Tag Archives: 1960’s

BLACK SATIN JUMPSUIT WITH MESH AND SEQUIN OVER-DRESS: THE HOSTESS WITH THE MOST-EST!

Can’t you see Stella greeting her cocktail party guests at the door of her penthouse on Park Avenue? At first glance, in photos 3 & 4, this looks like a sumptuous but sedate evening gown. However, when she begins to walk . .

there’s a strapless jumpsuit underneath! Wide embroidered mesh panels with streams of shiny sequins from shoulder to hem, finely tailored with satin binding, waft and swing across her legs as she fetches your martini. I have never, ever discovered one of these and I’m so excited!

It’s Joan Leslie by Kasper and it’s a late 1960’s – early 1970’s vintage. Almost looks like ’40’s – ’50’s to me, but that would pre-date the label. Just a continuation of the glam costumes which began to appear in the 1920’s when women’s hostess outfits started showing up with wide-leg silk and satin pants.

So, I always love a party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAEGSPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MOD, OP – ART 1960’S BOX BAG

Really interesting shapes, depending on how you look at it. Big enough inside to hold a sheaf of 8 1/2″ by 11″ pages, too! No maker’s name inside, but who cares?

It’s well-made, also, as I would expect from that mid-century time. The body is woven of some type of fiber or reed. Tubular handles are gold-tone and the clasp and anchors on the bottom (which I haven’t photographed) are black leather. It has little feet, too.

This is the “youngest” of my recent discoveries, but there are two more. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

AN ICONIC TAILORING CLUE ON THIS DRESS PUTS THE DATE IN QUESTION . . . . . . .

At first look I would immediately say that this dress is of the same era as the previous one shown yesterday. Well, almost . . . . . . . . . . .BUT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The raglan sleeves have gussets sewn in the underarms. This is a feature usually seen in 1950’s dresses and earlier. So, this little number may be a bit older. It’s also very well-made with a beautiful shantung fabric, made of rayon rather than the more common silk shantung. The bolero jacket is very practical and pretty.

I could have these dresses altered to fit me but, since I have others very similar, they’ve gone on to eBay. The find was the fun this time. One more to go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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