Tag Archives: ’60s

A GORGEOUS TAILORED DRESSY FROCK – TRUE VINTAGE FROM THE SIXTIES

This dress is beautiful.  Despite it’s clean and unassuming lines, it is beautifully tailored.

Of black velveteen, it’s a party or dressy-occasion frock.  Fully lined, with nice details at the hem, waist and sleeves.  It’s the type of dress that might have been worn to a Homecoming dance or party, a recital or special dinner event.

Even though the style is “plain” (read Elegant), I love finding garments of such high quality because they stand out on that basis alone.  It really gives me a lot of pleasure to wear clothing like this.  Of course, I always love black . . …. …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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

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

TRUE VINTAGE FLOWER POWER MID-1960’S DRESS

Back to Mad Men times . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE FLOWER POWER MID-1960'S DRESS

Someone custom-tailored this dress in about 1965. I put the tie belt around it just for effect, but it is an A-line style, which can be worn belt-less, too.

Although it doesn’t show well in this photo, the neckline is a wide, high scoop with a collar. The material is unusual in that it is fairly heavy and is almost embroidered with the floral pattern – not printed. The style and flower design, plus the back metal zipper, are the clues to its age. Although many copycat styles and designs are on the market now, this one just looks different and you have to have a trained eye and know the details to spot it.

It’s always fun to suddenly see a dress like this, because it immediately transports me to the ’60’s and all the mod and English influence that was popular then. That’s what everybody wore, who was…

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TRUE VINTAGE SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS FROM THE 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS FROM THE 1950'S.

TWO WONDERFUL MEN’S SHORT-SLEEVED SHIRTS – TRUE VINTAGE 1970’S & RETRO

TWO WONDERFUL MEN'S SHORT-SLEEVED SHIRTS – TRUE VINTAGE 1970'S & RETRO.

ANOTHER FUN FIND! HIPPIE ’60’S CASUAL CHIC HAWAIIAN PATIO LOUNGE-WEAR DRESS

ANOTHER FUN FIND! HIPPIE '60'S CASUAL CHIC HAWAIIAN PATIO LOUNGE-WEAR DRESS.

ANOTHER FUN FIND! HIPPIE ’60’S CASUAL CHIC HAWAIIAN PATIO LOUNGE-WEAR DRESS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAlthough it’s of a simple cut, the novelty sleeves, lovely fabric and excellent tailoring make this a special gown for a relaxed day at home or casual event.  The sleeves are slit to the shoulder with purple lining.

I’m guessing that this dress was made in the early 1960’s and has a Hawaiian maker’s label inside.  Certain details hint at it’s correct age.

I always admire how well women of the past looked after their clothing.  Add that to the superior quality of the garments to begin with, and many are preserved today in wonderful condition for us to wear, study and enjoy.  With apologies to a few designers who continue to believe in elegance and quality, I’m not sure that women 30 or 40 years from now will find much of anything made after 1990 that has lasted that long, and it won’t be much of a loss . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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ANOTHER CLASSIC DISCOVERY – TRUE VINTAGE MID-1960’S GOWN OR DRESS. ELEGANT.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERADoesn’t look like much on the hanger, but this dress will be stunning on Stella and is a knockout when it comes to quality tailoring.  It may also have been custom-made.  Little details tell the story.

The color, which does not show well in this photo, is a mid-range gold and the fabric is some kind of blend – probably rayon/acetate maybe with some polyester. The straps and skinny belt are crafted perfectly with clean lines and lie nice and flat, which really takes some sewing skill.

There is also a full lining of silky fabric in a matching color.  Although the style is really plain, it is superbly elegant because of the quality and would look great shortened to knee length or mini length without violating the mid-60’s era that it is from.  That would make it wearable as a casual-chic day dress, too.

Changing a hemline is a simple thing to do or have done, if your own skills are not good.  Remembering little alterations like that can open all kinds of possibilities . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A TRUE VINTAGE HAND-KNITTED WARDROBE FOR YOUR NEXT SEA CRUISE?

A TRUE VINTAGE HAND-KNITTED WARDROBE FOR YOUR NEXT SEA CRUISE?.

A TRUE VINTAGE HAND-KNITTED WARDROBE FOR YOUR NEXT SEA CRUISE?

IMG_1476 IMG_1477     Can you imagine making your own travel wardrobe for that ocean voyage overseas?  Well, that’s what some ladies were doing in the early 1960’s!

Springtime, beginning in February, was traditionally the season for international travel – after the Christmas season was all tied up, and before Easter.  Although some North Americans jetted off for ski or beach vacations, the true “Jet-Set” or those planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip headed for Paris & London, East Asia, South America or the Caribbean.

Our grandmothers thought that an ocean cruise was one of the most glamorous ways to travel – and it was, then.  What more elegant attire than a wardrobe of custom-made clothing.  If you weren’t in a position to visit a couturier and had good do-it-yourself skills, a McCall’s Magazine needlework pattern would have been just the thing!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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