Tag Archives: ’50s

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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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  A very sexy style, and I’m convinced that the sewing pattern or the dress as originally made had the sexy neckline.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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

FOUND YESTERDAY – THE CUTEST TRUE VINTAGE CHRISTMAS DRESS IN THE WORLD!!!

IMG_1686IMG_1687Well, probably – it would certainly have a huge chance of winning the contest!  Don’t you love the collar?  And the bright red wool.  It’s party time!

There’s no label – I suspect the dress was custom-tailored.  And, for a woman a lot shorter than Stella – the hem should at least be at the knee and the sleeves a tiny bit longer because I’d date it about 1960.

It’s finds like this that make my day – but there’s lots more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

STELLA SHOWS OFF MY “NEW” TRUE VINTAGE FIFTIES FROCK

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

LATEST DISCOVERY – TRUE VINTAGE LADIES FULL LINGERIE SLIP BY VAN RAALTE IN AQUA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAMy collection of true vintage clothing contains lots of gorgeous lingerie pieces, but there’s always room for another one like this! Van Raalte was one of the best brands and it’s no wonder that I fell in love with this one at first touch. You know how much I value that fabulous heavy nylon that was used in the best lingerie from the 1950’s.

This slip is in an extra-small size, so I’ll save it especially for wearing under dresses that require a smooth, sleek line like some from the 1930’s and 1940’s. A beautiful undergarment like this is perfect for achieving that look, while keeping your outfit just as gorgeous underneath as it is on the outside. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

MOST EXCITING FIND YESTERDAY! – TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S DRESSY DAY DRESS WITH LOTS OF CLUES . . . . . . . .

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Yesterday I found 3 more true vintage garments and none of them look exciting in the photos. But, if you know more about them and can “see” where they came from, each one is great!

This is a dressy frock for day, a date or a significant appointment. It should look fabulous on Stella because it’s tiny, as are many from that era. There are tailoring details that told me it was not a modern copycat and set my thrill-meter going.

Looks like a rayon/linen blend that needs a press and light cleaning, but it’s in great shape. The facings and hem need to be stitched down, but that’s a fast job that anyone can do by hand and doesn’t intimidate me at all. I’ll probably make a replacement belt from some fabric in the hem, which does take more time, but it’s not hard and is worth it for a dress like this because I’m almost certain that was the original look.

Since there’s no label, I’m wondering at this point if the dress was custom-tailored and maybe hadn’t even been quite finished yet. If so, the tailor was a real professional and it’s such fun to trace the story through the clues in the details.

Well, there’s another episode in fashion history when I get to experience the story from someone’s years-ago closet and lifestyle. It’s a great way to time-travel . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

RARE FIND! TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY ’60’S ORLON POLO SWEATER

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Beautiful Orlon acrylic is just the best for the comfy and pretty sweaters that were part of everyday wardrobes mid-century. Almost nothing feels softer and lighter, excepting a top-quality cashmere.

In a pretty butterscotch color, this sweater will be so easy to wear! It’s rare to discover one, because knits can be so vulnerable over time. Besides its wonderful feel, true vintage Orlon seems to pill less than the acrylics common today – and that is always a very welcome feature.

This one will be so pretty with skirts and slacks. I love the tiny buttons at the neckline – there is another little one right under the collar, too. And, the style! The Peter Pan collar and short sleeves are so classically flattering and feminine on a woman yet work equally well when designed for a man.

Uh, oh – elegance spotted again . . … . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE EARLY MID-CENTURY NIGHTGOWN – SEXY, SIMPLE ELEGANCE

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Don´t know for sure if this gown is from the Forties or Fifties, but I´ll bet on the early 1950´s.  This sweeping, silky style is so gorgeous on!  No frills and fussy details, just the most wonderful nylon that feels fabulous.

You might remember the gown I discovered a year or two ago which has a similar treatment of the front straps.  I just love this – no hardware or bulky seams.  Looks like origami.

Palest pink is always flattering and perfect for lingerie or sleepwear.  I´ll enjoy this one so much . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

WONDERFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1950´S BLOUSE AND SHIRT – A DELICIOUS NEW FIND!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

COULD IT REALLY BE PIMA COTTON?

When I saw these beautiful colors, classic styles and FELT the scrumptious fabric, I was over the moon.  As I always tell you,  true vintage blouses and shirts are a pure gold find.  And, mid-century designs are my favorite!

The cap sleeve blouse was custom-tailored, like so many mid-century garments.  I love that style and the print is fun.  Also in my beloved turquoise.

Surprise – the red shirt is actually a boys´, but just the right size for me, with a classic wallpaper print.  I love the small wing collar and the slanted front pocket.  Made in California – I couldn´t be happier with the color, too.

Another, and maybe the BEST thing about these shirts is the material.  I said that it feels fantastic and that is an understatement.  In a substantial cotton, which might have been Pima cotton since that was so popular and one of the best available in the 1950´s.  So, it might have come from Pima County in New Mexico!  If you have ever felt one of these old cottons – especially after they have been washed and used for a while – you´ll remember that it feels just like you´ve gone to Heaven.

So, for the second (or third, or fourth) time this trip, I felt like I´d won the jackpot when I spotted these babies.  It`s worth every bit of shoe leather and the trenchcoats that I have to replace . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY DANCING SANDALS – MY MOST FABULOUS NEW SHOE FIND, STRAIGHT FROM THE STARLIGHT BALLROOM . . . . . . .

A LITTLE FOX-TROT, ANYONE?

A LITTLE FOX-TROT, ANYONE?  

Can you believe these perforated leather peep-toe sling-back sandals – made for dancing the night away in the early 1950´s (or, maybe, before) . . . . . .

Tale a look at the heels with the cut-out design!!!  They are just the coolest thing.  Very Peggy Lee, Benny Goodman and all that.

Completely hand-made, I´m sure.  All leather, with a swanky brand name printed in gold.  That´s the kind of quality and style that our grandmothers and great-grandmothers took for granted and had at their fingertips in any mid-priced department store.

Sometimes I´m a little bit envious of them, but then, why should I be? . . . . . . .  Stay tuned for more evidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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