Tag Archives: ’50s

MORE BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE LINGERIE SLEEPWEAR FROM THE FIFTIES

IMG_1745 IMG_1681Another beautiful bed-jacket, in aqua.  I have a substantial collection, but always bring home more when I find them.  Why?  Though the basic style is the same, they’re almost always different in the details. Pretty and practical, fun to wear.  Mid-century women certainly thought so.

Although I haven’t parted with any yet, can you imagine what wonderful gifts they would make?!   For someone who loves vintage, or just craves lovely things and  the sense of luxury you get from lounging in bed with coffee, dressed to the nines?  Or, is going into the hospital or must spend time convalescing at home?

And now, on to the gown . . . . . .. Here, Stella displays it’s charms. Look at that fit!!!  It’s probably older than the bed jacket.  And I love, love, love the bodice treatment and the way that the straps have been attached.  Take a close look.

No buttons or hardware, just a silky sweep of creamy true vintage nylon (the best nylon is 50 – 70 years old).  You can’t imagine wearing something that feels so good until you’ve done it.  On top of how it feels, is how gorgeously sexy and feminine it looks.

So, I’m ready for dreamland, parties and day-dressing lately, with lots of accessories, too . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

NEXT FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S/EARLY 1960’S HAND-MADE HOUSE DRESS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Gingham again – it’s always classic and often found in lots of casual clothing from mid-century.   OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

In this example, we have a custom-tailored design – sort of Western-wear, but just CUTE! Simple shift style, but when I wear it I’ll probably add a belt and cinch the waist.  The ruffle at the hem, cross-stitch decoration and interesting elbow-length sleeves all make it unique and would even be a good Halloween costume.

Dresses with these features were popular in mid-century in the United States, when there was a big Western/cowboy craze going on.  Ever hear of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans?  I’ve learned so much by being interested in true vintage fashion!  Happy trails to you, until we meet again.  Have fun tonight – arroooooooooooooooooo . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

OPENING THE TREASURE CHEST – TRUE VINTAGE LABELS ARE SO MUCH FUN

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Classic true vintage ’40’s – early ’50’s style, custom-tailored by Rosalie Couturier.  I loved finding this dressmaker’s personal label in the waistband of this beautiful frock!  What a nice surprise since it was hidden.  The best labels, like this one, were embroidered on cloth.

It’s amazing that this beautiful garment has survived 60 – 70 years in such wonderful condition.  Its original owner obviously loved it and cared for it well.

Lovely rayon fabric, with stitched-in pleats on front and back – bodice and skirt.  So many little hand-done details.  Beautiful, big sculpted shell buttons, fabric-covered belt.  A little wear there on the buckle, but that is the only flaw.

And, when I got it home it fit Stella beautifully.  Perfection!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S DRESS ENSEMBLE EXAMPLE – A STEP UP ON THE ELEGANCE LADDER

IMG_1412 IMG_1415 IMG_1416  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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

RARE EARLY MID-CENTURY ICONIC “SANFORIZED” COTTON SAILOR BLOUSE

IMG_1377 IMG_1379 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’SIMG_1378 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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

A TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’S – EARLY 1950’S SKIRT SUIT – JUST RIGHT FOR SHOULDER SEASON

IMG_1453IMG_1452Here’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

IMG_1239An 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

IMG_1057     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 MID-CENTURY SHIRTWAIST DRESS & COSTUME JEWELRY

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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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