Tag Archives: classic clothing

LET’S “UP” THE TRUE VINTAGE BLING – RHINESTONE NECKLACES FROM MID-CENTURY AND BEFORE

IMG_0958Here’s my main collection of true vintage white rhinestone collars.  From simple and sweet to sassy and sophisticated.  These were made between 1940 and 1960, I’d say.  Some might be older, or slightly newer.

To be worn alone, or almost alone.  Unless you’re doing a period costume from a time when overkill was the usual fashion and everything was worn as a set, these lovelies shine most brilliantly when standing alone.

Just my opinion, for what it’s worth . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ELEGANT AND STUNNING – TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S CUSTOM-TAILORED DINNER DRESS

IMG_0999 IMG_1000Stella stuns in this slim sheath with a draped neckline in back.  I know the woman who made this dress back while John F. Kennedy was president and it is exquisitely tailored in charcoal cotton velvet, with a fabric-covered belt.

The style is simple, but dramatic.  The cowl neckline in back is what makes the dress.  It’s perfect for a necklace that is long enough and simple enough to be draped front to back with a beautiful clasp at the neck, or hidden under a high neckline in front while making a statement on your bare shoulders behind.

But, it doesn’t need much adornment and best to keep it simple . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A SWEET SET – A FORMAL OR DRESSY EVENING IN TRUE VINTAGE RHINESTONES AND “PEARLS”

IMG_0956      This is one of my favorite little necklaces, from the 1950’s or early Sixties.  Very sweet – love the rhinestone bow and the faux pearl drop.  The chain, also, is studded with rhinestones all the way.

The earrings are a bit later – late Sixties or Seventies, but they coordinate nicely.  A parure like this would have been perfect with a formal pouf dress – depending on the age of the wearer and the occasion.

Definitely costume jewelry, but so pretty . . . .. . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S DRESSY SHAWLS & TOPS TO MAKE AT HOME

IMG_1021IMG_1022     It’s the time of year when we start thinking about dressy events, dances and holidays again.  I’ll be showing more true vintage formal, semi-formal and dressy looks.

These tops would look great with the velveteen skirt from yesterday.  And, I’ve got some formal and dressy frocks that need a special wrap to go with them.  Often what you already have in the closet just doesn’t work.  That’s the time when our grandmothers would get out their knitting needles and crochet hooks . . . .

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MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S MARY JANE’S – CUTEST ALL-LEATHER MOD CARNABY STREET SHOES

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA     Look what I found in Canada!  Celebrity brand Mary Janes with leather soles and chunky heels.

These would be from the mid to late 1960’s.  Like some others I’ve shown before, one shoe has the maker’s name stamped on the footbed and the other has the name of the local store that sold them.  This was a common practice in the Forties, Fifties and Sixties when small, privately-owned shoe stores were in every town and city and many of them had a good relationship with the suppliers of the special brands they sold.

Probably moderately priced when they were originally sold, but quality, quality, quality all the way . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE HAND-KNIT FALL STYLES FROM THE FIFTIES – SO SPORTY AND ELEGANT

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It’s the details and the fit that make these things so wonderful!  That’s what I love about true vintage and hand-constructed clothing.  Check out these photos from a 1950’s needlework magazine, given to me by a woman who did this every year.

For a woman who had the skills to make these, it must have been so much fun to look through the new knitting magazines.  These weren’t runway styles that were out of her reach!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

GORGEOUS TRUE VINTAGE ART DECO RHINESTONE BRACELET

IMG_0959How about this little DECOration with that cocktail dress from yesterday?  You wouldn’t want to get too much bling going with the rhinestones on the dress, but an addition like this one could be just perfect.

Though certainly not from the same era (about 30 – 40 years apart!), mixing time is not a bad thing.  In fact, that’s one of the attractions of true vintage fashion for me, because I like to live different times, places and characters. I just love this piece, in its original box from Peacock Jewelers.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

CAN’T BELIEVE IT!! 1970’S WHITE LEATHER FRINGED MOCCASIN BOOTIES

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This is so bizarre – more true vintage white leather shoes with magnificently clean uppers.  Moccasin booties are especially rare and fun to find.

A BIG fad for women in the 1950’s, they were often brought back from vacation as Southwestern U.S. souvenirs.  People have been fascinated with the American West and the Native American culture for decades.

Just the thing to wear with jeans and they were perfect with Native American-made circle skirts and dresses, which were also very popular among more adventurous white American housewives in the Fifties and Sixties.  These were probably made a decade later, but the style is classic.  Also, with the Thunderbird – my personal totem . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE FINDS! HERE WE GO . .. . . . ..

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TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S FROCK FOR A HOLIDAY GALA IN VELVET & BROCADE

Isn’t this one a pretty thing?  A perfect 10 – vintage size 10, that is.  Of course, it’s got the classic styling of the early Sixties but with a fun touch of beaded fringe at the midriff.  All the required tailoring touches make it a well-made garment – full lining, hanging loops, hooks and eyes and a deep hem, however . . . . . . .

the nicest thing, to me, is the beautiful fabric.  Plush, sumptuous red velvet on top and a lovely brocaded material in the skirt.  I can just imagine Jacqueline Kennedy hosting a Christmas party at the White House 55 years ago, dressed in a style like this.  So glad that someone else loved it enough to keep it preserved in such wonderful condition for this sleuth to uncover today.  The investigation continues – stay tuned .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY BEAD NECKLACES THAT WILL GO GREAT RIGHT ABOUT NOW . . . . . . .

IMG_0878     Necklaces like these are not uncommon in thrift stores and lots of copies have been made more recently, BUT these are the real deal from the Fifties, give or take a few years.

In this case, the beads are plastic or composite, glass and metal.  Sometimes you will find natural stone, including crystal.  Sometimes they are nicer pieces, which you can pick out because of the construction, and sometimes very cheap or mid-priced costume.

For me, the deciding factor is always quality and appearance, as well as age.  So-called “statement necklaces” are very popular now in mainstream fashion and these work well that way because they’re showy and draw attention..  Although they were very de rigueur back in the day, they are distinctive and stand out now and add a very definite vintage touch.  These colors can work year-round, but I’d like them best in the Fall.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM