Tag Archives: ’70’s

TRUE VINTAGE SEVENTIES DOES FORTIES BLOUSE AND HIGH-WAIST PANTS

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Two finds from the 1970’s, put together perfectly.  I love the cute 1940’s vibe;  these pieces were made in the early 1970’s when that style was revived.  The shirt was from Sears Junior Bazaar and the slacks made by a company called Beeline. How fun!

The pants are long, so they’re great with platform sandals – another thing popular at that time – also part of the 1940’s retro thing.  As a true vintage sleuth, it’s so fun to watch how the styles go around and come around again.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE BLACK & WHITE KNIT DAY DRESS – SO SMART AND CHIC!

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I have found several of these elegant black and white styles from the ’60’s and ’70’s – and wear them a lot.  As versatile as a Little Black Dress for day and fun to accessorize.  If made by a well-known clothing company or designer, the workmanship was good .

Polyester knits made up until the early 1970’s were usually very nice – good quality and with a substantial feel and nice drape.  A well-made dress or pant-suit could take you through 3 seasons of the year.  Although similar-looking dresses are made now, the older ones almost always have superior tailoring and fabric.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY VICTORIAN-STYLE BOHO FINDS IN EUROPE!

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Talk about fussy and pretty .. . . . .!  Although they’re similar in some ways to the blouses shown yesterday, I like these so much better.  In spite of the high neckline on the left, they’re less prim and will look great with jeans and peasant skirts.

These styles go way back, from the 1890’s (with long gloves or a jacket, of course.  Can’t show those arms!) to the 1940’s and 1950’s when peasant-style was all the rage.  As always, the fashion came back in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s and was just as iconic then.

As I’ve said, it’s rare to find blouses and shirts this old in fabulous condition.  The things that  make this possible are the high-quality construction and fabric plus the fact that people used to care for their clothing much better than we do now.  For modern vintage sleuths, our gain!

So, never give up – just learn how to sneak smarter . .. . . . . . . . . . .. ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER MID-CENTURY FLOWER-POWER FROCK – FROM PARIS!

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GIRLY, GIRLY, GIRLY FLORAL DRESS FROM ABOUT 1970

See the similarities to the dress shown yesterday, from Canada?  Yes, the siren call of Fashion was making slaves of us all on both sides of the Atlantic.  All over the world, women who were able to follow the latest trends were rushing to wear this 1940’s retro style.  Even though Paris was slow to be corrupted, it happened.

The thought of it kind of ruins your day, doesn’t it?  Well, thankfully we’ve now reached the era when we can wear whatever suits our fancy without worrying about whether we’re up-to-date.  Because, if we develop our own unique, personal look, we will be very fashionable (and who cares, anyway)!

This dress was probably custom-tailored, too.  We’re still in polyester (of course), but not in a knit.  This is a woven fabric with a much lighter hand and a woven-in stripe for texture and eye appeal.  Same prim collar, fussy trim, puffed sleeve, nipped waist and swing skirt.  It’s also a little more sophisticated than yesterday’s frock – less of a rockabilly feel.

Still not haute couture, by any means.   And, like all the “newer” garments, it carries the stamp of international trends and fabrics that take away from it’s Parisian roots.  That’s one reason that I always prefer clothing from the early 1960’s and before.  But, if you have to go with something made later, why not choose something from Paris?  Tomorrow, we’re off to Ireland . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE SEVENTIES DOES FORTIES FLORAL DAY DRESS

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EARLY 1970’S RETRO-STYLE SHIRTWAIST DRESS

I’m dodging out of Paris and into Canada for one day because of today’s find.  In my favorite brown and blue combo, a custom-tailored poly frock from the early 1970’s that rocks the 1940’s vibe.

I’m impressed with how well the tailor set these ruffles on the collar and sleeves.  It testifies to some expertise. i’m not so much into ruffles, personally, but I adore swing skirts!

A simple dress but definitely from that time about 1973 when lots of cutesy ’40’s style elements were coming out in popular clothing.  I so love being able to date a garment very closely like this.  That makes it extra special. It’s a perfect fit for Giselle, too.  We’ll go back to Paris in the same time-frame tomorrow . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

IN THE MEANTIME . . . . . .

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Couldn’t find any record of having shown these to you before, but I’m not sure.  If you’ve seen them, have patience.  I’ll be getting the most recent treasures photographed very soon.

This is the stash that I found just before leaving for the European adventure – mid-century day-dresses, secretary and pretty styles, plus an early 1960’s Wedding gown!

You just never know . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

CLASSIC, ULTRA-FLATTERING TRUE VINTAGE LESLIE FAY DAY- DRESS – 1960’S

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This is one of my favorite LBD’s for day. The cut and quality are SO good and it is ultra-flattering.

The fabric is lovely and the hardware on the belt is, too. It’s a basic style, but so chic and elegant. These features make all the difference between looking ordinary or sophisticated and well off.

So many true vintage pieces have these advantages. What’s not to love?!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WOVEN SUMMER – WEIGHT VERSION OF THE CLASSIC COWBOY HAT – MADE IN CALGARY, ALBERTA BY SMITHBILT

WOVEN SUMMER - WEIGHT VERSION OF THE CLASSIC COWBOY HAT - MADE IN CALGARY, ALBERTA BY SMITHBILT

Just as classic as the wool felt version, this beautiful Smithbilt hat is also of the highest quality.   Not sure when it was made – these enduring styles and handmade constructions are almost ageless.

Contrasting two-tone woven-in design & leather bands inside and out.  The weaving is tight and even.   This hat will also last forever (almost) if it’s taken care of.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE SLEEPWEAR & LOUNGEWEAR

A COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE SLEEPWEAR & LOUNGEWEAR

It seems that in the past women, and men, made a real art of wearing at-home fashion. They didn’t bop around the house in sweats or nothing (nothing is lovely, but not very mysterious).

No, there were smoking jackets, bed jackets, peignoirs, robes, caftans, gowns, pajamas and many variations of each. I will show more in the future, but for now . . . . . .

Left to right: a quilted lounging or bed jacket from the 1950s or 1940s, a boys’ size 18 lounging jacket from the 1950s or 1960s (just right for a small woman, too), a babydoll gown and peignoir set from the 1960s or 1970s, and two 1950s bed jackets.

One should not neglect one’s fashion presence just because (maybe) no one else is around. Much more important if someone is.
I love finding these beautiful old high-quality items.  Everyone deserves the luxury.

There’s nothing like receiving casual guests in a smart caftan or reading in bed in a lovely gown with matching robe because if the doorbell rings . . . . . . . .well, you just never know . . . .. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE SEA BLUE DINNER DANCE DRESS FROM THE LATE ’60S – EARLY ’70S

TRUE VINTAGE SEA BLUE DINNER DANCE DRESS FROM THE LATE '60S - EARLY '70S

This one could have been worn to the Cotillion dinner-dance before the time of Disco. With sheer sleeves and crystal-pleated skirt, it’s a dream of a dress for dancing.  It had no belt when I found it – I think I would put on a skinny tie belt, perhaps with a little sparkle (depending on my jewelry).

Crystal pleats can be really lovely and in this case they have a superb swing, with their trumpet shape. Polyester fabric holds pleats like this really well, so that style was popular when poly was really big.  This dress is very nicely made, by a company that was based in California.

It’s always frustrating to try finding a really good dance dress.  I’ve already shown one and will be posting several more soon because I have a collection!  One thing that was really popular in decades past was social dancing, in a more formal way than we do now. Therefore, there have been mountains of fabulous dresses created to dance in.

I’m always thrilled when I find a super one like this!  Though it’s not meant for funky get-down nights, it would be perfect for most kinds of ballroom dancing (fox trot, swing, tango, waltz, rumba, samba – stuff like that).  Whenever you go to a formal wedding or dance, there’s bound to be some of that – just depends.

Stick with me and I’ll show you all the treasures that I keep uncovering all year. So much fun, because you just never know!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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