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3 TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – 1950’S VELVET EVENING COATS & JACKETS

3 TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S - 1950'S VELVET EVENING COATS & JACKETS

In three lengths, sumptuous and elegant, black velvet evening wraps from the ’40’s and ’50’s.  Can’t see detail in these photos (black is that way!) but the detail, though lovely, is not terribly important because you can see the lines.

The detail is subtle in the garments – the focus is on elegant simplicity, beautiful fabric and beautiful cut.  What could be better over your choice of evening ensemble?

Besides, they’re very discreet at night, in the dark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE SWING COAT IN BLACK, WITH PHENOMENAL BUTTONS!

This true vintage beauty from the ’50s or early ’60s was another surprise find.  In textured wool, 3/4 length in a swing design (love that), angled pockets, wing collar and a silky satin black lining.

Label from Marshal Field & Company, Chicago.  The buttons, of plastic or bakelite, are carved to reflect light in such a way that they sparkle as though there were rhinestones! I’ve never seen buttons like this before (and I’ve seen LOTS of vintage buttons).

Like new.  Looks great on!  It was stuck in with a lot of other nondescript coats.  You just never know . . . .Image

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

WHAT A RARE FIND – CUSTOM-TAILORED WOOL COAT WITH A MATCHING HAT AND HUGE PEARL BUTTONS!

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This unusual ensemble was hand-tailored – and beautifully done!  I just love finding true vintage garments that have been custom-made.  The workmanship is often astoundingly fine.

Just look at those great buttons, too!  Rarely have I found these, plus that hat.  The fabric is a beautiful marled woolen weave in Autumn colors and both pieces are fully-lined.

A wonderful discovery from the late 1950’s – early 1960’s.  Wowee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.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

A PRE-1959 LADIES’ COAT FIND WITH STUNNING COLLAR DESIGN

Wasn’t planning on picking up a winter coat yesterday, but this one is so gorgeous and unusual. I’ve never seen a collar designed this way and look at the beautiful way it will frame the face and neck. It looks absolutely stunning on.

The collar is cut mink and is attached to the coat’s neckline, but stands up all around as a wind-break and elegant style feature. Since WordPress changed their blog designer, I can’t yet figure out how to show a second photo – the collar comes to a point at the back.

The fabric is not plush, but has some nap that is cut like chenille or corduroy. Full satin lining and it’s in beautiful condition with hardly any need for touch-up. I’ll enjoy this one for a long time. Tomorrow stay tuned for something entirely different . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST RECEIVED A WONDERFUL GIFT FROM FAMILY: 1970’S BILL BLASS SWIMSUIT AND 1960’S CAP

Awww, this was so sweet. After the passing of her mother, my in-law gave me this swimming costume that had belonged to her mom for part of my collection. I’m so thrilled to have it! Those iconic floral swim – caps from the 1950’s and 1960’s are something else. This one is fragile, but still survived all those years of chlorine exposure and kept mom’s hairdo pretty.

Bill Blass created this one-piece swimsuit design in the Seventies that was still loyal to much older styles from the 1940’s and 1950’s. Very elegant, yet functional. It gives a sleek, figure-enhancing fit which is not dowdy and also super for serious swimming. The waffle weave of the fabric would never do for Olympic competition, but is just fine for your daily laps or a cooling dog-paddle. Just had to share this surprise with you . … . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A HOME-MADE HAND-MADE 1950’S NOVELTY KITCHEN APRON

What a great find! Not too many like this one left and it’s a real gem. The apron’s been sewn together of cotton fabric with our ’50’s housewife embroidered on. She has a cotton print pouf dress with a lace collar, pearl necklace and earring. In one hand she holds a coffeepot and in the other a cup, which doubles as the obligatory little pocket for a hankie or small tool.

Finding something so unique and whimsical is a real treat. And, to think that it was made for fun 60 or more years ago is a bonus. So much better than anything modern, no matter how cute.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

AUTHENTIC LATE 1960’S CUSTOM-TAILORED HOUSE-DRESS

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Very simple, but with the 1960’s bona-fides.  This fabric can’t be found today, no matter that some modern materials may be lookalikes at a glance.  Maybe some girl made this as a first project for Home-Ec class, though whoever it was did a pretty good job.  Not fancy; no bells and whistles, but sturdy, useful and very cute.

The elastic neckline is still stretchy and there are no stains, so someone stored this for a long time and didn’t use the heck out of it.  It’s our good fortune that many great true vintage garments were cared for this way by our moms and grandmothers, let alone the generations before.  Our current throw-away culture has played havoc with the quality of items that we can buy as well as any encouragement to keep things.  However, prices just keep going up and up out of all proportion.

Well, la-dee-da  –  not so much of a problem for the Magicvintagespy.  Wonder what’s next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

MYSTERY PATIO HOSTESS GOWN WITH SUCH INTERESTING BACKGROUND . . . .

Long, sweeping gown in a beautiful, heavy cotton(?) – the photo on left shows the cut while the photo on right gives the true color and close-up of the interesting print.  This dress has many construction contradictions; some point to 1940’s and some to 1960’s.  Undoubtedly, it was custom-tailored.

Maybe our mid-century tailor was very experienced and knew how to use various methods to achieve exactly the slinky, hourglass fit she wanted.  The bell sleeves and commercial braid trim say 1960’s but the mid-back zipper placement, dip in the front waistline and fabulous art print fabric say 1940’s.  Looks like a film noir hostess gown.    I love a mystery!

Anyway, it’s an absolute beauty and fits me like a glove.  Dresses with the zipper placed mid-back are always a trick to get into and out of – pays to understand the method.  However, when the fit is right and the construction good, it’s a snap.  Tomorrow I’ll show you a cute shift with a clear Sixties pedigree.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A CACHE OF TRUE VINTAGE LINGERIE FINDS: TREASURE WORTH SAFE-KEEPING

I came across a whole bunch of classic nylon sleepwear pieces that are ALWAYS worth adding to your collection – even if you already have several.  My rationale? :

1. if you’ve never slept in mid-century nylon pj’s or gowns (just about 1950’s to very early 1970’s), you don’t know what you’re missing!  There is nothing (including silk) that is more comfortable as well as practical in bed and for lounging.  They add warmth and are also cool, plus luxuriously smooth and soft.  The fit is forgiving.  2.  well-made and classically stylish, you won’t find anything equal in modern garments.  3.  often you may find single pieces – these are great for matching later, with an identical or similar mate, or as an accessory, such as the black sleeveless cape pictured above.  I plan to wear it over a black nightgown.

Not to forget, photo 3 is of a satin storage bag I discovered.  These have been staple pieces in women’s undie drawers and storage chests for decades.  Not sure if they are still being made to the same standard, but this one is great.  Pretty peachy pink and brown in the classic style with inner pocket and fold-over styling, plus ribbon closure ties.  Nothing is better for keeping hosiery and delicate garments safe from snags and dust.  Grab these, too, whenever you see one.  A girl can never have too many . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM