This super-fun summer version of the classic Weejuns is still true vintage but a more recent incarnation – made in the 1980’s or 1990’s, sometime before 1993. As we would expect, they are completely of leather excepting for some parts of the insoles. So, that means that they can be repaired forever when some wear appears.
Completely classic. How could I resist?
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Although I’d much rather wear one of my real 1940’s crepe dresses, this one has some nice styling touches. It’s one of the better ’80’s does ’40’s designs I’ve seen. Please forgive that it is a couple sizes too large for Stella.
The augmented shoulders are done well and the whole dress drapes nicely. The back neckline has a keyhole opening that does away with the need for an ugly back zipper. I like the sheer sleeves, too, and the sheer overlay on the skirt. These features were frequently seen on similar dresses made in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Though you can’t see them because of the blouson, there are tabs at each side of the waist that add a nice touch to the design and allow the wearer to adjust the fit – another plus, as far as I’m concerned.
So, rather than being an obviously hop-on-the-fashion-bandwagon retro dress, this frock is simply a well-designed garment with some classic styling elements that make it elegant in any decade. That’s always the best of the best, no matter when it was made.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This surprise find from October, 2014 looks a whole lot better on Stella than when I photographed it on a bed in the condo! I simply cannot date it accurately, though it is true vintage.
Custom-tailored, the padded shoulders and bias-cut skirt panels are a Forties thing, while the bonded knit fabric looks more like Fifties or Sixties (maybe even Seventies) and the buttons are uncertain but the zipper is older. Could it be Eighties Does Forties using some older notions?
Anyway, it’s a cute little casual suit and will be a LOT of fun to accessorize It can be frustrating to be stumped, but you know I love a mystery . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Black crepe sheath style with a rhinestone buckle at the draped waistline. The true ’80’s touch of shoulder pads with cap sleeves Tailored well and of very good quality. It’s got lines and styling that very closely follow those of true 1940’s sheath dresses that I’ve found.
Eighties dresses with vintage style were often well-made and very interesting, though not the fabulous frocks of the real Forties. Anyway, worth collecting – much superior to more recent garments.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Love the lines of this heel, and the leather construction. Heel caps are nailed on and materials all quality. When true vintage (at least 30 years old) and retro are combined in one piece, it’s all about style and quality to decide whether they’re a good choice or not.
Apparently made by a higher-end line of a popular brand from Brazil, which has done a lot of good vintage/retro styles. I’m guessing these are late ’70’s, ’80’s or maybe early ’90’s. It’s a skill to find old retro items now, that still have some of the good quality.
Rivaling the real 1950’s thing enough to be worth picking up. Such fun!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Now that Stella is part of my modeling crew, I can show more of my gorgeous dresses on more than just a hanger. Madge (bless her heart, she’s beautiful) just can’t get into many of them. These temperatures recently have kept 3-seasons garments in the spotlight!
Lots to tell about these. The sheath on the left is pure mid-sixties mod. The waistline is open, held together with a row of plastic circles that show your midriff. In order to make it a little more versatile, I sewed a silk scarf into the waistline. Easy to remove, but it takes the dress from pure casual to dressy, if necessary. It’s lined and very nicely made.
The printed shirtwaist is 1940’s in rayon – so fabulous to the touch and drapes like a dream! One of my absolute favorite dresses.
The shoes are my choice, today, of what I’d put with them. Johansen pumps from the 1960’s are great with the sheath and some ’80’s does ’40’s slingback peep-toes by NINA are perfect with the shirtwaist. Both leather, of course.
And, for the final touch, anything from this 1940’s – 1950’s assortment of neckaces, bracelets, earrings and pins would be a great addition.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Basic canvas tennis shoes haven’t changed in major ways for decades and the Keds brand is still being made, but the older ones have an edge over what’s been sold more recently. The soles on the old ones, especially, last longer.
There are also slight differences in the silhouette of the older shoes and the design of the insoles. Although 1950’s and 1960’s versions are still the best, as far as I’m concerned, so fun to find an ’80’s or ’90’s pair that may not ever have been worn!
A real classic and still my favorite . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Just found – I sometimes like TVR (true vintage retro-at least 30 years old and made in a retro style) garments if they are well-done. I’ve recently found quite a few.
In this case, we’ve got a south-of-the-border print dress made by Brownstone Studio (a “better” modern brand) with true-to-the-Forties style and a lightweight rayon print shirt-waist in my favorite dark navy and white that kind of flutters as you walk.
For everyday, when I don’t want to have to be concerned about safeguarding a precious true vintage garment while I’m living life, these are just right.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Definitely retro (not REAL vintage), but I love the styling and the drape of the rayon fabric. It’s got the iconic fit of 1930’s – 1940’s sheath gowns that were so elegant and dramatic.
The huge hibiscus flower is probably a bit over-the-top in terms of designs from wartime, but some very bold floral prints were made then, too. Anyway, I think this one rocks!
So, Mata Hari, move over! The Magicvintagespy is on a roll . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
NEW WAVE 1980’S SHIRT JACKET
This shirt/jacket is an unusual one for me to include in my collection – is it true vitage or not? The A B S clothing company was started in 1982, so it might be 30 years old and animal prints were iconic at that time (again!). If it was made in 1982 or 1983, I’d be willing to call it true vintage and I’ll explain why.
Animal prints have been a significant fashion trend at one time in the 1940’s, mid/late 1950’s, late 1960’s and again in the New Wave early 1980’s, as far as I know. They show up at other times, too, but were a bigger deal in the fashion world at these specific times.
When I saw this item, I immediately thought of the early ’80’s and was also impressed with the quality of the garment. I have since learned that the A B S company is known for making better-quality clothing than most of what we find now. This shirt was also made in the U.S.A., which is unusual (if not unheard of) in modern clothing.
The deciding factors for me were the quality construction – 1. the fabric is heavy, with a nice hand (feel). 2. The pattern is really well-matched at the seams, so that it isn’t broken up across the garment (an important tell-tale sign of high quality). 3. The buttons are very nice black plastic faceted to look like jet beads. 4 .The shirt/jacket has french cuffs with button cuff-links (which, fortunately, were not missing!) Overall, it is a garment of significantly better quality than most. My size – excellent condition.
So, I have included it and described my thinking that justified buying it. Sometimes you can’t be absolutely sure and some knowledge and skills to make smart decisions come in handy. This is a time when price can be the final deciding factor, as well as how much you love it.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 