A KENNEDY ERA 1960’S FROCK

A very well-made dress by Mr. Henry, in a mid-weight woven fabric that’s almost like a knit. Drapes beautifully and has this pretty cut-out design around the neckline, outlined in beads. Smart casual for day but can slide into evening.

Way too big for Stella, but she makes everything look good no matter what! Actually, I’m always happy to find these lovely clothes in bigger sizes because it’s so rare. A dress can almost always be made smaller, but making it bigger is usually only a dream.

In fact, I found two black frocks in this same size so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A BUNCH OF FINDS YESTERDAY!

Keep a look-out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

JUST RECEIVED A WONDERFUL GIFT FROM FAMILY: 1970’S BILL BLASS SWIMSUIT AND 1960’S CAP

Awww, this was so sweet. After the passing of her mother, my in-law gave me this swimming costume that had belonged to her mom for part of my collection. I’m so thrilled to have it! Those iconic floral swim – caps from the 1950’s and 1960’s are something else. This one is fragile, but still survived all those years of chlorine exposure and kept mom’s hairdo pretty.

Bill Blass created this one-piece swimsuit design in the Seventies that was still loyal to much older styles from the 1940’s and 1950’s. Very elegant, yet functional. It gives a sleek, figure-enhancing fit which is not dowdy and also super for serious swimming. The waffle weave of the fabric would never do for Olympic competition, but is just fine for your daily laps or a cooling dog-paddle. Just had to share this surprise with you . … . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HERE’S STELLA WEARING THE MYSTERY DRESS FIND

Love this dress with it’s slinky, sexy fit. It has 1960’s style features i.e. bell sleeves and decorative trimming and a nylon Talon zipper BUT it is placed in the middle of the back with no opening at the top, like some 1940’s dresses. The fabric is also heavy cotton(?) and has an unusual art print. So, several indications of an older garment though it may have been styled the way it is just to enhance the fit.

No matter! Fits me well and looks fabulous on Stella. It’s a keeper, at least for a while . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER LATE 1960’S RETRO STYLE – VICTORIAN REVIVAL

Stella does true justice to this great find, which fits her perfectly. So late 1960’s but with an unusual 1940’s – 1950’s zipper, which tells me that it was custom-made.

Not my style, but I love finding such well-preserved dresses from iconic times like the hippie – prairie craze that went on from about 1967 – 1971. Wait till you see the next one . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HOMEMADE LATE 1960’S PRETTY MOD CARPET SHOULDER BAG

Simplest of simple fold-over style with nothing fancy inside, though it does have a full black lining. I’m going to really enjoy this one – SO of the period (1967 – 1970) and in a plush and colorful fabric.

This purse was a great finale to my sleuthing expedition. I wonder what’s next? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MID-CENTURY HOME-SEWN FLORAL FORMAL DRESS —PROM, ANYONE?

Empire A-line styling with flutter sleeves and a floral print – couldn’t get more ’60’s early ’70’s than that. But, there are so many retro versions made recently – why would I decide to collect this one?

Frocks that I might otherwise pass on if they were commercially – made, I will collect if custom-tailored. Hand-sewing always tells it’s own story, with special touches and unique designs or fabrics.

So, this dress is especially pretty and versatile. It only needs a few TLC interventions and will be ready to go. I might lose the sleeves, as I like sleeveless styles so much, but will decide later.

More finds from this general era, but very different. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HOME-DESIGNED 1960’s MOD-PRINT MATERNITY BLOUSE

So unusual to find a maternity blouse this old, let alone two of them within a couple of weeks! This example is definitely from the 1960’s, per the fabric, but with styling from an even earlier era.

Peter Pan collar, contrasting cuffs, back button closure and a deep inverted pleat in front. Although maternity wear was available commercially long before this garment was made, most early pregnancy-wear seems to have been sewn at home.

It’s fun to see prim and proper pregnant meet psychedelic! More to come – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORE MID-CENTURY MODES

Recent finds, again, from the early 1950’s, 1960’s and maybe into the 1970’s. A couple of these garments are directly in the categories of other recent finds – interesting how things tend to come in multiples . . . . . . . . . . .

Won’t be posting until Sunday, as I have to spend time volunteering for abused and injured animals tomorrow. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

AUTHENTIC LATE 1960’S CUSTOM-TAILORED HOUSE-DRESS

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Very simple, but with the 1960’s bona-fides.  This fabric can’t be found today, no matter that some modern materials may be lookalikes at a glance.  Maybe some girl made this as a first project for Home-Ec class, though whoever it was did a pretty good job.  Not fancy; no bells and whistles, but sturdy, useful and very cute.

The elastic neckline is still stretchy and there are no stains, so someone stored this for a long time and didn’t use the heck out of it.  It’s our good fortune that many great true vintage garments were cared for this way by our moms and grandmothers, let alone the generations before.  Our current throw-away culture has played havoc with the quality of items that we can buy as well as any encouragement to keep things.  However, prices just keep going up and up out of all proportion.

Well, la-dee-da  –  not so much of a problem for the Magicvintagespy.  Wonder what’s next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM