Tag Archives: ’60s

CUTE LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE MINI – DRESS FROM THE LATE 1960’S

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An iconic Mod flower-power print, with sheer sleeves at the same time!  The dress material is a loosely-woven stuff that they used to call “hop sacking” in the mid-Sixties (but, of course, not real hop sacking, which is a different thing – sort of like the sugar and flour bag material that women used to make shirts and dresses from on the farms WAY long ago).

It fits Stella in a way that’s too short and tight to look the way it is supposed to, and would do better on a model a little bit smaller and not quite so tall.  But, anyway, oh so cute and DEFINITELY from about 1966.  Notice the Peter Pan collar.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

SUPER – FUN LATE SIXTIES DRESS FIND – FROM AUSTRALIA

IMG_1054IMG_1055 Here’s a better look at my street – market find.  When I saw the print and colors on this, I just HAD to have it!  When I touched the slinkiest of slinky nylon/poly/whatever fabric, I was over the moon!

Just a simple shirt style, with an elongated collar, but the open sleeves are a really fun touch.  It will be a very cool Spring statement dress – hard not to get noticed coming down the street in this.

And, so much fun to meet the daughter of the woman who had made it.  Getting family stories along with the great clothing is the best!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

VERY NICE TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S BLOUSE FROM AUSTRALIA

IMG_1067 This is a beautifully-made piece from a smaller, upscale company from the ’50’s and ’60’s “down under” – Hibodress.  It’s been fun doing research on the vintage clothing labels that I encountered there.

The woman who started this business really appreciated smart design and quality construction.  It shows in this garment and made it such a pleasure to own and wear. Kudos to her!

That’s still true today, of course, if you can find clothing of that caliber . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

A MID-CENTURY BLOUSE FROM THE AUSTRALIA TRIP – LOOKS LIKE SIXTIES TO ME

IMG_1071     Here’s a nice picture of that great rayon blouse that I found there.  Love the fitted shape, which is a rare find in itself.

I suppose that this shirt could go all the way back to the Forties.  Somewhere between 1940 and 1970, with my bets on the late Sixties.  As much as I love being able to pinpoint the age of my discoveries, there’s also some fun in the things that keep you guessing a bit.

Won’t this look GREAT with the jacket I showed yesterday?  A perfect combo!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

I’M IN A BLUE MOOD IN TRUE VINTAGE HEAVEN – MORE PRETTY SHIRTWAIST DRESSES

IMG_0984 IMG_0983     I LOVE shirtwaist dresses!  Madge shows these off very well because they don’t have side closures.  The first one here is a mid-century piece with a matching fabric-covered belt.  Both are day-dresses but this one is prettier and more dainty.

The second is an ’80’s does ’40’s style.  Not the original belt on that one – so I’ll find another or make one with fabric from the hem, if I decide to shorten it.  It’s a sportier style, but can be dressed up, too.

I also love the Blues, and there are more to come . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY HAPPY DAYS COTTON BLOUSE FOR SUMMER – ONE OF MY FIRST AUSSIE FINDS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA So simple and plain, but it really transports me to photographs of women having fun at the seaside in the Forties, Fifties and early Sixties. And, there’s LOTS of absolutely beautiful seaside in Australia!  Although we’re thinking about Autumn here and getting ready for cooler weather, the Australians are thinking about the blazing heat to come soon “down under”.

This top was custom-tailored in a lovely heavy woven cotton (not knit). Sleeveless, boxy cut, square neck with a little decorative pocket in front.  Just grazing the waistline, to show a little tummy once in a while.

Nothing could be more basic or classic.  Worn with a pair of “capris”, “pedal pushers” or “short shorts” or, even, with a pleated white skirt or a pair of jeans – that’s how it was done back in the day.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A LITTLE MORE “FALL-ISH” LOOKING – TRUE VINTAGE “TONI TODD” DRESS FROM THE SIXTIES

IMG_0976     The Toni Todd label was a mid-priced line of popular everyday dresses.  Pretty hum-drum by the standards then, but nicer than lots of the stuff that is marketed today.  The best feature of this one, I think, is the styling.

The fabric is a poly or poly-blend knit.  It is a one-piece, but made to look like a two-piece ensemble and pulls on overhead. Two of the buttons on one shoulder can be unfastened to allow this, while the others that run down the center of both sleeves are purely decorative, as is the red vinyl belt.

In terms of dating it exactly, the length of the skirt throws me off a bit but it could just have been a style element even though lots of hemlines at the time were shorter.  It is an unusual design which contains elements of Mod and military styling – both popular in the mid- to late 1960’s.

It’s so much FUN to find vintage garments like this, with several interesting and curious fashion features that make the deciphering of their history a little unusual or puzzling. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE JACKIE KENNEDY EARLY 1960’S SKIRT SUIT

IMG_0985    This suit is so iconic of that era.  Gorgeous yellow wool in a loose weave, with a cute little vintage mink collar.  If the collar is too dressy, it can easily be removed with just a snip-snip because it is hand-basted onto the neckline.

It’s easy to wear and the two pieces can be very versatile.  True vintage suits are worth investing in for many reasons – the styles are usually quite elegant; tailoring is superb and the quality of materials are unavailable today.  Because the designs are classic, the jackets and skirts can usually be worn in a variety of ways that would never have been thought of decades ago.

Love the big covered buttons and pencil skirt.  So pretty, and a nice alternative to dark, somber colors for Fall and Winter.  Being on the prowl is so much fun, because you just never know . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE CUSTOM-TAILORED FOR THE MAN IN HER LIFE

IMG_0961 IMG_0962 IMG_0972Yes, you can also make your husband’s, son’s, father’s, boss’s (lets not get carried away) next necktie, etc., etc, etc, . . . . . .

This red shirt was custom-made, but by a western-wear retailer out West, sometime in the ’40’s, ’50’s or maybe the early ’60’s.  Bespoke attire was a common luxury, even here in the U.S.  Of course, it’s been a tradition and beautifully done in Europe for decades (centuries?)

I’ve recently seen some ads for what looks like business and formal clothing that can be ordered custom-made, with one fitting or at-a-distance alterations near the end of the process.  An improvement on ready-to-wear, but not like having it constructed from the first detail by a tailor having that in-person relationship with you and your body, giving you a perfect fit, exact style preference and real-time preview.

And what a nice luxury it was to have that done for you, or to have the leisure time to do it yourself . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S HAND-DYED SILK BELTED TENT DRESS

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Custom-tailored in a popular style of the mid-late Sixties, batik dyed silk tent dress that I like to wear belted. It also has a shawl made of the same material that completely transforms the look.

Wearing it un-belted is also a completely different look, but not my style. This cut can work for almost any figure, but really looks great on curvy Madge. That’s her edge over slender Stella, so they’re getting along fine .. . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM