Stella by starlight in my fabulous Lillie Rubin evening coat – perfect for any special dressy occasion. From somewhere between 1955 and 1963, it’s the most beautiful bright emerald green with a turquoise lining. Amazing.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This unusual ensemble was hand-tailored – and beautifully done! I just love finding true vintage garments that have been custom-made. The workmanship is often astoundingly fine.
Just look at those great buttons, too! Rarely have I found these, plus that hat. The fabric is a beautiful marled woolen weave in Autumn colors and both pieces are fully-lined.
A wonderful discovery from the late 1950’s – early 1960’s. Wowee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Still in wool but, for someone who’s not into the darker colors, this one is done in pretty pastels that can go 3-seasons of the year. The style is also easy-breezy with an open front. I’ve clipped it in the photo to protect Stella’s privacy but it would normally hang free, showcasing the garment worn underneath.
Also hand-tailored (perhaps by the same woman as yesterday’s?) – I’m amazed by women who could sew so well. Since there’s no tailor’s label, I presume that the person who wore it also made it. What a great way to save tons of cash.
I should have saved this photo for the Spring, when I have the perfect hat to pair with it. Perhaps you’ll see it again when I show that off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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
Wasn’t planning on picking up a winter coat yesterday, but this one is so gorgeous and unusual. I’ve never seen a collar designed this way and look at the beautiful way it will frame the face and neck. It looks absolutely stunning on.
The collar is cut mink and is attached to the coat’s neckline, but stands up all around as a wind-break and elegant style feature. Since WordPress changed their blog designer, I can’t yet figure out how to show a second photo – the collar comes to a point at the back.
The fabric is not plush, but has some nap that is cut like chenille or corduroy. Full satin lining and it’s in beautiful condition with hardly any need for touch-up. I’ll enjoy this one for a long time. Tomorrow stay tuned for something entirely different . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Haven’t run across one of these in a while, so I’m thrilled. They were so popular in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Travelers to Mexico and the southwest U.S. loved to buy them at stores carrying souvenirs, Western-wear and Native American goods and bring them home. The women living there wore them every day(especially if they were transplants from up north)-so comfortable and flattering.
Casual ones like this were often worn with white peasant blouses with puffy sleeves – see Kim Novak wearing one in Picnic(1955) with William Holden. Native American versions with LOTS of ric-rac usually had matching blouses. Pretty sure this one was home-sewn, but nicely done. The hem had been taken up from it’s below-knee original length but it was easy to take those stitches out. It’s fun to see clothing that has been altered over the years to go along with changing fashions. There is one old mend and some wear near the waistband closure that will require a little rehab, but that’s A-OK. I love vintage garments with a history and it testifies to the authenticity.
So, this one’s probably the oldest, but not by much. We’ll got forward in fashion history tomorrow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This little number would be from the early 1960’s. Someone loved it very much as it’s clean and in wonderful condition, with only a little evidence of some dancing wear on the skirt. I confess, I did (very easily) remove an old spilled drink stain from the bodice so I know this dress has a history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
It’s increasingly rare to find examples like this one, which is obviously from an estate. I’m grateful that many women who built their wardrobes in the mid-century 1940’s to 1960’s saved their favorites in the back of a closet for decades. When circumstances finally cause a clean-out of their homes these treasures are uncovered, for me to find!
And, this is only the beginning. There are more to come so, stay tuned . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This little nightie can also double as a housedress. It’s made in two layers, so no need to feel your modesty is compromised. What a girly, pretty thing to wear around the house and I doubt anyone would complain if you ran out for a quart of milk.
Like my other recent finds, it’s early mid-century and has a label that I have rarely seen, which makes it all the more fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Nothing better than Sanforized cotton flannel pajamas on cool nights. Although these were made for men, the Medium size would be OK for lots of women today. At first, I thought that they were “new”, but one of them was probably worn a little. They were made in Hong Kong, so the workmanship is up to a higher standard. I love all of the old details and vintage buttons. They were sold by Sears back in the day, under the stores’ own label.
Not the most flattering or delicate of sleepwear, but still wonderful!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Fabulous! Both these slips are rare finds, but the one on left – the oldest – is REALLY RARE. Let me describe them both, and the most fascinating details –
The long slip on right is a post-war 1940’s – early 1950’s length. Look at the beautiful embroidery on the bodice. It’s a very small size (not unusual at that time), but I can wear it and it’s perfect under many of my dresses from that era. Nice to have the hemline lower for those midi-length frocks.
The shorter slip on left is the real elusive find. It’s made of cotton or cotton blend, which is extremely rare and sought-after for wear during the warmer months. I have a couple in white, but BLACK is like WOW!!!!!!! Black sheer summer dresses in my wardrobe will get a lot more wear now. Also, look at the bodice decoration – cute embroidery and RUCHING, which is rarely seen and an older style of embellishment.
The red color of the lace may be due to the effects of perspiration over time. It’s so uniform that I’m not sure about this, but could be that the lace is of a different fabric content (likely) which reacted to the chemicals in sweat. It could be re-dyed but it is kind of pretty as is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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