Tag Archives: box bag
TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – ’70’S BOX BAG WITH LUGGAGE – STYLE HARDWARE
Box bags were quite popular during the mid-century. Here’s an example from the 1960’s or 1970’s.
This one was made in Italy, where many beautiful handbags were, and still are, made. It doesn’t have a smidge of leather on it, which Italy is usually famous for, but it is still very well constructed.
After all these years, the hardware remains shiny and unblemished. The woven exterior looks almost new, as does the interior. Although it helps that this purse was used little if at all, age and storage can wreak havoc on many items – especially if they are not of good quality.
So, if you haven’t stored your treasures with care, they can deteriorate simply from sitting still while they wait for you to enjoy them. Keeping them dust-free and clean, inside and out, is important. Don’t store them in places where the temperature or humidity are too high or too low. If the item is made of natural materials, using a quality conditioning lotion made for the material once in a while will make a big difference in their appearance and durability. Lotions and sprays made for leather, skins and wicker are available. Even vinyl can be conditioned with products made for car interiors. That’s my wisdom for the day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
THIS TIME I REALLY HIT THE JACKPOT! 1950’S – 1960’S CLUTCH PURSES – METALLIC, LEATHER AND BEADS
Look at these beauties! The convertible clutch style which lets you use the handle or not has always been so versatile and convenient. Although some of these are very mid-quality, they all have some distinctive features that make them stand out as great true vintage finds. Let’s start out from left to right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
The white purse at far left is a high-quality construction from the Sixties and has that shiny box hardware enclosing it on 3 sides. It is made of leather and has a shoulder strap that can be tucked inside. Very sleek and streamlined – a great look for summer.
The 1950’s beaded evening bag in front is in perfect condition, with a silk satin lining and a beautiful clasp and box chain handle, which can be hidden inside. This type of handbag was always hand-made, usually in Hong Kong. Even for an expert, can you imagine the care and time it took to attach all those beads so perfectly and securely?
The other three bags have a metallic finish and are made of synthetic materials or cloth – not in quite as good shape as the first two. But, they are nicely made and all have pretty hardware clasps – always interesting to find. The two in the center also have box or braided chain handles, rather than the simple chain that is most often seen. These more complex types of chain are prettier and also seemed to break less easily.
As always, they all show that care was taken to preserve and protect them, so I can enjoy them 50 or 60 years later! The throw-away quality that we seem to be satisfied with today can’t begin to compare, but is still way over-priced!! Such a shame – but not for this Magicvintagespy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
MOD, OP – ART 1960’S BOX BAG
Really interesting shapes, depending on how you look at it. Big enough inside to hold a sheaf of 8 1/2″ by 11″ pages, too! No maker’s name inside, but who cares?
It’s well-made, also, as I would expect from that mid-century time. The body is woven of some type of fiber or reed. Tubular handles are gold-tone and the clasp and anchors on the bottom (which I haven’t photographed) are black leather. It has little feet, too.
This is the “youngest” of my recent discoveries, but there are two more. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
MORE CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE HANDBAG FINDS
Of course, the two bags on the right are elegant essentials forever but I’m really thrilled to find the mid-century souvenir summer purse on the left. So bright and cheerful! It’s in perfect condition, was handmade in the Philippines, and is of a shape that I’ve never encountered before in a handbag of this type.
So practical and roomy – styled like a classic handbag rather than a beach bag or tote. I’ll use this for a long time as an everyday summer purse.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
1960’S HIGH-QUALITY LEATHER BOX BAG
Happy, happy! A super-versatile classic charcoal gray (unusual color that I didn’t have) rigid-frame box bag (it’s about 3″ deep) with pretty hardware. Beautiful leather, rayon lining and 2 compartments inside with a pocket or two, metal feet on the bottom.
I’m always happy to find an item like this one!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – 1960’S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG
TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – 1960’S CASUAL WOVEN BOX HANDBAG
Back in the ‘ 50’s and ’60’s, purses made of woven materials like reeds, wicker, raffia, synthetic strands and other natural and natural-looking things were really popular. Some were decorated with whimsical designs and were very casual. Some were trimmed in leather and were almost dressy. Most were in-between, for everyday use.
I’ve found a ton of these over the years because they were so popular and are not really old, as vintage fashion items go. So, it did not really tax my sleuthing skills but, finding the best of these items in good condition can still be a challenge.
This one is a real cutie, with just enough attitude because of it’s structured shape and leather trim to have some high-fashion aspirations like lunching and club-prowling, which it may realize under some conditions.
However, it’s still just basically a small-time, hand-crafted little purse, even though it is from British Hong Kong. I don’t hold that against it one bit. Every wardrobe should have at least two or three of this genre, as they’re very versatile.
And, just like my example here, they often come from some pretty exotic places . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Magicvintagespy 