Tag Archives: ’50’s

1940’s -1950’s ROCKABILLY PROM DRESS

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It’s pretty gaudy, but somebody loved it back in the day!  It can be worn off the shoulder, peasant-style, too.  There’s nothing expensive about it, with simple workmanship and “cheap” fabrics so it makes me wonder if this was a wartime frock.  If not, it was post-war early Fifties.

Anyway, it’s fun and the second dress I’ve come across in the past couple of years in this style.  Must have been at the back of someone’s closet or basement for a long, long time – just safeguarding those special memories of a dance or party date.  Hmmm, you just never know. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

“NEW” FIND – ’50’s – ’60’s SEXY SECRETARY WIGGLE DRESS!

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Love this fit!  So Marilyn Monroe in the movies . . . . . . .

The fabric is really pretty, even though this is just a very average dress for the time.  It’s probably a woven rayon blend but has nubby black thread going through the plaid and the beige has a real pinkish tone – one of those unusual materials that make true vintage clothing so interesting and attractive.   On the fold-over collar there’s a little buttonhole thing that you can see and there’s a big button in the middle of it – but not in the picture.  I had taken it off to do a little stitching.  I love the large button touches on so many dresses of that time.

Anyway, it’s a very fun fashion in a lot of ways and I’m so glad that it was waiting for me!  And,  it wasn’t the only one.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LOVELY SPRING HALF-SLIPS FROM THE 1950’S

MORE LOVELY HALF-SLIPS FROM THE 1950'S

Conjures thoughts of Spring, in spite of the winter storms – this, too, shall pass . . . . . . . ..

Spring IS just around the corner. Especially once we get past March, it’s the time that Spring and Summer fashion traditionally is brought out in force and warm weather clothing appears on the store racks. The way the weather has been changing, it can be different tomorrow!

Before the weather does get hot, beautiful lingerie is a must under Spring clothing when the colors get lighter and the fabrics do, too.  Nothing modern compares well to the heavy nylon and artistic, high-quality decoration of slips made before the early 1960’s.

So, whether you’re into pastel dresses or not, wearing one of these can make you think of sunny skies and keep a secret smile in your heart. . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

RARE FUN FIND! 1940’S – EARLY 1950’S WWII POST-WAR PUMPS

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Very basic, faux suede – which leads me to think that they might have been made during wartime.  Perhaps they were just an economical brand of everyday shoe.  2″ Cuban heels – couldn’t be more practical – just right for Lucy or Ethel in the day of an average 1950’s housewife, or classic rockabilly style.

Love these old standard brand names – “Vitality Shoes”.  Certainly put a spring in my step when I found them! . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER FABULOUS FIND – NYLON STOCKINGS WITH SEAMS!

ANOTHER FABULOUS FIND - NYLON STOCKINGS WITH SEAMS!

For some woman, before the popularity of pantyhose, these nylons would have paired nicely with the panty-girdle I showed a couple of days ago.  They could be from a few years earlier, too.

These beige beauties are a real keepsake.  I love the look of stockings with seams, but will probably never wear this pair.  They’re too precious!

Imagine when keeping your seams straight throughout the day was another thing to have on your mind!  Well, you wouldn’t have had to check email . .. . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – 1960’S PANTYGIRDLE WITH GARTERS

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - 1960'S PANTYGIRDLE WITH GARTERS

So, here you go – with the bullet bra shown yesterday, this is what you need beneath your sweater and pencil skirt.  Because, ladies, a firm foundation is mandatory.

Without it you’d look just, well, . . . . . . . . sloppy, to put it nicely.  Of course, I say this with a smile but that was very much the standard of the time.

Watch old movies from about 1960 to see how it’s supposed to look.  And, after all, you do need a garment to support your stockings. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

UNUSUAL FIND!!! YES, IT’S A TRUE VINTAGE STRAPLESS BULLET BRA

UNUSUAL FIND!!! YES, IT'S A TRUE VINTAGE STRAPLESS BULLET BRA

One of the most bizarre silhouettes in fashion was the “bullet bra”, which made women’s breasts look like torpedoes under their sweaters.  Quite unnatural-looking and strange, but it was definitely the thing for a while.

It’s hard to ID in this photo and it’s not right for Madge to model, but the surest way to recognize these brassieres is from the pointy shape of their cups.  Also, the construction of older bras is characteristic, too.   Maybe it will suit Stella better . .. . . .

1950’s and early 1960’s bras often have heavier elastic and lots of stitching on the cups, with a more definite shape, even if they aren’t of this particular style.  A “foundation garment” really was that – like building a brick house.

Thank goodness, now we prefer more subtly-tailored lingerie, physical strength and fitness to give us the body shape we prefer.  But, many ’50’s and early ’60’s garments require a firm girdle and bra underneath to support their characteristic lines – looks great and its FUN!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE TWO-PIECE KNIT DRESS FROM THE LATE ’50’S/EARLY ’60’S – MOD MEETS MAD MEN

TWO-PIECE KNIT MAD MEN DRESS FROM THE LATE '50'S/EARLY '60'S

For dinner or after-work cocktails, this little number would fill the bill.  Pair it with some matching blue pumps and you’d really be swank.

Simple as can be, but with the neckline decoration and the little vents at the waist, it’s very stylish.  And, like a sheath dress, the fit is classic and really flattering.

If you are a DIYer, this style is very simple to sew.  I have another very similar in lightweight soft green wool – made by the grandmother of a friend in mid-century, as a 3-season dressy day dress.

Just the thing to have in your closet for that unexpected invitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER HAND-TAILORED MID-CENTURY SCARF, THIS ONE BY VERA

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Probably from the early 1960’s (remember that blue & green craze that happened then?); this beauty was made in Japan, as were many (most?) of the mid-priced scarves found in the U.S. during the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Italy and France have always been makers of wonderful scarves, too, and tended to be high-end if they were from those countries.

Like the Echo scarf shown a few days ago, it is signed with the maker’s name.  There is also a small cloth tag in one corner, which is hardly ever seen now but used to be common. This tag gives country of manufacture and fabric content.  Often the brand name is there, too, and sometimes care information.

Naturally, the material is a lux blend of silk and rayon and the edges are hand-rolled and stitched.  High quality, beautiful scarves are a fabulous accessory and, you can’t have too many . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

STICKING WITH TRUE VINTAGE ACCESSORIES – ANOTHER GREAT FIND

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Couldn’t pass up this gorgeous mid-century silk scarf by Echo.  That company always made scarves in the proper way – usually of silk, and with hand-rolled edges.  Good scarves can still be found here and there (especially in Europe) but they are rare and ungodly expensive.

Our female (and some male) forebears wore beautiful scarves and ascots regularly; sometimes as a part of their daily wardrobe and sometimes with dressier outfits – almost as standard as a hat.  Every lady had several tucked into her top dresser drawer.  European men wore them in place of ties.

Although I love funny designs and little prints, this stripe is a classic and easy to pair with many basic black tops, dresses, jackets or coats.  Of course, there are plenty of less common ways of wearing them – tied to a handbag or in the hair.  Can’t have too many . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM