Tag Archives: autumn

SPRING SHOULDER SEASON SIXTIES SKIRT SUIT – TRY SAYING THAT TWICE!

SPRING SHOULDER SEASON SIXTIES SKIRT SUIT - TRY SAYING THAT TWICE!

For Spring or Fall – or any time the temps are in that mid cool-ish range – a lightweight 3-season wool knit skirt suit by Butte Knits.  I LOVE the olive drab color and the flattering fit.

This is one of a few examples I’ve found of mid-60’s suits like this, or similar.  The high-end knits are so comfortable and easy to wear, but ready for just about any setting.  It’s also two separates that can easily be paired with other skirts or pants for a different look.

I think my Aussie friends down under would love a garment like it at this time of year . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A TRUE VINTAGE 3 – PIECE 1960’s WOMEN’S SILK SUIT FROM NEW ORLEANS

A TRUE VINTAGE 3 - PIECE 1960's WOMEN'S SILK SUIT FROM NEW ORLEANSOne of the finds that I picked up during an investigation in New Orleans was this lovely ladies’ suit.  Oh, so proper in 3 pieces with a knee-length skirt, back-button blouse and high-hip length jacket, it’s just perfect for lunching or for a business appointment.

The styling is plain, but elegant and well-cut.  Hand-tailored and fully lined, with VERY unusual buttons – kind of like woven ropes – to make it interesting.

This is a basic that is flattering, well-styled and versatile – a staple to have in your wardrobe for decades and with many possibilities.  Of course, the pieces can be worn separately and accessories can vary the look.

I always LOVE finding gems like this when I’m out on the prowl.  They look back to an era of couture-quality fashion that was available to many people – when even the casually dressed woman with a moderate budget could dress with elegance and style in high quality apparel. . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE TWO-PIECE KNIT DRESS FROM THE LATE ’50’S/EARLY ’60’S – MOD MEETS MAD MEN

TWO-PIECE KNIT MAD MEN DRESS FROM THE LATE '50'S/EARLY '60'S

For dinner or after-work cocktails, this little number would fill the bill.  Pair it with some matching blue pumps and you’d really be swank.

Simple as can be, but with the neckline decoration and the little vents at the waist, it’s very stylish.  And, like a sheath dress, the fit is classic and really flattering.

If you are a DIYer, this style is very simple to sew.  I have another very similar in lightweight soft green wool – made by the grandmother of a friend in mid-century, as a 3-season dressy day dress.

Just the thing to have in your closet for that unexpected invitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

JUST FOUND – MORE WELL-MADE TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

It’s always a treat when these turn up – looks like 1960’s in both cases, but they’re a bit of a mystery.  The best thing about them is the quality and construction.  Of course, this type of photo doesn’t do them justice.

The blouse on the left is very casual and basic, but the fabric is really nice.  It’s some kind of a blend of cotton and rayon.  Feels smooth to touch and has a gloss, and I love the colors and the plaid, too.  Both have rounded wing collars, though the style on the right is much more sophisticated.

The blouse on the right is a star.  Not only is it made from a REALLY nice rayon fabric, but the tailoring is wonderful!  The buttons are all fabric-covered.  The retro-1940’s style is pretty with light shoulder padding and puffed sleeves.  What I like best is that it is FITTED!!!!!!!!!  Can’t believe it – it’s so rare to find a nicely fitted blouse or shirt because they just don’t make them now.  Spandex added to fabric molds to the body pretty well, but is a cheaper-looking alternative and can’t compare to a blouse with fitted seaming that is done properly.  The look is completely different, and much more elegant.

So . . . . . . . . . . . . . what’s next? . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

STICKING WITH TRUE VINTAGE ACCESSORIES – ANOTHER GREAT FIND

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Couldn’t pass up this gorgeous mid-century silk scarf by Echo.  That company always made scarves in the proper way – usually of silk, and with hand-rolled edges.  Good scarves can still be found here and there (especially in Europe) but they are rare and ungodly expensive.

Our female (and some male) forebears wore beautiful scarves and ascots regularly; sometimes as a part of their daily wardrobe and sometimes with dressier outfits – almost as standard as a hat.  Every lady had several tucked into her top dresser drawer.  European men wore them in place of ties.

Although I love funny designs and little prints, this stripe is a classic and easy to pair with many basic black tops, dresses, jackets or coats.  Of course, there are plenty of less common ways of wearing them – tied to a handbag or in the hair.  Can’t have too many . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

MEN’S TRUE VINTAGE WOOL SHIRT JACKET FROM THE 195O’S – EARLY 1960’S

MEN'S TRUE VINTAGE WOOL SHIRT JACKET FROM THE 195O'S - EARLY 1960'S

Perhaps a little earlier in the mid-century, here’s something for the men. Wool shirt-jackets were very popular for both sexes and great for transitional weather, like now!

This one has all the classic features – front pocket, vintage plastic buttons, shirt styling but with a placket front, so it’s a pull-over.

It’s what granddad wore when he raked the leaves . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE TREASURE – IN CLASSIC BLACK

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

So wonderful!!!  Another mid-century pencil skirt – as I’ve said, you can’t have too many. As usual, this one fits perfectly and has the expected tailoring details of a well-made garment.  Ignore the camera spots – it’s beautiful.

Love unraveling the stories of every find; this one was custom-tailored of a soft wool, with acetate liner in the seat.  Tailors used to do this with wool skirts to prevent stretching of the fabric from sitting.  I love the well-constructed waistband and side closure plus the fantastic fit.

Easy to dress up or down.  A basic black piece like this is always chic and when the quality is high plus a perfect fit, that’s what makes the difference between attractive and elegant – between fashionable and chic – between nice-looking and truly well-dressed.  Our grandmothers knew that, and most European women haven’t forgotten.

Would go nicely with the cocktail sweater I found and showed you a few days ago.  I plan to wear it with vintage jackets, blouses and sweaters.  I’ve discovered a trove of skirts lately – more to come . .. . . . . . . . . . . ..  . .. .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1980’S DOES 1940’S RETRO FINDS IN BLACK & WHITE

It’s hard to imagine that true vintage garments (over 30 years old) could also be retro, but it’s true from the 1970’s onward when clothing makers started to reproduce 1940’s and 1950’s styles for the general market.  That’s just about when the superb tailoring of the mid-century and before came to an end, so many of these items are not very nice.  But, there are sill well-made examples worth picking up from the Seventies – Eighties time.

In this case, a coat dress and tuxedo-style jacket caught my eye.  No labels remaining, but the shoulder pads and cut make the fit flattering.  Both are fully-lined and elegantly styled.  There will be times when they will come in handy or be fun to wear.

I don’t purchase these often, but, when you know what you’re seeing it’s sometimes a good buy that will be easy to say good-bye to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

FABULOUS AND RARE FIND! WARTIME RAYON BLOUSE – NEAR “MINT CONDITION

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Can hardly believe my good fortune – but then, I always say that though I really DO believe it.  Here is a home-sewn rayon blouse from the late 1930’s to early 1940’s.  The colors are a bit washed-out in the photograph, but are brilliant and glossy in reality.  Someone made this pretty shirt with french cuffs and cute buttons from a glorious rayon fabric and guarded it carefully for 80 years!

The seamstress (or tailor) used machine and hand-stitching.  Beautifully-done.  The cuff buttons are hidden inside.  Expert clothing-makers in the early 1900’s knew how to do things properly, even when sewing at home.  It’s such a skill worth having!

As usual, I’ve started this segment of recent discoveries from the oldest up to the most recent so you will be seeing lots of mid-century treasures.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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