Tag Archives: boho

Okay, Okay. It’s cold now! Time to get out my Pretty Wool Capes

It’s still Fall, guys, but a skiff of snow on my car this morning brought me back to reality. Although we’ll have more warmish days, it’s time to get out some of the woolies. I’m not ready, yet, to throw on one of my wonderful wool coats but capes are more versatile at in-between times. Here are two of my mid-century favorites.

This beautiful red one is tailored and perfect for smart casual to business styles. It is lined and detailed like a good coat would be. Made in the decade from 1955 to 1965. The classic style makes it difficult to pinpoint a year, but there are always clues. A brand label really helps. Buttons and zippers can tell a story. If you study costume design or are a super sleuth the fabric, certain tailoring details or photos of trends published in newspapers and magazines can narrow the window to a more specific time frame. The next cute and unusual cape is a perfect example.

A reversible garment is so much fun! The second cape is much more casual and in a Boho style. It’s a nice, substantial wool but has no lining or pockets. The only complications to the design are the pattern woven into the fabric and the little tufted string tie at the neckline. It’s also from the same decade as the red cape but I can narrow the time period closely because of the color clue. There were one or two years from 1962 – 1964 when the blue and green color combo went viral. It was on everything from clothing to housewares and graphic design. Styles were also loosening up around then, with Mod edging in on classic and traditional. I’ll bet that this cape was made and sold during those 3 years, possibly exactly 1963.

So, these will keep me warm and the freezing temps are likely to minimize the risks of moth damage. However, it’s always a good idea to protect your treasured woolen garments since those moths can sometimes surprise you. I have more capes to show you, but that may come later in the year or even next year since we’ll be turning the New Year’s page before we know it. Stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

EARLY 1950’S HOME-CRAFTED ACCESSORIES FOR THE NEW CASUAL LOOK. FINGERTIPS TO TOE . . .

Big decorated tote bags! These are often associated with the 1960’s, but the trend started long before. Whimsical, cute, pretty; whatever your fancy. Big skirts of hand-woven material; how Boho of you! This called for home-made colorful ankle-wrap sandals, designed to match your outfits – a bit of throw-back to 1940’s styles.

As always in mid-century magazines, the pages are also filled with special-interest advertisements and mail-order offers. Women were constantly encouraged to go into home-based business selling accessories and home-assembled items which they could start with a kit by mail or correspondence course – early front-runners to today’s online marketing.

While time and culture kept marching forward, we can continue to see the reluctance to give up previous ways of being and doing things. Just like today, there were big leaps forward that surprised everyone alternating with slow-grinding incremental change that almost seemed like no change at all. However, also like today, it was accelerating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NOW, AS WE HEAD INTO THE LATE 1960’S, THE CHANGES IN WEDDING STYLE ARE WELL-ROOTED

This is where we step into Boho/Prairie/Victorian/Edwardian-style territory, which held on for almost 10 years. Although there are some general similarities between this dress and the one shown yesterday, they are completely different. Let’s compare – aside from the white color, lace and good tailoring (it’s got a full lining and a good cut), this cotton blend dress is perfectly casual. No real Princess deal going on here. But, it’s not full-on hippie style, either. It could easily be wedding/Prom/patio party of that time, when mainstream fashion was trying to be rebellious of the status quo but not always succeeding.

Although haute couture always tries, it was not an elegant era; However, a very successful way to blend into the crowd, which is a valuable asset to the sleuthing trade. A garment like this is quite useful to keep handy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1960’S – 1970’S PRAIRIE DRESS. HOME BY THE FIRE FOR CHRISTMAS.

Just right for a cold winter’s evening and perfect for the season in a red and green tattersall plaid. It’s just a heavy cotton, so no sleigh rides but cozy at home is good. Custom-tailored, as so many dresses of it’s vintage were. Love elbow-length sleeves, which are a rare design feature now.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST LOVE MID-CENTURY “TRADITIONAL” CLOTHING FROM MEXICO – PARA LOS TURISTAS

IMG_1483 I picked up this little beauty in lovely, soft cotton.  It could be from any time after the 1960’s – hard to tell since they’re continuing to sell them in Mexico and some stores in the U.S.

But, doesn’t matter.  It’s hand-embroidered in traditional designs and beautiful colors. Authentic hippie attire.  Nothing could be more comfortable and boho for summer.

If you’re shopping for a blouse or dress like this one, be observant.  I’ve got several dresses and skirts from the 1940’s – 1970’s.  Many are not as nice as they used to be . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WONDERFUL LATE 1960’S – 1970’S CASUAL PARTY PEASANT DRESS

At first you might think that it’s the same dress I showed yesterday, but no – very different.  Eyelet and lace and peep-through panels and flounces.  One of the best of this genre had been hiding out for a long time.  So glad I nabbed it – and so pristine!

As much as I love the old formals, this frock has a lot more versatility from day to night, though it probably could have gone to the Prom at some smaller school in it’s day.  It would also make an interesting wedding dress.

That’s what’s so much fun about vintage fashion finding (well, one of the things) – the ideas and possibilities are almost endless.  No rules!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960S – ’70s GREEN FLORAL PRINT HAWAIIAN DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1960S - '70s GREEN FLORAL PRINT HAWAIIAN DRESS

What’s special about this find?  Aside from being about 40 years old, it is made in Hawaii – which used to mean beautiful, quality cottons and rayons and lovely workmanship.  This one doesn’t disappoint.  It has a back zipper with a small bow trim there. The neckline has piping around it and the heavy cotton material drapes nicely.  As usual, the print and color saturation are wonderful in these fabrics.

A straight, mu-mu style is very versatile and flattering to most figures.

Are you planning to attend or host some casual event this weekend, or just a laid-back day at home?  In keeping with the green spirit of this St. Patrick’s holiday, I suggest a dress like this one.  As long as it’s warm enough where you are, a dress like this can be worn almost anywhere, to do anything.  It’s even possible to dress it up with jewelry, shoes and bag.

Vintage made in Hawaii has always been so distinctive – it’s a special look all its own.  It does tend to follow style trends a bit, but some of the classic looks don’t change. I’ll be showing others that are older, too.  These have been so popular over the years that they sometimes turn up in my searches and I’m always thrilled to find them.  Just putting one on takes me to an exotic time in my mind and then, well you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A TRUE VINTAGE KNITTED SWEATER CAPE BY BANFF, FROM THE 1960’S OR EARLY ’70’S

A TRUE VINTAGE KNITTED SWEATER CAPE BY BANFF, FROM THE 1960'S OR EARLY '70'S

These types of sweaters/capes/ponchos were popular in the ’60’s and a lot of women knitted them themselves. This one is made by the Banff company, which produced a lot of really nice knits. I have a beaded sweater, knit dresses and suits by them, too.

The greatest feature, to me, is the armholes that allow you to have hands free. Any cape with this design is wonderful because it raises the convenience level big time!

Another nice thing is the button front. Also convenient. The fringe is lovely and the acrylic yarn also great because it washes so nicely and gives warmth but doesn’t have the weight and care issues of most wool items.

Sweet little sweater things, whether cardigans, pull-overs, jackets & coats, dresses and skirts,etc. were really popular in the ’60’s and early ’70’s and are very different from the things made now.

I love finding these beautiful vintage garments that are so unique, stylish and of exceptional quality. This one is an open-weave, so perfect for late Spring, early Fall and cool Summer nights.

True vintage sweater knits are not common finds (are any really common?) but definitely worth the treasure hunt . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

NEWEST FIND! MID-CENTURY COTTON GRANNY DRESS

Ooh, groovy mama! I love these – from a small-ish label in California this hippie boho dress from the late 1960’s or early ’70’s is a pure sign of those times. 100% cotton, with flounces and smocking. To be worn barefoot or with army boots.

I’ll have a lot of fun with this one. Wonder what’s next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

AN ELEGANTLY-TAILORED BOHO FORMAL FROM THE LATE 1960’S (IS THAT AN OXYMORON?)

via AN ELEGANTLY-TAILORED BOHO FORMAL FROM THE LATE 1960’S (IS THAT AN OXYMORON?)