Tag Archives: Autumn

TRUE VINTAGE FALL FOOTWEAR – A PAIR OF SHOES THAT REMIND ME OF AUDREY

A PAIR OF TRUE VINTAGE SHOES THAT REMIND ME OF AUDREY

The actress Audrey Hepburn, I’ve read, favored cute little low-heeled shoes like these in the 1950’s and 1960’s when she was making many movies in America and Europe.  Though this pair are not quite that old, they’re of a style that has been around for decades and were made by a company that used to sell good-quality shoes and purses.

Nothing beats the classics and these are pure – Fall colors, back to school, practical casual fashion and comfort.  Fashion items this versatile are a super investment, while looking so unique!  Leather uppers with strong synthetic soles, they’ll last forever if they are looked after.  Ahh, the beauty of a true vintage quality wardrobe . . . . ..

I wear them with a skirt and sweater, a jumper dress, slacks or even a simple suit.  They’re a good choice for a day of shopping or sight-seeing or a long sleuthing assignment . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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AN ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE EVENING CARDIGAN SWEATER FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S, MADE IN HONG KONG

AN ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE EVENING CARDIGAN SWEATER FROM THE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S, MADE IN HONG KONG

Here’s a beautiful decorated sweater meant, mostly, for evening wear.  It is fully lined in silk with black beads and spangles decorating front and back.  Many mid-century women had one of these – it was a classic standard.

Made in Hong Kong, the quality is a cut above many garments made elsewhere. This seems to have been the case for many decades.  It’s another one of those iconic garments that is a must-have for any vintage wardrobe and, maybe, more than one since the colors and decorative patterns were varied and unique.

Though high-quality tailoring was particularly true for vintage garments made several decades ago, I still take special note when I find modern clothing that has been made in Hong Kong.  The materials and tailoring are still almost always excellent in garments made there..

There is no wrap more elegant, excepting perhaps a wonderful vintage fur, than a beautifully-made hand-decorated fine wool cardigan thrown over your shoulders. It can be worn in many ways and will never let you down.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HOW RARE! A SECOND PAIR OF HIGH-WAIST SLACKS FROM THE 1960’S

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Lightweight true vintage  wool pants with the high waist that I love.  Just perfect for chilly fall weather at the football stadium.  These don’t have quite the wide-leg of that last pair, but still very much from that mid-century time and will be great with some  knee-boots I just bought.

They’re just a mid-priced item (Modern Juniors) with no lining, but tights or a pants-liner “slip” (those do come in handy) will take care of that.

I’ll have to dig through my long-sleeved shirts, sweaters and blazers for just the right combo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FIND FOR THE GUYS – 1950’S LAKELAND WISCONSIN SWEATER & SUEDE JACKET!

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I’m over-the-moon with this one!!  Last year I found a wonderful sweater made like this, with soft, fine suede – but this one is a full jacket WITH A ZIP-OUT PILE LINING! – and braided leather buttons.  Just LOVE the quality and style of jackets made between 1940 and 1960.  What a fabulous mid-century vibe.

It was another magic moment for the Magicvintagespy because this coat is in virtually perfect condition.  Just like stepping into a Happy Days episode or going Back to the Future. What fun!  More to come . . . . . . . stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1940s – ’50s LIGHTWEIGHT KNIT SWEATER OR BLOUSE

TRUE VINTAGE 1940s - '50s LIGHTWEIGHT KNIT SWEATER OR BLOUSE

Lovely nylon knit sweater-blouse in soft green. Perfect for making a transition to the cold weather. By Canterbury – a company which was known for beautiful cardigans, too. What’s the special magic about this one?

Look at the fit.  The knit drapes so nicely and it is full-fashioned, which always improves the way that a sweater fits the body.  At the neckline there are many tiny vintage shell buttons – the kind that are substantial and well-shaped, even though they are very small. They do allow you to close the neckline, if desired, but are mostly for decoration.  I just love that button detailing.

As long as you protect it from snags and stains, an item like this is very easy to care for. Hand washing (or delicate in a newer machine) is best, with similar colors.  This avoids stretching and, also, protects the color.  Nylon can absorb other colors in the wash so it’s always best to wash it alone or to avoid washing it with contrasting shades.  If you want to change the color of a nylon item, they accept dye very well.  Just be sure to follow the directions very carefully because they may end up streaky if you don’t.

With any kind of pants or a pencil, a-line or pleated skirt (depending on your figure) it looks wonderful.  This is how it was worn back in the day. Put a scarf at the neck, or pearls.  Perfect for every-day or dressed up – clothing of this quality is always elegant.

I found this at a small vintage shop, on the sale rack. I usually find the best things in unlikely places and at unheard of prices! I wonder who wore this one and where? You just never know . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A TRUE VINTAGE HEAVY KNIT 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S AUTUMN SWEATER-JACKET

A TRUE VINTAGE HEAVY KNIT 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S SWEATER-JACKET

A find from out West last time I went, this is my second jacket of this type.  It’s made of a very heavy synthetic fiber – probably an acrylic, and has a real Happy Days feel to me – and unisex appeal.  I love the abstract geometric designs on these and the bright Fall colors on this one.  Warm and attention-getting.  Wear them with slacks, jeans, leggings or they can even go over a skirt or sheath dress.  . . . . . .

As I write this, there are four garments in my wardrobe which are made of this textile.  It’s a very heavy, glossy yarn and is a mystery to me.  Even my sister, with an MFA in costume design, couldn’t help me with more information!  I do suspect that it’s from the 1940’s or 1930’s, when natural fabrics such as wool, silk and cotton, were sidelined to produce uniforms, parachutes and other supplies for the war effort.  So many great synthetics were developed about that time in history, to produce clothing for the civilian population.  If anyone can shed light on this investigation, please send the intelligence.  Although it may be Top Secret, it’s time to declassify it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A TOASTY FLANNEL ROBE FROM THE 1940’S – FEELS GREAT TO SNUGGLE UP IN JUST ABOUT NOW . . . . .

A TOASTY FLANNEL ROBE FROM THE 1940'S - FEELS GREAT TO SNUGGLE UP IN JUST ABOUT NOW . . . . .

The nights are getting pretty cool, to say the least!  So, I’ve pulled out my flannel robes and this one is a favorite – owned by a great-aunt in the 1940’s.

There’s nothing like snuggly cotton flannel on a cold evening.  And, red is even better. Warms me up just to look at it.

Cuffed sleeves, patch pockets, tie belt – what makes it different?  The look of the fabric and the construction details, for two.  Nothing could be more classic, but this one is true vintage, too.

It just puts me back-in-the-day immediately because I know it has curled up by the fire on many a cold Autumn or Winter night . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ICONIC TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S MINK-TRIMMED BLOUSE – ANOTHER TREASURE FOUND NEW ZEALAND

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAnother rare find!  This one was not a high-end item when it was made, but it is an iconic piece with mink-trimmed sleeves.  I have a few of these garments with sleeves like this but don’t find them often.

Metallic thread on sheer black fabric, with “Autumn Haze” mink cuffs.  Buttons up the back.  Back in the day, companies that produced medium-priced clothing still made some “luxury” items that the average woman could afford, and they made them well.

What a pleasure to discover this one!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION

2 MOD KNIT DRESSES FROM THE SIXTIES – EARLY SEVENTIES FEEL A LOT DIFFERENT FROM YESTERDAY’S!

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Still  modest, but a lot more casual and friendly-looking.  Fun everyday wear for when I want a warmer dress (like now!)  My, my – the chilly winds they are a-blowin’.  That’s one good thing about the older acrylic knits.  They’re not as heavy as a sweater but they are warm.

Good color combos – just right for Autumn and I’m happy with the long sleeves and the original belts – not so easy to find.  I’ll be wearing them soon with opaque tights and boots, in a late Sixties Carnaby Street mood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

OPENING ANOTHER JACKPOT! HERE S A 1940’S – 1950’S SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS WITH GREAT DETAILS

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How neat!  Classic mid-century styling by Renee Originals with excellent tailoring and hardly any sign of wear.  I just love old frocks that testify to the way that women used to value and preserve their clothing; especially the favorites!

The fabric may be a cotton/rayon blend.  It’s of a medium weight and printed in a checkerboard floral pattern – fall-ish colors with asters or Gerber daisies.  The buttons are black, faceted to look like jet, and there is ric-rac trim on the bodice and skirt.

I’m in love!  Of course, this is an Autumn to Winter dress although temperatures this year would let me wear it now.  I think I’ll save it for the season.  You’ll probably see it, along with other recent finds, modeled properly by one of the working “girls” whenever I get back to Headquarters.  We’re on a roll here, so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM