Tag Archives: classic clothing

RARE AND UNUSUAL FIND – A BEAUTIFUL HAND-MADE KIMONO

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Here’s that gorgeous kimono found about a week ago.  It has been pieced together by hand, as as far as I can tell.  Some of the basting stitches are still present.  The blue-tinted edge dying around the lower hem (and also inside the sleeves) is something beautiful and I can’t figure out how it was done.

Don’t know how old this garment may be, but it’s been around for a while.  The lovely colors illustrate chrysanthemums and cranes – both, I think, traditional Japanese decorative motifs.  I’d love to know more about it’s origin and the history of the design.

It’s also VERY long, so might have been made for a man in spite of the floral pattern (?).  Not my area of expertise.  What next – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FIND! BEAUTIFUL UNION-MADE DAY DRESS FROM THE 1950’S TO EARLY 1960’S

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The first thing I uncovered on a recent sleuthing adventure!  This dress is made of a glorious glossy fabric which may be a polished cotton.  I just love the finishes put on many of the old textiles that far excel anything that is sold today in the mainstream market.

With cap sleeve styling, wasp waist, full skirt and, of course, excellent tailoring which includes a hem width of several inches, some lucky girl looked stunning.  The ladies garment workers union label testifies to the care and expertise of these tailors half a century ago.

When I spied this one, I could hardly wait to see what else the day’s expedition might uncover.  The treasure hunt continued, and you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SWEATER – BLOUSE IN LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL

A 1940'S SWEATER - BLOUSE IN LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL

Very feminine, very versatile.  I photographed it on Madge and it fits her “VA –  VOOM” like a Fifties sweater-girl but I think I’d like to see it on more petite Stella, instead.

This little blouse is a fine sweater-knit.  Looks great with pants or skirts.  Although it doesn’t show well in the photo, the small collar is decorated with delicate applique and beads.  I haven’t tried it yet with the ’40’s slacks shown yesterday but the color is close so it might be perfect!  What a fabulous find.

This blouse is a cross between sportswear and dress-wear.  In the Forties, daily outfits were usually more finely tailored and sophisticated than what is worn now, no matter how “cute”.  If you really want to be well-dressed, take a lesson from true vintage fashion . . . . . . . . . .. ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

FOUND A HANDMADE, SILK KIMONO YESTERDAY!!!

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Beautiful floral colors and hand-stitching throughout.  Very unusual find, too.  It needs a little attention, but will be coming your way soon.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

VERY UNUSUAL DISCOVERY: TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S WOMEN’S(?) SLACKS BY THE HAGGAR COMPANY!!!

via VERY UNUSUAL DISCOVERY: TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S WOMEN’S(?) SLACKS BY THE HAGGAR COMPANY!!!

ANOTHER KENNEDY-ERA DRESS FIND – UNBELIEVABLE!

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This happens to me a lot – finding styles and garments from the same era one after another, with lots of similarities.  Sometimes those similarities are also quite rare!  Here we have another sheath design in a Junior size, with chiffon drapes from the waist.  I’ve seen these drapes before from that time period, but from the neckline on Misses size dresses.   However, the similarities end there . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

this one is not in black crepe.  It is lined lace with gathers at the waistline and chiffon around the neckline.  More demure and a tad more sophisticated.  Still a cocktail/dinner frock and in perfect condition!  Also in my size.  I wonder what’s next?  You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MY SLEUTHING SKILLS ARE PRETTY SLICK AND THE HUNT CONTINUES TO BE FANTASTIC!

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MY SLEUTHING SKILLS ARE PRETTY SLICK AND THE HUNT CONTINUES TO BE FANTASTIC!

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If I do say so myself, this season of investigations has been great so far and looks fabulous ahead.  Finds continue to turn up at my usual $1 – $5 per.  Though I did spend a little more in mysterious South America, all were incredible bargains.

With some of the gorgeous garments I’ve uncovered recently, I’m just as much in search of venues to wear them as the clothing and accessories themselves!  Stay tuned, because the fun and excitement keep on coming and – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

MY LATEST FIND – 1960’S BLACK CREPE SHEATH DINNER DRESS

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This style is a very elegant, body-skimming sheath design with back zip and a low plunge behind.  Notice the chiffon drape which hangs from the waist, and the simple embroidery on the bodice.

Although the interior size tag reads 8, an attached paper tag dangling from a side-seam give the sizing as 7/8, meaning that this was a Junior size frock rather than Misses, with a youthful cut.  LOVE IT when original sales tags are present and testify to a garment that has never been worn!!

Knee-length to moderate-mini, depending on the wearer’s height, and with a 3″ hem allowance.  Perfect.  Just my size!  Never fails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A REALLY CUTE BLOUSE MYSTERY – VINTAGE OR RETRO?

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I just loved the mid-century post-war vibe of this shirt as soon as I saw it.  The cotton fabric is in a print very faithful to that time-frame, and some of the design details are, too.  But, there’s evidence of a label which doesn’t look like it was an old one (?).  All I have to go by is the remnant left when it was cut out.  I’m not often stumped – but it gets trickier . . . . . . . . .

Somewhere along the line this shirt was altered and re-styled, probably to make it smaller.  I love the piping accents that may have been added.  The front probably used to button, but was closed to make a pull-over style.  At the end of the day, I can’t definitely say what the true age of this garment is or be really clear be clear about it’s history.

However, it’s very fun and fits me!  What could be better?  I’ll choose to believe that it’s 55 years old and enjoy.  You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM