Tag Archives: Autumn

3 SOPHISTICATED AND CHIC LATE 1950’S / EARLY 1960’S CAR COATS IN FINE SUEDE WITH MINK

3 SOPHISTICATED AND CHIC LATE 1950'S / EARLY 1960'S CAR COATS IN FIND SUEDE WITH MINK

Here are three iconic coats from the Kennedy era that take the car coat to another level. But, despite the somewhat dressy mink collars, they have a sporty, European look and should get a lot of play in a true vintage wardrobe.  With slacks or boots, beautiful leather gloves and a fedora they look fabulous on the street.  Or, worn over a dress with heels to dinner or another dress-up event.

Quite popular in their era and in a variety of colors – I usually find earth tones like beige, browns, rust, gray, and moss green.  The suede leather is always of wonderful quality, with fine grain, great color saturation and a soft, velvety finish. The styles vary slightly – collars can often be easily removed if you’d rather wear a scarf.  Next time I photograph these, I want to show them with accessories.

The great thing about these, to me, is the simple, chic Jackie O styling that looks wonderful over casual or dressy day-wear – dresses, skirts, slacks, or jeans – and transitions into evening with easy elegance. I think they’ve been FAR under-rated and deserve a frequent place in the spot-light.

So, while you’re at it, get some true vintage kidskin gloves to wear with them. Find a coat with 3/4 sleeves – fabulous with longer gloves . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

ANOTHER UNUSUAL FIND FROM MY CLOSET – TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950’S COAT

IMG_0114

Love this true vintage coat!  Beautiful wool, by Sterling, also with a one-button closure and lovely shawl collar.  This kind of sumptuous material is pure vintage and the pattern makes it unusual.

Neutral colors make it perfect for any cold season – autumn on into winter.

It was a surprise find that I snapped up in a flash!  Most of my finds are that way, which is what makes vintage-hunting so much fun and such a wonderful bargain.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY FALL COATS & JACKETS TO MAKE AT HOME!

IMG_1030 IMG_1048 Need a new coat?  Well, in just a few minutes of your spare time . . . . . . Right!   McCalls Needlework Magazine used to publish patterns for projects like these all year.  In the 1950’s and 1960’s it was so common.

Aren’t they beautiful? – But, can you imagine making one??  Your grandmother might have.  I rarely find a hand-knitted one now, but once in a while . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

IMG_1047 IMG_1049

A CLASSIC MID-CENTURY TRUE VINTAGE CASUAL SWING COAT

IMG_0112

This lovely true #vintage #coat is in a brown tweed with flecks of other warm colors and has a brown acetate lining. Though the photo doesn’t do it justice, it is really cute and has a nice swing.  It makes me think of Britain, though I think it was made in the U.S. – “a Petite by Fashioned”.  It’s so classic and of high quality that I can’t say exactly when it was made.

I love the little straps with buttons that decorate the collar on either side of the neck.  Little touches like this are the delight of true vintage items and aren’t done nearly as well (if at all) on more modern #clothing.

This coat closes with only one hidden button in front.  I have one or two others like this and several, as well as capes, that don’t close at all or just at the neck.  I wondered when  I wore it the last time if it would be warm enough in 20-something cold.  It was just fine!

So, don’t let lack of button closure discourage you from buying a great vintage coat if you #find one that you love.  Adding a belt is always a cool option, if you want to.

I was thrilled to find it – I’ve never seen another like it.  True vintage is so original!  You just never know . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Warm and Flattering True Vintage1970s Suede and Shearling Coat

Love this coat, it’s so warm and snuggley!  The genuine sheepskin collar is actually an off-white color with brown tips (these may have been dyed – I’m not sure if natural sheepskin has those color variations).  The inside is lined with faux-sheepskin cut pile, the outer suede is genuine.  This coat is very well-made but by whom I don’t know because the maker’s label was  removed by the previous owner, as I’ve often found in other true vintage items.

In such good condition and so flattering, it’s another of my favorites that I bought for a song!  You just never know . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Also on TwitterImage

TRUE VINTAGE SUEDE LEATHER CAR-COAT, 1950S TO EARLY ’60S

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE CAR-COAT, 1950S TO EARLY '60S

Classic fall/winter coat in beige suede.  The casual style here has a lightweight quilted lining and is great for days that are cool.  Thanksgiving Day celebrations can sometimes be formal, but many Americans enjoy a relaxed dinner with family and/or friends and a day which includes outdoor activities.  Perfect!

I love the heavy plastic buttons and 3/4 or “bracelet length” sleeves that look so great with a pair of longer gloves. If you see a coat or jacket with sleeves that length, don’t give in to the idea that they would be awkward.  They look so striking worn with great gloves and/or bracelets. If the top of your outfit has long sleeves that wouldn’t coordinate well, long gloves can cover the bottoms of them below the cuffs of your coat.

The term “car-coat”, as it was used in the 1940s to 1960s, usually referred to a less formal coat that was of a shorter “fingertip” length so that the hem wouldn’t get dirty as a woman stooped to get in and out of a car.

I also have some different ones – one in beige blanket material,a navy wool and one in a black and white pattern. They may get posted later on as they are for even colder weather.

This is another great style that is so practical for day to day wear and very distinctively true vintage fashion. There’s nothing else like it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ANOTHER DISCOVERY! SOPHISTICATION MADE PRACTICAL IN THIS KENNEDY-ERA CAR COAT

Imagine my surprise at finding this familiar style car coat from the early 1960’s in super-practical fabrics;  All-weather faux suede and a faux beaver collar!  Compare to my beautiful suede leather and genuine mink examples from the same era and you’ll see the similarities.

The design features are the same with big but discreet front pockets, side slits for easy in-out of cars, trains and buses, satin lining and a warm, pretty collar.  What a neat way to get the same elegant look, which can be dressed up or down, with carefree, weather-defying practicality.  Again, it’s a new one on me!  What fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL ICONIC EARLY 1960’S SUEDE COAT WITH MINK COLLAR

BEAUTIFUL ICONIC EARLY 1960'S SUEDE COAT WITH MINK COLLAR

Yes, I know, I know, I know – I already have several of these, but I DON’T have one this color!  These coats are so beautiful and this one so perfect that I just couldn’t resist . . . . . . . . .

I’ve seen this style coat in a range of earth-tone colors with some small variations on the design.  They are impeccably tailored and elegant in buttery suede with darker mink collars.  Must have been very popular in the early ’60’s and now have so many possibilities!  The collar closes in front with special hooks and eyes to create a rolled effect.

I love to imagine mine over a dress, skirt and blouse, slacks or jeans.  Scarves and gorgeous leather accessories complete the look.  Though it was a semi-dress item in it’s original incarnation, today it goes from casual – casual to fairly dressy in the blink of an eye.  I must photograph Stella in this coat with a variety of looks . . . . . . . . .

No wonder I couldn’t say no when I found this dark chocolate version in virtually perfect condition.  It has the original owner’s initials sewn inside, as a fun extra . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

GREAT TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S WOMEN’S BELTED WOOL CAR COAT

IMG_1138     Whoa!  It’s too big for Stella (or Madge), and for me – but, I love finding wonderful things anyway.  This, I believe, is a vintage size 16.

This coat has a quilted lining and two big pockets.  The wing collar folds over and buttons at the neck for extra warmth.  Perfect for casual good looks on errand day or going to the football stadium in October.

It’s missing the original maker’s name tag, but has a women’s garment worker tag and, hidden under the lining, the tag which I think indicates the size.  Nicely finished and made to last.  Finding it certainly contributed to making my day!  Such fun . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGSPY.COM

 

A FUN, FUN, FUN FIND! POST-WAR 1950’s COAT WITH LOTS OF NEAT FEATURES

You know I’m not a big coat collector, though my behavior this season might make a liar of me – so many fantastic vintage examples have come my way.  Couldn’t pass this one up.  It was sold by the old bargain department store where so many mid-century women shopped – Woolworth’s – and carries their label.

For one, the blue and gold plaid is unusual, as well as the scalloped collar and pocket flaps – this is a style more often seen in the 1930’s and 1940’s.  The swing cut and midi length are almost always signs of the early mid-century time, too.

The feature which surprised me most is the zip-out pile lining – so practical and progressive for that era (I thought!).  Without the liner, the wool shell is medium weight and has a nice black lining of rayon or acetate – good for spring, fall and mild winters.  The liner has complete sleeves that end in ribbed cuffs to make the coat truly warm for cold winters.  Such a perfect outerwear garment to be sold to modern mid-century women who were practical and thrifty to a fault (having lived through the Depression and WWII) but also ready for style and plenty to come into their lives again, which it did with a vengeance in the 1950’s.

The icing on the cake is that this coat is in almost perfect condition.  Yes, it was worn, but so well-looked-after that you’d hardly know it and those few little signs will be easy for me to repair.  So sorry that it’s way too big for me, but just had to buy it and show it to you, while repeating the story it tells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM