“NEW” FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – 1970’S HALTER SUNDRESS BY PARADE – NEW YORK

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This little beauty has such a wonderful fit, because it’s adjustable!  The neckline and waist closures are so unique – wrapping straps that hook like a belt, with several holes to choose from.  Never seen one like this before!

I just love discovering these interesting and unusual tailoring and design details.  In this example, it’s so ingenious yet so simple.  A bit confusing at first look, but makes perfect sense and works beautifully.

The fabric and the fit are ultra-flattering and so cool and carefree for summer.  It’s a high-quality construction by a well-known, if smallish, vintage clothing maker and in perfect condition.  Sweet!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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JUST FOUND – 1960’s MOD PLUS SIZE SUMMER DRESS BY MYNETTE

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This is also a true vintage brand that I already own – so fun to find things by names that I know.  It’s a vintage 16, which was a plus size at that time, but still looks pretty cute on Stella.

Plain and everyday, but still worth picking up, to me.  All part of the vintage sleuthing craft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S STILETTO SLING-BACK HEELS FOR 3-SEASONS – FABRIC AND LEATHER FROM JOHANSEN

 STILETTO SLING-BACK HEELS FOR SUMMER - FABRIC AND LEATHER FROM JOHANSEN AGAIN

This is one of my favorite true vintage styles in warm weather shoes.  The fabric uppers and openness are so breezy, cool and feminine.   They are such a cross between dressy and casual that they are very versatile and will look just right almost any time.

I’ve found lots of lovely true vintage shoe styles by Johansen since I’ve been sleuthing and they’re always dependably elegant and well-made. Such a pleasure to find and to wear . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SUMMER DRESS FROM NEW ZEALAND

IMG_1083Here’s a good picture of the a-line shift dress that I found in New Zealand last fall.  Very plain and classic in style, but that’s often the best.  It’s certainly a design that was VERY common in the Sixties decade. Probably custom-tailored, with a metal zip, which I also enjoy finding in a true vintage piece.

The feature I like most about this dress is the fabric.  It’s a nice woven cotton – hard to find now – in a print that uses the colors and dotted style that you will find in the Aboriginal & Maori artwork from Australia and New Zealand.  It’s a wonderful souvenir of my time  there.. . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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FLATTERING TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S SUMMER DRESS IN APRICOT

FLATTERING TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S SUMMER DRESS IN APRICOT

I love the styling of this frock, with its wasp waist, free hips, cap sleeves and delicate neckline that really enhance the figure.  Madge’s fuller measurements give it the right “va-voom” fit.  I also like the peek-a-boo effect of the white band below the waistline.

This was another “surprise find” – always the most fun!  Summer days and nights, here we come . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE AUSSIE FINDS! TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – 1970’S GINGHAM DRESSES

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAll three of these frocks were custom-sewn and I think that the top two belonged to the same woman, because they are so similar.  Wasp-waisted or halter style, these gingham dresses have been signs of summer for decades.  I REALLY wish I had Madge and Stella here to show them off properly!

All are very simple, with back zippers and store-bought trims.  The fabric in the yellow and white one is a bit more modern-looking and I would say it was a late-’60’s to early-’70’s creation.  The first two would be a few years older.

As plain as these are, I’d never pass them up.  I still love them because they are so of-that-time and look really good on.  Simple belts add a lot and, of course, you can accessorize . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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PERFECT TRUE VINTAGE JEWELRY ACCESSORIES FOR SUMMER DRESSES

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Classic white beads in a graduated strand are always perfect – they don’t have to be pearls!  Just look for beads with tiny spacers or knots in between – much more elegant and better quality. Also perfect are shell necklaces and bracelets.  These are always available, but the ones pictured are original vintage and have vintage findings.

Lots of cute costume jewelry is being made now; I just prefer the special extras that are present on the older things. They also have a different look.. . . . . .

 

MORGANA MARTIN,  THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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TRUE VINTAGE SHOES BY JOYCE – 1960’S COLORFUL FLATS

TRUE VINTAGE SHOES BY JOYCE - 1960'S COLORFUL FLATS

I’ve found a number of mid-century true vintage sporty-type items by Joyce.  One label said Joyce of Chicago, so maybe the same company.  Some companies have changed their labels somewhat over the years.

These flats are leather, of course, but only the uppers and interiors.  The soles are a good synthetic like Vibram (will last for decades).  I always love cut-out styles and these carnival colors are so much fun!

Just the ticket to wear with capris, cigarette pants, a cute dress or skirt – or shorts.  ’60’s casual fashions were all about playful and surprising.  The ’50’s certainly have those moments, too, in a BIG way but, overall, there’s more loyalty to the conservative classics in the 1950’s.

With the closed toe and elegant styling, these  “summer” shoes are easily worn Spring through Fall.  My main challenge here  is finding the right clothing  and colors to accompany them.  But, there is always black or white . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SLEEVELESS FROCK IN PRETTY YELLOW POLKA-DOT FABRIC

I’ve had such a run of finding 1960’s dresses lately!  But, I’m also finding items from decades before and it’s all so exciting.  This pretty summer frock is a dropped-waist style that adds a twist to what would otherwise be a plain, but very elegant, sheath.  This kind of casual elegance was so much a part of early-Sixties fashion.

The fabric I love because polka-dots and bright yellow are always so great for summer dresses.  It’s a synthetic with a nylon feel, but may be a blend.  Might have been custom-tailored, as so many true vintage dresses are, but it’s hard to say since the sewing skills our grandmothers had were so professional.  Labels can be missing for many reasons.

This one just makes me want to wear it to a carnival and go on all the rides while eating cotton candy and winning at least one Teddy Bear . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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CUTE TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER DAY FROCK – ANOTHER EARLY ’60’S FIND!

IMG_1506A flowery knit with a flouncy neckline – this dress was made in 1962.  Hemlines were still a bit longish then, and nipped waists were still “in”.

Oh, so much fun to be right back there at the exact time – perfect frock to wear to a picnic or to the carnival.  Rides weren’t so wild then that women had to worry about their skirts flying, like we would now.

The fabric is a little heavier, so probably no slip required – definitely a plus on a  hot day, though a cotton slip could even be a nice cooling layer against the synthetic material.  Always good to have at least one on hand, and the true vintage lingerie is always pretty and sweet.

Take me out to the ball game.  Take me out to the fair . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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