Love polka dots and polished cotton! Stella’s off to the State Fair.
Although this dress isn’t way old, it is true vintage and the classic and fun styling made it worth picking up and wearing. It’s very reminiscent of summer dresses from the 1950’s and early 1960’s and is made well.
As we go up and down, back and forth through the decades, stay tuned!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Isn’t this print gorgeous? And, the cotton is super, super soft – probably due to age and washings as well as a high-quality fabric.
Another mystery for me! Can’t date it exactly – there is no label and signs say that it was hand-tailored. The style is not traditional Hawaiian, but certain details, such as the pleat in the back of the skirt and the fabulous material, make me think of other vintage gowns made there.
No matter. It’s lovely and tiny but, if I can comfortably wear it it’s a keeper! We’ll see . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I still come across true vintage handkerchiefs once in a while and always collect them. This one is not fine linen or even high quality cotton and started it’s life as a commercially-made piece that probably had no decoration excepting the machine-done edging, BUT the delicate applique needlework down in the left-lower corner is the real story. Some woman who couldn’t afford more expensive linens made a dainty item with her own hands. It is almost unbelievable with the tiny, tiny stitches and the steps taken to prepare the pieces that were sewn on to make the flower.
Girls used to be taught this kind of hand work in almost every home before WWII time, and many still afterwards. If not lace-making, tatting or applique’ by the late mid-century, girls at least learned some embroidery, crochet or knitting. My own grandmothers still knew how to do it.
Even though paper tissues are more convenient now, a fabric handkerchief is very elegant and just the thing when attending a wedding or other private affair. The decoration on most of them is gorgeous, whether hand-done or by machine. Even the printed patterns are lovely or at least colorful and amusing. If you’re into home sewing, I’ve seen these hankies pieced together and turned into pretty pillow tops, table linens and even blouses, skirts or dresses.
So, another little story unfolds for me to share with you. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It’s a plain,white oxford shirt so I won’t bore you with the photo. The label is worth the whole find and all the details from the 1950’s to early 1960’s – – – – – –
there’s a cellophane collar prop still in place, a paper tag hanging from a button, a paper square in the pocket that was placed there by the final inspector, and an inventory stamp near the hem. An interesting thing about the fabric (besides being Sanforized) is that the weave gives it stretch, without any of our modern spandex. An extra tag sewn at the neck advertises this.
The sleeves will be too long for me so, of course, I’ll end up selling it but the best thing is the way that the story still unfolds. From what I can resource so far, this may have been a British brand. A find like this is always worth picking up just for the fun!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I’m in frock heaven recently! The best thing about this dress is the fabric – heavy polished cotton was common in the early mid-century, so it’s great to find it in a late mid-century day dress. Always love polka dots. Also, it’s well-tailored with some of the classic tailoring touches that we miss today. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
There’s a 1 1/2″ hem allowance, well-hidden side seam pockets on each hip and it used to have a fabric tie belt, sadly missing now as so often happens. This style was very popular and well-made up through the mid-1960’s. Since then, not so much, so I’m happy that this example came a little bit later and was nicely-constructed of quality material.
Well, this discovery just makes me day-dream about what’s next – there is another really nice surprise coming . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I’d been looking for a lightweight cotton nightie and, luckily, discovered this wonderfully-constructed example by Barbizon, the women’s lingerie manufacturer that opened in 1933. This gown isn’t too old, made in the 1970’s – 1990’s time frame, but the brand label and quality made it worth picking up.
Though the name remains in the marketplace, the company is no longer in operation, as far as I can tell. Many lingerie and sleepwear pieces can still be found in vintage clothing stores, on eBay and Etsy. Barbizon garments were always well-made and pretty. Though not from the eras that I enjoy most, this gown is classic in design and construction, so I couldn’t be happier. Just what I was hoping for!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Not always the most exciting things to find, but I am always thrilled because true vintage wardrobes cannot be built without them. What will you wear with that great 1940’s skirt or pair of slacks? What blouse will be just right under the beautiful skirt suit?
I also love these garments because of the fabric and tailoring. A hand-knitted sweater from back in the day is always a great find because they’re RARE and much more nicely crafted than machine-knit mass-produced clothing in the stores today. I love the Forties/Fifties style of this one with gathered shoulders and ribbed cuffs, fitted waist and a scalloped boat neck. The short-sleeved shirt is a well-tailored cotton version, so common during the 1950’s and early 1960’s for everyday wear. The pale pastel palette will be just right with skirts, shorts, jeans and summer whites.
I hit the separates jackpot which I’ll continue to show you tomorrow. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Now we’ll go, almost, to the other end of the spectrum for some standard-issue men’s or boys’ cotton PJs – though they’re spiffed up with some really neat prints.
Plain and basic in their style, they’re well-made enough to have survived in good shape. They could even have been from the ’40’s, but I don’t think so. Somewhere between 1955 and ’65 probably hits it.
Though not luxurious, they are comfortable (I can wear them!) and a lot of fun! The red fans on the right are an unusual, to me, motif for men’s pajamas but, hey, what do I know? They are a traditional East Asian motif and may have been an influence of the Pacific arena wars the U.S. had just been through in the Forties and Fifties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This Kennedy era, Mad Men sportswear ensemble was custom-tailored for fun in the sun, conservative-style. High waist Bermuda shorts with a tunic top is dressy – casual and more versatile than a one-piece romper playsuit. Kind of Preppy, without being too stuffy.
It’s always fun to see the vintage brand metal zippers plus the hand-tailored details. As much as I love the most casual play-suits, it’s always good to have separates which can be worn so many ways and in interesting combinations.
This is just one of the hand-made garments that I just found – more to come . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
With all the features of a fine men’s at-home lounge-wear garment, this robe may have been a bespoke item, though probably ordered through the menswear department of a large store. Alas, the original belt has gone missing but – amazing surprise – I have material that is a great match to make a replacement! It’s such a project to find matching/coordinating colors and fabric types for a job like this that I’m really fortunate in this case.
Another rare find that just caused me to jump for joy when I discovered it . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 