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
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