This beautiful polished cotton frock – Kay Whitney by Huntington – is absolutely gorgeous. The fabric and the tailoring are top notch.
Naturally, it’s got a fabric-covered belt, the full skirt and a generous hem allowance. It’s not a one-off design, I found, when I saw another identical to it on eBay – but it’s wonderful anyway.
However, this one is one-off now! As beautiful as it was in its original design, it was a bit too conservative a style to be flattering on me. The shoulder straps were wider and it had a fabric tie sewn completely around the neckline which you would tie in a bow in front. Pretty, but not me.
I removed the tie, making the shoulders skinnier and the neckline wider. I used some of the leftover tie material to make little flat bows at the shoulders. Of course, if you are a purist, you would never have changed it. That’s something I rarely do, but I liked it so much and wanted it to suit me.
So, I now have an original – and without sacrificing quality or elegance. The best of both worlds.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
A rare find, though many are made today that look similar – true vintage capri pants in a fall-color plaid. They have little slits at the ankle, a high waist, and metal side zipper than actually slants into one of the hip pockets. The maker is Shipmates.
These were kind of like our nicer jeans are now – they were common as casual wear and in the ’60’s they started to venture more beyond picnics and recreational activities.
What makes them different than the ones today? The fabric, the color combos, the zippers, the labels, the fit.
The original owner hardly wore these, if at all. That shows how much skirts and dresses still held the traditional place for women’s daily wear. I wonder how long these were in hiding? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com
This one doesn’t exactly match the suit, but you might be able to get by with it – it’s so close. It’s also from the same time period.
Whatever label it had is gone now, which is a shame because hat labels are very interesting. I might have shown it on a model but Daphne, Celia and Marlene are on their holiday.
Speaking of which, please enjoy your 4th of July if you’re from the U.S. and I’ll be back from the latest mission in a day or two. Caio!
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com
What a cute little 3-season outfit with a fantastic hourglass shape. I always love these!
It’s a late ’40’s to early ’50’s style, with little shoulder pads and beautiful tailoring. Although it is unlined and not haute couture, it’s very nicely done and has those wonderful design details that even continue on the back of the jacket.
The ever-popular pencil skirt goes with almost anything. This could be worn as a dress, as separate pieces or as a suit. I see it with a little white blouse or shell underneath, jacket open.
At a time when women were finding their fashion feet again and, actually, going wild with style! Clothing from this era is beautiful and fun to find. Notice that the tags are still on this one – I love surprise discoveries like this. Keep sleuthing because, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . .
ALSO, I’LL BE TRAVELING FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS SO THE POSTS MAY BE A LITTLE BIT WONKY BUT, NO WORRIES, THE INVESTIGATION GOES ON AND I WILL REPORT REGULARLY.
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com
I show a lot of this style, because it was SO popular from the mid-forties until the early ’60’s. This example is quintessential in all its qualities.
I’m sure this was home-sewn because when I found it I found 3 others obviously made for the same woman. Yes, she may have had a tailor.
Lovely cotton which can’t be found anymore – certainly not in fabric stores. It’s hard to describe if you don’t know it. Looks wonderful, feels wonderful and gets better with age.
Also, the buttons she used are just great! They’re big, plastic and colorful. Some were sculpted in their shape. The sewing is impeccably done and fabric-covered belts always look so crisp and stylish. Naturally, there’s a generous hem (whatever happened to those?).
All four of these dresses were of exactly the same style, each one in a beautiful cotton print. Though I’m sure they were well-used, they hardly looked worn – a testament to the quality of vintage materials and workmanship, as well as the care of the owner.
Each one opens the book on a mystery, just as illusive as they can be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . … . . . . . .
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com
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