I love robes like this so much! The cool, heavy nylon and pretty embroidered ribbon trim is so stylish and luxurious. It just says “quality” all over, and it’s RED!!!!!
It’s an easy zip-up front. Modern ladies of the mid-late 1960’s loved wearing these for leisure and as hostess gowns. A little bit of at-home elegance . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
GET THE FIRES GOING. LOUNGE-AT-HOME DAYS ARE WONDERFUL !
I know Madge doesn’t look much like your granddad, but she was handy. These are just about my favorite men’s robes – with the black satin accents. Not easy to find now!
This is such a classic style that it’s difficult to be sure what decade it’s from. The pattern is helpful and the type of fabric, as well as other clues. The satin trim is rare.
Almost every old movie has scenes with men at home, wearing something like this. Especially if the man is enjoying his leisure hours, it really takes me back to classic cinema. Beats a track suit any day.
The thing about this style is that it is also deadly attractive on women. There’s something very fun and sexy about wearing your partner’s clothing once in a while – from shirts and PJs to robes, sweaters and jackets. Other stuff doesn’t usually work too well…
View original post 49 more words
This pretty Seventies sweater is made by Banff – a company that has made high-quality knit clothing for women for several decades. Sweaters, suits, jackets, ponchos, etc. I picked this up very recently, mostly on the strength of the brand name (and, it’s awfully cute, too . . . . . .. )
I can never resist (nor do I want to!) beautiful lingerie from the Fifties and Sixties, especially when the brand name is not one I see frequently. This lovely half-slip was made by Dorsay. The nylon has a wonderful feel and quality, and the applique’ embroidery is gorgeous.
Last, but not least, is a 1960’s bed jacket by Shadowline. Their mid-priced lingerie and sleepwear is never over-the-top, but their designs are attractive and I can always count on the quality. Worth it, every time.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
This was another one worth nabbing, because though I have similar curly lamb hats in black and marled grey, I didn’t have a luscious chocolate brown like this one.
It’s got a beautiful, architectural design that makes me think of the 1940’s. It’s true vintage but is so classic that I can’t date it exactly. Again, in near-perfect condition.
Curly lamb seems to be one of the furs that is easiest to replicate in imitation form, so go for it if you can’t find a real one made in the 1960’s or before. Leave anything modern on the racks or, preferably, on the animals’ backs.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Imagine my delight finding this LBD!! Very Mad Men, Jackie O and all that. It was originally purchased at Saks Fifth Avenue. What could be a better item to have as a wardrobe staple? I’ll have fun with this one.
A black crepe in perfect condition, from the early to mid-1960’s. However, this design is so elegant and classic, that it’s timeless.
Back metal zipper and generous hem allowance, careful tailoring throughout and a high-quality decorative trim at the neck and hem. The embroidered label inside is a real plus, too.
Most of my recent finds have been good fits for me and require little, if any, attention. Thank you, fashionistas of the past, who loved and looked after your clothing so well . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN,THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Both of these garments were custom-tailored in the late 1950’s to early 1960’s. Here’s the holiday dress from last year properly modeled on Stella, finally – just look at those wonderful rhinestone buttons and belt buckle. Try finding those now! I’d tend to wear it at Christmas, but it would be beautiful at a dressy Thanksgiving dinner, too.
The skirt is a new find, in a slightly deeper red, which I love. Dresses are great, but I’m always happy to find separates because of their versatility. Now I have something true vintage to wear with pretty blouses and sweaters.
Black is always superb, but I love red and these unusual finds just put me in the holiday spirit!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
I’ve just found several lovely handbags and will show them to you over the next few days. Remember, I promised that there will be several warm-weather items coming along with the more seasonal (for the northern hemisphere) kinds of things.
This one is a macrame’ type of weave (the kind of thing that women were really keen about doing at home in the 1970’s), but was done commercially, with not a mistake to be found and on a small scale. Most home-made macrame’ (not all of it) is much larger so it’s wonderful to find a hand-made item in a small, elegant size and style.
The purse is fully-lined in white fabric, with a small inside pocket and the maker’s label inside, too. This was the way that they made these bags in the Fifties and Sixties. The outside is the important part, as the inside is almost always very plain.
Nothing looks nicer with a Spring or Summer frock, casual or dressed-up. In every true vintage wardrobe, a small selection of white bags is a must!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Here’s a fun find which is different from anything I own (so far). I’d put this on with my black wool sheath and some black leather boots! It’s a perfect partner to the dress shown earlier today.
Can’t say who made it as the label has gone missing, but I suspect that it was a from women’s dress shoppe or a large department store when they used to have specialty departments for millinery, shoes and furs. Ladies enjoyed buying a new hat the same way we focus on shoes today.
As I always say, I never buy modern fur but enjoy the old, old ones while they last.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Sometimes I come across patterns or notions from the true vintage eras that I love. It’s worthwhile to pick them up, and I’ll explain why , , , , ,
Whether you sew or not, if you want to copy or have someone else re-make a true vintage garment, a pattern is a necessity in order to get it right. Unless you are a master at pattern-making yourself, the original cut of the garment will be impossible to recreate and the result will look like retro – not true vintage.
Beyond the qualities of the true vintage fabric and decorations that are used, the identifying factor of a true vintage design is the cut and, therefore, the way that it fits the body. There’s no way to cheat on it and the look of the finished garment is unmistakable.
True vintage notions can make a big difference, too. Buttons, of course, but zippers are probably the most important closure item with regard to getting the fit to be authentic. Nothing will be more correct than a zipper that is like the original in looks and function. And, we know how often one of those might need to be replaced . . . . . . .
So, there’s my little rant on that subject. Of course, there’s lots more to get into if you are a couturier or just an expert needle-worker. But, it’s worth knowing about, and very interesting when you want to get it perfect.
However, nothing is true vintage except real true vintage, no matter how well it has been reproduced. But, if you’re very, very good at faking it, it’ll take a master sleuth to expose you . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
The cut and design of this frock, as unremarkable as it looks (especially in this picture), told me immediately from when and what it was! It’s a soft wool knit from the late 1960’s.
Beautiful fabric! And, like the wool dress from a couple of days ago, no itch factor here. Of course, I’ll still enjoy a gorgeous lingerie slip underneath on a cold, wintery day. The crocheted trim breaks up the plain lines and the fit is lovely.
So glad that I’ve discovered so many in-season items recently that are appropriate for this cold that most of us are experiencing now. For those of you who are not, I’ve still got several summery finds coming up, too.
Later today, I’ll post a little rant about design with pictures of the true vintage tailoring tools I recently found and how they’re a help to sewing and altering, if that’s something you like to do. If not, it’s still good to know some of the things that make the difference between real deal vintage and the copy-cat retro fashions. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Magicvintagespy 