Here’s Stella showing this frock off properly. Can’t wait to wear it! The way the temperatures are going, it won’t be too long. Love the polished cotton and the atomic applique’.
Perfect for summer fun. With a long metal zip up the back and swirling circle skirt, it’s easy-in and just right for a street dance. Or, a picnic, or strolling with a date, or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Came across this one yesterday and it’s the first I’ve had with this kind of T-back neckline. Time to dig out the specialty bra.
The things I love best about it are the sunny-fun art print and that wonderful heavy, slinky fabric that was available for a few years. It’s so delicious on the body and drapes so beautifully. No, it can’t compare to the gorgeous jersey-knit fabrics from the 1940’s but it is identifiable as part of the family.
So, although it’s kind of a poor cousin, it’s also a very fun find. This is because its pedigree out-ranks the quality of most all the casual poly clothing that has drowned us in the marketplace since the early 1960’s, with the value and workmanship moving farther down the scale every year. There’s an embroidered cloth tag from a recognized maker, elegant styling and beautiful material – clues that come to light when you snoop carefully. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This is really something! Mid-century play-suits are rare as hens teeth, so I’m thrilled to discover another one. So cute – flower-power mod print in cotton, with a long metal zip up the back.
So much fun! Fashion used to be both and either restricting and full of novelty. Now we can wear everything and anything we want but you’ve gotta go Indie designer, independent artist or true vintage to be unique. I guess there always has to be both sides of the coin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
As it gets warmer, I may be showing some light jackets. This one is from the ’60’s in a kind of fantasy floral print – not psychedelic, but a little abstract. Flower Power ruled! I love the colors in this and the nice, easy but chic fit.
The poly/rayon/whatever fabric that was often used then shouldn’t automatically be thrown in the washer like we tend to do with everything now. The label on this jacket says that it also needs the care of spot-cleaning or dry-cleaning, but I’ve still found it easy-wear. Just a little extra care does the trick.
Don’t panic! There are simple ways to deal with this. I have lots of items that can’t be machine washed, but I hardly EVER have to go to a dry-cleaner (can’t remember the last time). Not dissing them – they are a god-send when you really need a good one.
This is a perfect jacket over capris, little skirts and sheath dresses. It’s fun to try finding pieces in coordinating colors for the kind of funky, vintage hues. But, there is always ivory or black which can work.
Not a go-to, every-day jacket but it’s right for a day of fun – can’t have too much . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I’ll soon be on an investigation again, so a little patience may be needed, please, with my time-table! Here’s another wonderful find – a mod tunic blouse in a heavy synthetic knit. Similar to the fabric in yesterday’s dress from the Forties, but grown up a generation.
I love the style and the printed design, with long sleeves. Looks great with long pants, short skirts . . . . . . An excellent choice for cool Spring-ish weather.
This design has a little short zipper at the back neckline and falls mostly straight, with a little shaping in the torso. As you can see on Madge, the fit is very flattering.
Vintage knits are almost always wonderful, regardless of the type of fabric. Usually they are heavy and drape well. That’s what makes them fit so beautifully. And, of course, the design is on the back, too. No cutting corners on the best true vintage!
I always love finding unusual pieces like this one. Makes my day . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This outfit was custom tailored in the mid-1960’s. Bell sleeves and easy fit. The fabric is a swirly paisley print in aqua tones and it includes the addition of a matching jacket to create an ensemble.
So many dresses in the ’50’s and ’60’s were made with matching jackets and even matching accessories. Though this is a fairly casual dress, it follows that lady-like trend and seems to teeter on the edge of the fashion divide between the rather prissy Fifties and early Sixties and the Mod and wild times just after. Looks like the dressmaker originally intended to make a sleeveless frock, then changed her mind. As it is, we’ve got a day dress that Twiggy would look just fab in, photographed on some 1965 magazine cover.
What a luxury to have your own dressmaker to custom-tailor your wardrobe! So many women did. Most neighborhoods in the city had a tailor’s shop where this kind of work was done. In towns and villages there was usually a woman nearby who did dressmaking in her own home. And, of course, many women were still doing their own home sewing then.
Maybe I’ll take the sleeves off some time and wear this dress with the jacket – but, no . . . . love the dress just as it is. I’ll check out the jacket with my selection of skirts . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Yes, even the elegant Haymaker label which used to make better-quality sportswear in the Fifties got into the boxy leisure-suit styling by the mid-Sixties. This one’s a tiny size 10 (unbelievable!) and you can see that it’s still very well-made.
So, that’s why it is collectible – for the label and the company’s history. Otherwise, it’s just a good example of fashion trends gone wrong and the slow demise of high-quality and elegant clothing construction which was beginning about the time this jacket was made.
Sigh. However, that situation does make my adventures all the more fun . .. . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Talk about RARE! This one is a real treasure. Cotton comfort with smocking detail and vintage shell buttons in back. There’s an embroidered cotton tag inside the neck from the high-end department store retailer Lord & Taylor.
Love finding old things from Saks Fifth Avenue, too. They’re always nice. No babies at home for me, but how could I resist?
Several decades ago, little girls (and boys) were routinely dressed in beautifully-made clothing of very high quality – even it it came from a mid-priced store. Mothers enjoyed dressing themselves and their children nicely and it wasn’t such a competitive brand-driven thing like today.
If I were parenting a child, it would be so much fun to dress him/her in true vintage, along with myself! Yes, these garments take a little more care, but the rewards . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It’s always a treat when these turn up – looks like 1960’s in both cases, but they’re a bit of a mystery. The best thing about them is the quality and construction. Of course, this type of photo doesn’t do them justice.
The blouse on the left is very casual and basic, but the fabric is really nice. It’s some kind of a blend of cotton and rayon. Feels smooth to touch and has a gloss, and I love the colors and the plaid, too. Both have rounded wing collars, though the style on the right is much more sophisticated.
The blouse on the right is a star. Not only is it made from a REALLY nice rayon fabric, but the tailoring is wonderful! The buttons are all fabric-covered. The retro-1940’s style is pretty with light shoulder padding and puffed sleeves. What I like best is that it is FITTED!!!!!!!!! Can’t believe it – it’s so rare to find a nicely fitted blouse or shirt because they just don’t make them now. Spandex added to fabric molds to the body pretty well, but is a cheaper-looking alternative and can’t compare to a blouse with fitted seaming that is done properly. The look is completely different, and much more elegant.
So . . . . . . . . . . . . . what’s next? . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Perhaps a little earlier in the mid-century, here’s something for the men. Wool shirt-jackets were very popular for both sexes and great for transitional weather, like now!
This one has all the classic features – front pocket, vintage plastic buttons, shirt styling but with a placket front, so it’s a pull-over.
It’s what granddad wore when he raked the leaves . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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