What a gorgeous, tailored dress and jacket. Glossy rayon fabric with a shantung – style weave. The bodice treatment is so lovely.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Tag Archives: ’50’s
RARE EARLY MID-CENTURY ICONIC “SANFORIZED” COTTON SAILOR BLOUSE
What could be more classic than a sailor collar? These have been popular fashion for decades and always come back. Side vents, detachable “modesty panels” in necklines, and tartan plaid have also been important details found in iconic true vintage styles. This blouse was made in the 1940’S
to early 1950’s. The label says it is made of “Sanforized” cotton – Sanforization was a process developed in the 1930’s. It’s so unusual to find a blouse from that time that is in wonderful condition!
White cotton blouses used to be a major staple in every woman’s (and man’s) wardrobe. Men still wear them, more than women do, because they usually don’t do any of the ironing that is required!
Yes, they require more care in some ways, but it’s well worth it. Nothing can compare to this fabric. Also, if you do get a stain, it’s often easier to remove than from easy-care synthetics because cotton can withstand hot water.
Discovering a garment like this is always a high point of any investigation, for me.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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A TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’S – EARLY 1950’S SKIRT SUIT – JUST RIGHT FOR SHOULDER SEASON
Here’s another ensemble in that lovely salmon pink that keeps coming back every decade or so – more to come! This suit was such a fun find – look, it still has the original store tags hanging on!
Although it was an ordinary item when it was originally sold – more or less a generic garment with no specific brand label – notice the nice design and cute tailoring details. Even in lower-priced vintage clothing the attention to smart and careful tailoring was almost always there.
Wouldn’t this be a nice outfit to wear this season to a dressy occasion that calls for something a bit conservative? Even though I rarely go to events like that, I always keep one or two things ready to go . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BACK IN TIME AGAIN – 60 OR 70 YEARS. A COTTON HOME-SEWN TRUE VINTAGE FROCK – 1940’S/1950’S
An unusual dark plaid, but a shirtwaist style and definitely for warmish weather. Notice the second layer of skirt, with a little ruffle at the top. I wonder if the fabric she used was sold from a narrow bolt, so she had to piece the skirt for that reason???
It’s so much fun to try and unravel the mysteries that older garments, especially, can pose. Unlike dresses made later, that usually buttoned lower down to make them easy to get into, these earlier ones often button only to the waist. That’s why those side zippers were so necessary.
It also allowed the waist to be kept really tiny, rather than gathered in by the belt – just barely large enough to get shoulders through, with the help of that zipper opening. Ahh, fashion . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
MYSTERY 2-PIECE SKIRT SUIT FROM AUSTRALIA
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
TRUE VINTAGE/RETRO HEELS THAT ECHO THE FIFTIES
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
TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY SHIRTWAIST DRESS & COSTUME JEWELRY
Classic shirtwaist styled day-dress from the 1960’s or ’70’s, made very special with a choice of jewelry sets from the 1950’s. Necklaces with matching bracelets or earrings (sometimes both) used to be super-popular and really dressed up even the most plain frock.
I love these examples, with enamel, rhinestones and Lucite. Just nice everyday stuff, but so eye-catching and colorful. My favorite would be something that coordinates with my outfit. This time, I’d probably choose the white enameled metal flower. I’ve got lots more to show, so stay tuned . .. . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
MID – CENTURY ART METAL COSTUME JEWELRY, AND A CUTE 1950’S DRESS
Custom-tailored in the 1950’s of heavy cotton, with ric-rac trim and a back metal zipper. Works perfectly right now with a cute white blouse or even a turtleneck top underneath.
Very cute with distinctive costume jewelry from the 1940’s and 1950’s – copper,brass or nickel enameled in bright colors or sculpted in interesting shapes. These are some of the most fun to wear and are rare finds!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE RED ENSEMBLES FROM THE 1940’S AND 1960’S
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
TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S BLACK & WHITE MIDI FROCK
A breezy cotton frock in a nice print – I like the focus on the upper bodice and at the hem. It’s a figure-enhancing style that creates an hourglass shape. I really must have Stella show it off some time.
The skirt is not completely full, but it sways and billows nicely. Looks great with casual heels. Love it! I’ts a great go-to day dress for 3 seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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