Tag Archives: cocktail

UNIQUE AND NON-TRADITIONAL MID-CENTURY 2-PIECE COCKTAIL DRESS

Late 1950’s – early 1960’s cocktail/dinner 2-piece dress in a surprising cadet blue color. How could I not have collected this one? It’s not eccentric at all, but I love the original and surprising vibe when a black frock would have been expected. In a substantial knit fabric and with a flattering pencil/wiggle cut that accentuates the figure but is also very “proper”. It ticks all the boxes for lower to mid-priced elegance. No jewelry needed excepting some stud earrings and perhaps a cocktail ring.

Many well-dressed women during the Kennedy Era could have worn this ensemble with confidence. While not a garment for those socializing in the “highest circles”, an average gal might have gathered some lingering looks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Beautiful 1950’s Early 1960’s 100% Silk LBD Cocktail Dress

This frock is REALLY a beauty! Made by a higher-end label back in the day, the style is so ingenious and flattering. I love the ruching that makes it so unique. Again, you have to have a special figure to do it real justice but Stella never lets me down in that regard.

As I said, it’s made of 100% heavy silk that needs no lining. This is an LBD that is one-of-a-kind; Never will find another like it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Post-war 1940’s Early 1950’s Strapless Wiggle Cocktail Dress

This one was from Chicago, as the label tells me. It’s not officially an LBD because it is actually dark mid-night navy blue in a smooth, lighter weight fabric to get that sleek silhouette. In spite of the little flesh-color straps, which might have been mostly for hanging purposes, you’ve got to have the right figure to pull this off correctly. Marilyn Monroe did it wonderfully well.

This was a one-of-a-kind find originally sold by a higher-end store in the Windy City. Would love to know who, where, when and how it was worn but, sadly, there were no additional clues. Who cares – she speaks for herself. Stay tuned for more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST OPENED ANOTHER ARCHIVE OF TRUE VINTAGE LBDs

Let’s start with a velveteen pencil dress and coordinating handbag from the 1940’s. True Forties styling with the pencil cut and skinny sleeves with zippers at the wrists. The dress zips down the back rather than at the side, which began to be seen in the Forties. This dress was probably purchased at retail unless made by an expert tailor. It’s stylish and sophisticated but is frugal with the use of fabric so probably made during wartime.

Other than the wrist zippers, which are almost a necessity with these kinds of sleeves, and the piping finish on sleeves, neckline and waist there are no other embellishments. Piping done this well is not an easy task. In fact, the piping may have saved fabric that otherwise would have been used in hems or facing. Many purses, like the one above, were made of fabric during WWII instead of leather. 1940’s clothing and accessories, especially women’s designs, were very creative. Women and clothing companies came up with lovely fashions while coping with rationing and a limited economy. While not formal, a garment like this would have been appropriate for any dressy event from dinner to cocktails.

Stay tuned for more frocks in this category, from the mid-century . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

Blog: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Interesting Early 1950’s Home-Sewn “Cocktail Dress”

When I spied this frock, I knew it was true vintage but couldn’t actually place it. With a little research I discovered that dresses of this type, worn over a plain slip-dress of some kind, had their niche popularity in the early 1950’s. This one must have been a home-seamstress’s answer to having a more affordable version.

At first I couldn’t decide between the front and back, but when put on Madge, who is a perfectly proportioned modern size 6, it is obvious that the cowl effect fits best in the front and is an elegant style. Depending on how it fits, could also be worn in the reverse. It’s always fun to solve the mysteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

20 YEARS BEFORE NEW WAVE, ELECTRIC BLUE STILETTO HEELS FROM THE EARLY 1960’S

Slightly more extreme silhouette, I’d say that these heels are a few years younger than the pink shoes from yesterday. The metallic blue color is very Las Vegas. They look like patent leather and you might expect that because of their age but I believe that they are some type of synthetic. The brand name was probably printed on the insole but has worn away so completely that I can’t depend on it to help me out. Soles are also a synthetic. Very durable, but not a mark of higher quality. These babies were definitely mid-priced but good to go for a long time.

They’re not as tiny as yesterday’s pink pumps and I can wear them! Great find because I have a sateen semi-formal cocktail dress in the same blue color from the same era. That’s one of the most fun things about sleuthing investigations – finding the clues that fit together. Solves the mystery for that outfit! Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HOW INTRIGUING. A POST-WAR 1940’S COCKTAIL DRESS FROM URUGUAY

This garment came to light during an investigation in that nation’s capitol, Montevideo. It is a very international city and was undoubtedly a hotbed of clandestine affairs during the wartime 1940’s. The cocktail dress pictured above had been commissioned by a woman who was a member of the social elite who routinely had their fashions custom-tailored or traded with shops that offered handmade garments and imported couture. The lack of a label and evident hand-stitching point to a private tailor. Though the crepe is a little rumpled from years of storage, this frock has been well-preserved and is a perfect example of that genre.

I am not sure whether the tailoring differences from what we expect in dresses made in North America are due to historical constraints or to the culture of that country. The extended shoulders, sheer insets, midi-length hem and ubiquitous black rayon fabric are commonly seen in designs of that post-war time but I was a little surprised by the straight, matronly cut. Either the New Look with its nipped waist had not yet landed in high fashion, or this frock was made for a more conservative, older woman.

The same will be seen in a similar dress from that same investigation which will be shown, probably tomorrow. Stay tuned . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FROM FORMAL BACK TO COCKTAIL – A LATE 1960’S NON-TRADITIONAL FIND

I LOVE this dress! It’s so different, but with all the hallmarks of a perfect true vintage cocktail frock. 1. It’s black 2. It’s sophisticated, elegant and well-designed 3. It is not too revealing (didn’t I mention elegant?) The BEST thing about this particular dress is the asymmetrical 3/4 sleeves, trimmed in marabou (another inhumane vintage-era material, like fur, that is definitely off the table today). So Sixties.

A great length, Easy to wear. comfortable and flattering body-skimming cut. Sleeves add a bit of warmth if you don’t want to be forced to wear some kind of shawl, etc. in a cool room. Flattering scoop neckline sets a perfect stage for your pearls (or diamond pendant, or emerald, or ruby, or sapphire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Definitely bling-worthy.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1980’s DOES POST-WAR 1940’s LUX COCKTAIL FROCK

This gorgeous dress is made from a beautiful, glossy fabric which is reminiscent of vintage rayon satins. The styling elements are true to era and the tailoring is impeccable. This garment was made by a professional, even if in his or her own home! It’s a little big on Stella but you can still see the lovely fit. The back-tie sash helps with that while making a big fashion statement from the rear view.

A woman living in the post-war United States with some money to spend would have been delighted with the renewed availability of fine fabrics and flattering luxury designs with full skirts and long hems – a perfect style in which to celebrate the new peacetime. Made in the more modern version, this frock is easy to wear, easy to store. The purchase was a winner but, though I love the persimmon color, it’s just too big for me. So, time to pass it on to a new home for the holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

KENNEDY-ERA COCKTAIL FROCK #2

Nothing to write home about style-wise. Obviously, this one was made just a bit later with a higher hemline. It’s still got a maker’s label, but just not a well-known one. Same type of fabric as the one from Saks and fully-lined, too, so there’s no skimping on the basic quality elements.

However, the neckline treatment is the real star feature. Done as a thick band of bugle-beading to look like a ribbon collar – it’s far from the more boring sequins and embroidery used on the version shown yesterday. Never seen this before or since . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM