A COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE SLEEPWEAR & LOUNGEWEAR.
Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy
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This dress is one of my Mata Hari outfits and came from a shop in, probably, British Hong Kong – maybe Taiwan or somewhere in China. It has a label with the shop’s name, but no further info. It is possibly custom-made, as so many of the dressmakers will do in those countries.
Because it is a classic oriental style and a heavy jacquard material, I am unable to date it really closely – also has none of the identifiers that clothing made in the U.S. often will.
In any case, I love Eastern styles and the beautiful silks that they are often made from. The older dresses are still found. Some, like this one, are made from a synthetic blend. Many contemporary dresses are still being made in the traditional styles, so you have to know how to identify the older ones, if that is what you are seeking. Kimonos are lovely, too. I also find blouses, all with beautiful embroidery.
There is nothing more magical and mysterious to wear than Asian fashions, especially the vintage silks. They have been popular across the world for decades so, wherever you are searching, you just never know . . . . . . . . .
Virtually everything I show on this blog is something I’ve found in the last 15 years or so, since I’ve taken more time to go hunting and investigating. Most of them are recent finds, and I don’t break the bank!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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i bought this little blouse in about 1977. It is by a company called Nirvana (not the same as the stores that have been around lately or the music group of the same name). Made in India, of cotton. Again, it looks a lot like stuff sold today. The only differences are that the cotton fabric is nicer and the embroidery design is done better than what I usually see now. The stitching is also better – one reason why I still have it after 36 years!
Although it would look better on my mannequin, Madge, there is no special fit. The shoulder straps are adjustable and the waist is a drawstring tie. Mostly, it’s very typical of the time it was made – the sort of thing that everybody wore in the summer.
Most of my true vintage is older than this and has much more interesting style, which is very different from today (excepting for the copycats, if you don’t look too closely). But, I thought I’d go ahead and share these to show you that the differences between true vintage and modern are still there, but are harder to spot after the 1960s.
Magicvintagespy 