Tag Archives: custom-tailored

FUN 1960’S PRAIRIE FARMER GIRL FROCK

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Fun find today!  A custom-made prairie-girl dress that can go all year round.  Just put a blouse, t-shirt or t-neck underneath and there you go.  The fabric is a woven synthetic of the late-mid-century time so it’s a Sixties take on a much older style.  There are Amish in the area where I discovered it, but I’m not sure this is their style.  May be some other groups who wear slightly less modest clothing and would be allowed to show their arms. ?  It’s got an old metal CC zipper and hardly any wear so, who knows.  The sash ties in back and there’s ric-rac all around.

Just fun, so true vintage and cute!  Another mystery, which I love. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THE MOST WONDERFUL SHIRT – LET’S START HERE

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Handmade for a man in the 1950’s,  or maybe even the Forties, but I’ll make it my own.  Neat little way of unbuttoning the neckline so that it can be slipped on.  The most fabulous soft cotton, due to many washings and wearings.  LOVE the french sailors print!!!!!!!

And, of course, a chest pocket on the left.  There is damage under one arm, so I will be taking the sleeves off and making it a cap sleeve tunic.  Don’t mind – as an alteration, that’s probably better.  Love it when I find unusual things like this.  More coming . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MID-CENTURY SWING DRESS FIND

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Fun find – a custom-tailored frock made sometime between 1960 and 1985.  It’s got overall a great day dress style, harking back to the 1940’s.  The best thing about the styling, I think, is the flared skirt design which will flip and twirl with every movement.  A perfect dress for dancing!

Another neat thing is that the seamstress put in a LONG side zipper so that it’s really easy to put on and take off – no need for contortion or someone to help you zip, as sometimes happens with back zippers.

This is a relatively simple dress, but little clues tell me that the maker put special thought into the styling and construction, which make it special.  Love it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HERE’S THE TRUE VINTAGE SOPHISTICATED SISTER – A LITTLE BLACK DRESS FROM THE 1970’S

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Ditch the mini-length, add a bit of va-voom and some frills et voila! – dinner or cotillion dance-worthy.  Although the comfortable style and flexible double-knit would probably permit it, this is no frock for the bar scene or Stayin’ Alive dance party.

Yes, it was still possible to find garments of quality construction and elegant design in the 1970’s.  Sadly, most of them are gone now because the knit fabrics didn’t make it till today or simply because women had begun to stop taking the care of their clothing which was common in the 1960’s and before.

So much more precious for me to discover two frocks of this type (see yesterday’s post, too).  Both are definitely keepers that I can wear for decades to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1970’S KNIT DRESSES – SOME OF THE BEST TAILORED CLOTHING FROM THE DISCO ERA

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Although the Seventies were full of schlocky clothing and many less-than-elegant designs, the full decline of everyday fashion hadn’t hit yet.  Here’s an example of a wonderfully-elegant style which was hand-made from one of those beautiful heavy double-knits that became popular in the early – mid decade.

Like the jersey knits of the 1940’s, this material was a real icon of the 1970s and performs very well.  The drape is very good and holds it’s shape.  This office-worthy frock was custom-tailored and is as simple as can be, which makes the design timeless.  The fabric and construction are of high quality.  If you find or still own a similar garment from that era, hang on to it!

A rare find (in my size!) that thrilled me to my toes.  But, we’re not finished yet – I’ll show you her party-going sister tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

POST-WAR DRESSY DINNER FROCK, CUSTOM-TAILORED IN SOUTH AMERICA

Here’s another dressy frock from Montevideo, Uruguay – probably just a few years younger than her sister shown yesterday.  This dress is stylish, but not as Crawford vampish as the other.  The 1940’s styling has been played down, excepting for the puffy shoulders and embroidered mesh trim.  I forgot to take a picture with the black curly lamb jacket  which was also a recent find, from the early 1950’s.  Would be a perfect wrap over this dress.

No, it is not bare on the bodice.  The mesh has been lined with a flesh-tone panel which is a perfect match for bare skin peeking out at the shoulders.  The tailoring of these mid-century frocks is just astounding, especially when they were hand-made by dressmakers.  The well-to-do ladies in Montevideo would have had much of their clothing custom-made to their specifications and fit.

However, remember the dressing gown from a few days ago?  It was also hand-made, but from France, and probably purchased before the European war.  Many Montevidean women purchased French fashions and accessories back in the day.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WARTIME 1940’S DRESSY FROCK, HANDMADE IN MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY

Though WWII was raging in Europe and Argentina next door was experiencing unrest, the 1940’s were a relatively stable and prosperous time for Uruguay and this shows up in the architecture and antique goods which I discovered there.  The country profited from beef supplied to other countries and the more well-off citizens lived a good life.  Their clothing and household goods reflected that.

This beautiful frock was hand-tailored in a dressmaker’s shop.  All of the embellishment was applied by hand and the tailoring is hand-done, too.  As you can see, it’s loaded with beads and sequins, plus all the little button and loop closures up the back.  Madame must have had a household staff, one of whom helped her dress and looked after her wardrobe.  I love the 1940’s styling with the big, padded shoulders and ruching at the hips.  These funny hip details were flattering only to slim figures, but they’re loads of fun, anyway.

So, a real treasure find.  I’ll show you her younger sister tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

WARTIME MYSTERY CUSTOM-TAILORED NIGHTGOWN – WHAT A FIND!

Fabulous late 1930’s – early 1940’s styling details, hand-tailoring and original(?) fabrics???  I know the design (a relative had one similar).  The embroidered mesh on the bodice is similar to the wartime dressing gown shown a couple of days ago.  The synthetic(?) fabric is like nothing I’ve felt before.  The gusset at the hemline is a period feature.

IS THIS AN ORIGINAL WWI – WWII GOWN OR AN EXPERTLY-MADE REPRODUCTION?  I can’t be sure.  It’s in almost-perfect condition, but has been around for a while.  No label, of course.  Would love to know it’s story.  Any ideas, you well-trained experts out there? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER UNUSUAL VINTAGE LOUNGE-WEAR KIMONO – TRADITIONAL EAST ASIAN

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What a beautiful handmade garment!  I can’t date it and have never discovered one like it before.  Because of the traditional style and motifs, it may be hard to say exactly how old it is.  Could be several decades old, or very modern.  I was attracted by the beautiful colors and the hand-tailoring.

The belt I have used is not original, but necessary for this robe.  As I understand it, obi belts are often made separately from the robe, to special order.

Although it seems very large and long, after you wrap it it fits little size 2 Stella.  What a puzzle – not sure who it would have been made for.  The motif of cranes suggest a man (?) but I’m certainly no expert on these!  But wait – more mysteries to come . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A VERY SPECIAL HANDMADE LINGERIE NIGHTGOWN WITH MYSTERY HERITAGE

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This is such a WONDERFUL find (aren’t they all?)!  It’s a bit of a mystery, which I love. . . .

The style is late 1930’s – early 1940’s and it’s been custom – made.  There’s no label or sign that there ever was one.  The bodice has embroidered netting (similar to the 1930’s house-dress I found a few months ago in Montevideo – remember?).  It’s finished almost entirely with french seams.  Little bow detail on the bodice – lots of hand-work.

The fabric is some kind of synthetic which isn’t like vintage fabrics I’m familiar with NOR modern ones!?#  There is virtually no sign of wear and just a little bit of age or storage-related damage, which was easy to fix.  The conundrum is – – – – – – – – — – – – – – – – – – :

it’s either true vintage from the WWII era OR a reproduction (not retro-style fashion) which has been expertly made to be identical to the originals.  Whoopsie doo!  Either way, it’s a fabulous gown and a rare and unique discovery which will look stunning on Stella.  More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM