Tag Archives: ’60s

TRUE VINTAGE 1960s COCKTAIL PARTY DRESS BY CAROL CRAIG

TRUE VINTAGE 1960s COCKTAIL PARTY DRESS BY CAROL CRAIG This is a timeless, year-round-wearable black crepe dress with a full rayon acetate lining. The decorative band at the bottom is of alternating iridescent and black sequins. It has a vintage nylon zipper in back..

By Carol Craig, a popular maker of the ’50s and ’60s, this dress in classic black crepe can be worn all year long. The simple A-line style suits almost any figure and is form-fitting enough to be very attractive while not overly tight. So, anywhere that sleeveless dresses are considered acceptable, so would this dress be. Pretty versatile!

What sets this apart from the tons of black crepe dresses from the 80s, 90s and 2000s that are out there? 1. the fabric (a little heavier) 2. the lining (full – nice material) 3. the workmanship (zipper put in very well, no loose threads everywhere, small hooks and eyes in the right places) 4. the design (the sequin band at bottom is different and nicer than glitzy trims on most things now)

A dress of this quality today (and a lot of them not nearly as nice) would cost an arm and a leg, but my purse is full of songs!  I never know what I’ll find or exactly where, but that’s half the fun!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960s METALLIC SAPPHIRE BLUE STILETTO PUMPS

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960s METALLIC SAPPHIRE BLUE STILETTO PUMPS

A relatively rare find, early ’60s pumps a lot like the ones my grandmother wore in 1963. I was surprised to see the metallic finish, but these are definitely true vintage. I’m not sure if they are patent leather or not – the soles are man-made but the insoles are part leather. Just enough of the markings are left, as well as the appearance overall, to show that they are at least 50 years old, though in excellent condition!

They are almost a perfect color match for the dress which I just posted, and would look very good with it. They were another surprise find, which completely delighted me.

As always, you just never know . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

BACK TO THE 1960’s – FINAL NEW ZEALAND TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSE FIND

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThis great example of Sixties tailoring jumped out at me!  Wow – finding true vintage blouses in beautiful condition is so wonderful and relatively rare.  Like slacks, they get a lot of wear and sometimes don’t survive.  So glad this one did!

In this case, the fabric is a beautiful rayon or similar material woven in a vibrant stripe. Fitted silhouette, double-button cuffs, gathered shoulder seams and a different collar shape are some of the true vintage tailoring details here.  Unfortunately, the label is gone but that’s a common issue that I can accept.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY CASUAL SUEDE LEATHER JACKET

True Vintage 1950s-early '60s Casual Jacket

I love this one that I found by surprise several years ago.  Simple classic elegance.  It is of fine suede and has a zip-out pile lining!  This great feature makes it so versatile for 3 seasons of the year – especially in places that don’t have a really harsh winter.

Lovely vintage features are the covered buttons, piecing on the pockets and cuffs.  There are also tabs with buttons at the sides of the waist, which can’t be seen in the photo.
This one is the real deal – a well-made classic, well-worn and well-loved.  When you’re spying in the right place, you just never know . . . . .

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

1960’S HIGH-QUALITY LEATHER BOX BAG

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Happy, happy!  A super-versatile classic charcoal gray (unusual color that I didn’t have) rigid-frame box bag (it’s about 3″ deep) with pretty hardware.  Beautiful leather, rayon lining and 2 compartments inside with a pocket or two,  metal feet on the bottom.

I’m always happy to find an item like this one!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BACKROOM FIND – HEAVY NYLON SLIP FROM THE SIXTIES, WITH UNIQUE LACE

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAA mini-length lingerie slip.  What caught my eye most, after the usual evidence of age and quality, was the wide and heavy lace band at both top and bottom.

It has embroidery and applique treatments there and will be a pleasure to wear.  Plus, so important to have a variety of lengths, colors and styles in order to have a perfect fit for every dress that might need one.

Often the shorter ones are difficult to find in true vintage examples.  So, I’m thrilled!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE FIND – FROM THE LAND OF OZ. MID-CENTURY LINGERIE BED JACKET

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA     I have collected a number of these, from ’30’s to ’60’s but I’ve NEVER seen one made like this!  The outer shell is of nylon and looks like what I’m used to seeing, with common decoration of embroidery and lace at the bodice – familiar pearlized buttons at the neck – but THE WHOLE THING IS LINED IN PINK FLANNELETTE!  How warm and cozy is that.

Makes me wonder if there’s a Great Britain connection here – they’re always chilly there and looking for ways to warm up.  Our filmy lingerie of North America doesn’t quite do it in the damp air over there.  This bed jacket could easily have been imported by someone who moved here, or by a British retailer in Australia.

It’s been so much fun to discover the differences between the vintage garments that were sold here in Australia and those at home.  And, I’m only a third of the way through this investigation . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

DISCOVERED! RARE 1960’S HAWAIIAN SHIRTS

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Rare fabric, rare makers, rare designs.  Men’s shirts, but small – for me!  Love these!!  I have a few, but these are unique.  So fun to find labels that I rarely or have never seen, fabric that I had to research and these great prints that just pop out like nothing else.

And, as always, at a fabulous bargain . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER AUSSIE FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S WORKING-GIRL PUMPS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA    A kind-of unusual-looking style, don’t you think?  These need a polish and a little cleaning, but they’re in excellent condition. Leather pumps by “Diana” – rather high cut on the vamp.  They remind me of what I see teachers wearing in old photos.

Investigating across the world is challenging, exciting and always intriguing.  One thing that was fun in Australia is that several of the things I found are familiar, but still a bit different from what I discover in the U.S. and Canada.  Their own brands and, maybe, some other foreign influences have given the styles a unique twist.

As always, you just never know . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S WESTERN-WEAR LEATHER JACKET FOR FALL

True Vintage Leatherwear

Beautiful true vintage western-wear jacket from the 1950s/early ’60s. Notice the superb workmanship and tailoring (even though it would look best on a size 4 model rather than size 6).

I LOVE the older leather items made in the American west, or in Mexico and Europe.  So beautiful!  Forgive me if your country has made wonderful leather items, too, and I have not mentioned you here.

The materials are of high quality and have enabled it to last for 50 years with very little sign of wear.  Find a jacket of this type and enjoy it for life!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM