Tag Archives: ’50s

RARE FIND YESTERDAY! CLASSIC MID-CENTURY BLOUSE DISCOVERY

LOVE these soft, almost-sheer cotton blend fabrics that were used for little everyday blouses in the Fifties and early Sixties!  This cute little number has very pretty machine embroidery all down the front.

It’s a waist-length style, with vents at the hem on both sides.  Pearlized buttons with stems and cute short sleeves.  There was a label, though it’s missing, but as is often seen in true vintage items of quality, some of the details have still been done by hand.

Plus, in perfect condition!  I’ll really enjoy this one!!!!!!!!!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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AUTHENTIC TRUE VINTAGE CUSTOM-TAILORED SHIRTWAIST DRESS – 1940’S/1950’S

AUTHENTIC TRUE VINTAGE CUSTOM-TAILORED SHIRTWAIST DRESS – 1940'S/1950'S.

AUTHENTIC TRUE VINTAGE CUSTOM-TAILORED SHIRTWAIST DRESS – 1940’S/1950’S

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Despite the fact that this dress has damage, I couldn’t resist picking it up. When I’m ready to wear it, it’ll make a great sleeveless style or a skirt. Or, I could donate it for study to a theater group because of all its great features as a piece of fashion history. It was well-loved and well-worn!

This frock was home-sewn from the ground up. The belt is missing, but would have been covered with matching fabric by hand. The cross-stitch embroidery decoration is, of course, hand-done. Even the patches and mends are very well-stitched and give authenticity to the dress.

I wonder what brand of pattern the seamstress used – if she used one at all. So many women could make their own patterns at home by taking a few measurements or copying from an old garment. I have a couple of older friends who tell me that their mothers could make outfits for them by looking at a picture in a magazine, a catalog or a store window. Can you imagine that kind of fashion freedom? Wow!

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

A FABULOUS EARLY 1950’S JUNE WEDDING – IN HANDMADE LACE

A FABULOUS EARLY 1950'S JUNE WEDDING – IN HANDMADE LACE.

SINCE WE’RE IN A VACATION MOOD, TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S TOP BY TIFFANY TRAVELER

SINCE WE'RE IN A VACATION MOOD, TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S TOP BY TIFFANY TRAVELER.

SINCE WE’RE IN A VACATION MOOD, TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S TOP BY TIFFANY TRAVELER

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Way before L.L.Bean, etc. there was at least one designer making a line of clothing meant for travel. Cool and light, with wrinkle-free ease.

This pretty top by Clair Tiffany is a fun example and a surprise for me. I’ve come across her garments only once or twice before. Synthetic material, with an atomic/abstract print and front tie decoration. Pure turn-of-the-Fifties-to-Sixties style and the colors are unusual, which is one of the best things about true vintage clothing and accessories.

Yes, the advances in fabric treatments have come a long way since then and the convenience factor in travel clothing has grown, but the vintage versions are much prettier and more interesting than what we can buy now. Have you looked through a sampling recently? Bor – ing . . . . . .. . . . . .. at a very high price . . .

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

A LITTLE FUN FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S HANNA BARBERA CARTOON SOUVENIR HANKIE

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Can’t ever resist something like this.  They’re rare to find in good condition, and always fun to pick up!  Despite the obvious attractiveness of disposable tissues, true vintage and antique handkerchiefs are so interesting and many are exceptionally beautiful, with colorful printed designs, hand-done lace or embroidery.  This one just makes me laugh – maybe the best kind . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE MEN’S LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT FROM THE 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE MEN'S LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT FROM THE 1950'S.

TRUE VINTAGE MEN’S LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT FROM THE 1950’S

A rare find for me, and one of my favorite items . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE MEN'S LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT FROM THE 1950'S

I absolutely love this shirt and others like it. Sorry I don’t have a male model. The distinguishing feature is the embroidery on the left side. These little designs are so much fun. Some are really creative!

Men sometimes wear long sleeves in the summer, so I consider this a year-round garment. Especially when it’s in a lighter color. It can be dressed up with a sport coat.

Some shirts of this type have multi-colored designs. Usually the fabric has a bit of sheen and the embroidery is glossy. You can tell by a quick look that it is a quality original item and not a modern imitation.

I LOVE to find them! Would have adored being a curator of wardrobe for Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer or Warner Bros. back in the day.

It’s even more fun to go to the closet and decide which movie to play in today . . …

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CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! 1950’S NEEDLE-WORK PATTERNS THAT FOLLOWED RUNWAY FASHION IN EUROPE . . .

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! 1950'S NEEDLE-WORK PATTERNS THAT FOLLOWED RUNWAY FASHION IN EUROPE . . ..