Tag Archives: ´50´s

FUN FIFTIES PJ’s FIND

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Nothing better than Sanforized cotton flannel pajamas on cool nights.  Although these were made for men, the Medium size would be OK for lots of women today.  At first, I thought that they were “new”, but one of them was probably worn a little.  They were made in Hong Kong, so the workmanship is up to a higher standard.  I love all of the old details and vintage buttons.  They were sold by Sears back in the day, under the stores’ own label.

Not the most flattering or delicate of sleepwear, but still wonderful!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FIND – MORE LINGERIE SLIPS FROM WARTIME AND POST-WAR

Fabulous!  Both these slips are rare finds, but the one on left – the oldest – is REALLY RARE.  Let me describe them both, and the most fascinating details –

The long slip on right is a post-war 1940’s – early 1950’s length.  Look at the beautiful embroidery on the bodice.  It’s a very small size (not unusual at that time), but I can wear it and it’s perfect under many of my dresses from that era.  Nice to have the hemline lower for those midi-length frocks.

The shorter slip on left is the real elusive find.  It’s made of cotton or cotton blend, which is extremely rare and sought-after for wear during the warmer months.  I have a couple in white, but BLACK is like WOW!!!!!!!  Black sheer summer dresses in my wardrobe will get a lot more wear now.  Also, look at the bodice decoration – cute embroidery and RUCHING, which is rarely seen and an older style of embellishment.

The red color of the lace may be due to the effects of perspiration over time.  It’s so uniform that I’m not sure about this, but could be that the lace is of a different fabric content (likely) which reacted to the chemicals in sweat.  It could be re-dyed but it is kind of pretty as is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

GORGEOUS MID-CENTURY LINGERIE FINDS – LOVE THESE 1950’S PIECES!

I’m always on the look-out for beautiful lingerie from the 1950’s, 1940’s, 1930’s and 1920’s, especially.  This time I was not disappointed!

Take a look at the lovely lace and the special detail on the half-slip.  These items do show some signs of wear, but they are not important and will serve me for decades more.  As always, gentle hand-washing of true vintage lingerie pieces is the best practice.

More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND! DRESSY POST-WAR UPTOWN RAYON DAY DRESS

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Made probably in the late 1940’s by a small designer/tailor, it has all the hallmarks of hand-tailoring – pinked seams, reinforcing at the waist, hand-stitching.  Love it!

Someone loved this frock very much because it is nearly in perfect condition.  Somewhere, sometime she lost one little rhinestone from a button.  That’s all.  Then, when her estate was unpacked, someone lost the original belt.

You just can’t find good help anymore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

POST-WAR DRESSY DINNER FROCK, CUSTOM-TAILORED IN SOUTH AMERICA

Here’s another dressy frock from Montevideo, Uruguay – probably just a few years younger than her sister shown yesterday.  This dress is stylish, but not as Crawford vampish as the other.  The 1940’s styling has been played down, excepting for the puffy shoulders and embroidered mesh trim.  I forgot to take a picture with the black curly lamb jacket  which was also a recent find, from the early 1950’s.  Would be a perfect wrap over this dress.

No, it is not bare on the bodice.  The mesh has been lined with a flesh-tone panel which is a perfect match for bare skin peeking out at the shoulders.  The tailoring of these mid-century frocks is just astounding, especially when they were hand-made by dressmakers.  The well-to-do ladies in Montevideo would have had much of their clothing custom-made to their specifications and fit.

However, remember the dressing gown from a few days ago?  It was also hand-made, but from France, and probably purchased before the European war.  Many Montevidean women purchased French fashions and accessories back in the day.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

CUTE 1950’S COTTON SHIRTWAIST FROCK WITH LOTS OF RIC-RAC TRIM

This dress is SO Fifties.  Ric-rac was a big deal on casual clothing and day dresses.  Classic style, classic tailoring and classic fabric.  A “Renee Original”.

Love it!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE KENNEDY ERA PLAY-SUIT ROMPER FIND. CUTEST EVER!

IMG_4195Here’s that play-suit discovery I made several months ago, modeled properly.  100% cotton with ric-rac trim and big plastic buttons.  Not only is it the cutest thing in the world but the ingenious design makes it so convenient to wear, unlike most jumpsuits both old and new.

Button straps, elastic waist and snap crotch closures make it easy-on, easy-off.  Although retro versions have been made in recent years, true vintage versions are rare, rare, rare.  It also fits me perfectly, unlike the one I came across several years ago which is a bit big.  So, I couldn’t be happier.  C’mon summer .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SASSY JUNIORS 1960’S COCKTAIL FROCK FIND – SAME ERA AS YESTERDAY’S, BUT A TOTALLY DIFFERENT VIBE

While I was having a run on ’60’s cocktail LBDs, this one presented herself.  Same chiffon drape detail idea, but very sassy chic instead of tailored and ladylike.  So much fun!

I also love discovering these frocks that were worn once or not at all.  And even the ones that saw many the party are often still in quite beautiful condition, as our grandmothers were not in the habit of trashing their clothing.  You won’t see the next one for a while, though, because she needs a zipper replacement.  A breeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

In the meantime, there’s lots more to show you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRADITIONAL WHITE SHEER COTTON FROCK FOR SUMMER

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Don’t know where this was made, or exactly when, but it’s so classic and beautiful.  White on white hand-done embroidery.  Whisper-light fabric – so cool and delicate.

It does need a slip, but a pretty cotton one in a very plain style would be just right.  Hard to find now, but they used to be made for the warmer seasons.

Again, it’s a versatile thing that could even be a bridal dress.  I’ll just LOVE it this summer!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A PRETTY 1950’S DAY DRESS FIND

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Love the cap sleeves and superb fit.  The fabric is luscious – medium heavy with glossy stripes.  I wonder what kind of blend it may be?  Those vintage mystery blends created some of the most fabulous materials ever.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM