Tag Archives: ’50’s

PRETTY IN THE BLUES: A TRUE VINTAGE COTTON HOUSE-DRESS FROM THE FIFTIES, WITH MORE TAILORING TRICKS

IMG_1754IMG_1749Another beautifully-soft cotton print day-time house dress with fun, plastic sculptured buttons.  This one wasn’t made with a belt, but I think I’ll add one. The most interesting thing about this frock is that, like yesterday’s, it tells another story. . . . . . . . .

I don’t know if the seamstress ran out of fabric when cutting her last piece, or whether this was a repair or alteration made later to widen the shoulders in back but these extra pieces of another material were put in very expertly.  When I see the patching and stitching and creative add-ons that mid-century seamstresses used to do at home, it really amazes me!

Little details like this make a find even better, as far as I’m concerned.  And, it’s in an unusual color palette – this kind of all-blue print is not common, so it’s a good addition to my wardrobe and more fun to wear.  Wow, I’m on a roll – love these!!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A REALLY NEAT CLASSIC 1950’S HOUSE DRESS FIND!

IMG_1735I just love the fun cotton prints on so many mid-century house dresses. The sleeve cuffs are fun, too.  Can’t wait for warmer weather!

Although the original belt is missing, it will look nice  with a black one or, maybe, there’ll be extra fabric in a hem or side seam to make a matching replacement. This is a great find, in such good condition.

Mid-century women wore these so much, every day, that it’s always a treat to find one that didn’t wear out!  Back to the future again . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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SURPRISE 1950’S SLEEPWEAR FIND!! LIKE-NEW TRUE VINTAGE PAJAMA SET

IMG_1733Another big thrill for me – finding this RARE pajama set with both pieces, and in virtually perfect condition!  Made by Barbizon, of delicious cotton batiste with smocking and lace. The pants button closed and are not elasticized – I love that.  Such a cute and comfy summer pj’s set.

Similar to the other clothing items that I like best, these are classic in design. The things that really set them apart are the superior tailoring details and the exceptional quality of fabric.  Pajamas like these last forever if they are washed gently and are extremely comfortable.

Found these just last week, but I discovered another sleepwear treasure yesterday – so stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S COCKTAIL DRESS – TRIMMED IN MARABOU FEATHERS

IMG_1743Here’s my neat-o find from yesterday.  This is the best photo I could get, so hang with my description.

A classic wool crepe cocktail frock in an unusual style.  Cocktails? Dinner? Theater?  I guess it could be designed for any of these.  Usually dresses of this sort are sleeveless and at least a little bit revealing, but this one is completely different.

Styled as a back-zip sheath with a bateau neckline – very conservative – but revved up by the sleeves.  They are the best part of all:   3/4 length, with a slit in front up to the elbow joint, and trimmed all around with marabou.  They would call for long, beautiful gloves and/or a diamond bracelet or watch because that’s where the attention is focused.

Fully lined in a soft, woven material – this dress is made to be worn during colder weather when the sleeves and wool content would feel welcome.  It’s really nice to have a party or dress-up piece like that instead of having to resort to wearing dress pants or a long skirt and sweater during winter weather.

So I find, again, that there can always be something interesting hiding around every corner . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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HUGE FIND OF GORGEOUS TRUE VINTAGE LINGERIE!!!

IMG_1700Just the other day, I discovered about half a dozen of these beautiful lingerie slips from the 1950’s or late 1940’s.  I already had two or three others similar to the one on the left, but it has been several years since I found them. Those like the perfect, classic beauty on the right are a bit more common but still are tricky to find.

Do take a close-up view of the lace and trims on these stunners.  They are just so lovely.  And, of course, the heavy nylon is wonderful to touch.  The longer length of Fifties slips is great for wearing with dresses from that same era but they’re also fabulous worn as nightgowns or slip-dresses.

There’s one of a different type that I’ll show in another post later on, so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER GREEN MID-CENTURY FIND – RARE RIBBON SKIRT FROM THE 1950’S!

IMG_1705In almost the same shade of green as yesterday’s dress, I discovered this skirt on the same day. Wow – I’ve just recently found a trove of true vintage dresses, skirts, accessories, lingerie, shirts and blouses (we’ll get to the one Stella’s wearing later).  Not to mention, of course, my fabulous vintage navy pea jacket find!

Dresses and suits made of this knit material with grosgrain ribbon sewn closely all over in a swirly pattern were very popular among the dressier set in the Fifties. I have a black suit decorated this way and I remember that my great grandmother had a dress.  This skirt might have had a matching jacket originally since, as I said, this style is usually seen in dressy garments.

