When it rains, it pours. I’d like a better picture, but it’s that black thing again and the fact that it’s really too big for Stella, who might show it off a little better. Midi-length, with dolman sleeves, faux pocket detail and elegant stitching on the upper bodice. Looks like something Joan Crawford would have worn. Just my style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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It was just a vinyl bargain bag at the time, but oh-so-sweet novelty for carrying with summer dresses. This one may have come from the “five and dime”, but some girl loved it and it held up well over the years. Plain zipper opening on top with a bit of bead chain to hold a key. I’m off to the carnival!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Love this frock! They had such fun print designs then. This one’s a bit atomic – hope they’re not supposed to be bombs. The wide collar, sleeve cuffs, fabric-covered buttons and bronze color give unusual touches to this example. The original belt would probably have been covered with the same material as the dress.
It’s got some stain damage down near the hem from bleach or a storage spill, but I don’t care. Those kinds of accidents were so common in mid-century laundry rooms and have, unhappily, occurred also to many garments that were stored in basements along with chemicals and cans of paint. As much as I love finding items that are in pristine condition, sometimes the little dings and dirt add a certain je ne sais quoi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY’
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This hat is made of the most wonderful fabric that feels almost like fine suede leather! It’s so hard, sometimes, to photograph black items – I hope that you can see the two bows under the brim in the first photo. The hat is almost a beret, but has stitched decoration on top and a kind of souffle’ construction so that it can puff up or lay flat on the head.
I suspect that it would be worn more like the first photo, in order to expose the bows above the hairline. Tricky to do with any kind of hairdo and probably would require hatpins. What women used to go through to get the “right” look!
So, maybe it was designed to be worn with a sleek head and hair coiled up underneath or massed beneath at the nape of the neck. It’s fun to wonder what the milliner who designed this beauty had in mind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Spring, Summer, Fall? Who cares?! This unusual ladies hat will make any simple outfit a stand-out. Suede leather is a unique combination with the woven straw.
The odd UFO platter shape makes me lean toward dating it in the Forties, but who knows for sure. During the decades of millinery-mania, there were many innovative and even bizarre styles.
It’s so fun to find an example of that hat madness that is not a run-of-the-mill, frequently-seen design. More on the way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. ..
Garay, made in Hong Kong, Lumured – famous names from the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s. Classic as they come, and in wonderful condition. I’ll be keeping these for a while.
Never can have too many – especially in navy (not as many around as in black) and white (not as many in pristine condition). The woven wicker bags are sturdier and more abundant, but finding one that’s undamaged and has great Lucite trim is another plus. The vinyl interior is very plain, but is a great foundation for a beautiful cloth lining, which I’ll probably make and attach myself (pretty simple). Remnant pieces of vintage fabric or old scarves and hankies are perfect for the job!
I’m still working through the most recent finds, but I’m sure there will be more. Maybe tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
What fun to find this!! Love true vintage men’s and boys’ shirts and tops. Since men usually tend to be much harder on their clothing than women do, it’s unusual to encounter garments that have survived, especially in wonderful condition like this one.
Just an everyday casual shirt, it’s still got a great fit, fun collar and wonderful lightly-brushed cotton fabric. Happy Days all over again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Flygirls by Black Flys – love that Eighties vibe that zoomed back to the 1940’s again. It seems like the early 1970’s does Forties thing was early Forties puffed shoulders, cute collars, jumpsuits, platform shoes and, maybe, little shoulder pads. The early – mid 1980’s does Forties was WWII and post-war BIG shoulders, peplum waists, shirt-dresses, platform shoes, pencil skirts in longer lengths and some accessories like large paste and rhinestone brooches.
So, these New Wave glasses remind me of that time when sunglasses were first being worn by regular folks and considered fashionable. Usually they were made from one of the first plastics that were being invented around the time of the two World Wars and becoming more and more popular.
Of course, the case is pure 1960’s – early Seventies flower-power retro that I found. It’s great for these glasses because it is hard (very protective), coordinates color-wise and fits the glasses well. It’s so important to protect your true vintage items from damage – they’re irreplaceable pieces of fashion history and such wonderful parts of a wardrobe!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I just had a windfall of finding a whole armful of lovely pastel full slips from the ’50’s and early ’60’s, but I’m going to show you this one first, which I found a few days ago. It’s older, and longer, and more elaborately-styled in a design which I rarely find.
This slip is from the era when lingerie was made as if it were the main attraction of your whole outfit. Forget what you’re wearing on top of it – the beautiful underthings is what’s really going on. Look at those stunning crystal pleats on the bodice and the flounce at the hemline.
A slip that is so well-styled, carefully-made and of a wonderful, heavy nylon or rayon (or cotton, for summer) that it could stand alone as a dress is the kind of slip that our grandmothers wore every day. Some were fancier than others, but even the more day-to-day items were elegant.
More pretties to come, and more to discover. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
When it rains, it pours! Wedding dresses have been coming my way. This beautiful frock would also do nicely as a semi-formal dress for Prom or something similar.
Pretty taffeta with a brocade design woven in – the head-dress is very sweet with little pearls and flowers and a short veil. The dress is really a straight sheath, with a poufy over-skirt lined by a netting crinoline. I think that elbow-length sleeves are so chic and elegant – it’s nice to see them here, finished with a little bow.
I don’t need a wedding dress or a Prom dress so this set may end up going to another bride or to a high school dance, but either way it will be a fabulous find again for some lucky girl . . . . . . . .. .. . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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