A frock with some of the best elements of 1960’s casual style – soft cotton fabric, empire styling, ric-rac trim, vintage sculpted buttons and gathered sleeves. So comfy and can go from house-dress to patio party to any basic everyday event.
I’m suddenly on a roll again. Not sure when the next find may be but, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Yes, it’s a summer dress but how could I resist? We don’t usually find them with all these pretty details – a very Victorian Prairie thing for a hot-weather girl. Looks like it was commercially-made, but there are no tags. I may end up selling it next year but, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I’ve got lots of beautiful vintage lingerie, so I’m not in the habit of picking up lots of slips now – BUT – I don’t have a single one with this wonderful mid-Sixties Mod print! Didn’t take me long to grab this one.
It’s in beautiful condition, so I’ll enjoy wearing it for decades – maybe as a skirt next summer. The label is so worn from washing that the brand name is no longer legible but I can see that it is “100% Nylon”. Seems like that was kind of a big deal at one time.
Such fun, and a new thing for me!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Fun find today! A custom-made prairie-girl dress that can go all year round. Just put a blouse, t-shirt or t-neck underneath and there you go. The fabric is a woven synthetic of the late-mid-century time so it’s a Sixties take on a much older style. There are Amish in the area where I discovered it, but I’m not sure this is their style. May be some other groups who wear slightly less modest clothing and would be allowed to show their arms. ? It’s got an old metal CC zipper and hardly any wear so, who knows. The sash ties in back and there’s ric-rac all around.
Just fun, so true vintage and cute! Another mystery, which I love. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Fun find – a custom-tailored frock made sometime between 1960 and 1985. It’s got overall a great day dress style, harking back to the 1940’s. The best thing about the styling, I think, is the flared skirt design which will flip and twirl with every movement. A perfect dress for dancing!
Another neat thing is that the seamstress put in a LONG side zipper so that it’s really easy to put on and take off – no need for contortion or someone to help you zip, as sometimes happens with back zippers.
This is a relatively simple dress, but little clues tell me that the maker put special thought into the styling and construction, which make it special. Love it!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This is absolutely the prettiest apricot-color floral print dress! It’s got an old Talon zipper in back and is in fabulous condition (and my size, if not my best color – maybe a little summer tan will help).
Don’t know whether this was Prom or whatever in it’s first life, but now I’d wear it almost anywhere. Could even be worn as part of a wedding party. The cut and skirt treatment are very well done, making this a super-flattering frock.
Let’s see what’s next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I always love finding dresses like this from back in the day. Many women wore these at home on a daily basis, and didn’t worry too much if they had to run out for an errand – a little freshening-up: a combing and touch of hairspray, powder & lipstick and off they went to the supermarket.
Other women, who worked in the garment unions, made these dresses in large quantities. Most of them found their way to the rubbish bin after being worn for years of cooking and housecleaning, but a few of them made it out alive. Love the lines of the slightly older style on the right.
So, here we have two of those gals who were well looked-after and might have lived a more leisurely life. They were half-sizes (plus) in their time but now would be lucky to qualify as large size. However, their styles are forgiving and may serve me very well just as they did their first owners. Fun!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s that play-suit discovery I made several months ago, modeled properly. 100% cotton with ric-rac trim and big plastic buttons. Not only is it the cutest thing in the world but the ingenious design makes it so convenient to wear, unlike most jumpsuits both old and new.
Button straps, elastic waist and snap crotch closures make it easy-on, easy-off. Although retro versions have been made in recent years, true vintage versions are rare, rare, rare. It also fits me perfectly, unlike the one I came across several years ago which is a bit big. So, I couldn’t be happier. C’mon summer .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
While I was having a run on ’60’s cocktail LBDs, this one presented herself. Same chiffon drape detail idea, but very sassy chic instead of tailored and ladylike. So much fun!
I also love discovering these frocks that were worn once or not at all. And even the ones that saw many the party are often still in quite beautiful condition, as our grandmothers were not in the habit of trashing their clothing. You won’t see the next one for a while, though, because she needs a zipper replacement. A breeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In the meantime, there’s lots more to show you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Isn’t this one a beauty?! Another of my “new” finds this winter, when I had a sudden rush of discovering little black dresses from this particular era, most with these interesting drapes of black chiffon.
It’s a keeper for sure! Though a little long, it fits like a dream and, of course, is very well-tailored. Love the bodice treatment and little cap sleeves. The very svelte sheath fit makes up for the poufiness around the hips. Now I just need to find a cocktail party . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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