Tag Archives: classic clothing

A BEAUTIFUL 1930’S BLACK VELVET EVENING HANDBAG

img_2409

In such good condition, too!  That was one of the biggest reasons that I grabbed this, though I do have some others that are similar.  The inside is also very clean and undamaged PLUS I can see the maker’s name stamped inside, though it wouldn’t be readable in a photograph.  It;s also got little amber-colored “jewels” decorating the snap clasp.

It’s just a small evening bag large enough to carry the essentials (the 1930 essentials, that is) such as lipstick, a comb, some money and a key – oh, maybe some rouge and a hankie, too.  Forget the cell phone.

Maybe there might be room for a miniaturized transmitter and  camera, in a pinch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A WONDERFUL HAT, FROM THE SAME ERA AS YESTERDAY’S DRESS . . . . . . .

The always-dramatic Marlene models three views of this gorgeous and flattering scull-cap style, woven of black and white strips and topped with a face-framing ruffle.

I COULD NOT pass this by!  And, it came with a matching hat-pin – always a plus.  In it’s day, it was very wearable with lots of different styles from casual frocks to dressier ones. Very elegant.

When everyone wore hats daily, imagine selecting this cute one and setting it on just right before heading out for shopping or lunch.  That was when men still whistled openly at women on the street . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER FIND FROM AUSTRALIA! TRUE VINTAGE 1940’s GRADUATED FAUX PEARL NECKLACE

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI have lots of pearl jewelry – costume and real – in my vintage fashion collection, but couldn’t pass these up.  Large costume pearls in graduated sizes – difficult to find now!  I would say that this example dates 1930’s – 1950’s.

Also, it’s in great condition, with a lovely golden color. The cord is knotted between each bead.  Equally wonderful is the clasp, which has a pearlized center, surrounded by small ruby-pink rhinestones or crystals.  The necklace is long enough that the clasp can be draped a bit in back if I’m wearing a neckline that plunges there.

There’s nothing more elegant or alluring than pearls . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER AUSSIE FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S WORKING-GIRL PUMPS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA    A kind-of unusual-looking style, don’t you think?  These need a polish and a little cleaning, but they’re in excellent condition. Leather pumps by “Diana” – rather high cut on the vamp.  They remind me of what I see teachers wearing in old photos.

Investigating across the world is challenging, exciting and always intriguing.  One thing that was fun in Australia is that several of the things I found are familiar, but still a bit different from what I discover in the U.S. and Canada.  Their own brands and, maybe, some other foreign influences have given the styles a unique twist.

As always, you just never know . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S WESTERN-WEAR LEATHER JACKET FOR FALL

True Vintage Leatherwear

Beautiful true vintage western-wear jacket from the 1950s/early ’60s. Notice the superb workmanship and tailoring (even though it would look best on a size 4 model rather than size 6).

I LOVE the older leather items made in the American west, or in Mexico and Europe.  So beautiful!  Forgive me if your country has made wonderful leather items, too, and I have not mentioned you here.

The materials are of high quality and have enabled it to last for 50 years with very little sign of wear.  Find a jacket of this type and enjoy it for life!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL HAND-MADE DRESSES FOR FALL

IMG_1046 IMG_1026 Yes, a lot of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers knitted dresses like these at home!  So hard to imagine.

IMG_1035 IMG_1027These photos from the Fifties and early Sixties come from McCall’s Needlework magazine – a popular and easy-to-find magazine that could be bought the way we might buy Vogue or Glamor now, on a newsstand somewhere.  Of course, knitted dresses were made commercially, too, and I’ve found several.  But, the custom-made one-of-a-kind is always the most special.

P.S. Please vote in the Presidential election if you are a U.S. citizen.  Get registered if you need to or check your registration status.  This is a very important one – not one to sit out. . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND – CHIC AND ELEGANT MID-CENTURY HAT

What fun!  I haven’t discovered a fabulous true vintage hat in  quite a while.

Very pretty turban-look that’s actually a large pillbox style.  Sits nicely at any angle.  The color is a mushroomy brown with hints of green and it’s from the 1940’s, 1950’s or early 1960’s. Velour/velvet fabric in great condition – so sophisticated, but versatile.  I’ll wear it a lot.

So goes the day of . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

VINTAGE MODEL’S COAT JUST FOUND – I LOVE THESE!

img_2354I’ve always loved the garments made by this company, SWIRL, and this one is no exception.  It may not be as old as some of the ones I own, but still has the ’60’s – ’70’s applique’ and the great styling.

Like some other things (the dresses I just came up with . . . . .), you can never have too many . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A SPECIAL FIND FOR WINTER NIGHTS

img_2348

Here we have a Lanz Originals cotton flannel gown from the 1960’s.  Yes, the hearts & flowers print is too sweet but for this kind of quality and warmth, I bit and bought.  I always trust their true vintage clothing to be well-made and classic – in fact, they’re very traditional.  Not my favorite, but on a blustery winter night by the fire . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER ‘NEW’ FIND – A 1960’S LACE OVERLAY JUNIORS PARTY DRESS

Isn’t this pretty?  It’s another iconic early to mid-Sixties style that I’ve seen before – a party/dance/special occasion frock made for junior sizes.  Empire styling and cute bows.  These are almost always manufactured by some smaller maker – sometimes they have a department store name.

That’s how some of the best middle-priced dresses were marketed – sold in small stores around the country or well-known department stores.  More popularly-priced clothing was available through the Sears, Montgomery Ward and Penney’s stores and catalogs – catalog shopping was huge.

I think it’s so cool that our grandmothers could buy a moderately-priced dress like this and find hand-stitched details inside.  That disappeared not long after this one was made . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM