Tag Archives: classic clothing

MADE IN JAPAN – LOOK AT THIS FAB COTTON KIMONO!

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Although the phrase “made in Japan” used to connote (in Western countries) some cheap trinket back in the WWI, WWII and Post-war days before their technological revolution, Japan is also the country that is known for gorgeous kimonos and traditional garments of the most elaborate embroidered silk.

Another unusual and  surprising find.  I’m not sure exactly how to date this 100% cotton robe, but it’s beautiful and well-styled in it’s elegant simplicity.  The fan motifs are very wonderful and I love the colors (as does Stella – with that auburn hair it’s dynamite on her!).

Definitely a keeper.  More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SO UNUSUAL – 1960’S VELVETEEN MINI MATERNITY DRESS!

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What a surprise to come across this custom-tailored frock.  It’s got many clues that told me of it’s age and how it came to be, but the styling was the real delight.  SO unusual to discover a maternity dress or a “tent dress” from the mid-1960’s.

Tent dresses were all the rage for a while during the Mad Mod Sixties.  Fortunately, the style didn’t hang around too long.  But, what could be more perfect as a maternity design?  This one is meant for fall and winter partying in heavy velveteen.  I have to say, it is cute on Stella.

After discovering a treasure like this, I wondered what could be next and it didn’t take long to find out.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS UNUSUAL FIND! MID-1960’S VELVETEEN MATERNITY TENT DRESS

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Wowee!  Someone custom-tailored this cute mini-dress that falls from above the bust-line and is a really flattering shape for someone whose waistline has temporarily disappeared.  It also could have been a “tent” style, which was all the rage about that time.  In any case, it’s perfect for Fall no matter how or why she wore it!

All kinds of “new” stuff, including a wonderful hairdo for Stella.  She’s psyched!  So am I.  We’ll be spreading a lot of rockabilly vibes and more.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND! 1960’S LUXE NEIMAN MARCUS HOSTESS GOWN

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Embroidered all over with gold metallic thread, this designer dress from the famous high-end retailer is a fabulous find!  Couldn’t believe it.  Luxurious at-home wear that can easily  go out and about – there are no “rules” these days saying that would be “not done”.

I love true vintage hostess and patio dresses, as well as other at-home wear from eras past.  Often the better-quality items are in fantastic condition because they were worn sparingly and/or cared for so well by their original owners.

Just another marvelous day in Mid-Centuryland for the Magicvintagespy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE TREASURE – PRETTY MID-CENTURY (1960’S & 1950’S) NIGHTGOWNS

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Whenever I encounter beautiful examples of sleepwear lingerie from this era, I always bring them home.  Although I love the pj’s, knee-length gowns are another favorite. While made of the same type of wonderful nylon, the gowns usually have more elaborate and prettier decoration.

The Fifties saw mostly pastel pieces similar to the one on right, though sometimes in red or black.  During the Sixties bright colors were popular, as on the left.  This was kind of backward to how lingerie slips were made – go figure.

Anyway, there was no debate or stopping-to-think-about-it for me, but always nice to know all about it . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JACKIE O – STYLE EARLY 1960’S DRESSY DAY DRESS ENSEMBLE

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Just came up with this one, too.  So many of the day dresses from this era were made to very elegant standards.  Although a lot of lace dresses have been made in the last few years, trying to duplicate this look, I’ve never seen one done to the level of quality and design as true vintage examples.

So, be vigilant and don’t be mislead by the vintage design charlatans and scam artists . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER GREAT DISCOVERY! FABULOUS FIFTIES FROCK WITH FUR TRIMMING

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CUSTOM-TAILORED 1950’S PARTY FROCK WITH RABBIT TRIM

Although this dress looks very cute on Stella’s figure, it really must have been sewn for a petite woman much shorter.  I can’t quite imagine a style like this with fur and rhinestone trim made for a teen or a child in the 1950’s.  At any rate, the average height of a Fifties lady would have been 5 or 6 inches shorter while still perhaps being a tiny vintage size 10, like Stella.

Imagine my surprise to see this rare garment!  If you’ve been with me for a while, you may remember that several years ago I encountered a similar frock in ivory brocade with mink trim on the 3/4 sleeves.  That seems to have been a popular early 1950’s trend. In this case, we are seeing very pretty rabbit fur, with a little rhinestone trim nestled in the bodice ornament.

Another surprise is that this frock, despite it’s elegant style and up-scale materials, appears to have been hand-made.  It’s construction demonstrates the handiwork of someone who was very skilled, so perhaps it was made by a professional tailor rather than a home-based seamstress.  However, who actually knows?  With no labels to point the way, it’s just another delicious mystery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER FUN FIND – 1970’S LEISURE HOSTESS GOWN. AN OLDIE BY LESLIE FAY

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Perfect-for-Fall once again.  The older garments made by the Leslie Fay label were  quite nice.  Fortunately, this one caught the wave before quality started to go south in the 1980’s.  Now it’s pretty much gotten beached . . . . . . . . . . . ..

Anyway, this gown is nicely-made, a good-quality knit and in just about my size.  Union-made and in perfect shape.  Though not my usual style, it might be just right for some particular activity – maybe a nursing home visit . . . . . . . . . ..

Uh-oh, I’m being bad today!  Guess I had too much fun yesterday.  No!  There is never too much fun.  Go forth and have it – and have a great Labor Day weekend . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SURPRISE FIND TODAY – SHIMMY SHAKE FLAPPER STYLE FROCK FROM THE SIXTIES

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If you can shimmy like your sister Sue, this is the dress for you!  It’s my size, but I have to learn how to do it justice on the dance floor.  However, it’ll probably make a statement with any kind of dance, excepting ballroom.

Someone made this frock or costume by hand in the 1960’s or 1970’s.  Definitely styled to make an impression.  If you’ve ever seen someone who can shimmy well, you know what I mean.

What fun!  I found another 1960’s version earlier this year – a trend?  Who knows.  They say that things come in threes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LATEST FIND – A LOVELY LACE BEADED DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1960’S . . . . . . .

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About 4 – 5 sizes too big for Stella, but it has to be shown on a model because of the swishy skirt and the way it drapes.  Lace overlay was very popular in the Kennedy era and much more nicely-done than the cheap versions we’ve seen lately.  The fabric is glossy substantial, and there are pearl bead accents sewn all over.

Another great part of the design is the way that the back swoops toward the waist.  So, it’s not a drop-your-champagne-glass-when-you-see-it type of frock but it’s a lovely, classicaly-tailored garment that was worth collecting (and a design that is easy to alter!). .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM