What a beautiful Kennedy era party frock. With beads and rhinestones at the waist, and a swing and sway two-layer skirt. This dress is made by Carol Craig, New York – a well-known brand name of the time.
Pretty, pretty, pretty – and in perfect condition. Someone loved it very much. See what else we love, tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTABESPY.COM
Absolutely couldn’t believe it when I encountered this 1940’s – 1950’s post-WWII frock – looks like it just came out of the box! Somebody loved it and kept it for special.
Back in the day, this was this was an everyday – Sunday tea kind of dress. It was very modestly-priced in it’s time but was meant to look nice for not-just-your-ordinary occasion. My good luck that it’s owner was so fastidious.
It’s a little big for me so, unless I want to have it altered, it will probably end up on eBay some day. But how could I pass it by? There’s more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Handmade for a man in the 1950’s, or maybe even the Forties, but I’ll make it my own. Neat little way of unbuttoning the neckline so that it can be slipped on. The most fabulous soft cotton, due to many washings and wearings. LOVE the french sailors print!!!!!!!
And, of course, a chest pocket on the left. There is damage under one arm, so I will be taking the sleeves off and making it a cap sleeve tunic. Don’t mind – as an alteration, that’s probably better. Love it when I find unusual things like this. More coming . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s another dressy frock from Montevideo, Uruguay – probably just a few years younger than her sister shown yesterday. This dress is stylish, but not as Crawford vampish as the other. The 1940’s styling has been played down, excepting for the puffy shoulders and embroidered mesh trim. I forgot to take a picture with the black curly lamb jacket which was also a recent find, from the early 1950’s. Would be a perfect wrap over this dress.
No, it is not bare on the bodice. The mesh has been lined with a flesh-tone panel which is a perfect match for bare skin peeking out at the shoulders. The tailoring of these mid-century frocks is just astounding, especially when they were hand-made by dressmakers. The well-to-do ladies in Montevideo would have had much of their clothing custom-made to their specifications and fit.
However, remember the dressing gown from a few days ago? It was also hand-made, but from France, and probably purchased before the European war. Many Montevidean women purchased French fashions and accessories back in the day.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This dress is SO Fifties. Ric-rac was a big deal on casual clothing and day dresses. Classic style, classic tailoring and classic fabric. A “Renee Original”.
Love it!!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Don’t know where this was made, or exactly when, but it’s so classic and beautiful. White on white hand-done embroidery. Whisper-light fabric – so cool and delicate.
It does need a slip, but a pretty cotton one in a very plain style would be just right. Hard to find now, but they used to be made for the warmer seasons.
Again, it’s a versatile thing that could even be a bridal dress. I’ll just LOVE it this summer!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Love the cap sleeves and superb fit. The fabric is luscious – medium heavy with glossy stripes. I wonder what kind of blend it may be? Those vintage mystery blends created some of the most fabulous materials ever.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Believe it or not, it IS a maternity dress! From the Forties or early Fifties!! The brand name is Lady in Waiting (how cute). What a fun, fun find!
Nothing could be more practical or economical than this baby (pun intended). The fabric is cotton, rayon or a blend in a colorful print. Perfect for a summer pregnancy. The dress is simple and was not expensive, but so ingeniously designed and convenient!
The easy, breezy shirtwaist style is always in fashion and the flowing fabric is very forgiving. Underneath that wrap-around wasp waist sash is extra material and a set of 3 snaps near each side seam which allow the dress to be let out up to about 10 inches. So, no matter the stage she’s at, this mama could wear the dress from start to finish and beyond.
Good old American ingenuity (not to imply that we’re the only ones). I love clever fashion ideas like this one.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Interesting! I’ve come up, in the past 3 or 4 years, with three dresses in this basic style – crossover bodice, wasp waist, poufy sleeves and shoulder augmentation – all in formal styles.
The first find was true 1940’s, the second was ’40’s to early ’50’s and this last is 1980’s doing the Forties thing. This frock’s styling is a real dog’s breakfast. It gives a nod to the bubble skirts of the Eighties in spite of the mid-calf length and in a ’50’s-style bright pastel – which to me is kind of an awkward trendy marketing ploy that fails in the final analysis.
No matter. It’s fun to see what happened with the same style over the years and this one will go to the university theater due to some un-fixable damage. It’s a hoot to explore the back alleys of fashion history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It’s a plain,white oxford shirt so I won’t bore you with the photo. The label is worth the whole find and all the details from the 1950’s to early 1960’s – – – – – –
there’s a cellophane collar prop still in place, a paper tag hanging from a button, a paper square in the pocket that was placed there by the final inspector, and an inventory stamp near the hem. An interesting thing about the fabric (besides being Sanforized) is that the weave gives it stretch, without any of our modern spandex. An extra tag sewn at the neck advertises this.
The sleeves will be too long for me so, of course, I’ll end up selling it but the best thing is the way that the story still unfolds. From what I can resource so far, this may have been a British brand. A find like this is always worth picking up just for the fun!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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