I’ve always loved the garments made by this company, SWIRL, and this one is no exception. It may not be as old as some of the ones I own, but still has the ’60’s – ’70’s applique’ and the great styling.
Like some other things (the dresses I just came up with . . . . .), you can never have too many . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Reminiscent of the 1920’s and ’30’s, on up through the Fifties, this metal mesh purse was made by an Australian company that was started by an emigrant couple in 1959. They closed shop in the mid-eighties, but children opened up again ten years or so ago. This is one of their original designs.
With a serpentine metal handle and enameled beige color, it’s very smart and perfectly Aussie!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This is so bizarre – more true vintage white leather shoes with magnificently clean uppers. Moccasin booties are especially rare and fun to find.
A BIG fad for women in the 1950’s, they were often brought back from vacation as Southwestern U.S. souvenirs. People have been fascinated with the American West and the Native American culture for decades.
Just the thing to wear with jeans and they were perfect with Native American-made circle skirts and dresses, which were also very popular among more adventurous white American housewives in the Fifties and Sixties. These were probably made a decade later, but the style is classic. Also, with the Thunderbird – my personal totem . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Whenever I discover a great vintage belt, I pounce. Even if I don’t have a specific outfit to pair it with, it’s always worth the investment. These two are probably from the ’70’s or ’80’s.
What makes these different? We see so many cheap, giltzy things now that it would be easy to miss them if you’re not a skilled investigator.
The gold-color serpentine belt is well-constructed. The black sequined belt is, as well, with a metal buckle. Both have stretch built in, so they are great to dress up frocks and tunics that need a little “extra”, with an adjustable fit.
Makes completing a mid-century vintage outfit a snap, while staying true to the era.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Two finds from the 1970’s, put together perfectly. I love the cute 1940’s vibe; these pieces were made in the early 1970’s when that style was revived. The shirt was from Sears Junior Bazaar and the slacks made by a company called Beeline. How fun!
The pants are long, so they’re great with platform sandals – another thing popular at that time – also part of the 1940’s retro thing. As a true vintage sleuth, it’s so fun to watch how the styles go around and come around again.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I have found several of these elegant black and white styles from the ’60’s and ’70’s – and wear them a lot. As versatile as a Little Black Dress for day and fun to accessorize. If made by a well-known clothing company or designer, the workmanship was good .
Polyester knits made up until the early 1970’s were usually very nice – good quality and with a substantial feel and nice drape. A well-made dress or pant-suit could take you through 3 seasons of the year. Although similar-looking dresses are made now, the older ones almost always have superior tailoring and fabric.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Talk about fussy and pretty .. . . . .! Although they’re similar in some ways to the blouses shown yesterday, I like these so much better. In spite of the high neckline on the left, they’re less prim and will look great with jeans and peasant skirts.
These styles go way back, from the 1890’s (with long gloves or a jacket, of course. Can’t show those arms!) to the 1940’s and 1950’s when peasant-style was all the rage. As always, the fashion came back in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s and was just as iconic then.
As I’ve said, it’s rare to find blouses and shirts this old in fabulous condition. The things that make this possible are the high-quality construction and fabric plus the fact that people used to care for their clothing much better than we do now. For modern vintage sleuths, our gain!
So, never give up – just learn how to sneak smarter . .. . . . . . . . . . .. ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
GIRLY, GIRLY, GIRLY FLORAL DRESS FROM ABOUT 1970
See the similarities to the dress shown yesterday, from Canada? Yes, the siren call of Fashion was making slaves of us all on both sides of the Atlantic. All over the world, women who were able to follow the latest trends were rushing to wear this 1940’s retro style. Even though Paris was slow to be corrupted, it happened.
The thought of it kind of ruins your day, doesn’t it? Well, thankfully we’ve now reached the era when we can wear whatever suits our fancy without worrying about whether we’re up-to-date. Because, if we develop our own unique, personal look, we will be very fashionable (and who cares, anyway)!
This dress was probably custom-tailored, too. We’re still in polyester (of course), but not in a knit. This is a woven fabric with a much lighter hand and a woven-in stripe for texture and eye appeal. Same prim collar, fussy trim, puffed sleeve, nipped waist and swing skirt. It’s also a little more sophisticated than yesterday’s frock – less of a rockabilly feel.
Still not haute couture, by any means. And, like all the “newer” garments, it carries the stamp of international trends and fabrics that take away from it’s Parisian roots. That’s one reason that I always prefer clothing from the early 1960’s and before. But, if you have to go with something made later, why not choose something from Paris? Tomorrow, we’re off to Ireland . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
EARLY 1970’S RETRO-STYLE SHIRTWAIST DRESS
I’m dodging out of Paris and into Canada for one day because of today’s find. In my favorite brown and blue combo, a custom-tailored poly frock from the early 1970’s that rocks the 1940’s vibe.
I’m impressed with how well the tailor set these ruffles on the collar and sleeves. It testifies to some expertise. i’m not so much into ruffles, personally, but I adore swing skirts!
A simple dress but definitely from that time about 1973 when lots of cutesy ’40’s style elements were coming out in popular clothing. I so love being able to date a garment very closely like this. That makes it extra special. It’s a perfect fit for Giselle, too. We’ll go back to Paris in the same time-frame tomorrow . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This is one of my favorite LBD’s for day. The cut and quality are SO good and it is ultra-flattering.
The fabric is lovely and the hardware on the belt is, too. It’s a basic style, but so chic and elegant. These features make all the difference between looking ordinary or sophisticated and well off.
So many true vintage pieces have these advantages. What’s not to love?!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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