FROM 1959 – TRUE VINTAGE SEARS ROEBUCK & CO. LINGERIE SLIPS

IMG_1538 IMG_1539Just found this lovely lingerie, and it was worth picking up because of the high quality and special features.  Both have the same RN number.  Maybe they weren’t sold at the same time, but let’s assume that they were sold in the same store, and not from the catalog.

Now we’ll go through the thinking process of a mid-century housewife making her decision to buy . . . . . .

Hmm . . . I really like this extra panel in the front that makes sure there will be no see-through.  They both have that.   Love the embroidery on the bodice – so feminine – – – both have that, too.   Beige vs. white – hmm . . . . they’re both good, though the beige one seems a little more invisible, and it’s a nicer quality – just prettier somehow.  The lace is a bit finer, and the fabric feels better but,     wait,      Oh.  The white one is a Doesn’t Slip so no wonder it feels different.   Hmm . . . . I don’t like it as well, but I guess that’s progress – it might be more comfortable and look better sometimes.  Maybe I should get the white one, but, it’s just a little longer than the other and might show under that blue dress that I wear so much. Don’t want to fuss with trying to shorten it.  Well, I guess I should buy them both. They’ll certainly work well for me and everybody needs several all the time.  Not overpriced.  But, I wonder what Harry will say – – Oh, well . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Just another household dilemma mastered by one of our grandmothers.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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THE SIXTIES ROLL ON – A TREASURE TROVE OF TRUE VINTAGE BLACK & WHITE HANDBAGS

THE SIXTIES ROLL ON – A TREASURE TROVE OF TRUE VINTAGE BLACK & WHITE HANDBAGS.

BEAUTIFUL MID-CENTURY HAT IN EMERALD GREEN – TRUE VINTAGE MADE IN FRANCE

BEAUTIFUL MID-CENTURY HAT IN EMERALD GREEN – TRUE VINTAGE MADE IN FRANCE.

MID-CENTURY FINDS ABOUND! TRUE VINTAGE MEN’S NECKTIES FROM THE 1950’S . . . . . .

MID-CENTURY FINDS ABOUND! TRUE VINTAGE MEN'S NECKTIES FROM THE 1950'S . . . . . ..

MID-CENTURY FINDS ABOUND! TRUE VINTAGE MEN’S NECKTIES FROM THE 1950’S . . . . . .

IMG_1507I don’t have a huge collections of ties, nor have I been into wearing them or sewing with them (I guess I could get a lot more creative in that way).  However, I always keep an eye open for interesting ones and don’t resist when I see them.

These two are from the ’50’s or very early ’60’s.  I love the medallion motifs and interesting geometrical shapes that were common then.  Conservative and elegant but snazzy, too.  Wow, that’s a word from that time that I don’t tend to use, but it fits.

Men always seem to prefer blue, but I like the red . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

CUTE TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER DAY FROCK – ANOTHER EARLY ’60’S FIND!

CUTE TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER DAY FROCK – ANOTHER EARLY '60'S FIND!.

BACK TO THE 1950’S IN A TRUE VINTAGE BATHROBE – EVERYDAY COMFORT WITH A BIT OF GLAM

BACK TO THE 1950'S IN A TRUE VINTAGE BATHROBE – EVERYDAY COMFORT WITH A BIT OF GLAM.

BACK TO THE 1950’S IN A TRUE VINTAGE BATHROBE – EVERYDAY COMFORT WITH A BIT OF GLAM

IMG_1505As “usual” as it was in its time, here’s another leisure-wear garment that I couldn’t resist.  Every woman owned at least one, and the pretty fashion touches aimed at making at-home time a “glamorous interlude”, even for the most average gal.

Women have always been the primary target of advertisers because we do the majority of buying.  This was never more true than in the Fifties – especially when creating a home and the lifestyle to go with it was front-and-center for everyone.  And, the “feminine mystique” was almost every woman’s drug of choice.  What more could a happy homemaker want?

Quilting for warmth, patch pockets for convenience (ho hum) but, then she sees that fabulous raspberry pink in the mirror – the pretty neckline outlining her un-made-up face that needs a little help at this time of the morning – the stylish 3/4 sleeves – the sparkle of rhinestone buttons and, suddenly, it’s possible to be a famous beauty relaxing in the seclusion of her private apartment . .. . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE WORKING GIRL DRESS FROM 1960 – APPLE FOR THE TEACHER?

TRUE VINTAGE WORKING GIRL DRESS FROM 1960 – APPLE FOR THE TEACHER?.

TRUE VINTAGE WORKING GIRL DRESS FROM 1960 – APPLE FOR THE TEACHER?

IMG_1504I love it when I can date a true vintage find to the exact year!  Although this frock is not hugely distinctive, it’s a great example of a specific vintage genre.  I’ve got another to show in a couple of days.

.     This lightweight knit dress (yes, ladies, you’ll need a slip!!) is breezy and practical, with an all-over apple print. Despite the long sleeves,  it’s sheer enough to comfortable in a cool office and would be perfect in a couple of months for the first day of school.  Very professional.

The style is so classic that it’s almost invisible; that is also a basis of elegance.  Skinny self-tie belts were really popular in the early sixties, and I’ve seen them mostly on styles that are classic and streamlined.  Day-wear from that time seems to have verged away from some of the fussy, though beautiful, detailed tailoring of the Forties & Fifties.

So, think old re-runs of popular sit-coms of that year and what the female leads were wearing though, at that time, they’d be mostly housewives . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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