Tag Archives: classic clothing

SMART & CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE ’50’S – EARLY ’60’S

YOU’LL NEVER FAIL WITH TRUE VINTAGE, QUALITY LEATHER ACCESSORIES

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

PRETTY CLASSIC VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE '50'S - EARLY '60'S

Here’s a beautiful leather handbag in a classic shape and with the quality of leather. I have collected them whenever possible because of their outstanding value and elegant design.

This one is beige leather inside and out, with a snakeskin quilt overlay. It’s so classic in design and neutral in color that I can carry it any time of year. It has lasted for decades and, with good care, will last decades more.

I always use a leather conditioner on my leather goods once or twice a year and store them in a way that won’t encourage mold or mildew or cause them to be bent out of shape.

Like your shoes, there’s nothing that is more telling about your good taste and willingness to invest in the best than the kind of handbag that you carry.

I’m not big in favor of designer names just for their own sake…

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TRUE VINTAGE SHEER SUMMER DRESS IN RAINBOW SHERBET COLORS

What could be simpler and better than 1940’s true vintage for summer . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE SHEER SUMMER DRESS IN RAINBOW SHERBET COLORS

This dress is so pretty and fun to wear. When I found it, the original belt was missing, as is often the case, but not difficult to find one that works.

The style is Forties, because it had short sleeves with a bit of puff at the shoulder, but I suspect it may not be quite that old. I removed the sleeves because they were not particularly flattering to me and I wanted a bit more sophisticated look, though it’s very casual. I love the bands of color, switched at the hem.

When I find a dress that has damage or is not a high-quality piece, I feel free to make some alterations to suit myself. This dress had no damage, but it’s not high-end. Of course, I did save the sleeves and they could be re-attached at any time. To me, that’s important with true vintage apparel – to…

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HERE’S ONE OF MY CIRCLE SKIRTS FROM THE 1950’S – IN AN ATOMIC PRINT

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

ANOTHER OF MY CIRCLE SKIRTS IN AN ATOMIC PRINT FROM THE 1950'S

Hanger by hanger, moving on through my closet, a true vintage atomic print skirt in a lightweight cotton, so it really moves. That’s an advantage of the circle cut, especially for dancing.

Nothing could be nicer on a hot summer day or any other time from Spring to Fall, with the right additions. The top shown with it is a nice faux linen thing but is not true vintage. I paired them because of the color match, which can be tricky with aqua.

It’s blue, green and black with little satellite-looking things on a white background. Side metal zipper and button closure, with a built-in side-seam pocket for convenience.
Embroidered label says “Nelly de Grab New York”.

This is one of the few items which I have found on the Internet. Online is not my first choice for shopping, because I love my feet-on-the-ground investigating, but it is certainly a…

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ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE WRAP-AROUND DRESS BY SWIRL

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE WRAP-AROUND DRESS BY SWIRL

Remember the red wrap-around by Swirl that I showed a few days ago? Here’s another of their creations, in the same basic design but with a very different feel.

Embroidered white flowers on china blue. It’s another one that I love and is so wearable.

These casual day dresses are some of the best things to find because they don’t require a “special occasion” to wear them and don’t need a lot of careful handling. My closets are full of dresses like this and I enjoy them daily!

Some of the most valuable things don’t have to be kept in a safe . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

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TRUE VINTAGE COTTON CANDY CONFECTION OF A FROCK – EARLY 1960’S

FERRIS WHEEL, ANYONE? . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE COTTON CANDY CONFECTION OF A FROCK - EARLY 1960'S

Time for a new color. This dress is spun sugar pink, with bubblegum, white and (dare I say it – puce). That’s an awful name for a color, but mixed with these others it is very effective.

There’s no tag remaining, so I don’t know for certain that this dress was commercially-made but it certainly looks as though it was. The bodice is lined and the belt would have required some exceptional skill to make at home.

This type of fabric was called “whipped cream”, I think. A type of synthetic, but I can’t say which. It has unusual body that gives it a form of its own. The tie belt and blousey effect create a flattering fit.

Back zipper – simple style, but very much a stand-out. It makes me think of a carnival in the summer . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK:…

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PRETTY LITTLE SLINKY KNIT DRESS FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

A TRUE VINTAGE STYLE AND FABRIC THAT FITS SO WELL – IT NEVER FAILS TO GET COMPLIMENTS!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

PRETTY LITTLE SLINKY KNIT DRESS FROM THE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S

I’ve come across many dresses made of this cool, smooth, glossy knit. Most are from the ’50’s and some from the ’40’s. It’s just so comfortable and drapes so well!

This one has a metal zip up the back and a fabric tie belt. There is no tag anymore, but I’m sure it was commercially-made.

There is piping around the neckline and the armholes. This detail can be done at home, but it’s tricky to do really well.

It’s another in-between casual to dressy day dress. It seems there were lots like that because, until the ’60’s, most women and girls wore dresses or skirts every day, for all activities that were not really casual (like sports or a picnic) or at-home.

I often get compliments when wearing something like this to town. Older men like it because it reminds them of how women dressed when they were in their…

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MOST SIMPLE TRUE VINTAGE EVERYDAY GINGHAM DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1960’S

THIS IS THE BEST KIND OF DRESS FOR EVERY-DAY. NOT QUITE A HOUSE-DRESS, BUT CLOSE. CASUAL COTTON ELEGANCE.

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

MOST SIMPLE EVERYDAY GINGHAM DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1960'S

Remember what I said about gingham a couple of days ago? Well, here it is again, in the simplest, cutest everyday dress from about 1963, give or take. In spite of the simplicity, look at the nice little details on the bodice and neckline. Yes, I would wear a slip with it.

Whenever I want to feel really cool, comfy, cute and lost-in-time I’ll put this one on and just be happy. It’s the right thing to wear to the Dairy Queen (if I ate sugar . . . . ). Small dipped cones are a good 7-year-old’s memory. And, no, I don’t own stock in the company.

Believe it or not, this one has an embroidered tag inside – “Stacy Anne” one of the four sisters”. I’ve never seen it again. Does anybody know that brand?

You could probably find something similar at a store today, but it still…

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TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE – PROBABLY FROM THE 1960’s

BEAUTIFUL HAND-CRAFTED VINTAGE ACCESSORIES WERE ELEGANT AND CHERISHED ADDITIONS TO OUR GRANDMOTHERS’ WARDROBES

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE - PROBABLY FROM THE 1960's

To change gears a bit today, here’s an example of a beautiful handcrafted item. It’s an evening purse made of black velvet and satin with metallic embroidery all over, front and back.

It was probably made in Hong Kong or Europe and took someone a long time to do by hand. These sorts of items were much more available back in the day. I suppose that you can still get them now, but only overseas or in very specialized shops.

Handiwork of this kind and exquisite workmanship used to be seen in fashion items that middle-income women could afford to buy, at least once in a while. Although it was generally done overseas, many of the major department stores sold it in their better departments. It’s difficult to find now. The hand-crafted items that are sold today generally can’t compare in terms of their quality.

Keep your eyes open for…

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A TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LITTLE GINGHAM DAY DRESS

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S LITTLE GINGHAM DAY DRESS

Don’t you just love this one? Well, I do. Gingham isn’t for every day, but it is for always. I love it in shirts, shorts, skirts, frocks, tablecloths, curtains . . . . . . . . . nothing says “vintage” like gingham!

The best things about this one, aside from the great fit, are the neckline detail and the cross-stitch embroidery near the hem. I think that this must have been handmade (oops – as if all clothing were not!).

Anyway, it’s cute as can be and has a very fetching, though lady-like fit. I’ve seen a number of garments with cross-stitch embroidery from this time period, and it seems like it’s often done on gingham. Duh – wonder why – saves a lot of counting – have you ever done cross-stitch? Then you know what I mean – shades of 8th grade home ec.

My, how I do…

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HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA

A PERFECT HANDBAG FOR SPRING, SUMMER, FALL . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA

Another of my favorite things is vintage hand-tooled leather (in purses and belts, etc.). I have a ton of these, too. This one is a special example because of its unusual design.

The motif here is trillium flowers. They grow in the northern U.S., parts of Europe (I think – is that right?) and are a symbol in Canada. They are a beautiful white flower that blooms in the forest.

This purse came from Canada and, I’m sure, was made there. It doesn’t even seem to have been used. Is it true vintage? That I can’t tell you.  Some people are still quite skilled at doing this as a hobby.

Most commonly, at least here in the U.S., we see true vintage handbags with traditional motifs that were popular on Western-wear – even saddles and such. Many are floral, but not like this.

Some tooled leather purses from Mexico made…

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