Tag Archives: California

TRUE VINTAGE NEW WAVE 1980’S RETRO 1940’S JUMPSUIT

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More fun!  I like some of the corduroy 1970’s jumpsuits, but the 1980’s version is much more over-the-top and, of course, has BIG shoulder pads in BRIGHT electric colors.  New Wave fashions have a real in-your-face quality that, I think, is more appealing than the 1990’s Dallas glitz was.  After that, everything REALLY went down the tubes . . . . . . . .

So, while we’re away from the best mid-century fashion, might as well take advantage of how much girls just wanna have fun.  Although the best of these jumpsuits are not a dime a dozen, when I find a good one I’ll grab it.  This one was made by a California company, to that adds to it’s pedigree . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE BOBBIE BROOKS MINI – SHORTS FROM THE 1950’S: “We wear short shorts”

TRUE VINTAGE BOBBIE BROOKS MINI - SHORTS FROM THE 1950'S

Here’s the tell-tale zipper in the back waistline. VERY rare find!  One of my wonderfulest discoveries.

The tailoring is impeccable and they’re in almost perfect condition.

Be careful – modern copy-cats just don’t measure up . . . . . . . … . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS FIFTIES SUNGLASSES IN THEIR OWN CASE

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I love these so much – perfect for the bright, hot days coming up very soon!  This pair has an elegant, classic touch along with the strong kitchy vintage vibe.  Pretty etched design on the metal, with a few rhinestone touches.

The case is hard, with a fabric cover and ornamental clasp.  They both are, of course, true vintage and well-made.  Fun!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER DISCOVERY! 1950’S – 1960’S MEN’S CATALINA SHIRT-JAC

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This one is an interesting find.  Might have been part of a work uniform back in the day, but it’s a shirt made like a jacket with hip pockets and that funky stripe.  Today it would be fun as a sports shirt with jeans.  The maker was Catalina – that iconic California maker of sportswear, so who knows . . . . . . . . . . . .

I’m sure that it was intended to be a man’s top when it was made, but today it’s very unisex.  To me, it’s got a Grease vibe.  Could also go over a tank top or muscle shirt.  If it were smaller, I’d keep it myself if not for the orange color.  No can do.

So, this was for fun and will go into the archives for the time being.  That’s OK.  It’s the hunt and the quest that are the real reward!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

True Vintage Mid-Century Classic Toque

Classic Toque

Another stand-by style in ladies’ hats – the toque has been around for many decades. Black & white is perfect for Spring, but goes really well all year long.  The bow thing that they did in the ’50’s and early ’60’s is cute, but the design is really classic and can be Mod, without the decoration.

That’s the enduring beauty of classic styling and quality construction.  Excepting for the veiling, which is easy to replace, this one is in perfect condition . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

SUCH FUN! TRUE VINTAGE SOUVENIR KITCHEN LINENS

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

From the West and Down East – a vacationer’s mid-century mementos of a fun holiday!

Fun cotton linens for the kitchen and dining table were big favorites during the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Many a traveler picked them up as souvenirs, too.  I just love the funky and funny prints!

As always, these items tell a story.  You could have practically driven through California without a map after buying this muslin tablecloth. Although the apron doesn’t have any words, the cute illustrations of pilgrims/immigrants in their native dress and the border designs contain a lot of information about the communities or cultures that they came from.

Also, if you can do a close-up look, you’ll see a small vintage safety pin stuck in the waistband.  I always like to leave things like this in place because that’s just how the cook or housekeeper wore it during her daily routine.

These linens will last forever if they’re looked after well – remove stains quickly and wash gently.  I’ll bet that I can channel some very interesting vibrations with these in my kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

 

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S CO-ED SWEATER BY CAMPUS CASUALS OF CALIFORNIA

Source: TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S CO-ED SWEATER BY CAMPUS CASUALS OF CALIFORNIA

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LADIES PLAY OUTFIT

IMG_1390IMG_1388 Doesn’t this fit Stella perfectly?  I think she’s a 1950’s vintage size 10, as is this lovely ensemble,  Modern size XS.

Originally made by a California designer.  Fully lined and with the nice tailoring you would expect.  Here are the back buttons again, and a metal zipper right in the middle of the back waist.  Pants with these fit very nicely.  I wonder why they gave it up?

Don’t you love Fifties prints?  DRUMS!!!   How bizarre and fun.  No pockets – just streamlined style.  Love it that my vintage KEDS match it exactly!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S CAPRI PANTS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S CAPRI PANTS

A rare find, though many are made today that look similar – true vintage capri pants in a fall-color plaid. They have little slits at the ankle, a high waist, and metal side zipper than actually slants into one of the hip pockets. The maker is Shipmates.

These were kind of like our nicer jeans are now – they were common as casual wear and in the ’60’s they started to venture more beyond picnics and recreational activities.

What makes them different than the ones today? The fabric, the color combos, the zippers, the labels, the fit.

The original owner hardly wore these, if at all. That shows how much skirts and dresses still held the traditional place for women’s daily wear. I wonder how long these were in hiding? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

MOD, PSYCHEDELIC PRINT ON A TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S BLOUSE

MOD, PSYCHEDELIC PRINT ON A TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S BLOUSE

This one is fun! Not my best colors, but how can I not keep it and wear it? The style is casual, but it isn’t grunge-wear. In fact, it’s a rather stylish summer top with a Country Club feel and an element of elegance.

It’s fully lined in the body and buttons up the back. The sleeves and fringes are left sheer. I just love finding items like this, which tell a story about the type of woman who would have purchased and worn it. I see it with a pair of white capri’s or shorts and leather sandals – flat or with a kitten heel – worn by a dark-haired Italian actress in a James Bond movie. Only your own imagination and personal style put any limits on how it can be combined with other elements of your wardrobe.

Where to go today? Perhaps the Riviera? You just never know . .. . . . . . . . . …

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Viintage Fashion available at Amazon.com