Tag Archives: 1960s

AN ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE EVENING CARDIGAN SWEATER FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S, MADE IN HONG KONG

AN ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE EVENING CARDIGAN SWEATER FROM THE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S, MADE IN HONG KONG

Here’s a beautiful decorated sweater meant, mostly, for evening wear.  It is fully lined in silk with black beads and spangles decorating front and back.  Many mid-century women had one of these – it was a classic standard.

Made in Hong Kong, the quality is a cut above many garments made elsewhere. This seems to have been the case for many decades.  It’s another one of those iconic garments that is a must-have for any vintage wardrobe and, maybe, more than one since the colors and decorative patterns were varied and unique.

Though high-quality tailoring was particularly true for vintage garments made several decades ago, I still take special note when I find modern clothing that has been made in Hong Kong.  The materials and tailoring are still almost always excellent in garments made there..

There is no wrap more elegant, excepting perhaps a wonderful vintage fur, than a beautifully-made hand-decorated fine wool cardigan thrown over your shoulders. It can be worn in many ways and will never let you down.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER THRILLING FIND! 1950’S 1960’S MEN’S CARDIGAN SWEATER

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I’m always so happy to find one of these in almost perfect condition!  So different from the others I’ve just shown.  The front metal zip is unusual, rather than buttons, and the (probably) acrylic fiber is a plus over wool because of the ease of storage and care.  I DO love old wool sweaters, however.

This example was made in Hong Kong (always pointing to quality construction and workmanship, at least in true vintage garments) and has the classic styling of patch pockets and striped trim.  The zipper is as sturdy as they come.

A wonderful and infrequent discovery.  My favorites!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HOW RARE! A SECOND PAIR OF HIGH-WAIST SLACKS FROM THE 1960’S

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Lightweight true vintage  wool pants with the high waist that I love.  Just perfect for chilly fall weather at the football stadium.  These don’t have quite the wide-leg of that last pair, but still very much from that mid-century time and will be great with some  knee-boots I just bought.

They’re just a mid-priced item (Modern Juniors) with no lining, but tights or a pants-liner “slip” (those do come in handy) will take care of that.

I’ll have to dig through my long-sleeved shirts, sweaters and blazers for just the right combo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE AMERICAN WOOL JUMPER DRESS FROM THE LATE ’50’S OR EARLY ’60’S

TRUE VINTAGE AMERICAN WOOL JUMPER DRESS FROM THE LATE '50'S OR EARLY '60'S

Here’s a very special woven wool jumper dress with big shell buttons.   I have it pinned since it’s a little too teeny for Madge, you see how much difference a little change in one’s figure could make in the fit!

It’s really cut for a petite woman, maybe slightly under average height.  But, a couple more inches here and there and VAVOOM!  Unfortunately, a shade too much on the petite side for me and no Vavoom, so I sold it before Stella joined me and it would have fitted her well!

Dresses like this were super popular right around 1960 and might have been worn with a turtleneck, but a blouse would have been more likely.  I show it with this sweater just because the color matches so well.

The most outstanding feature of this design is the big abalone shell buttons asymmetrically closing the front.  And, the hem-line is fairly long, especially on a shorter person.  A sign of the times.

Definitely a sophisticated back-to-school or a career dress for some aspiring young woman!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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1960’S CLASSIC MEN’S CARDIGAN FROM SCOTLAND

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Here’s the other suede-trimmed sweater I mentioned a few days ago.  Traditional design and construction in this handsome, high-quality cardigan have let it last for 50+ years with very little sign of wear.  Nice, soft virgin wool and buttery suede, plus knotted leather buttons made this a favorite, iconic style for decades.

I’m always so glad to find garments like this one in such wonderful condition.  Big for me, but I know someone who might find it to be just the thing .. . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY

BEST EVER PANTS FIND – 1960’S BELL-BOTTOMS

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I always have my eye out for great slacks like these, but they’re SO rare.  Love these late Sixties flares that are reminiscent of 1940’s women’s styles and sailors’ pants.  Such a treat to find slacks that fit like a glove.

The cut velour fabric is comfy but not too plush.  Good for wear in any cool weather (I like them most in Fall, of course) and also in a great neutral color; much more versatile than some of the wild prints from that time that are really Mod-cute but wearable with only one or two tops in the closet.

They’ll look great with that cheetah-print blouse from a few days ago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE DECORATED CARDIGAN SWEATER FROM THE 1940’S

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE DECORATED SWEATER FROM THE 1940'S

Another classic specialty from the 1930’s to the 1960’s was decorated sweaters.  This one is  a unique favorite. It’s casual/dressy and has applique’ and beads on the front.  Most of this decoration was done by hand and would be fabulously expensive today.

I like the 3/4 sleeves, the little collar, the dusty green color and the fabulous flattering fit!  Looks great with a skirt or pants.  Keeps me wanting to find more true vintage slacks and skirts to wear with it.

Although it was a casual style, it has a very tailored look to it.  By our standards today, women looked “dressed up” almost no matter what kind of outfit they were wearing.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A TRUE VINTAGE HEAVY KNIT 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S AUTUMN SWEATER-JACKET

A TRUE VINTAGE HEAVY KNIT 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S SWEATER-JACKET

A find from out West last time I went, this is my second jacket of this type.  It’s made of a very heavy synthetic fiber – probably an acrylic, and has a real Happy Days feel to me – and unisex appeal.  I love the abstract geometric designs on these and the bright Fall colors on this one.  Warm and attention-getting.  Wear them with slacks, jeans, leggings or they can even go over a skirt or sheath dress.  . . . . . .

As I write this, there are four garments in my wardrobe which are made of this textile.  It’s a very heavy, glossy yarn and is a mystery to me.  Even my sister, with an MFA in costume design, couldn’t help me with more information!  I do suspect that it’s from the 1940’s or 1930’s, when natural fabrics such as wool, silk and cotton, were sidelined to produce uniforms, parachutes and other supplies for the war effort.  So many great synthetics were developed about that time in history, to produce clothing for the civilian population.  If anyone can shed light on this investigation, please send the intelligence.  Although it may be Top Secret, it’s time to declassify it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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2 MOD KNIT DRESSES FROM THE SIXTIES – EARLY SEVENTIES FEEL A LOT DIFFERENT FROM YESTERDAY’S!

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Still  modest, but a lot more casual and friendly-looking.  Fun everyday wear for when I want a warmer dress (like now!)  My, my – the chilly winds they are a-blowin’.  That’s one good thing about the older acrylic knits.  They’re not as heavy as a sweater but they are warm.

Good color combos – just right for Autumn and I’m happy with the long sleeves and the original belts – not so easy to find.  I’ll be wearing them soon with opaque tights and boots, in a late Sixties Carnaby Street mood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S DRESS & COAT ENSEMBLE – PERFECTLY TAILORED

IMG_1728 IMG_1729Can you imagine – the FIRST thing I discovered was this gorgeous set!!  And, it all got better from here:

Pretty rayon blend sheath dress with a matching coat.  Look at the collar on that coat!  The trim and lining are of printed silk.  Both dress and coat are completely lined.  There is no label remaining, so this set might have been custom-tailored by an expert.

On top of that, it’s in perfect condition.  A special frock ensemble, well cared for.  Made for Spring or early Autumn – cool summers, too.

Well, full-moon periods are like this.  Phenomenal things materialize.  This one hit my eye like a big pizza pie – and I was off and running . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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