However, it will work well as a separate, too, and is a great foundation for a beautiful blouse or sweater – no jacket needed.  That’s one thing I like about true vintage suits as opposed to dresses – although our grandmothers were tied in to wearing the jacket and skirt together as an “outfit”, as dictated by the fashion rules of the time, we can do so many wonderful things with the separate pieces now, as well.

Once in a while I see one of these ribbon garments, but very rarely – SO, it was ANOTHER Eureka moment for the Magicvintagespy.  Life is fun!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S COTTON SHIRTWAIST DRESS – ALWAYS ONE OF MY FAVORITE FINDS

IMG_1708I’m always thrilled to find one of these!  This dress was custom-tailored WAY back in the day.  It’s a rockabilly/housewife/everyday special that most women wore.

This one dates farther back than some, but is still in near-perfect condition.  The only thing is that is seems that “Mildred” didn’t make a belt for it yet, so I’ve put on one of my own.

Years ago, women whipped up lots of frocks in this style for themselves and their daughters.  They could also be purchased at department stores or discount clothiers.  Depending on the fabric chosen and the details added, they might be very inexpensive or pricey and elegant.

There’s nothing more iconic of that time, so it blasts me right back to the past . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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WONDERFUL TRUE VINTAGE CIRCLE SKIRT FROM THE FIFTIES

IMG_1685This beautiful skirt is a full circle, decorated in the style of some Native American costumes that was very popular in the 1950’s.  It seems like these beautiful clothes were “discovered” by tourists and movie-goers during the Forties and it became a real trend to buy them as souvenirs of travel and to wear to casual parties (in the eastern U.S.) and for everyday out West.

Made of a substantial cotton, and always colorful with braid trim or ric-rac.  Some were made by Western-wear companies and some were made at home.  I love these for summer, but they are really 3-season skirts that look nice with sweaters, too.

Always makes me happy to find one!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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NEW FIND – A COUPLE OF HOME-SEWN PARTY FROCKS FROM THE 1940’S/EARLY 1950’S

IMG_1702 IMG_1703Both these dresses need a professional pressing before they go to the dance but, so what?!  Such iconic styles!!!!!  Read on . . . . . . . . . . . . .

#1 is of taffeta with a gored skirt and velveteen insert at the v-neckline,  That was  put in for modesty, because without it  the dress has a decolletage and would sit wide on the shoulders.  A very sexy style, and I’m convinced that the sewing pattern or the dress as originally made had the sexy neckline.

Of course, it’s got a tiny waist and the skirt is a fabulous style for dancing (or just walking in!) because of how it flips and moves.  The most interesting and telling thing is the zipper in back.  It’s about a foot long and sits in the middle of the back, with no connection at the neckline.  Therefore, you REALLY have to wiggle into frocks made with these and this one is already quite tiny.  Not even Stella could wear it!

#2 is very plain in style, but it’s got 3 layers of taffeta-like then organza-like fabric in the skirt.  With proper finishing by a professional cleaner (or someone who just knows how to do it correctly) it would be a stunning and pretty dress.  About a size or two larger than the other, it would have been made about a decade later.

Both in aqua blues.  What each one needs is a corsage at the neckline or the waist.  Both of them could have benefited with a bit of trim here or there to finish the look – maybe that was coming.  Little bows, covered buttons or bits of lace/embroidery were commonly used as final touches to make a mid-century look more feminine and stylish.

Though they may not have both been made by or for the same woman, who knows?  I found them in the same location, which adds possibilities to the story. You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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STELLA SHOWS OFF MY “NEW” TRUE VINTAGE FIFTIES FROCK

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This is one of the dresses which I recently found out West and it deserves a better photo so that you can see what a great find this was and why I’m so excited by it.  Look at that iconic Fifties fit!   In “real life”, the color is a bit warmer but still a light beige and it feels like a linen/rayon blend.  Who knows for sure?  Mid-century synthetics were so beautiful but they remain very mysterious . . . .

There are such beautiful tailoring details. The bodice is tucked and fitted, there are gussets under the arms to improve the fit and the satin ribbon trim is very artfully applied, with no visible seams. Pleats and faux slash pockets at the hip seams add style and enhance the fit, too.  These faux pockets are interesting – they’re about 1″ deep – too shallow to use, but they look real and add a bit of fullness to the hipline.  Vintage tailoring tricks were very creative and added incredibly to the style of garments that would otherwise seem ordinary.

In this picture, I have included a belt which would have been close to the original.  I’m convinced that the original belt was covered with the same fabric as the dress, so I plan to do that.  Some extra fabric can be taken when the hem is finished, without making the dress too short.  It’s a tiny size – about a 0 – 2 in modern numbers – and really would fit better someone without Stella’s 5’8″ stature.  The proper length should be below the knee.

So, you see why I gasped with delight when this one showed up.  My investigations are always peppered with moments like this that keep life in the shadows very interesting . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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