Completely different from yesterday’s cardigan but so much fun! It’s another must-have vintage sweater to wear with cigarette pants. A pretty open-weave Orlon sweater knit with metallic thread design to be worn with a black skirt or slacks at some mid-century party event. It is absolutely amazing that it’s survived for 60 years in almost unworn condition!
Just like the women of the 1940’s onward, I’m grateful for these lovely acrylic yarns that can be washed in a machine (with care) and don’t have to be stored in a moth-proof container. Orlon was a revelation and major time-saving blessing to wartime and post-war ladies who still did most of their housework by hand.
Although we’re so used to acrylic fibers now, these early ones were really special in terms of their quality or, perhaps, it is the garment itself that is made so well that the fabric looks great after more than half a century. I’m sure that I also, again, have to thank the first owner of this elegant top for taking such good care of it.
I’m over the full moon again, and wondering what will turn up next . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s a beautiful decorated sweater meant, mostly, for evening wear. It is fully lined in silk with black beads and spangles decorating front and back. Many mid-century women had one of these – it was a classic standard.
Made in Hong Kong, the quality is a cut above many garments made elsewhere. This seems to have been the case for many decades. It’s another one of those iconic garments that is a must-have for any vintage wardrobe and, maybe, more than one since the colors and decorative patterns were varied and unique.
Though high-quality tailoring was particularly true for vintage garments made several decades ago, I still take special note when I find modern clothing that has been made in Hong Kong. The materials and tailoring are still almost always excellent in garments made there..
There is no wrap more elegant, excepting perhaps a wonderful vintage fur, than a beautifully-made hand-decorated fine wool cardigan thrown over your shoulders. It can be worn in many ways and will never let you down.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I’m always so happy to find one of these in almost perfect condition! So different from the others I’ve just shown. The front metal zip is unusual, rather than buttons, and the (probably) acrylic fiber is a plus over wool because of the ease of storage and care. I DO love old wool sweaters, however.
This example was made in Hong Kong (always pointing to quality construction and workmanship, at least in true vintage garments) and has the classic styling of patch pockets and striped trim. The zipper is as sturdy as they come.
A wonderful and infrequent discovery. My favorites!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Lightweight true vintage wool pants with the high waist that I love. Just perfect for chilly fall weather at the football stadium. These don’t have quite the wide-leg of that last pair, but still very much from that mid-century time and will be great with some knee-boots I just bought.
They’re just a mid-priced item (Modern Juniors) with no lining, but tights or a pants-liner “slip” (those do come in handy) will take care of that.
I’ll have to dig through my long-sleeved shirts, sweaters and blazers for just the right combo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 