Tag Archives: at-home

BEAUTIFUL VAL MODE RETRO 1940’S PEIGNOIR

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There are already at least a couple of dressing gowns  in my collection that date from the 1930’s – 1940’s and are made in a similar style.  So, although this was was made 30 to 40 years later and the fabric isn’t as nice, it’s pretty true to the design.

I’ll sometimes pick up retro items made by famous vintage makers because they do a pretty good job.  This one still qualifies as “true vintage” because of being at least 30 years old, but the real 1940’s would always be my favorite!

Anyway, a pretty find and worth adding to my treasures.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

I’VE DUG UP TREASURE AGAIN -FABULOUS, FANTASTIC FIFTIES FABRIC!

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What wonderful things I’m discovering!  Just LOVE the old kitchy motifs here.  Although there’s probably enough material to make a simple dress, the fabric is more the weight for upholstery so I’ll save it for sofa pillows or to cover a chair.

Such fun!!!!!!!!!!!!  And, rare as can be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER RARE FIND – MEN’S MID-CENTURY LEISURE CARDIGAN SWEATER IN WOOL AND SUEDE LEATHER

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Fabulous condition, too!  It needs a button, but I can do that.  I may even have a matching one in my stash.  So fun to find one of these in great shape.

This type of sweater was such a common and vital part of a man’s wardrobe before 1965. After that, styles changed and these weren’t seen as often.  The classic golf sweater carried on the design, but is of a completely different genre.

College boys, Dad and Grandpa used to sport around in these cardigans during Happy Days and Mad Men times.  Sometimes they’d be worn with a casual shirt and tie.  Great- and great-great granddads had their versions, too.  I don’t find one very often but, when you’re sleuthing, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER POST WAR DAY FROCK FROM THE 1940’S – WOWEE!

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The most interesting fabric, fun buttons and near-perfect condition.  This is a great example of an everyday dress for a woman after WWII.

Very nicely tailored, despite it’s modest category.  Grandma was happy to have better clothing to wear again after all the wartime deprivations.  We’re just getting started – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MID-CENTURY LINGERIE – A VERY PRETTY 1950’S NEGLIGEE’ IN CHAMPAGNE YELLOW

IMG_1050IMG_1051     I just love finding one of these!  True vintage mid-century sleepwear is so precious and, often, beautiful.  The quality material, tailoring details and interesting styles are great – whether it’s a woman’s garment or a man’s!

This beauty has gorgeous lace detail at the shoulders and is in virtually perfect condition. An example of the extraordinary care taken in the past is the little decorative bows, which are attached by tiny safety pins so that they can be removed and the gown can be washed without damage.  I’ve seen many done this way and it’s such a high quality practice that has been lost.

Back in the day, this was more or less a run-of-the-mill item and now would be an exclusive and expensive one.  And we think we’re so smart . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

NEW FIND!! MID-CENTURY LINGERIE WRAPPER FROM WOOLWORTH’S

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This mid-century wrapper, robe, housecoat, house dress was originally sold at Woolworths dime-store chain, probably in the 1960’s, in Great Britain or Australia – though I wasn’t in any of those places when I found it.  FUN!!!  I love, love, love housecoats and this one’s story was intriguing to sort out.

In a long wrap style, it’s definitely not for wearing into town but is very flattering and comfy.  The large size is somewhat forgiving due to the design, so I’ll enjoy it.  The tiny wallpaper print is similar to some of the fabrics shown from the antique quilt I just found and showed a couple of days ago.  However, this material is a cotton/poly blend, so made at a later time when easy-care fabrics were more common than pure cotton.

An interesting find, and one that I’ll wear a lot.  Tomorrow we’ll move ahead in time by another 15 – 20 years to more fun finds that I’ll love wearing . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANTIQUE QUILT TO TRUE VINTAGE RETRO CLOTHING: LET’S START WITH FABULOUS COTTON FABRICS FROM THE EARLY 1900’S

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JUST A SAMPLING –  NO MATTER HOW IT LOOKS, THERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT TODAY!

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These wonderful cotton prints may have come from clothing that had worn out and had to be re-purposed.  Love the pink check that’s in the apron!  The quilt has many blocks that are not damaged at all, though some show wear.  For being about 100 years old, it was well-looked-after and still holds together.

What I love most about a find like this is the rare materials that all have a story.  The prints are so great – little anchors, fleur des lis, vines and flowers, paisley and plaid, checks and stripes.  There are more, but I can only show so many photographs at once.

So, I know it’s not a piece of clothing (excepting for the apron accessory) but it’s such a wonderful trip back to fabrics and garments from the early 1900’s.  This quilt was probably made between 1920 and 1950.  It’s not often that we get to see these, so I jump at the opportunity!  It’s one that I only come across now and then and, you just never know . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

FABULOUS 1950’S CLASSIC MEN’S SMOKING ROBE – RARE, RARE, RARE!!!

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A bit rumpled, but perfect!  This was a higher-end men’s garment and an indispensable wardrobe item for men in the mid-century.  A well-made bathrobe for elegant at-home time was worn by many men every day.

Lovely cotton, rayon and silk were commonly-used fabrics in mid-century and, like their street-wear brothers, these lounge-wear garments were well-tailored and elegant.  I’m SO thrilled to uncover another one of these, which is a rare find (my favorite!)

I encounter a lot of rare finds, but they’re all different, so the surprises never stop!  Stay tuned – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LOVE MID-CENTURY HOUSE DRESSES – HERE’S A WONDERFUL NEW FIND!

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Following in yesterday’s footsteps, here’s another summer-weight find but so cute that I had to pick it up.  I haven’t seen true vintage plaid house-dresses often, and I just LOVE them.  Wish you could feel this fabric – it’s the softest cotton imaginable – been loved and washed for many years and still looks wonderful!

Nothing could be simpler and more classic than this design, but it’s well-constructed and built to last. Ruffles around the pocket and pretty embroidery trim.  It’s nice when practical clothing is also elegantly well-made and just plain fun.  Makes housework like play-day (if your imagination is good!)

So, enjoy.  Tomorrow we’ll get to see more new-to-me true vintage dresses (they’re ALWAYS true vintage) but still for every season of the year.  If you travel, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WELL-MADE PATIO PARTY DRESSES FROM THE LATE ’60’S – EARLY ’70’S

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I know that these are summer fun frocks but, for those who are wintering down south or just like to think about warmer climes, I had to show these recent finds and to buy them because of their good quality.  Nice, heavy knits and well-cared-for by their original owners.

Love little shoulder ties, fun prints and empire waistlines.  This style of dress is not unusual to see, but the quality is relatively rare.   Most of the time, you have to go back to the 1960’s to find them as nice as these.  Another genre that are often this good are the long dresses made in Hawaii – usually Sixties and before.

Of course, these discoveries didn’t thrill me as much as some that I make but still worth it.  It’s always good to appreciate garments like these while you’re on the lookout for what’s  around the corner – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM