NEVER get tired of these!
This conservative little style is very sweet, no?
It is made of a pure cotton material, I would guess, and was probably custom tailored (from looking at the details). I have at least one more dress which has cross-stitch embroidery on it but, to tell the truth, many true vintage dresses that were commercially made have lovely detail, too. And, of course, it could have been added later by the owner.
I also really love skinny, fabric-covered belts on dresses – a common feature on dresses made at this time. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ll sometimes shorten a hem and make a covered belt from the extra fabric when an original belt is missing.
These dresses look nice with a cardigan sweater or a shawl, so they can go from Spring into Fall with ease. They were standard daytime wear for just about everybody back in the day. It’s so…
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This is one of my very favorite designer dress finds!
This is a really interesting find! A plain belted sheath dress with removable peplum. I encountered a photo in a hallway decoration on the cruise boat last fall that told me the year and the designer. I can’t remember the designer now – can anyone help out? It was a name that we all know.
This one was styled by Nellie Don, which made very available clothing items for women in America – not couture. Usually a year or two after styles came out in Paris they found their way into the U.S. one way or another.
It’s made of an unremarkable fabric – some kind of cotton blend in an abstract print – with a center back metal zipper. But it is an unusual length for that time – just a bit below the knee.
I was quite surprised when I discovered it, hiding in an odd little shop…
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A LITTLE HUNTING GUIDANCE FROM THE VINTAGE SLEUTH . . . .
Another of those boxes in the basement which I hadn’t thought about in a while – finds of the last 10 years stored away. It’s always fun to see what’s inside!
From the top row down, we’ll start with the DUDS, from the viewpoint of a true vintage hunter:
Pairs #1, #2 & #3 – nice to very nice classic styles in leather, 1980s at the earliest to 1990s. Pretty shoes. Ho hum. NOT vintage. But the pumps are, by today’s style standards, very retro. The navy sandals are kind of retro ’40s.
Pair #4 – True vintage late 1950s – early 1960s gold-tone all – leather stiletto pumps. For cocktails and dancing the cha-cha.
Pairs 5 & 6 – True vintage bowling shoes, 1950s – 1970s. The two-tone ones are suede.
Pair #7 – Original true vintage Dr. Scholl’s leather exercise sandals from the very early 1970s. They’ve made…
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One of these will go with your outfit tomorrow . . . . .
Here is a collection of several vintage handbags for parties and semi-formal to formal occasions. The significant features of these are pave’ rhinestones on clasps, faux pearls, plush velvet, gold-finished leather, double-sided box construction and a telescoping convertible handle.
Though tons of retro-style purses are made now, a true vintage one will have features that put it above the crowd. Anyone who knows, will realize that you are carrying something special.
These purses are from the fifties and sixties. They are simple, but of quality design and construction. A keen eye can spot the difference in materials and style elements.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
How’s this for holiday dressing? . . . . .
This dress is somewhat majestic. The material is a heavy rayon with sheen – almost satin. It has black beaded designs around the neckline and each sleeve.
It’s an example of the design introduced by Christian Dior in 1947, I believe, called the “New Look” because it was so different from the severe, short and relatively plain clothing that women wore during WWII in order to conserve resources. Tiny waists, long skirts, luxurious material and extravagant decoration were “in” again.
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Enough history lesson! It’s just a beautiful, feminine and stunning dress. The original owner had shortened it by 2 – 3 inches, so it was definitely mid-calf length when new. Fortunately, she didn’t cut off any material, so it could be let down again.
This is certainly something that you might wear to see the Queen, or the King, or the President or just your favorite male person …
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Magicvintagespy 