A VERY PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE DRESS, HOME-SEWN IN THE 1950’S

A VERY PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE DRESS, HOME-SEWN IN THE 1950'S

Another favorite, the ’50s styles with nipped waists.  Love ’em! – who doesn’t – they’ve remained a fashion favorite for many years and a style that keeps on repeating itself.  The bateau neckline is also a favorite – SO flattering.  I call it a summer dress, but the cotton material is heavy, so it’s perfect to wear almost all year.

The skirt on this one has a bell shape, too – an unusual feature that is somewhat unique.  This dress was custom-tailored and the construction is very unusual. I’ve never seen anything like it.  Although it zips up the back, there is also an inner bodice that hooks together.  It may have been the design of the woman who sewed it – in place of a bra(?)

Sometimes you’ll find a garment like this that is as interesting on the inside as it is on the outside.  The tailoring details can sometimes be elaborate, even on commercially-made items.  Not to mention what seamstresses can come up with on their own when they’re being creative –

I actually bought this at a shop, which is unusual for me.  There are lots of great ones that I have visited and included in my book references – no better place to see a collection of wonderful things in one spot and get the wisdom of the owner’s knowledge.  It pays to know all the different types of places where true vintage likes to hide – because you just never know .. . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE SUNNY SUMMER SUNDRESS FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

IMG_1370This dress looks so fabulous on Stella – it’s made in just her size.  I’ve shown lots of yellow dresses, but this is the dressiest and the oldest.

Alas, the labels are gone so I’m not sure of the fabric content – it looks like linen and acts like a rayon blend.  Just a hint of sheen and  a soft hand, but with body.

What I love most about this dress is all the beautiful detail.  The delicate straps are double and there is a little knot tied on the bodice where they attach.  There are little flowers attached all over, with faux pearl centers.  To finish up, the hem is decorated with floral embroidery.

It’s all so elegant and well-made, while not being too dressy to wear almost anywhere.  And, a simple fitted sheath style with back center zipper.  I suspect that it was hand-washable, so no big deal in the care department.  The best of all worlds!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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FLATTERING TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S SUMMER DRESS IN APRICOT

FLATTERING TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S SUMMER DRESS IN APRICOT

I love the styling of this frock, with its wasp waist, free hips, cap sleeves and delicate neckline that really enhance the figure.  Madge’s fuller measurements give it the right “va-voom” fit.  I also like the peek-a-boo effect of the white band below the waistline.

This was another “surprise find” – always the most fun!  Summer days and nights, here we come . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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MORE AUSSIE FINDS! TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – 1970’S GINGHAM DRESSES

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAll three of these frocks were custom-sewn and I think that the top two belonged to the same woman, because they are so similar.  Wasp-waisted or halter style, these gingham dresses have been signs of summer for decades.  I REALLY wish I had Madge and Stella here to show them off properly!

All are very simple, with back zippers and store-bought trims.  The fabric in the yellow and white one is a bit more modern-looking and I would say it was a late-’60’s to early-’70’s creation.  The first two would be a few years older.

As plain as these are, I’d never pass them up.  I still love them because they are so of-that-time and look really good on.  Simple belts add a lot and, of course, you can accessorize . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S/1950’S SUMMER SUNDRESS & SHOE SUGGESTIONS

IMG_0904IMG_0915IMG_0859This is the FIRST dress that Stella modeled for me, and I think it missed being posted.  Another recent find, it’s a lovely example of a cotton sundress, with covered belt and ric-rac trim.

Shoes are of the era, though the suede peep-toes might be as much as a decade older.  Either one coordinates nicely with the gold and olive tones in the frock.

Such a favorite style!  Simple, easy to wear, flattering and always classic . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy

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PERFECT TRUE VINTAGE JEWELRY ACCESSORIES FOR SUMMER DRESSES

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Classic white beads in a graduated strand are always perfect – they don’t have to be pearls!  Just look for beads with tiny spacers or knots in between – much more elegant and better quality. Also perfect are shell necklaces and bracelets.  These are always available, but the ones pictured are original vintage and have vintage findings.

Lots of cute costume jewelry is being made now; I just prefer the special extras that are present on the older things. They also have a different look.. . . . . .

 

MORGANA MARTIN,  THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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3 TRUE VINTAGE NATIVE AMERICAN/HAWAIIAN COSTUMES FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

It is always appropriate to show my great Native American and Hawaiian dresses in Summertime, even though they are not always the most cool garments to wear.  Ocean breezes and high mountain altitudes can help with that!  The two on the right are from Arizona, sold by a company called Thunderbird Fashions which made lots of Western-wear dresses, blouses and skirts back in the day.  The dress on the left was made in Hawaii.  In most cases, women bought these outfits while on vacation in the American West or Hawaiian islands but sometimes a woman living there would include these in her day-to-day wardrobe.

Like a couple of the other items I’ve shown before, they are of heavy cotton with loads of braid trim, ric-rac and color! The Western-wear blouses have a side zipper at the waist.

The Hawaiian outfit on the left was made about the same time as those from Arizona.  It is interesting that there are so many similarities in the style although no zipper in this blouse, and the contrast is in the fabric panel on the bodice.

Both styles have a flattering fit, with a wasp waist and free hips.  I love wearing them on cooler days in the Summer and Fall and sometimes wear the skirts with another top.  Each of these ensembles is different and they are from a time when  Western and Hawaiian fashion were all the rage – probably in the 1950’s.  Women loved wearing them and vacationers loved bringing them home.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A COUPLE OF LATE ’40’S – EARLY ’50’S FUN SHIRTWAIST DRESSES IN SUNNY COLORS

A COUPLE OF LATE '50'S - EARLY '60'S FUN SHIRTWAIST DRESSES IN LEAD-INTO-FALL COLORS

I love the colors of these dresses – pink to lavender, with black and white.  Both in a similar shirtwaist style, below-the-knee length and made of a substantial cotton.  Perfect mid-century design.  Absolutely LOVE the collar shapes!

The dress on the left has little houses in a novelty print and some interesting tuck and piping details.  The fabric is a bit heavier, and I’d wear it into Fall.  The one on the right has cute pockets, ric-rac trim and a great plaid.  It really says “summer” and farmers’ markets, to me.  I took the sleeves off for a more flattering fit for me (and saved them, of course!) and wear it often.

Neither one has a label, but I doubt that they were made at home – especially not the left-hand one.  Just goes to show, that labels often go by the wayside. . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S SEMI-FORMAL SLEEK AND STRAPLESS DINNER GOWN

IMG_1656In midnight navy blue, this dress is elegant in rayon with a side zipper.  Let me tell you how she would have dressed it up . . . . . . . .

A diamond or rhinestone necklace or pearls, depending on the venue, would be first – with some elegant earrings to complement. And, a small dress handbag.

A stole, fur or dressy coat, of course, unless it’s the height of summer (but, even then . . . . . .)  Finished off, courtesy of her escort, with a corsage.

The bodice has no boning, so those little mesh straps hold it in place.  When I wear it, I prefer a pair of ’50’s evening sandals of dark navy fabric with  pearlized ornaments on the vamp rather than the Forties styles that Stella is wearing.   Beautiful as she is, this frock is really better suited for Marilyn . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER – A SAUCY LITTLE FIFTIES DRESS (AND THE LINGERIE SLIP I WEAR WITH IT!)

A SAUCY LITTLE FIFTIES DRESS (AND THE LINGERIE SLIP I WEAR!)

I just love this dress, with the big bow and button in front.  The colors are so sunny and really stand out!

It’s made of a heavy cotton that doesn’t show through, but I like to wear a comfy nylon slip underneath and this lovely orange one from the 1950’s just fits the bill.  I really like wearing lingerie that matches my outfit and the Fifties were famous for their bright undergarment colors (especially in slips).

With a fabric-covered belt it fits nicely and looks cute as well as lady-like. Just depends on which way you want to go . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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