The perfect casual circle skirt for summer! Cotton candy colors, ruffles and beads. Someone made this for fun the the 1950’s or 1960’s. I’ll do it justice next summer!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Tag Archives: custom tailored
TRUE VINTAGE MARILYN MONROE WANNABE RECREATED THIS ICONIC DRESS
Just found this mid-century custom-tailored frock that is modeled after Marilyn’s famous costume in the 1954 movie The Seven Year Itch. Although it’s a bit too sweet, made of cotton poplin flocked with cotton candy pink and green, the style is close to the original.
Some gal got carried away by that sidewalk scene above the subway grate. It’s always fun to find something that tells a story, like this.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
JUST FOUND – SOME PRETTY CUSTOM-TAILORED 1960’s DRESSES
Yes, I’m back at Headquarters now – unpacking and taking care of business. Although these finds are out-of-season right now, despite the heat, I like to show brand-new discoveries ASAP.
What makes these worthy of my closet? The styles are simple, but the vintage fabrics are REALLY NICE. Also, the hand-done tailoring touches, like a full lining, well-cut facings and hem allowances make them special garments.
I always pick up pieces of exceptional quality. They are rare treasure, not seen in the marketplace today. Stay tuned for more . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
A TRUE VINTAGE DO-IT-YOURSELF WARDROBE PLAN FOR YOUR 1956 OCEAN CRUISE
Can you imagine?! You’re planning to set sail in a few weeks. Why not spend that time knitting and crocheting your entire wardrobe for the trip? Sound like a good idea? Think of the money you’ll save! Imagine the compliments and envious looks when other women see your gorgeous, custom-made outfits. Just pull out the instructions in your latest issue of the McCall’s needlework magazine.
Such ambition those mid-century women had! My pillbox is off to them . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
ANOTHER MID-CENTURY FLOWER-POWER FROCK – FROM PARIS!
GIRLY, GIRLY, GIRLY FLORAL DRESS FROM ABOUT 1970
See the similarities to the dress shown yesterday, from Canada? Yes, the siren call of Fashion was making slaves of us all on both sides of the Atlantic. All over the world, women who were able to follow the latest trends were rushing to wear this 1940’s retro style. Even though Paris was slow to be corrupted, it happened.
The thought of it kind of ruins your day, doesn’t it? Well, thankfully we’ve now reached the era when we can wear whatever suits our fancy without worrying about whether we’re up-to-date. Because, if we develop our own unique, personal look, we will be very fashionable (and who cares, anyway)!
This dress was probably custom-tailored, too. We’re still in polyester (of course), but not in a knit. This is a woven fabric with a much lighter hand and a woven-in stripe for texture and eye appeal. Same prim collar, fussy trim, puffed sleeve, nipped waist and swing skirt. It’s also a little more sophisticated than yesterday’s frock – less of a rockabilly feel.
Still not haute couture, by any means. And, like all the “newer” garments, it carries the stamp of international trends and fabrics that take away from it’s Parisian roots. That’s one reason that I always prefer clothing from the early 1960’s and before. But, if you have to go with something made later, why not choose something from Paris? Tomorrow, we’re off to Ireland . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
TRUE VINTAGE SEVENTIES DOES FORTIES FLORAL DAY DRESS
EARLY 1970’S RETRO-STYLE SHIRTWAIST DRESS
I’m dodging out of Paris and into Canada for one day because of today’s find. In my favorite brown and blue combo, a custom-tailored poly frock from the early 1970’s that rocks the 1940’s vibe.
I’m impressed with how well the tailor set these ruffles on the collar and sleeves. It testifies to some expertise. i’m not so much into ruffles, personally, but I adore swing skirts!
A simple dress but definitely from that time about 1973 when lots of cutesy ’40’s style elements were coming out in popular clothing. I so love being able to date a garment very closely like this. That makes it extra special. It’s a perfect fit for Giselle, too. We’ll go back to Paris in the same time-frame tomorrow . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
CASUAL TRUE VINTAGE DAY-DRESS FROM PARIS, FRANCE
A PRACTICAL BUT CUTE MID-CENTURY COTTON FROCK FOR MAKING THE DAILY RUN TO THE MARKET . .. . . . . . . . .
In the same color(?) palette as yesterday’s dress, this one seems more down-to-earth but still has important elements of style. It was probably custom-tailored, too. The buttons are clear plastic with a Deco design. Like the other it needs a belt, but that’s not a big challenge.
Although knock-your-socks-off styles and fabrics send me over the moon, I never pass up a simple true vintage frock that is well-made. The material, notions and tailoring are always interesting. Plus, they usually look really good on, because the cuts tend to be so superior.
Giselle is feeling right at home and we’ll be getting a bit more exotic tomorrow . . … . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
EARLY MID-CENTURY DAY-DRESS OR HOUSE-DRESS FROM PARIS
LOOSE SHEATH IN CUSTOM-TAILORED SILK
I absolutely love this! The seamstress was almost finished with it, only needing to remove some basting stitches and do a little final finishing. It has loops for a belt, and there’s no way to tell if one ever existed. After a final fitting, I’ll see if and where some extra fabric exists that could make one.
Love the collar, and the pocket trim – the whole vintage styling. It will be very attractive and comfortable to wear. With the right finishing, it could be a day-dress or a simple house-dress. And it’s French! From Paris!! What more could I ask . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
HAND-MADE SWEATERS FROM THE 1950’S
Beautiful sweaters to make yourself – I’d love to have lots of things like this in my wardrobe (I do have some cardigans that are hand-done). Pictured in the McCall’s Needlework Fall-Winter edition of 1956 – 1957. This year it’s been so cool that we could sometimes wear them now!
Nothing beats hand-made clothing, done by an expert. At one time, even middle-income women had this luxury because so many of them were very skilled seamstresses and tailors. It was economical to make your own wardrobe and even hiring someone to custom-tailor for you was not out of the question, at least once or twice a year.
The beauty of finding true vintage clothing is that much of it is hand done. . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S DAY DRESS
This dress was custom tailored at home, I’m sure – though some simple items like this were commercially made then, too. Many women who wore these day – in and day – out as house dresses and for working were accomplished seamstresses and made most all of the family’s clothing.
I love the pretty plaid cotton here, and the cute sculpted buttons at the neck and the pocket flaps. Since the original belt was missing, I made a tie belt by taking a couple of inches off the hem, which was mid-calf length. Easy.
Probably, this one belonged to a woman who farmed – and I imagine that a small blue stain on the skirt happened when she made a blueberry pie. So many of these pieces tell a story, and you just never know . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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