A CACHE OF TRUE VINTAGE LINGERIE FINDS: TREASURE WORTH SAFE-KEEPING

I came across a whole bunch of classic nylon sleepwear pieces that are ALWAYS worth adding to your collection – even if you already have several.  My rationale? :

1. if you’ve never slept in mid-century nylon pj’s or gowns (just about 1950’s to very early 1970’s), you don’t know what you’re missing!  There is nothing (including silk) that is more comfortable as well as practical in bed and for lounging.  They add warmth and are also cool, plus luxuriously smooth and soft.  The fit is forgiving.  2.  well-made and classically stylish, you won’t find anything equal in modern garments.  3.  often you may find single pieces – these are great for matching later, with an identical or similar mate, or as an accessory, such as the black sleeveless cape pictured above.  I plan to wear it over a black nightgown.

Not to forget, photo 3 is of a satin storage bag I discovered.  These have been staple pieces in women’s undie drawers and storage chests for decades.  Not sure if they are still being made to the same standard, but this one is great.  Pretty peachy pink and brown in the classic style with inner pocket and fold-over styling, plus ribbon closure ties.  Nothing is better for keeping hosiery and delicate garments safe from snags and dust.  Grab these, too, whenever you see one.  A girl can never have too many . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

A VERY UNUSUAL TRUE VINTAGE STATEMENT DRESS!

IMG_5310

I have dresses and a couple of coats trimmed with fur on the sleeves and a a couple of coats with fur around the hems but this is my first find of a dressy dress with this kind of trim.  Made in a 1950’s style, but I think it is from the 1970’s (maybe the 1960’s).  How unusual!

Very much of-the-season in perfect plush velvet for all the holiday party activities that about to crowd our calendars.  What an entrance I’d make to an evening Thanksgiving dinner.   Hmmm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1970 HOMECOMING DRESS

IMG_5135

Two “new” finds today – I’m on a roll.  This little frock caught my eye because of the fabric – real, plush, beautiful VELVET.  We just don’t see that anymore.  The lace trim is also very nice.  Stiff and Elizabethan.

Aside from the fabric, it’s just as cute as can be and oh, so of that time.  Mini, slightly Mod but also demure.  I love it and it was worth snapping up even if it isn’t quite my size, just for the fabric.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MID-CENTURY SWING DRESS FIND

IMG_4600

Fun find – a custom-tailored frock made sometime between 1960 and 1985.  It’s got overall a great day dress style, harking back to the 1940’s.  The best thing about the styling, I think, is the flared skirt design which will flip and twirl with every movement.  A perfect dress for dancing!

Another neat thing is that the seamstress put in a LONG side zipper so that it’s really easy to put on and take off – no need for contortion or someone to help you zip, as sometimes happens with back zippers.

This is a relatively simple dress, but little clues tell me that the maker put special thought into the styling and construction, which make it special.  Love it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE FIND! A ’60’S TO ’70’S LONG SUMMER GOWN

IMG_4528

This is absolutely the prettiest apricot-color floral print dress!  It’s got an old Talon zipper in back and is in fabulous condition (and my size, if not my best color – maybe a little summer tan will help).

Don’t know whether this was Prom or whatever in it’s first life, but now I’d wear it almost anywhere.  Could even be worn as part of a wedding party.  The cut and skirt treatment are very well done, making this a super-flattering frock.

Let’s see what’s next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FUN FIND TODAY! 2 MID-CENTURY HOUSE-DRESSES

IMG_4396

I always love finding dresses like this from back in the day.  Many women wore these at home on a daily basis, and didn’t worry too much if they had to run out for an errand – a little freshening-up:  a combing and touch of hairspray, powder & lipstick and off they went to the supermarket.

Other women, who worked in the garment unions, made these dresses in large quantities.  Most of them found their way to the rubbish bin after being worn for years of cooking and housecleaning, but a few of them made it out alive.  Love the lines of the slightly older style on the right.

So, here we have two of those gals who were well looked-after and might have lived a more leisurely life.  They were half-sizes (plus) in their time but now would be lucky to qualify as large size.  However, their styles are forgiving and may serve me very well just as they did their first owners.  Fun!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HERE’S THE TRUE VINTAGE SOPHISTICATED SISTER – A LITTLE BLACK DRESS FROM THE 1970’S

IMG_4285

Ditch the mini-length, add a bit of va-voom and some frills et voila! – dinner or cotillion dance-worthy.  Although the comfortable style and flexible double-knit would probably permit it, this is no frock for the bar scene or Stayin’ Alive dance party.

Yes, it was still possible to find garments of quality construction and elegant design in the 1970’s.  Sadly, most of them are gone now because the knit fabrics didn’t make it till today or simply because women had begun to stop taking the care of their clothing which was common in the 1960’s and before.

So much more precious for me to discover two frocks of this type (see yesterday’s post, too).  Both are definitely keepers that I can wear for decades to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1970’S KNIT DRESSES – SOME OF THE BEST TAILORED CLOTHING FROM THE DISCO ERA

IMG_4284

Although the Seventies were full of schlocky clothing and many less-than-elegant designs, the full decline of everyday fashion hadn’t hit yet.  Here’s an example of a wonderfully-elegant style which was hand-made from one of those beautiful heavy double-knits that became popular in the early – mid decade.

Like the jersey knits of the 1940’s, this material was a real icon of the 1970s and performs very well.  The drape is very good and holds it’s shape.  This office-worthy frock was custom-tailored and is as simple as can be, which makes the design timeless.  The fabric and construction are of high quality.  If you find or still own a similar garment from that era, hang on to it!

A rare find (in my size!) that thrilled me to my toes.  But, we’re not finished yet – I’ll show you her party-going sister tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SEVENTIES SUNDRESS FIND – PRETTY IN POLKA DOTS

Love polka dots and polished cotton!  Stella’s off to the State Fair.

Although this dress isn’t way old, it is true vintage and the classic and fun styling made it worth picking up and wearing.  It’s very reminiscent of summer dresses from the 1950’s and early 1960’s and is made well.

As we go up and down, back and forth through the decades, stay tuned!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL FLORAL COTTON GOWN – MADE IN HAWAII?????

Isn’t this print gorgeous?  And, the cotton is super, super soft – probably due to age and washings as well as a high-quality fabric.

Another mystery for me!  Can’t date it exactly – there is no label and signs say that it was hand-tailored.  The style is not traditional Hawaiian, but certain details, such as the pleat in the back of the skirt and the fabulous material, make me think of other vintage gowns made there.

No matter.  It’s lovely and tiny but, if I can comfortably wear it it’s a keeper!  We’ll see . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM