This is a modern or nearly-so version of a pretty 1950’s day dress and I just couldn’t say no to it! The fabric is lovely, the colors are so happy and the tailoring is great. Also, it looks really good on. What could be better?
Although true vintage is my real love, I’m thrilled to find a copy-cat that is this well-made and will be so fun to wear.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Puffed, very girly sleeves on a plain, black crepe dress that was a very common part of most women’s wardrobes. Almost everyone had a black crepe dress – often more than one and not just for evening wear. Crepe was such a frequently-used fabric that made even ho-hum garments drape beautifully and look fabulous!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Custom-tailored in a popular style of the mid-late Sixties, batik dyed silk tent dress that I like to wear belted. It also has a shawl made of the same material that completely transforms the look.
Wearing it un-belted is also a completely different look, but not my style. This cut can work for almost any figure, but really looks great on curvy Madge. That’s her edge over slender Stella, so they’re getting along fine .. . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Now that Stella’s on the modeling circuit, this dress can be displayed as it should be. Several years ago I found this beauty – wish the photos did it justice. Gorgeous atomic/abstract/art swirl fabric in glossy and soft rayon. All hand-tailored. FAB!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Imagine my surprise (this is always SO much fun!) – I came across a true vintage label, Lady Carol, but in one of their 1980’s incarnations, before the company was sold for good. I have one of their 1950’s/early 1960’s frocks, which I love, but had never run across any of their later items before. Classic ’40’s style, but with ’80’s fabric and tailoring – they got in on the retro trend of that decade.
There are several old companies that are still in business, but they are just “modern” manufacturers now making modern styles in a modern way – I don’t pay attention to what they are doing. In this case, a true vintage dress by a true vintage maker (now gone) doing a specific true vintage fashion trend (Forties retro) was worth picking up.
It’s a bit too big for Madge (and moi), but in a style that is easy to alter. Just another example of the truth that when you’re on a sleuthing mission, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
A perfect example of a frock from the mid-Sixties – the fabric and tailoring details give it away. It’s a larger size, meant to be belted, so may find it’s way to the tailor if I’m going to keep it. We’ll see.
The material is beautiful to see and feel. The dress is very well-made, so has remained in great condition over the years. I’ll have to examine it a little more carefully later on, to see if a maker’s label is hidden somewhere, but I do know that it was Union-made so we’ll go from there. Lots more finds to publish, so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This pretty raspberry-colored midi frock has nice details. Love the shoulder treatment that broadens without the heavy shoulder pads! The coat-style button front is different, too, and the belt that buckles in the back with a point in front (or back, as you wish) makes it easy for me to date it almost exactly.
I’ll enjoy wearing this one with its slim lines and adjustable front hem opening. Very versatile and, again, very vintage – New Wave did it pretty well. More on the way. . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This slinky-knit dress has that wonderful heavy feel that was lost years ago. AND, such a fun print – it’s not atomic or the usual geometric – one of those that you can’t figure out what they must be . . . . . . . .
It apparently didn’t have a belt to start with, but I’m going to put one on. Just a simple, everyday dress but oh so vintage!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Dark navy and white, with clear buttons all-the-way down the front. Almost a tea dress, but very North American. So smart not to spoil the print and pretty lines while still making it super-easy on and off. I really appreciate the good tailoring that could still be found on low- and mid-priced dresses in the Seventies and early Eighties.
Love the nipped-waist fit and cute pocket flaps at the hips. It’s a simple dress, but with so much FIT and figure-enhancing detail. It will be another go-to frock on hot days this summer. Soon we’ll be heading into Fall and even Holiday styles – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This one’s a sexy day dress with ruching at the waistline to give it a bit of curvy shape, while still staying very proper. Love the abstract atomic print in subtle shades that could go to work, or dinner, or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hand-tailored frocks are so much fun to discover because they always tell a story about the designer. This style is so versatile – I’ll enjoy it, too. More on the way . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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