Tag Archives: custom-made

JUST FOUND: LATE 1960’S CUSTOM-TAILORED SPECIAL OCCASION GOWN – HIPPIE PROM?

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This frock is sooo iconic late Sixties and in perfect condition!  It’s Flower Power, British influence and Edwardian style.  I’ll bet it was made for a Prom or Spring Fling dance.  What a Blast from the Past!!!

Look at the sequence of iridescent buttons at the sleeves and the ruffled flounces.  Sheer flocked flower design over a pink liner.  Back in the day, it was usual to hire a seamstress to make these types of dresses or to make them at home unless the high school was in an expensive neighborhood.

It’s just so cute and tells such a typical story.  It’s fun to know something about those times so that I can read the book very easily!  Not sure what I’m going to do with this, but it was just too fun to pass up.  It would make a really sweet short dress . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SUPERB TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S TAILORED JACKET – MY FINAL FIND FROM A MAKER IN AUSTRALIA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA     As usual, I came upon this jacket by surprise and was thrilled by the hand-tailored details. The true color is a nice wheat beige, washed out by the camera flash.  The the gold thread-embroidered label would also not photograph well with the flash in my camera, but maybe you can get a close-up view of it with zoom-in feature.  It came from a Melbourne store and is made of cloth, as all the older labels of best quality were done.

The jacket is fully lined.  The buttons (all are present) are in plastic, with a basket-weave design.  The fit is high-hip length in a boxy cut.  Sleeves are bracelet length – all nice design features from the Kennedy era.  Someday I’ll photograph it again on one of my models for a more elegant presentation – but, until then –

one of the nicest things of all, it fits me . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

Another plus is that the fabric is a patented linen-poly blend that gives you the lovely texture without the wrinkling issues of linen.

HALLOWEEN’S IN THE BAG – TIME FOR ALL 1950’S HOMEMAKERS TO THINK ABOUT THANKSGIVING & CHRISTMAS . . .

IMG_0935 IMG_0936Although we do Christmas marketing almost year-round, back in the mid-century time no one thought seriously about Christmas stuff until after the American Thanksgiving in late November.  But, if you’re making lots of your gifts . . . . .

McCalls needlework magazine promoted doing just that – to economize as well as adding a personal touch.  Can you imagine getting all that done ?!

For many of our grandmothers, that was just part of the day-to-day.  And, they did produce beautiful things – from hats, gloves, sweaters, socks and scarves to dolls & their clothing, tablecloths & bedspreads, just to name a few.

I love discovering some special true vintage handmade item that was probably made as a gift or a table decoration for a special family holiday. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

EARLY 1960’S FUN AND GAMES – WHAT A DIFFERENT LIFE OUR GRANDMOTHERS LED!

IMG_1039IMG_1040These McCalls magazine needlework ads would make you think that our grandmas’ lives were all about simple fun in the kitchen and scheming to get their husbands to give in to their wishes.

That’s the stereotype, isn’t it?  I wonder how much of that is true?  Don’t think I want to go back there, but the sweater is gorgeous!

Hand-knits from that era are really special, sweet and innocent styles . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A WONDERFUL HAT, FROM THE SAME ERA AS YESTERDAY’S DRESS . . . . . . .

The always-dramatic Marlene models three views of this gorgeous and flattering scull-cap style, woven of black and white strips and topped with a face-framing ruffle.

I COULD NOT pass this by!  And, it came with a matching hat-pin – always a plus.  In it’s day, it was very wearable with lots of different styles from casual frocks to dressier ones. Very elegant.

When everyone wore hats daily, imagine selecting this cute one and setting it on just right before heading out for shopping or lunch.  That was when men still whistled openly at women on the street . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL HAND-MADE DRESSES FOR FALL

IMG_1046 IMG_1026 Yes, a lot of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers knitted dresses like these at home!  So hard to imagine.

IMG_1035 IMG_1027These photos from the Fifties and early Sixties come from McCall’s Needlework magazine – a popular and easy-to-find magazine that could be bought the way we might buy Vogue or Glamor now, on a newsstand somewhere.  Of course, knitted dresses were made commercially, too, and I’ve found several.  But, the custom-made one-of-a-kind is always the most special.

P.S. Please vote in the Presidential election if you are a U.S. citizen.  Get registered if you need to or check your registration status.  This is a very important one – not one to sit out. . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE HEAVY HAND-MADE STERLING SILVER BROOCHES FROM THE 1920’S

IMG_0989     These beauties are quite large and they’re works of art.  They’d be suitable (no pun intended) on a jacket a or coat like the one shown yesterday.  Although they look like costume jewelry and are set with rhinestones  or semi-precious stones, they are hand-made of sterling silver and could be classified as fine jewelry.

Back in the ’40’s – ’50’s there were “walking suits” made, which had jackets almost like small coats and substantial enough to be worn in cool or cold weather without an outerwear coat on top.  A beautiful art piece like this on a lapel would be the perfect finish.

These are some of the most gorgeous statement pieces I own . … . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BONANZA!! LOOK AT THE MID-CENTURY DRESSES I JUST FOUND

img_2342

Just fabulous!  Custom-made by the same woman, of ultra-soft cotton in a wonderful 1940’s – early 1950’s style that I just love.  And, in my size!!!!!

Nipped waist, flirty skirt, shoulder pads and cute sculptured plastic buttons.  What could be better?  Perfect condition, washed to incredible comfort.  I don’t usually go for floral prints, but who can quibble? . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

SPEAKING OF FIFTIES & SIXTIES SWEATERS – SOME FUN EXAMPLES TO KNIT AT HOME!

IMG_1041IMG_1042IMG_1044IMG_1045IMG_1032      McCalls needlework magazine from 1961 has patterns and instructions for these neat tops.  It was one of those times when the fashion gets really playful.  My most recent finds on this trip are ’60’s!

Not quite so intimidating as trying to make some of the dresses and coats, but challenging enough!  There’s no mistaking the styles from that time and I’ll be showing more . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ELEGANT AND STUNNING – TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S CUSTOM-TAILORED DINNER DRESS

IMG_0999 IMG_1000Stella stuns in this slim sheath with a draped neckline in back.  I know the woman who made this dress back while John F. Kennedy was president and it is exquisitely tailored in charcoal cotton velvet, with a fabric-covered belt.

The style is simple, but dramatic.  The cowl neckline in back is what makes the dress.  It’s perfect for a necklace that is long enough and simple enough to be draped front to back with a beautiful clasp at the neck, or hidden under a high neckline in front while making a statement on your bare shoulders behind.

But, it doesn’t need much adornment and best to keep it simple . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM