Love this dress! The hippie-dippie sleeves, tiny polka dot, empire waistline and sexy fit. Maybe what I like best is the easy-wear of it for hot weather – cool and breezy but gives good sun coverage, too. No, what I like best is its absolute uniqueness and style. SO Stevie Nicks, So Sixties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Come on, Sunshine!!!!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
A little bit later in the time-line, sleeveless and cap-sleeve day dresses came along as favorite day-wear for women. This more casual style continued to keep them in a dress, looking feminine, but also retained the easy-wear aspect that had become so important. Some, like this one, had pretty details that added a bit of dressy feel, but overall these dresses were so comfortable and easy to care for that they were a great liberation from the fussy styles and fabrics and many mandatory accessories that had dominated women’s lives for decades (centuries).
This is what women wore in the 1950’s and early 1960’s the way that we wear jeans today. Personally, I like having the choice . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
These fun and beautiful frocks are what EVERYBODY was wearing as everyday-wear between about 1935 and 1965. The cottons are sturdy but wash and wear to a fabulous softness. The colors are bright and the motif’s go from traditional floral or medallion prints (like the one here) to atomic geometrics and cartoon novelty images.
I absolutely cannot get enough of these! The typical fit and flare styling is very forgiving, allowing me a reasonable fit across about 3 sizes. A belt can work wonders with almost any garment. If shoulder pads are appropriate to the era, that makes a big difference, too.
With the exception of the Sixties shift style, this basic shirt-waist design is just about the most comfortable, practical and versatile for day-wear ever; still, it allows for elegance and the irreplaceable look of true vintage fashion. I’ll keep showing more of these wonderful everyday styles, and whatever turns up. Stay tuned . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s Stella showing this frock off properly. Can’t wait to wear it! The way the temperatures are going, it won’t be too long. Love the polished cotton and the atomic applique’.
Perfect for summer fun. With a long metal zip up the back and swirling circle skirt, it’s easy-in and just right for a street dance. Or, a picnic, or strolling with a date, or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This is really something! Mid-century play-suits are rare as hens teeth, so I’m thrilled to discover another one. So cute – flower-power mod print in cotton, with a long metal zip up the back.
So much fun! Fashion used to be both and either restricting and full of novelty. Now we can wear everything and anything we want but you’ve gotta go Indie designer, independent artist or true vintage to be unique. I guess there always has to be both sides of the coin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Talk about RARE! This one is a real treasure. Cotton comfort with smocking detail and vintage shell buttons in back. There’s an embroidered cotton tag inside the neck from the high-end department store retailer Lord & Taylor.
Love finding old things from Saks Fifth Avenue, too. They’re always nice. No babies at home for me, but how could I resist?
Several decades ago, little girls (and boys) were routinely dressed in beautifully-made clothing of very high quality – even it it came from a mid-priced store. Mothers enjoyed dressing themselves and their children nicely and it wasn’t such a competitive brand-driven thing like today.
If I were parenting a child, it would be so much fun to dress him/her in true vintage, along with myself! Yes, these garments take a little more care, but the rewards . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This is SO fabulous! I love this sportswear skirt from the 1950’s with Grecian urns in pretty colors printed all around. In fact, that’s the name of the fabric design, printed on the selvage edge.
Can’t wait to wear it this Spring and Summer! It was beautifully taken care of, with hardly a flaw. Thank you to the woman who did that!
As I make my way here and there, to various shops, sales and stores in many different countries, the only thing I regret is that I usually don’t know the names of the original owners of the treasures I discover. It’s always a big plus when I do, because the specific history adds so much to the story.
Oh, well. As it is, I can imagine that Audrey, or Jean, or Margaret or Lois bought this skirt to wear on her first Roman holiday – and had a wonderful time!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s the example I promised yesterday – by the iconic Paris designer, Henri Bendel, a summer frock of exceptional fit and construction. Although this dress may be no more than 8 years old since the company stopped selling clothing in 2009, it’s quality and pedigree made it worth picking up.
I also have a suit by Henri Bendel, made in the 1960’s. The design and tailoring of his garments are exquisite. Although this sundress does not look like anything special hanging here, it fits beautifully (my size!) and is very well-made.
If only for the legacy of this classic Parisian designer, I was happy to find it and will wear it with pleasure . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Going backward in time – Heavy cotton, “designer” style Sixties shirt for the Mad Men Mod Man. Nicely tailored. Unworn perfect condition – what could be better?
This is a very unusual fabric, with an embroidered stripe design, made to wear un-tucked, with large pearlized buttons. Just the kind of “dandy-ish” garb that was popular for men in the mid-to-late 1960’s. Perfect with a pair of white bell-bottoms.
More men’s tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
JUST A SAMPLING – NO MATTER HOW IT LOOKS, THERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT TODAY!
These wonderful cotton prints may have come from clothing that had worn out and had to be re-purposed. Love the pink check that’s in the apron! The quilt has many blocks that are not damaged at all, though some show wear. For being about 100 years old, it was well-looked-after and still holds together.
What I love most about a find like this is the rare materials that all have a story. The prints are so great – little anchors, fleur des lis, vines and flowers, paisley and plaid, checks and stripes. There are more, but I can only show so many photographs at once.
So, I know it’s not a piece of clothing (excepting for the apron accessory) but it’s such a wonderful trip back to fabrics and garments from the early 1900’s. This quilt was probably made between 1920 and 1950. It’s not often that we get to see these, so I jump at the opportunity! It’s one that I only come across now and then and, you just never know . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 