Tag Archives: bridal

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY DOES 1920’S SEMI-FORMAL DRESS

Sometime during a brief 1920’s style revival in the l960’s – 1980’s this frock was produced. It’s not a style that is flattering to everyone but, of course, Stella can pull it off perfectly. In this pure white, it may have been made as a lower-priced wedding costume alternative by some company that made bridal dresses. While obviously not high end, it’s pretty and flirty.

Love the handkerchief hemline! Can you imagine a gown in this style, made of fine silk and satin with handmade lace? During the Gatsby gilded age brides from wealthy families would have been dressed that way. Today it would make a fun Halloween or theater costume. Dresses that are obviously tied to a theme or era are always interesting whether they are true vintage, retro or modern. Of course, I always sleuth for the original evidence. More coming, so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1940’s POST-WAR 2-PIECE DRESSY WEDDING SUIT

Here’s Stella in a beautiful wedding suit from the 1940’s. In fact, it was the outfit she was wearing when I discovered her. Although this ensemble might have been worn for another special event, I’m sure it was a wedding dress. It’s in a heavier-weight jacquard fabric with classic bridal tailoring details such as tiny covered buttons and points at the wrists – almost midieval. Again, I suspect that it was tailor-made. The peplum and shawl collar are very Forties, plus a rare coil zipper and unusual piecing of the skirt which causes the uneven hemline.

A fabulous and fun find! Stella’s been part of the team ever since. Stay tuned for her modeling more semi-formal and long dresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1940’S – ’50’S SEMI-FORMAL FROCK WHICH COULD ALSO HAVE BEEN FOR A BRIDE

Such an interesting frock. Midi length on Stella, but she’s tall so it could have been tea or floor length on a woman of short stature. I couldn’t decide whether this dress was tailor-made or purchased at retail, but I could find no labels. I suspect that it was custom-made for a cool-weather wedding and the style really makes me think of some Wartime or Post-war bridal dresses I’ve discovered. Could also have been designed for some other special event . . . . .

Pretty mid-weight textured but glossy fabric which may be synthetic or a blend. Unusual long sleeves; but the best thing about this style is the collar. Each layer is carefully supported around the edge with wire so that it can be shaped by hand. I’ve very rarely seen this and it helped me to date the garment. It came from Australia so I may notice a British influence(?).

More semi-formal and long dresses coming. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

POST-WAR 1950’S SYLVIA ANN BRIDAL ORIGINAL FORMAL GOWN

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Here’s the other gem that was hiding out when the yellow pouf formal turned up. (see post 2 days ago). Similar era but entirely different, and not made for the same woman. Hmm . . . . . . .

Reminiscent of Grace Kelly in it’s modest sophistication and with a metal zipper by Waldes, this gown may be from the early 1950’s or even the late 1940’s. Someone loved it, as it’s in near-perfect condition. Worn by a second-time-around bride, bridesmaid, matron of honor, mother of the bride, Prom queen? I guess we’ll never know, but best guess is a one-time event that wasn’t a bit rowdy. I suspect a wedding.

What a wonderful find, also becoming more and more rare. But, clues are still out there. Stay tuned . . . . .

 

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

IT’S A BIG FILE! LET’S KEEP LOOKING AT LATE 1930’S – EARLY 1950’S

Here’s a beautiful gown from 1942 which I discovered via clandestine information filtered through the espionage grapevine. It was a surprise and fabulous find and so wonderful to get first-hand intelligence about the history! This was originally a department store purchase imported from Europe. What a gorgeous veil, with excellent disguise potential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960s – ’70s FULL LENGTH FLORAL PARTY GOWN

TRUE VINTAGE 1960s - '70s FULL LENGTH FLORAL EASTER PARTY GOWN

,Zooming into Summer now, you may be looking around for outfits to wear this weekend, to a garden or patio party . .

A beautiful gown in a pastel floral print, perfect for a dance, dinner, theater event, etc. – anything a bit more formal that this week’s celebrations or events might throw at you.

This one has an empire waistline seam, a sheer layer of fabric over an opaque lining and a center back zipper. No slip necessary, though I do have a true vintage long crinoline underneath in this picture. I’ll show that to you later as it is very interesting, itself.

I’m not sure whether this dress was made in the ’60s or ’70s. I lean toward the ’60s, but it is a classic style with only one tag left inside that is not a definite answer to the question. But, the fabric just has a ’60s feel to it . . . . . . .

Anyway, it is lovely and radiates the feeling of cheerful, bright sunny days. This is the kind of thing that we all like to start wearing this time of year. If it were shortened (or maybe even if not) and without the crinoline it could be worn as a day dress, because of the simple style.

Look for things like this now. Lots of older women made a habit of cleaning out their closets in the Spring, and you just never know . . . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy
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A FABULOUS EARLY 1950’S JUNE WEDDING – IN HANDMADE LACE

IMG_1479     Count on the McCall’s magazine to come up with everything! – including patterns for hand-crocheted or knitted dresses for all the women in your wedding party.  Unbelievable!!

Well, it would certainly have kept the cost down.  Many women did make their wedding gowns and attendants’ dresses in the past, or have them made, but usually the designs weren’t so labor-intensive as something like this.  Can you imagine, with everything else there is to do to prepare for a wedding?

So, that was life in the early 1950’s.   A lot simpler in some ways, a lot more tedious in others – but we’ve lost most of the elegance along the way.  We’ll keep stepping back in time with my latest finds . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

VERY RARE!! TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – 1950’S SATIN WEDDING PUMPS

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These are the perfect shoes to be worn with the wedding suit shown yesterday.  Can you imagine a pair of white satin pumps at least 60 years old staying in this condition?  Who knows how long they were out of the original owner’s safekeeping?  Amazing!!   I found these beautiful fabric shoes clean enough to be worn again as is.

Fun ’40’s/’50’s styling and beautiful leather soles that make them good forever.  They also carry a mysterious story of a very special and formal occasion.  I wonder where and when it was . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

STELLA’S TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S 2-PIECE WEDDING SUIT

STELLA’S TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S 2-PIECE WEDDING SUIT

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This is the ensemble that Stella was wearing when I met her and I’m glad she didn’t want to give it up.  I’ll be showing some white satin 1940’s wedding pumps tomorrow.   Although they didn’t come with this outfit, they’d be just perfect with it!

During wartime, this was a relatively modest choice for her wedding and the bride probably had this suit custom-tailored.  Naturally, it has many of the 1940’s styling details which were popular then – shoulder pads, nipped peplum waist, a handkerchief hem and a rare coil metal zipper in the skirt.

Also, some of the favorite classic features of a wedding gown are also present – rows of tiny, covered buttons and medieval-style points on the sleeve hems.  The fabric is a substantial brocade/jacquard floral – not a high-end textile, but nice.  Clearly, this wedding took place in a formal setting.

I wonder about her hair . . . . bridesmaids?  Wouldn’t it be fun to go back as a guest? . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM