Tag Archives: cotton

A COTTON SUMMER DRESS LOOK, EARLY 1960’S – STYLE

Once we get past the turn of the 1950’s to ’60’s decade, boy – do styles really start to change! This one is maybe a little more adventurous than the norm because it was custom-made. Compared to the dress from yesterday, the style is free and easy. There’s a V-neckline and fuller skirt though the below-knee hemline remains, but without stiff tailoring or crinoline layers underneath like so many of the Fifties frocks. The print, colors and belt say “Look at me!”.

Which, of course, makes the role very different for our agent in the field. No blending into the background this time, and the trend continues . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

5 OR 10 YEARS (AT LEAST) BEFORE THE TIKI TORCHES, A 1950’S VERSION OF THE PATIO DRESS

A darling little sleeveless cotton day-dress could go to town, to the park or to tea in very proper style. It’s a little early yet for the State Fair or ice-cream socials but that’s where it really belongs. Polka dot prints and ric-rac trim were common in the 1950’s and, always, defined waistlines and belts. I’m still not quite ready for this, but there’s always the ever-popular cardigan sweater . . . . . .

Can’t get away from it – climate change with 80-degree days followed by 40 degrees today. See, the Universe loves us. It taught us all about packing to dress in layers for travel and now we have a new skill that can be used everyday, everywhere!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A TOASTY FLANNEL ROBE FROM THE 1940’S – FEELS GREAT TO SNUGGLE UP IN JUST ABOUT NOW . . . . .

A TOASTY FLANNEL ROBE FROM THE 1940'S - FEELS GREAT TO SNUGGLE UP IN JUST ABOUT NOW . . . . .

The nights are getting pretty cool, to say the least!  So, I’ve pulled out my flannel robes and this one is a favorite – owned by a great-aunt in the 1940’s.

There’s nothing like snuggly cotton flannel on a cold evening.  And, red is even better. Warms me up just to look at it.

Cuffed sleeves, patch pockets, tie belt – what makes it different?  The look of the fabric and the construction details, for two.  Nothing could be more classic, but this one is true vintage, too.

It just puts me back-in-the-day immediately because I know it has curled up by the fire on many a cold Autumn or Winter night . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER COTTON DAY – DRESS! TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S SHIRTWAIST IN A VERSATILE MOCHA HUE

ANOTHER MOCHA DRESS! TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S SHIRTWAIST

As you now know, I have a number of frocks in this style but this one is special – because I found it during my trip to New Orleans.  It’s very cute on and comes with sentimental value because I LOVE New Orleans and hadn’t been there in a long time.

This day-dress is made of a lovely soft cotton (worn many times) in mocha with a coffee-colored print design.  Just the right shade for early Autumn days.  As is common with some of the best garments, this one’s fabric-covered belt has a matching-color plastic buckle.  It’s always interesting when buckles and buttons are dyed to match the fabric.

The clothing in New Orleans, I found, has fabulous stories associated with it and many of the shopkeepers can tell you some!  The garments always seem to come from interesting people living in interesting places and with fascinating histories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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A COLLECTION OF FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S DRESSES FOR EARLY FALL

A COLLECTION OF FAVORITE LATE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S DRESSES FOR EARLY FALL

While it’s still warm enough to wear them, here are several of my favorite casual day-dresses.  They’re great in the Summer, too, but the colors look like Autumn to me.  The plaid fabrics are a wonderful vintage look.

I just love these for running around in every day.  Since the fabric is somewhat sheer, they do  require a slip but they’re super simple to wear and accessorize.  Anyway, who objects to opportunities to wear beautiful true vintage lingerie?

All have unknown maker’s names, or maybe just a union tag.  They were average garments from that time and wouldn’t have been expensive, but they fit really well and look smart.  Exceptional tailoring is one of the reasons that I love true vintage clothing so much.

For some reason, these look like Nancy Drew dresses to me.  How appropriate . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

SWEET TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – ’50’S COTTON DAY DRESS – END OF SUMMER COLORS

SWEET 1940'S - '50'S COTTON DAY DRESS - END OF SUMMER COLORS

This cute little dress is just so back-to-school in it’s looks!  It’s a little small on Madge, so I’m guessing it was a girl’s, but the average woman was tiny by today’s standards.  Almost every woman  wore something similar on a daily basis back in the day.

It’s a lovely cotton with woven-in plaid – maybe made at home.  The style is typical shirtwaist, excepting for a ruffle that goes all the way around at hip level. Maybe this was someone’s idea of adding something original to their creation.  It’s not a peplum, so . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

maybe the piece of fabric was too short and the tailor wanted to dress up the seam that had to go there.  I have found many home-sewn garments that tell stories about shortage of materials or mistakes, especially from the times when the Depression or World War was changing everyone’s lives .

Such a treat to find pretty vintage fashion that  also tells something about  history . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION

FABULOUS ORIGINAL FORTIES – FIFTIES COTTON HALTER DRESS

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Couldn’t wait for summer!  What a great discovery – an iconic halter frock in luscious cotton.  These sexy and cool dresses are perfect for hot days (and nights).  Move over, Marilyn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM