Tag Archives: clutch

THE SIXTIES ROLL ON – A TREASURE TROVE OF TRUE VINTAGE BLACK & WHITE HANDBAGS

IMG_1523Discovered in Canada and the United States.  Made in Italy, Hong Kong and . . . . . . . . . . ?  Leather, patent vinyl, wood and beaded fabric.  Let’s go clock-wise from 7 p.m.

A leather box bag with hand-stitched edges.  Handmade, no doubt, and almost like the gorgeous hand-tooled bags that I sometimes find, but made elegantly simple even though it’s still quite casual.   Behind, is its sophisticated sister from Italy, with a soft leather body and polished wood frame.  Fabric lining and one inside pocket, with a metal zipper.

At noon and 1 o’clock, two smart little black patent handbags.  Inexpensive and basic but, like those black ballet flats, they went with virtually everything and always looked right.  Still do.  I took them home because they’re in fabulous condition and such perfect designs.

At 5 p.m., the best white clutch purse for a summer evening.  With the quality women came to expect from garments and accessories made in British Hong Kong, this one doesn’t disappoint.  Even though it’s casual, with  plastic ornamentation, the construction is superb. It’s also a fun find for me, because I own a classic handbag style in the same beaded material which makes it the companion accessory for day.  Isn’t it cool how the clues always fall into place . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

BLACK & WHITE AND RED ALL OVER? NO, IT’S NOT A TRUE VINTAGE NEWSPAPER . . . . . . . . .

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERACan I ever have too many mid-century clutch purses? No, not when they’re like this one! Carrying on the black and white theme that I’ve had going for a couple of weeks, this little bag is another lovely example of a clutch purse that was inexpensive in it’s time but is loaded with elegant design and fashion artistry.  And, can be carried with almost any outfit.

Again, here’s a stylish treatment of the frame – but my favorite feature is the red lining! I never pass up a handbag with a beautiful liner and have several in red.  They may be leather, silk, cotton or rayon as in this case, but will always give me a smile and a feeling of sophistication each time I open them up. I’m sure those 1940’s – 1960’s ladies felt the same.  Sorry the interior picture of this purse didn’t survive – somehow got deleted since first published – but, you can imagine.

Someone loved this little bag well, and used it lightly. The condition is wonderful with no stains inside or damage to the black patent outside. Thanks, Mary Lou – Peggy Sue – whoever you were .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . .

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

ANOTHER RARE DISCOVERY – ICONIC 1950’S ETRA LEATHER CLUTCH PURSE

IMG_1690IMG_1715I’m saying “rare find” a lot lately!  This purse is a keeper – a flat and tidy leather clutch that hinges open in the most convenient way.  This was one of Etra’s best everyday designs from the Fifties.

I’ve found only one before, in a rather boring beige color.  So, I like this rich charcoal much better.  And, of course, a fine leather handbag is always preferred to vinyl or fabric for durability.

The only thing missing is the chain handle which attaches inside and folds away if you don’t want to use it.  That is easy to replace.  A little polish to the metal frame and it’s golden!

So much fun . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

CLASSIC GARAY EVENING CLUTCH FROM THE 1950’S

So many clutch purses are made today in vintage styles, but there’s nothing like the quality and attention to detail found in true vintage examples.  I’ll ALWAYS go for those instead!  I love rigid handles that can be folded inside the purse to hide and beautiful satin fabric covering is always elegant and versatile.  Two compartments inside with a see-through vinyl divider is so practical, too.

This Garay handbag is elegant and probably never carried.  There is a bit of storage wear, but the inside is absolutely perfect.  Sigh – another happy escapade!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND – 1960’s DRESSY PETIT POINT TAPESTRY-LOOK HANDBAG

IMG_2545This style, popular in the 1950’s and early 1960’s, looks like it’s never been carried!  Mid-century ladies often had two or three treasured handbags carefully stored in a dresser for specific occasions, from semi-dress to formal.  I love these pretty dressy purses that add an elegant touch to evening or better day dresses. They used to be a staple of city-wear for well-dressed women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER FIND! A PERFECT PRINCESS GARDNER SET FROM THE FIFTIES

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So beautiful and elegant – leather handbag accessories, made with quality construction and lovely design.  And, so convenient!

A wallet with coin purse attached is very useful – I carry one whenever I can.  A matching key-case is a chic accompaniment.  This pretty gold-embossed set is too good-looking to hide, but when you pull one out of a an equally-gorgeous true vintage handbag – what could be better?

Though no longer in the original box, these pieces look as though they were never used. It’s been a while since I ran across one of these but, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THIS TIME I REALLY HIT THE JACKPOT! 1950’S – 1960’S CLUTCH PURSES – METALLIC, LEATHER AND BEADS

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Look at these beauties!  The convertible clutch style which lets you use the handle or not has always been so versatile and convenient.  Although some of these are very mid-quality, they all have some distinctive features that make them stand out as great true vintage finds.  Let’s start out from left to right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

The white purse at far left is a high-quality construction from the Sixties and has that shiny box hardware enclosing it on 3 sides.  It is made of leather and has a shoulder strap that can be tucked inside. Very sleek and streamlined – a great look for summer.

The 1950’s beaded evening bag in front is in perfect condition, with a silk satin lining and a beautiful clasp and box chain handle, which can be hidden inside.  This type of handbag was always hand-made, usually in Hong Kong.  Even for an expert, can you imagine the care and time it took to attach all those beads so perfectly and securely?

The other three bags have a metallic finish and are made of synthetic materials or cloth – not in quite as good shape as the first two.  But, they are nicely made and all have pretty hardware clasps – always interesting to find.  The two in the center also have box or braided chain handles, rather than the simple chain that is most often seen.  These more complex types of chain are prettier and also seemed to break less easily.

As always, they all show that care was taken to preserve and protect them, so I can enjoy them 50 or 60 years later!  The throw-away quality that we seem to be satisfied with today can’t begin to compare, but is still way over-priced!! Such  a shame – but not for this Magicvintagespy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

 

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM