WAIT, WAIT!! . . . . . LOOK WHAT I FOUND YESTERDAY!!!!!!!

IMG_1512Hold the runway show – Here’s Stella, still in the early 1960’s.  Imagine my delight to discover this beautiful evening dress, crafted in Hong Kong where some of the most lovely hand-tailoring was done for decades.

From shoulder to hem, it’s exquisite and deserves a detailed description.  The bodice is a shell of embroidered lacy floral openwork, lined in sheer black and decorated with sequins and beads.  It is made as a separate top which zips up the back and is attached to the dress at the shoulder seams.  Very heavy, with all the bead-work, which would have been applied by hand.

The body of the dress is ivory on top (though you won’t see this), with a classic black crepe skirt.  A crepe bow and 1″ border are attached to the hem of the shell , right at the waist.

Both the dress and attached shell have metal zippers in back so, as with many true vintage fashions, you’ll need an extra pair of hands to help you dress – – whether a partner or a lady’s maid, I can live with that.

Now for the additional little details – full lining in the skirt and a back kick pleat, little hooks and eyes in strategic places and bra strap holders sewn in at the shoulders.

I wonder who bought this, at what shop in what city, and where it was worn . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE MID-SIXTIES MOD SUMMER MINI-DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE MID-SIXTIES MOD SUMMER MINI-DRESS.

3 TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES/SHIRTS FROM THE ’70’S & BEFORE

WARM WEATHER SEPARATES ARE WORTH COLLECTING!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

3 TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES/SHIRTS FROM THE '70'S OR BEFORE

3 favorite shirts of mine. Many take-offs have been made and are in the marketplace now, but these are  better.  I always say that, but it’s true!

Shirt #1 is from the late ’70’s. It’s a retro style in a really nice drapey rayon. I love the parrot and the vibrant colors, plus the way it fits. It has little shoulder pads and a flattering cut.  The stripes are reminiscent of vintage bowling shirts.

Shirt #2 has lost its label, but because of the styling I’ll guess it’s ’70’s but it might be ’50’s. It’s a
Western-style shirt with pearlized snap closures and yokes front and back. In gingham, of course!

Blouse #3 is by Ship’n’Shore – that old vintage stand-by maker of lovely cotton blouses. This one is printed with stylized scenes from Europe. Because of the design, I’m also sure that it was made in the late ’60s…

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TRUE VINTAGE MOD HOSTESS JUMPSUIT FROM THE 1960’S – PATIO PARTY!!

OP-ART, PSYCHEDELIC, FLOWER POWER MID-CENTURY FUN!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE HOSTESS JUMPSUIT FROM THE '60'S - PATIO PARTY!!

Now that it’s so hot again, feels like outdoor party time. This op art/flower power print is pure ’60’s and the style is late ’60’s to early ’70’s. I love the way jumpsuits look, but they’re not very convenient – like those culottes!

Anyway, this outfit is so cute I’ll wear it no matter what. It was commercially made – has a label – but nothing I recognize. The back zips up, so that helps make it easier to wear.

Some high red sandals and I’m off to the races – or the BBQ – or just on the town being seen. No incognito jobs in this get-up!

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

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TRUE VINTAGE MOD HOSTESS JUMPSUIT FROM THE 1960’S – PATIO PARTY!!

TRUE VINTAGE MOD HOSTESS JUMPSUIT FROM THE 1960'S – PATIO PARTY!!.

TWO TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER BLOUSES IN IMPORTANT MATERIALS

CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TWO TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES IN IMPORTANT MATERIALS

Here are two cotton blouses that are made of quintessential vintage fabrics. I haven’t seen others like them made this way in modern clothing (meaning since about 1975 at the latest).

The first blouse is made of cotton seersucker. This has been a trademark summer fabric since the 1920’s, I’d say – probably before. It is known for being cool and having a nice texture that stands up to heat and humidity.

The second blouse, with the Peter Pan collar and 3/4 sleeves that can be rolled up, is a lightweight cotton blend. These were super-popular in the ’50’s and early ’60’s and, as simple as they look, there’s not been a fabric that performs like this since.

Of course, I like the style details, too – the large buttons and banded scoop neck collar on #1 and the dainty collar and 3/4 sleeves on #2. True vintage blouses are…

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TWO TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER BLOUSES IN IMPORTANT MATERIALS

TWO TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER BLOUSES IN IMPORTANT MATERIALS.

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY HAWAIIAN SHIRTS FROM BACK IN THE DAY . . .

CLASSIC TRAVEL SOUVENIRS AT THEIR BEST!!!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE HAWAIIAN SHIRTS FROM BACK IN THE DAY . . .

These shirts are authentic from Hawaii when they were very well-made and always a vacation souvenir. The shirt on the left, especially, is from the 1940’s or ’50’s – made of cotton with a bark cloth print. It’s also got buttons made from, I think, coconut shell.

The shirt on the right is newer – 1950’s to ’70’s. It is also cotton and is from the shop at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. That is (or was) a famous hotel on Waikiki Beach which had their own line of clothing with their label. The buttons are also distinctively theirs.

What’s so great about these shirts? The lovely cottons, the great prints and the “exotic” origin. I don’t have any of the fabulous rayon shirts from the ’40’s that were made there – maybe someday – noting better to wear during a tropical investigation on a hot summer night . . …

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TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY HAWAIIAN SHIRTS FROM BACK IN THE DAY . . .

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY HAWAIIAN SHIRTS FROM BACK IN THE DAY . . ..

SMART & CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE ’50’S – EARLY ’60’S

YOU’LL NEVER FAIL WITH TRUE VINTAGE, QUALITY LEATHER ACCESSORIES

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

PRETTY CLASSIC VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE '50'S - EARLY '60'S

Here’s a beautiful leather handbag in a classic shape and with the quality of leather. I have collected them whenever possible because of their outstanding value and elegant design.

This one is beige leather inside and out, with a snakeskin quilt overlay. It’s so classic in design and neutral in color that I can carry it any time of year. It has lasted for decades and, with good care, will last decades more.

I always use a leather conditioner on my leather goods once or twice a year and store them in a way that won’t encourage mold or mildew or cause them to be bent out of shape.

Like your shoes, there’s nothing that is more telling about your good taste and willingness to invest in the best than the kind of handbag that you carry.

I’m not big in favor of designer names just for their own sake…

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