Just as classic as the wool felt version, this beautiful Smithbilt hat is also of the highest quality. Not sure when it was made – these enduring styles and handmade constructions are almost ageless.
Contrasting two-tone woven-in design & leather bands inside and out. The weaving is tight and even. This hat will also last forever (almost) if it’s taken care of.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here’s a pair of shoes that I might wear with the dresses I’ve shown recently. These needle-toe patent leather pumps are characteristic of late ’50’s to early ’60’s styles. The placement and shape of the heel is also characteristic.
I love the little cut-outs on the vamp. Many shoes of that era had great details.
One of the things I like best are the company names stamped on the insoles. The script is usually so interesting. Although these are cracked inside, the outers are in great shape.
I’ve had new heel caps put on, but otherwise they will last for decades more. The color is funky but fun, too!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Sometimes I love short sleeves and sometimes I think that they look dowdy on me. It all depends on the cut and style of the dress, and how it fits my body.
In this case, I decided to remove the sleeves. It’s very simple to do by carefully taking out the stitching in the seam that attaches the sleeve to the bodice. Don’t cut into the material – just save the sleeves as they are. Then you can re-attach them later or include them with the item if you ever decide to sell it.
Finishing off the seam is an easy thing to do, or to have someone else do! Voila! A sleeveless style, which are favorites of mine.
I’m sure that some of you seamstresses and tailors out there will have comments to make about this. Please do!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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I see Sophia Loren wearing this dress and running down a street in Naples, Italy (in black stilettos) – chasing Marccello Mostriani in their latest film. Someone custom-tailored this little beauty in a style that falls low on the shoulders if you are petite.
It’s a sunny, breezy style with the 1950’s wasp waist and full skirt, in cotton print material, made for whatever casual activity is on the agenda. However, like most dresses of the era, a little jewelry and a hat (and, maybe, gloves) made it suitable for a slightly more formal event such as a luncheon date.
I prefer to let fantasy take my imagination away with this one – a bottle of local wine, a loaf of bread, cheese and fruit on a balcony overlooking the Adriatic Sea – with a very good friend . . .. . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This dress was custom tailored at home, I’m sure – though some simple items like this were commercially made then, too. Many women who wore these day – in and day – out as house dresses and for working were accomplished seamstresses and made most all of the family’s clothing.
I love the pretty plaid cotton here, and the cute sculpted buttons at the neck and the pocket flaps. Since the original belt was missing, I made a tie belt by taking a couple of inches off the hem, which was mid-calf length. Easy.
Probably, this one belonged to a woman who farmed – and I imagine that a small blue stain on the skirt happened when she made a blueberry pie. So many of these pieces tell a story, and you just never know . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here’s pretty, floaty frock of satin and chiffon for a dinner-dance or any semi-formal party. It does have stiffening in the skirt, but doesn’t have a huge crinoline, like many made a few years later .
I just die with delight when I discover one of these! It reminds me of the classic movies that I love, where there’s always a dance in the plot somewhere.
This one is not haute couture – just an average lovely gown that any middle-income woman might have selected. I’m not complaining! It makes me think of France, where I’ll be in a couple of weeks!
With the mid-calf length, this one could go to the Prom, and maybe it did, once. You just never know . . . .. . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This one is just about my favorite. I love the camellias (or whatever flower) at the waist and the contrasting sash that flows down the front. The length is just below the knee on me (I’m 5’6″).
There is a size tag inside, so it was commercially made. Seems to be of rayon chiffon over a rayon/acetate liner. There is no stiffening in the skirt. It’s such a pretty pale peach color, and an easy-to-wear style. Perfect for dancing and very graceful.
I noticed recently that J.Crew made a very similar dress in silk chiffon. Of course, it is nice, but not “original” – 1. there is no ornamentation (you could add your own) 2. the dress is available in several different colors, but no contrasting sash which, to me, adds so much to this original vintage one 3. since it’s mass-produced, you could see your dress on lots of other women. However, for $250.00 you can have the modern version.
I’ll take true vintage any time. True, it had some spots on it when I found it, but I was able to make them disappear – POOF!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here’s a lovely mid-century silk dress in a classic style, perfect for a dressy date, a dance, dinner or cocktails. It’s too sophisticated for afternoon shopping, though it could be dressed down for a day on Fifth Avenue – just don’t take the dog to the vet. (even the Yorkie, with their sharp little claws)
In printed silk, with a full skirt (but no attached crinoline), wasp waist, center back vintage nylon zipper and a sweet little bow right at the bottom of the bust-line. Mid-calf length.
I found this one in a little out-of-the-way place where several things were hiding. It always pays to look, because you just never know … . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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It seems that in the past women, and men, made a real art of wearing at-home fashion. They didn’t bop around the house in sweats or nothing (nothing is lovely, but not very mysterious).
No, there were smoking jackets, bed jackets, peignoirs, robes, caftans, gowns, pajamas and many variations of each. I will show more in the future, but for now . . . . . .
Left to right: a quilted lounging or bed jacket from the 1950s or 1940s, a boys’ size 18 lounging jacket from the 1950s or 1960s (just right for a small woman, too), a babydoll gown and peignoir set from the 1960s or 1970s, and two 1950s bed jackets.
One should not neglect one’s fashion presence just because (maybe) no one else is around. Much more important if someone is.
I love finding these beautiful old high-quality items. Everyone deserves the luxury.
There’s nothing like receiving casual guests in a smart caftan or reading in bed in a lovely gown with matching robe because if the doorbell rings . . . . . . . .well, you just never know . . . .. . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Not as elegant as the item posted yesterday, but wonderful in its own way. This sturdy cotton housecoat with a cheery floral print was just an everyday item, it has survived all these years primarily due to it’s quality fabric and solid construction.
In one way, it was a mess when I found it – covered with brownish spots that had undoubtedly been there for years. But, I know a gem in the rough when I see it and said “I can fix that!” And, with confidence and experience, I did.
It was well worth the gamble. Often this is true – sometimes it’s not and it is better to walk away. Knowing when to walk away is one of the skills I have picked up over the years and has saved me a lot of trouble and expense.
This one, because of its age, was a rare find – but not so awfully rare for the Magicvintagespy .. . . . . . . .poof!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Magicvintagespy 