Here are two more beauties from Hawaii. The same fabulous construction and fabric, but slightly more modern art prints. Don’t you love those colors? Whenever I find one, I grab it!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Tag Archives: art print
BE A LUAU MAMA OR A CHIC WAIKIKI WAHINI
Since I’ve started getting out the patio frock, here we go – – – – – – Nothing rivals the beautiful workmanship and fabulous fabric found in true vintage Hawaiian fashions from the early Seventies and before. The colors are incomparable. The cottons and rayons are practically indescribable. Men’s shirts are also incredible.
Since at least the 1940’s, dresses made in Hawaii were very desirable for their quality and fit. Some are exceptionally comfy and relaxed. Others are high-volume sexy or very chic.
Think Mata Hari of the islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
NEW FIND! FUN SLINKY KNIT MOD 1960’s PATIO DAY DRESS BY ALLEGRO
Came across this one yesterday and it’s the first I’ve had with this kind of T-back neckline. Time to dig out the specialty bra.
The things I love best about it are the sunny-fun art print and that wonderful heavy, slinky fabric that was available for a few years. It’s so delicious on the body and drapes so beautifully. No, it can’t compare to the gorgeous jersey-knit fabrics from the 1940’s but it is identifiable as part of the family.
So, although it’s kind of a poor cousin, it’s also a very fun find. This is because its pedigree out-ranks the quality of most all the casual poly clothing that has drowned us in the marketplace since the early 1960’s, with the value and workmanship moving farther down the scale every year. There’s an embroidered cloth tag from a recognized maker, elegant styling and beautiful material – clues that come to light when you snoop carefully. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
TRUE VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHT JACKET FROM THE 1960’S
As it gets warmer, I may be showing some light jackets. This one is from the ’60’s in a kind of fantasy floral print – not psychedelic, but a little abstract. Flower Power ruled! I love the colors in this and the nice, easy but chic fit.
The poly/rayon/whatever fabric that was often used then shouldn’t automatically be thrown in the washer like we tend to do with everything now. The label on this jacket says that it also needs the care of spot-cleaning or dry-cleaning, but I’ve still found it easy-wear. Just a little extra care does the trick.
Don’t panic! There are simple ways to deal with this. I have lots of items that can’t be machine washed, but I hardly EVER have to go to a dry-cleaner (can’t remember the last time). Not dissing them – they are a god-send when you really need a good one.
This is a perfect jacket over capris, little skirts and sheath dresses. It’s fun to try finding pieces in coordinating colors for the kind of funky, vintage hues. But, there is always ivory or black which can work.
Not a go-to, every-day jacket but it’s right for a day of fun – can’t have too much . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
A FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE FIND – MOD GEOMETRIC PRINT SIXTIES KNIT TUNIC
I’ll soon be on an investigation again, so a little patience may be needed, please, with my time-table! Here’s another wonderful find – a mod tunic blouse in a heavy synthetic knit. Similar to the fabric in yesterday’s dress from the Forties, but grown up a generation.
I love the style and the printed design, with long sleeves. Looks great with long pants, short skirts . . . . . . An excellent choice for cool Spring-ish weather.
This design has a little short zipper at the back neckline and falls mostly straight, with a little shaping in the torso. As you can see on Madge, the fit is very flattering.
Vintage knits are almost always wonderful, regardless of the type of fabric. Usually they are heavy and drape well. That’s what makes them fit so beautifully. And, of course, the design is on the back, too. No cutting corners on the best true vintage!
I always love finding unusual pieces like this one. Makes my day . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
MOD MAD MEN TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S DRESS WITH MATCHING JACKET
This outfit was custom tailored in the mid-1960’s. Bell sleeves and easy fit. The fabric is a swirly paisley print in aqua tones and it includes the addition of a matching jacket to create an ensemble.
So many dresses in the ’50’s and ’60’s were made with matching jackets and even matching accessories. Though this is a fairly casual dress, it follows that lady-like trend and seems to teeter on the edge of the fashion divide between the rather prissy Fifties and early Sixties and the Mod and wild times just after. Looks like the dressmaker originally intended to make a sleeveless frock, then changed her mind. As it is, we’ve got a day dress that Twiggy would look just fab in, photographed on some 1965 magazine cover.
What a luxury to have your own dressmaker to custom-tailor your wardrobe! So many women did. Most neighborhoods in the city had a tailor’s shop where this kind of work was done. In towns and villages there was usually a woman nearby who did dressmaking in her own home. And, of course, many women were still doing their own home sewing then.
Maybe I’ll take the sleeves off some time and wear this dress with the jacket – but, no . . . . love the dress just as it is. I’ll check out the jacket with my selection of skirts . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
LOVE THIS RETRO FIFTIES FIND!
This beautiful silk calf-length skirt is almost a full -circle cut. And, as usual, a perfect fit for me. What I love best (aside from the fabric) is the atomic abstract art print on the black background. So unusual and iconically late Fifties – early Sixties. I’ll love wearing it with a cinch belt and art metal jewelry!
Although true vintage is ALWAYS THE BEST, I like it a lot when modern designers get it right when they feel a vintage vibe. That happens once in a while and it’s always fun to find an example of that inspiration.
So, I was surprised and delighted again. Hmmm . . . .stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
NEWLY-DISCOVERED MID-CENTURY BLOUSES LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!
At first, I thought that the green/brown blouse on top was a camouflage pattern – but it’s not. It is a 1950’s art print fabric that is so fun! It was commercially-made, with a care tag at the neckline. I love cap sleeve blouses and yesterday’s finds were a real bonanza!
The two on the bottom are identical, excepting for the colors, and undoubtedly were custom-made by the same person, from interesting rayon or rayon-blend fabrics. I’ve shown the back view on the right so that you can see the back buttoning and the interesting seaming.
Like so many mid-century garments, these are sporty and dressy at the same time. I can wear them with shorts or Capri pants, like the ones I found last week, or with a skirt or under a suit jacket. Always smart and elegant, no matter what the occasion. That’s the beauty of true vintage fashion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS NEW FIND! COTTON PRINT MID-CENTURY SKIRT
This is SO fabulous! I love this sportswear skirt from the 1950’s with Grecian urns in pretty colors printed all around. In fact, that’s the name of the fabric design, printed on the selvage edge.
Can’t wait to wear it this Spring and Summer! It was beautifully taken care of, with hardly a flaw. Thank you to the woman who did that!
As I make my way here and there, to various shops, sales and stores in many different countries, the only thing I regret is that I usually don’t know the names of the original owners of the treasures I discover. It’s always a big plus when I do, because the specific history adds so much to the story.
Oh, well. As it is, I can imagine that Audrey, or Jean, or Margaret or Lois bought this skirt to wear on her first Roman holiday – and had a wonderful time!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
JUST FOUND – NEW WAVE DOES FORTIES DAY DRESS
A very fun side-zip-waist poly/synthetic frock that was home-sewn – much of it by hand – in the styling of wartime and postwar day dresses This is a retro re-make from maybe the Sixties up to the Retro years with a ’60’s – early ’70’s Talon zipper.
Love the art print fabric. If not for various signs, I might have taken it for 80 years old. Anyway, it’s a great find with lots of evidence for it’s story. With a nice black belt cinched at the waist and some ’40’s – ’50’s pumps, I’ll enjoy it!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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