TRUE VINTAGE 1950S – ’70S “HAPPY DAYS” UNISEX JACKET

Doesn’t this just make you want to pull out the Mickey Mouse ears, saddle shoes, or Keds and toast marshmallows? Or maybe put on the Frye boots, a workshirt and painter pants for a “70s thing – whatever mood you’re in, it’s fun to have garments like this in the closet. ONE GLANCE and I knew that it was not a modern item. That’s the cool thing about true vintage – even people who aren’t expert at picking it out will notice something different or intriguing about what you’re wearing that sets you apart from the crowd.

This one is of a heavy knit that has kept its shape beautifully. Aside from a little fuzz, which can be shaved away, it is in excellent condition. I suspect that it is from the 1960s, all things considered, though the style could span 2 or 3 decades. It’s certainly not a high-end item but, what fun! When I saw it I snapped it up and have enjoyed it ever since. You just never know . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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True Vintage 1940s – ’50s Lightweight jacket

True Vintage 1940s – ’50s Lightweight jacket.

TRUE VINTAGE JACKET FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

True Vintage 1940s - '50s Lightweight jacket

This one is a beauty – look at that fit!   It’s just been washed in the photo, so a steamer press or quick trip to the dry cleaners for a really professional job is in order.  Sorry that I can’t post the photo of the back, too. Go to my site at Morgana Martin – Google+ to see it, in the archives.

It’s a lined jacket with covered buttons and lovely detail. There is a welt on the back. Another nipped waist – heaven! It had some fade when I found it, but with my know-how I was able to rehab it easily and inexpensively.

I usually wear this with a swingy print skirt (a pencil skirt or even a dress would work well, too. Depends on what suits your mood and the occasion.)
Didn’t really look like much when I found it, but you just never know . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

CASUAL CORDUROY JACKET: TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – EARLY 1950’S

Casual Corduroy Jacket True Vintage 1940s - '50sThis is a great true vintage jacket that I love. It is unlined, so I can start wearing it now in the evenings.

Easy zip but stylish, too.  The so-retro pointed collar is great and my hat’s off to the designer who placed those welts on the shoulders.   They’re very flattering to most women and, along with the fitted waistline and slash pockets at the hips, really improve the looks of almost all figures.

That’s what I like best about true vintage fashion – the tailoring is usually so good with surprising designs! Though this is not a high-end item, touches like that make it superb.

The style is so classic in it’s lines that I can pair it with almost any casual clothing and can snazz it up with accessories, too.   Final favorite feature? – It reminds me of old movies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S HOUNDSTOOTH PONCHO WITH FRINGE

True Vintage 1960s Houndstooth Poncho with Fringe

This one is really special (so what else is new) and great for cold-weather wear;  anything from sitting through a football game, roasting marshmallows or chestnuts on the fire to dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh.

It is of a nice wool or wool-blend material, with a heavy black lining and fringe all around. I love the metal zipper from the left shoulder to the neck. A couple of hooks and eyes close the collar.  With a casual, hometown style that was so popular in the sportswear from that mid-century era.

I’m not sure if there had been a label inside – may have been home-sewn by a very good seamstress, which is not unusual in vintage from the ’70s and before. Finding this one was another “Aha! experience” that I hadn’t been specifically looking for – that’s what makes being a sleuth for vintage so much fun, because you just never know . . . .

Traveling tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – 1950’S LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL SHIRT-JACKET

True Vintage 1950s Wool Shirt-Jacket

This very casual mid-century jacket has great features such as big shell buttons in front and at the cuffs, a lining around the neck and upper back for comfort, modest shoulder pads and front patch pockets. Built for practicality, but stylish in true vintage fashion! The label says: Wonder Fabric virgin wool Vagabond by Chippewa.
I love to imagine who wore this and where it was worn. Feels to me like jeans and saddle shoes or Keds would be just right – for a picnic or raking a few leaves. So much fun to find this one! When you’re being a vintage sleuth, it’s one great surprise after another and you just never know . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

Another version of the 1950’s Car Coat, in Suede with Mink

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An iconic style from the ’50s, this true vintage “car coat” can go from dressy to casual, in cool to mild weather.  I’ve found quite a few coats and jackets in suede from that era and find that they all hold up beautifully.  Fortunately for us, our mothers and grandmothers seem to have looked after their wardrobes very well, too.

Since these items are mostly of a higher quality material and construction, we can continue to enjoy them for years to come!  I’ve found a ton of great true vintage items during this past week, exploring  hidden hide-outs.  Keep watching and I’ll sprinkle some of these in among the posts.  It’s  SO MUCH FUN!  You just never know . . . . .

Morgana Martin@Google+, magicvintagespy@facebook.com, Twitter and Pinterest

Another Western-made Beauty

Another Western-made Beauty

Originally from the Holiday House in Estes Park, Colorado, this lovely smooth leather jacket from the 1940s – ’50s is a stylish and elegant example of true vintage workmanship, quality and design. The brass buttons are square with little branches crossed in the middle – so unique. As usual, superbly constructed. From the outside in it speaks of quality, skilled workmanship and excellent design. When you see these kinds of things going on, good bet it’s true vintage!

Morgana Martin, the #magicvintagespy

Iconic ’50s/early ’60s Suede #Coat w/Mink Trim

Iconic '50s/early '60s Suede #Coat w/Mink Trim

I have found several coats like this in my searches for #vintage #fashion. Obviously, it was a very popular style in the late’50s/early ’60s, in a fall/spring weight rather than for winter. They are made of fine #suede, with covered buttons and two front pockets. The collar can be worn open or hooked in front to form a cowl.
All the coats I have seen have been in earth tones of beige to dark brown, rust and olive. These are beautiful coats. In my experience, suede is not difficult to care for if you don’t mistreat it.
I always clean any little spots with a foam cleaner made for suede and a brush. Ask your shoe/leather repair professional for advice and always read directions carefully on any care product before using. Add some gorgeous true vintage #coats to your wardrobe!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM