Tag Archives: 1960s

Okay, Okay. It’s cold now! Time to get out my Pretty Wool Capes

It’s still Fall, guys, but a skiff of snow on my car this morning brought me back to reality. Although we’ll have more warmish days, it’s time to get out some of the woolies. I’m not ready, yet, to throw on one of my wonderful wool coats but capes are more versatile at in-between times. Here are two of my mid-century favorites.

This beautiful red one is tailored and perfect for smart casual to business styles. It is lined and detailed like a good coat would be. Made in the decade from 1955 to 1965. The classic style makes it difficult to pinpoint a year, but there are always clues. A brand label really helps. Buttons and zippers can tell a story. If you study costume design or are a super sleuth the fabric, certain tailoring details or photos of trends published in newspapers and magazines can narrow the window to a more specific time frame. The next cute and unusual cape is a perfect example.

A reversible garment is so much fun! The second cape is much more casual and in a Boho style. It’s a nice, substantial wool but has no lining or pockets. The only complications to the design are the pattern woven into the fabric and the little tufted string tie at the neckline. It’s also from the same decade as the red cape but I can narrow the time period closely because of the color clue. There were one or two years from 1962 – 1964 when the blue and green color combo went viral. It was on everything from clothing to housewares and graphic design. Styles were also loosening up around then, with Mod edging in on classic and traditional. I’ll bet that this cape was made and sold during those 3 years, possibly exactly 1963.

So, these will keep me warm and the freezing temps are likely to minimize the risks of moth damage. However, it’s always a good idea to protect your treasured woolen garments since those moths can sometimes surprise you. I have more capes to show you, but that may come later in the year or even next year since we’ll be turning the New Year’s page before we know it. Stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS SURPRISE FIND! BULLOCKS WILSHIRE 100% SILK DRESS 1960’s – ’70’s

  Haven’t been investigating lately – too much traveling. But, it never fails! This trendy day frock was from a high-end hotel shop, probably in Los Angeles. The iconic hotel closed, finally, in 1993 but was opened, I believe, in the late 1920’s. Well-heeled clients bought luxury goods there for decades. 

  This casual day dress is no exception, with all the features of a beautifully-tailored garment: pure silk fabric, hand-stitching, hidden seams, full lining, piped edging on the neckline, armholes and decorating the seams which shape the front of the dress, hooks and eyes closing the top of the neckline at nape, sewn-in strap holders at the shoulders, hem is hand-finished with silk tape. Made in Hong Kong (for that kind of high quality, where else?).

  The floral print is a cross between the psychedelic and flower power designs of the mid 1960’s to early 1970’s in the vibrant clear colors of that era. The A-line shape, Mandarin collar and knee length also reflect the style for conservative high-end day dresses made at that time. 

  Labeled as a size 14, that really dates this dress, too. It’s just a little large for me, which would put it at a modern size 4-6. Asian-made fashions do sometimes seem to run small but I’m not sure if that was true for garments made decades ago for the U.S. market. There’s no obvious evidence that the dress has been altered. Another plus – it’s in almost perfect condition!

  One of the last things I might have expected to find, but that’s what makes sleuthing so much fun! Always surprises; hidden and revealing clues. Stay tuned – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

  

  

PART OF MODERN ’50’s – ’60’s LIFE IS TRAVEL – A NEW SENSE OF FREEDOM FOR MIDDLE-CLASS WOMEN

In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s needlework magazines embraced this exciting adventure and symbol of the Good Life and modern prosperity. Women were still mostly “at home”, but were REALLY getting out of the kitchen sometimes. Styles shifted right along with them.

Nothing portrays a life of leisure, well-being and financial freedom better than the ability to travel. This was a revelation for many women and international journeys were truly “another world” for most of them. New activities, of course, require new products and definitely a new wardrobe. The clothing industry, including handicrafts, got right into it and has continued to heavily market wardrobe items for travel ever since.

So, was there anything more thrilling than making an outfit for an upcoming trip across the country or the planet? The dream machine was in high gear and wardrobe, including all accessories, has led the movement. Only, perhaps, cars have had an equally compelling attraction and ability to follow and create culture. But, that’s another blog . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MID-1960’S WEDDING – PATIO – HOSTESS GOWN. THINGS WERE CHANGING PRETTY RADICALLY BACK THEN, TOO, AND UNPREDICTABLE

Although there were some radical fashion changes in the 1920’s and 1930’s when women’s clothing styles went edgy for a few years and a lot of necessary changes because of the Depression and wartime restrictions of the ’30’s and 1940’s, the relative peace and prosperity of the 1950’s saw bridal styles snap back into the traditional Princess mode. Then, in the 1960’s, people had some trouble deciding how they wanted things to be, so mid-Sixties trends were all over the place.

Though definitely headed in the non-traditional direction, this gown by a minor-league designer sticks to the standard of careful tailoring and hangs on to the style elements we’d been used to seeing like lace, bows and tiny covered buttons. It’s made of a high quality linen-like fabric. But, unlike the usual wedding designs, this one doesn’t scream WEDDING DRESS at first glance, as most designs always did before the 1960’s.

