Tag Archives: 1950s

TRUE VINTAGE ELEGANT 1950’S HANDBAG

This purse is a great example of the things I love about handbags made in the 1950’s.  The true size is about 10″x 12″x 2″ – not too big, but it can hold a lot and has many interesting features:

Soft fabric finished to mimic suede.

Several inside pockets and a matching satin lining

  • High quality, attractive hardware
  • Two large outside pockets worked into the design so that they are invisible
  • A cute attached coin purse that keeps cash safe and accessible

So many of these older bags are in near-perfect condition, too – many with tissue paper inside.  Owning fine accessory items and caring for them well (even without servants) used to be one of the hallmarks of an elegant lifestyle, and still is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

I NEVER GET TIRED OF ELEGANT MID-CENTURY CLUTCH PURSES

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I know – the black rayon evening handbag is so common and I see many of them.  Although they almost always have something for their designers to be proud of in comparison to today’s cheap copies, I usually pass them by (I have so many!)  However, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

once in a while I’ll see one with an unusual clasp or shape that makes me take a second look and know that I gotta have it.  Here is one.  It’s in beautiful condition, for one thing, but the closure set off to one side is handy and attractive.  The style  has that sleek, atomic feel that some post-war and mid-century modern designers really went for in the age of mega-bombs and Sputnik.

No matter how long this handbag hangs around, it will never be anything less than elegant.  The quality and “look” keep it from being dated or unfashionable.  Unless we someday stop carrying handbags altogether – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A BEAUTIFUL 1950’S HANDBAG BY BELLESTONE

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When it rains, it pours!  A luxury-brand, lizard-skin purse from the Fifties, sold at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, or possibly Chicago.  Full leather construction with the quality hardware that you would expect on an expensive handbag.

I come across bags of this genre now and again, but I wasn’t expecting it!  Just goes to show that – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

RARE MID-CENTURY REPTILE CLUTCH HANDBAG – THIS TIME IN CROCODILE

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Remember the lovely lizard bag?  Well, here’s a sister from the same era, but in croc.  This one may be a bit older, due to the restrictions that were imposed on crocodile leather and other exotic skins after WWII.  As with fur, I’m not a fan of animal skins for our clothing and accessories and won’t buy any new ones;  but the true vintage examples are collectible pieces of fashion history to me.

As is the other one, this one’s a beauty.  It has a full-leather interior and several pockets.  Although there are some apparent discolorations on the outside (they might even be natural to the skin itself), it’s very clean and undamaged inside – always a delight when discovering an old handbag!

So, surprised again!  I always love that, and the surprises keep on coming . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SURPRISE FIND – GORGEOUS WALBORG BEADED HANDBAG

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Couldn’t be more elegant and beautiful.  This is one of the best of the best from the 1940’s or 1950’s.  Made in Japan, all by hand – of course.  This style is more unusual than the typical rectangular shape and it may be a bit older than many.  Of course, I had to have it for my collection.

The craftsmanship and lovely design out-do anything similar that’s been made recently.  These bags are always quite heavy for their size, which testifies to the number of  glass beads used.  And the fact that they are all sewn by hand adds an extra level of quality.  That so many have lasted for all these decades without falling apart tells the story . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

VINTAGE HANDMADE, TOOLED – LEATHER KELLY BAG

    Yes, yes, yes, ANOTHER one. I just can’t pass up true vintage hand-tooled leather bags. Maybe because they’re always different from one another. The designs, while traditional, are all unique and sometimes very personalized.

    This is the only one I have of exactly this shape or with this motif. Love the rigid frame that gives it a very roomy interior. It could be from the 1940’s up to the early 1960’s. Super convenient roomy size.

    Designs on leather handbags were very popular beginning in the 1920’s(?) and 1930’s but the earlier ones may have been stamped designs. Western-style and Mexican hand-carved designs came a little bit later and the bags usually tended to be bigger. Then it became all the rage to make these bags at home with lessons, leather-craft materials and tools from suppliers like Tandy. There’s nothing like a truly handcrafted piece. Some, especially the oldest ones, are absolutely beautiful. Today, they are real treasures!

    More to come – stay tuned . .. . . .

    MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

    BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

    BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN LEATHER HANDBAG WITH A GREAT STORY

    BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN LEATHER HANDBAG WITH A GREAT STORY

    This beauty was made in Florence, Italy and has a fantastic story. First, I’ll tell my part –

    On a Mediterranean cruise, I was listening to the excursions director tell about the ports of call that we’d be stopping in.  Part of her presentation was to highlight the special products available in each place, in case we wanted to go shopping.  She flashed a photo of this handbag made in Florence, Italy on the screen and I just about jumped out of my seat.  I had discovered this one above just like it about 2 months before while vintage-hunting in my neighborhood!  When I told the excursions director my story, she congratulated me and said that these bags sell for 300+ Euros!!

    Italy has long been known for its exceptional leather goods – some say it’s #1 in the world. This purse is certainly a good example.  It has a gorgeous red leather lining with special internal pockets which I have never seen before.  Each one closes with a snap clasp like old cigarette cases used to.  The outside clasp is like other true vintage ones I have seen that self-lock when the purse is closed.  After I brought it home, I added a black and red leather billfold which I had found on a previous thrifting expedition.  It coordinates perfectly!

    This handbag was styled after one which was made decades ago BY SPECIAL ORDER FOR GRACE KELLY, probably after she had married Prince Ranier of Monaco in 1956 and was living as Princess Grace in Europe.  Can you imagine how my little vintage-loving heart swooned when I learned that?!!!

    What a great surprise!  Nothing could have added to the joy and mystique of my first cruise experience like this did. You just never know . . . . . .

    MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

    BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

    TWO TRUE VINTAGE PURSES FOR SPRING & SUMMER BY MORRIS MOSCOWITZ & ANDE’

    TWO TRUE VINTAGE PURSES FOR SPRING BY MORRIS MOSCOWITZ & ANDE'

    These two are very special, though they may not seem so at first glance. Let me tell you why –

    The coral-color clutch is by Morris Moscowitz, a maker of fine handbags until about 1975.  This one is from the Fifties or very early Sixties.  It is fabric on the outside – a linen/rayon blend is what it looks like – and fabric-lined inside (much more nicely than anything I see in the mid-priced range today).  Love the color and the fabric exterior – great for Spring and Summer.  You will find the maker’s name printed in gold inside – MM with the full name in small letters below.  Beware, as always, of logos that look similar, but are not authentic.

    The second one can double as a clutch or handbag, made of imitation leather with a fabric lining.  It is by Ande’.   Purses by this maker, in my experience,  were not high-end items but their designs were always innovative and creative and they are nicely made.  For example, this one has a make-up mirror that folds out on a hinge.  You’ll never lose or break this one!  Of course, it would usually be stored inside the purse, as the handle can be, too.  Notice the Lucite clasp.

    What else makes these handbags wonderful?  Remember, they are at least 50 years old and have stood up exceptionally well.  Their construction speaks to the quality of the materials and the workmanship in the manufacture of them which is something that we, unfortunately, see very rarely today.

    I’ve discovered several of these in my various vintage-hunting episodes and they are each different and distinctive.
    Little details are always a surprise! You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

    BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

    TRUE VINTAGE FIFTIES / EARLY SIXTIES SCARF BANDEAUS – BEAUTIFUL FOR SPRING AND SUMMER!

    TRUE VINTAGE FIFTIES / EARLY SIXTIES SCARF BANDEAUS - BEAUTIFUL FOR SUMMER!

    These scarves are of a vintage style I see rarely – sewn in a continuous circle and open in the back.  You can scrunch and spread them but they have no elastic built in.  Mid-century film stars loved this style.

    The idea is to make a chic “hat”, pinned and adjusted to your type of hairstyle, or a quick and elegant solution to bad hair days.  They’re usually sheer rayon, nylon or silk.

    Must have been, more or less, a brief “fad”. It would be easy to make or fake now, but the real thing is always more intriguing . . . . . . . . .

    MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

    BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

    TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – 1950’S – 1960’S RAINY DAY GEAR: COATS AND UMBRELLAS

    IMG_1465 IMG_1251 A little change-up for the last day of April.  An early 1960’s velveteen “all-weather” coat that I would double as an evening coat!  Love the covered buttons and the beautiful attached neck scarf, plus stylish 3/4 sleeves that look SO fabulous with longer gloves.  I’ve found several of these (one in emerald green!).  Made in Canada.IMG_1252Stella is also modeling a great nylon black and white checked coat from the 1950’s that I found in Australia.  These utilitarian coats were popular in the ’40’s and ’50’s, but this is the most stylish example I’ve ever seen, with a print, rather than plain.

    Finally, most of my umbrella collection.  Some have great prints  and some are most distinguished by the handles.  Always a fun statement.  Love the old Lucite and the vibrant colors!  I may be able to use one today . . . . .

    MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

    BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM