TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – 1960’S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - 1960'S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG

Back in the ‘ 50’s and ’60’s, purses made of woven materials like reeds, wicker, raffia, synthetic strands and other natural and natural-looking things were really popular. Some were decorated with whimsical designs and were very casual. Some were trimmed in leather and were almost dressy. Most were in-between, for everyday use.

I’ve found a ton of these over the years because they were so popular and are not really old, as vintage fashion items go. So, it did not really tax my sleuthing skills but, finding the best of these items in good condition can still be a challenge.

This one is a real cutie, with just enough attitude because of it’s structured shape and leather trim to have some high-fashion aspirations like lunching and club-prowling, which it may realize under some conditions.

However, it’s still just basically a small-time, hand-crafted little purse, even though it is from British Hong Kong. I don’t hold that against it one bit. Every wardrobe should have at least two or three of this genre, as they’re very versatile.

And, just like my example here, they often come from some pretty exotic places . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S COCKTAIL SHEATH DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S COCKTAIL SHEATH DRESS.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S JACQUARD COCKTAIL BLOUSE

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S JACQUARD COCKTAIL BLOUSE.

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S/1950’S POLISHED COTTON FROCK

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S/1950'S POLISHED COTTON FROCK.

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S/1950’S POLISHED COTTON FROCK

 LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S/1950'S POLISHED COTTON FROCK

I’m not sure where this would have been worn in the late 1940’s or early ’50’s. Probably to a party, dance or some dressy but non-formal event.

It’s beautiful in it’s cut and drape. The back has a low dip (not to the waist). There’s a bit of Grecian feel to it with the folds around the bodice. Just another of those lovely frocks that women loved then.

The fabric is relatively heavy – a polished cotton in medium aquamarine blue. Maybe it’s cornflower blue. The welts across the skirt add to the quintessentially beautiful tailoring we almost always see from that time.

The skirt is almost a full circle, so it’s just made for dancing. There’s no crinoline – so it is from before “that” time, though you could easily put one under, and maybe someone did . … . .. you just never know . . . . . . . . . . .

Mortgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

1950’S TRUE VINTAGE SLINKY POLY(?) SYNTHETIC DAY DRESS

1950'S TRUE VINTAGE SLINKY POLY(?) SYNTHETIC DAY DRESS

The dresses made of this smooth, drapey, slinky synthetic (probably polyester) material were all over in the mid-to late ’50’s. The styles were usually very much the same, with a covered belt (this one doesn’t match the original), a side zipper and short sleeves.

I’ve got many versions of this. This one looks pretty plain but, on the right figure, VAVOOM! I guess that’s the way with anything if it fits right, but this fabric is one of those that just swings and sways with you and follows the body nicely. They knew how to do that in the ’30’s and ’40’s, too.

Madge shows it off nicely. This one is by a company called Tiffany.

These dresses are never lined excepting, perhaps, around the neckline. They’re usually in some kind of abstract or stylized print – sometimes in very bright colors, and generally have a plain neckline.

This is a good example of an average style that, when it is well cut and fitted on the right body, looks great! True vintage garments usually do because they have the expert construction and design that makes clothing very flattering and elegant.

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

FUN TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S CIRCLE SKIRT

FUN TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S CIRCLE SKIRT.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S DEBUTANTE GOWN

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S DEBUTANTE GOWN.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S DEBUTANTE GOWN

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S DEBUTANTE GOWN

This lovely little frock might have been worn by some young lady at a recital, coming-out party or first formal occasion. I say that because it is small and very demure.

The only decoration are two petite bows at the waistline in back, next to the metal zipper. I suspect that it was specially made for her by a tailor. If commercially-made, it came from a small, exclusive shop.

The dress is a very pale beige taffeta, with lace overlay on the bodice. Moderate scoop neck front and back. Ruched cummerbund waistband,semi-full skirt with attached netting crinoline.

Very proper and very lovely. I actually found another one alongside it, possibly of the same owner. It has a bit more dramatic decoration, but is very much the same and from the same era.

Can you imagine needing a dress like this every year, or maybe more than one! Did her family move in an upper-class social circle, or was she just a creature of time and place who was required to dress up like this for certain occasions that she attended?

That’s what I love about these adventures – you just never know … ……. …. . .. . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A VERY EVERYDAY DRESS FROM THE 1940’S OR EARLY ’50S

A VERY EVERYDAY DRESS FROM THE 1940'S OR EARLY '50S.