Tag Archives: 1960s

PERFECT TRUE VINTAGE JEWELRY ACCESSORIES FOR SUMMER DRESSES

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Classic white beads in a graduated strand are always perfect – they don’t have to be pearls!  Just look for beads with tiny spacers or knots in between – much more elegant and better quality. Also perfect are shell necklaces and bracelets.  These are always available, but the ones pictured are original vintage and have vintage findings.

Lots of cute costume jewelry is being made now; I just prefer the special extras that are present on the older things. They also have a different look.. . . . . .

 

MORGANA MARTIN,  THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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TRUE VINTAGE SHOES BY JOYCE – 1960’S COLORFUL FLATS

TRUE VINTAGE SHOES BY JOYCE - 1960'S COLORFUL FLATS

I’ve found a number of mid-century true vintage sporty-type items by Joyce.  One label said Joyce of Chicago, so maybe the same company.  Some companies have changed their labels somewhat over the years.

These flats are leather, of course, but only the uppers and interiors.  The soles are a good synthetic like Vibram (will last for decades).  I always love cut-out styles and these carnival colors are so much fun!

Just the ticket to wear with capris, cigarette pants, a cute dress or skirt – or shorts.  ’60’s casual fashions were all about playful and surprising.  The ’50’s certainly have those moments, too, in a BIG way but, overall, there’s more loyalty to the conservative classics in the 1950’s.

With the closed toe and elegant styling, these  “summer” shoes are easily worn Spring through Fall.  My main challenge here  is finding the right clothing  and colors to accompany them.  But, there is always black or white . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SLEEVELESS FROCK IN PRETTY YELLOW POLKA-DOT FABRIC

I’ve had such a run of finding 1960’s dresses lately!  But, I’m also finding items from decades before and it’s all so exciting.  This pretty summer frock is a dropped-waist style that adds a twist to what would otherwise be a plain, but very elegant, sheath.  This kind of casual elegance was so much a part of early-Sixties fashion.

The fabric I love because polka-dots and bright yellow are always so great for summer dresses.  It’s a synthetic with a nylon feel, but may be a blend.  Might have been custom-tailored, as so many true vintage dresses are, but it’s hard to say since the sewing skills our grandmothers had were so professional.  Labels can be missing for many reasons.

This one just makes me want to wear it to a carnival and go on all the rides while eating cotton candy and winning at least one Teddy Bear . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

CUTE TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER DAY FROCK – ANOTHER EARLY ’60’S FIND!

IMG_1506A flowery knit with a flouncy neckline – this dress was made in 1962.  Hemlines were still a bit longish then, and nipped waists were still “in”.

Oh, so much fun to be right back there at the exact time – perfect frock to wear to a picnic or to the carnival.  Rides weren’t so wild then that women had to worry about their skirts flying, like we would now.

The fabric is a little heavier, so probably no slip required – definitely a plus on a  hot day, though a cotton slip could even be a nice cooling layer against the synthetic material.  Always good to have at least one on hand, and the true vintage lingerie is always pretty and sweet.

Take me out to the ball game.  Take me out to the fair . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE MID-SIXTIES MOD SUMMER MINI-DRESS

IMG_1500This is the latest of my latest discoveries – the real deal from when mini-dresses were a “new” thing, and somewhat daring (not forgetting the 1920’s, of course).  It’s made of a nice synthetic fabric in a fine rib knit. Love the funky print and the sunny colors.

At first glance it looks like it could have been made yesterday, but it’s got fully built-in and substantial bra cups in front such as you see only in mid-century bathing suits and the occasional vintage dress.  In other words, it’s constructed like a brick house – no worries or straying straps.

That’s only one of the many things I adore about true vintage fashion – the superior construction which makes many items easy to wear because of thoughtful features that minimize the need for special undergarments – and saves us from wardrobe malfunctions!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER SUNDRESS FROM THE 1960’S!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA  A very cool find from Canada.  This one is bright red & white cotton plaid, with big white buttons front and back and patch pockets.  By Nu-Mode, it’s just the cutest sundress!

Ankle length, with a big ruffle at the bottom and looks very good on.  Quintessential late 1960’s, for sure!

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy

Blog:  Magicvintagespy.com

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Book:  How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

ARE YOU READY FOR THESE? TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S SUNDRESSES

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S SUNDRESSES

Here we have two beautiful sundresses, in similar colors.  Not really my colors – I’m a Summer skin-tone, rather than Spring or Fall, but who’s going to quibble when faced with these!

I’m guessing that the one on the right is the newer of the two.  The one on the left has more detail on the bodice and even has bows fixed to the shoulder straps in back.  It has a covered belt, whereas the other dress just has piping at the waist.

They’re both lovely, in a beautiful heavy cotton.  Madge wears it very well, don’t you think?  Such exceptional fit and tailoring.

Either of them could go from simple daytime activities to work (probably with a sweater or jacket), dinner, dancing, a party or date.

I often see dresses like this in movies from that era. Wear them and step into a time warp . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE “SUMMER OF ’42” HALTER DRESS

Just which decade is this dress from? I don’t know – it’s so classic in style, that it could be from either the 1940’s or 1950’s.  I’m going to bet on the earlier time, but can’t be sure.  Dare I say that it could even be from the ’30’s?!

I am certain that it’s true vintage and I love it to pieces!  The back, of course, is open to mid-back and there is a metal zipper on the side.  I expect that it was custom-tailored.  Just look how well the pattern is matched!

This is a favorite style of mine, and I really responded to the fabric when I discovered it.  Love the colors!  I also like the fact that the cut of the top is modest without being unnecessarily so.  Makes it very easy to wear.

Just right for a beach town, vacationing or a hot summer day anywhere.  Put on a big straw hat and just look like one of the tourists . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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

A LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S EVERYDAY SUMMER SHIFT DRESS

NEW FIND - A LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S EVERYDAY SUMMER SHIFT DRESS

Now that we’ve passed the first day of glorious Summer and the weather is certainly cooperating, it’s time to show this little frock.  It’s very simple, cool, and very cute!

So much fun to discover one of these because not many of them have survived.  Plain shift style – but certain features tell its age.  Notice the vintage snaps on the shoulder straps.  Usually you see these on older Western-wear garments.

I especially like the way that the neckline is constructed – it makes all the difference in how the dress falls. Even though it’s as casual as a house-dress, it also looks good with a chain or macrame’ belt, and I like the patch pockets, too.

This is just the kind of “jeans-and-t-shirt” outfit that women were likely to wear for everyday in the late Sixties, when actually wearing jeans and a t-shirt was not quite as common as it is now.

Put on some pretty sandals and a necklace, carry a cute purse and you’d look super out and about town.

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

LOVELY COTTON SHIRT-WAIST FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

LOVELY COTTON SHIRT-WAIST FROM THE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S IN FALL COLORS

Here’s another dress from about the same time as the last one.  It has the same features of design – the side metal zipper is the most significant.  I don’t know why that was a favorite feature, rather than allowing the front opening to be longer.

Although it was more trouble to put that side zip in, it was hidden (more or less) from view and allowed the front and back lines of the garment to be unbroken.  My best guess is that this style feature is more elegant than a back zip or long front opening would be.

So many of the styles and tailoring methods from the ’50’s and before paid a lot of attention to keeping the lines of a garment very elegant, with good fit and clean silhouette.  Back zippers on pants and skirts are a good example of this.

This dress is, I’m sure, custom tailored.  The skill of the sewer is excellent and it would challenge the quality of any commercially-made things today, outside of haute couture.

The reds, golds and mossy browns in this print make me think of leading into Fall, but let’s not rush our summertime, when the livin’ is easy . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com