I suspect that this frock was meant primarily to be for a wedding, but our heroine could get away with it at a swanky party or even lounging by the pool on a weekend. The real clues to break the case would probably not be revealed until a trip to the dry-cleaners or a forensics lab – when and where did she drink that Martini? and those tiny traces of blood? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HERE’S A MORE MODERN TAKE ON THE TRADITIONAL FROCK POSTED YESTERDAY . . . .

About 35 – 40 years later we see another Japanese-owned clothing company in Hawaii coming out with a very similar design. This is not the same traditional tea ceremony dress, but alike in many ways; Contrasting lining in the sleeves, ankle length and gently-fitted shape, though the print is a thoroughly MOD pattern in the popular color combo of that brief era around 1962 – 1963. This company apparently closed at that time, too. Wonder why . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A REALLY NEAT AND SEXY 1960’S HOUSE DRESS

While we’re still in kind of a hippie – dippie mood, here’s the wonderful wrapper house dress I found, in a great psychedelic print. The first thing I noticed after my eyes told me that this garment was true vintage was the feel of the fabric. It is so silky and glossy that you just want to have it next to your skin and to run your hands over it. Add that to the figure-hugging fit and we’ve got a real sultry thing going on.

With all the seaming and piecing involved here, it’s hard to imagine that the dress was handmade but that may be true. It closes with great big metal snaps in order to fit close to the body and preserve modesty. I just love it and will wear it around home as one of those really convenient outfits that can also go out for running errands anytime.

We’re just about out of the Sixties now – just one more frock before strolling into the Seventies. Stay tuned . … . . . . . . .. . . … .. .. . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

VERY ICONIC TENT DRESS – A DESIGN INTRODUCED BY MARY QUANT IN 1964

I was absolutely over-the-moon when I discovered this. They are hardly ever seen, in my experience. Women loved the style when it came out because it’s so easy to wear, comfortable and surprisingly cute. However, this design seemed to have a fairly short life in the retail market which may explain why it’s not easy to find as a vintage piece. In this case, the dress has been home-sewn (much more economical that buying a real Mary Quant!) and has a nylon zip, unlike the other 1960’s dresses I’m showing with metal ones.

My mother had a dress made this way, but I never did so was skeptical that I would want to keep it. Big surprise when I tried it on – it looks like a tent (duh!) but is super cute and even flattering (maybe men would disagree). Although the style is meant to be worn beltless, it would also look nice with a belt and give more shape to the body.

Anyway, the big payoff for me is the rarity of this find and it’s firm place in fashion history. Score!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MOD BLACK AND WHITE SHOES FROM THE MID 1960’S – SPECTATOR STYLE

MOD BLACK AND WHITE SHOES FROM THE MID 1960'S - SPECTATOR STYLE

A pair of, low-heeled classic quasi-spectator-style Mod pumps.  Black and white is always “in”, and is always de la mode.  Very practical for any Sixties – era outfit.  You can also dance the night away in comfort.

This pair is by the famous maker Florsheim, a quality name for decades.  Looks great Spring, Summer or Fall.  Probably in Winter, too.  A classic’s a classic, right?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE FALL FOOTWEAR – A PAIR OF SHOES THAT REMIND ME OF AUDREY

A PAIR OF TRUE VINTAGE SHOES THAT REMIND ME OF AUDREY

The actress Audrey Hepburn, I’ve read, favored cute little low-heeled shoes like these in the 1950’s and 1960’s when she was making many movies in America and Europe.  Though this pair are not quite that old, they’re of a style that has been around for decades and were made by a company that used to sell good-quality shoes and purses.

Nothing beats the classics and these are pure – Fall colors, back to school, practical casual fashion and comfort.  Fashion items this versatile are a super investment, while looking so unique!  Leather uppers with strong synthetic soles, they’ll last forever if they are looked after.  Ahh, the beauty of a true vintage quality wardrobe . . . . ..

I wear them with a skirt and sweater, a jumper dress, slacks or even a simple suit.  They’re a good choice for a day of shopping or sight-seeing or a long sleuthing assignment . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A BOX OF TRUE VINTAGE SHOES IN THE BASEMENT

A BOX OF TRUE VINTAGE SHOES IN THE BASEMENT

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!  Lots of variety from several different decades.

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.  More retro than vintage, but reminiscent of the 1940’s and 1950’s.

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 them in later years, but they aren’t the same.

Pair #8 – Low-heel leather pumps by Johannson from the mid-’60s.

Pair #9 – Leather pumps from the ’70s.  Nothing to lose your wallet over.

Pair #10 – Leather flats from the mid – late 1960s, with price tags still inside.

Well, that was interesting.  I remember finding all of these.  Probably I will sell them, since I run into the issue that all vintage collectors usually do – storage space!  Sometimes you have to (sigh), but as I get better and better at my craft, the non-keepers become fewer and fewer

Don’t forget that one of these pairs might be just what is needed to finish off a Halloween costume soon . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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