Tag Archives: ’40’s

YESTERDAY’S FIND – 1980’s DOES 1940’s SWING DRESS

IMG_1541Although it’s not the real-real 1940’s deal (always my preference), this frock has a lot of the right stuff:  a frowsy floral print on drapey  rayon, a swing skirt and classic shirtwaist styling. It’s also big enough to have kind of a blousy fit.  Looks like I’m inventing a few words here . . . . . .

In other words, it’s got a 1930’s/1940’s feel to it that will make it a pleasure to wear on an “off” day.  Once in a while, the copy-cats get it pretty right and it’s good to keep an eye out for those little gems.

Tomorrow I’ll show you Stella modeling an absolute original from this era – found two months ago while I was out and about. You deserve to see it off the hanger.  So excited!!!!!!!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A COUPLE OF LATE ’40’S – EARLY ’50’S FUN SHIRTWAIST DRESSES IN LEAD-INTO-FALL COLORS

A COUPLE OF LATE '40'S – EARLY '50'S FUN SHIRTWAIST DRESSES IN LEAD-INTO-FALL COLORS.

A COUPLE OF LATE ’40’S – EARLY ’50’S FUN SHIRTWAIST DRESSES IN LEAD-INTO-FALL COLORS

WAR-TIME AND HAPPY DAYS FROCKS – MID-CENTURY MODES . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

A COUPLE OF LATE '50'S - EARLY '60'S FUN SHIRTWAIST DRESSES IN LEAD-INTO-FALL COLORS

I love the colors of these dresses – pink to lavender, with black and white. Both in a similar shirtwaist style,  below-the-knee length and made of a substantial cotton.  Perfect mid-century style.

The dress on the left has little houses in a novelty print and some interesting tuck and piping details.  The fabric is a bit heavier, and I’d wear it into Fall.  The one on the right has cute pockets, ric-rac trim and a great plaid.  It really says “summer” and farmers’ markets, to me.

Neither one has a label, but I doubt that they were made at home – especially not the left-hand one.  Just goes to show, that labels often go by the wayside. . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

View original post

BEAUTIFUL MID-CENTURY HAT IN EMERALD GREEN – TRUE VINTAGE MADE IN FRANCE

BEAUTIFUL MID-CENTURY HAT IN EMERALD GREEN – TRUE VINTAGE MADE IN FRANCE.

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY BLOUSE WITH FANTASTIC ABSTRACT ART

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY BLOUSE WITH FANTASTIC ABSTRACT ART.

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY BLOUSE WITH FANTASTIC ABSTRACT ART

IMG_1502I just LOVE this shirt with sailboats at anchor in a novelty  abstract print.  When I spied it, I just said WOW!  Rather unusual – it looks like some of the artwork that was hanging in homes early in the 1960’s.

But, it may be from even earlier.  The collar and fabric are a bit of a mystery and the tag is gone. It appears to be a man’s shirt at first glance, but was styled for a woman.

Made to wear over pants or shorts, with little slits in the sides, this blouse is pure casual sports-wear but not as tidy or girly as most women’s things were 50 years ago.

Although I’m tops at closing cases, I do love a mystery . . .. . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN – INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN – INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950'S.

TWO TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER BLOUSES IN IMPORTANT MATERIALS

CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TWO TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES IN IMPORTANT MATERIALS

Here are two cotton blouses that are made of quintessential vintage fabrics. I haven’t seen others like them made this way in modern clothing (meaning since about 1975 at the latest).

The first blouse is made of cotton seersucker. This has been a trademark summer fabric since the 1920’s, I’d say – probably before. It is known for being cool and having a nice texture that stands up to heat and humidity.

The second blouse, with the Peter Pan collar and 3/4 sleeves that can be rolled up, is a lightweight cotton blend. These were super-popular in the ’50’s and early ’60’s and, as simple as they look, there’s not been a fabric that performs like this since.

Of course, I like the style details, too – the large buttons and banded scoop neck collar on #1 and the dainty collar and 3/4 sleeves on #2. True vintage blouses are…

View original post 91 more words

TWO TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER BLOUSES IN IMPORTANT MATERIALS

TWO TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER BLOUSES IN IMPORTANT MATERIALS.

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY HAWAIIAN SHIRTS FROM BACK IN THE DAY . . .

CLASSIC TRAVEL SOUVENIRS AT THEIR BEST!!!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE HAWAIIAN SHIRTS FROM BACK IN THE DAY . . .

These shirts are authentic from Hawaii when they were very well-made and always a vacation souvenir. The shirt on the left, especially, is from the 1940’s or ’50’s – made of cotton with a bark cloth print. It’s also got buttons made from, I think, coconut shell.

The shirt on the right is newer – 1950’s to ’70’s. It is also cotton and is from the shop at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. That is (or was) a famous hotel on Waikiki Beach which had their own line of clothing with their label. The buttons are also distinctively theirs.

What’s so great about these shirts? The lovely cottons, the great prints and the “exotic” origin. I don’t have any of the fabulous rayon shirts from the ’40’s that were made there – maybe someday – noting better to wear during a tropical investigation on a hot summer night . . …

View original post 24 more words