Tag Archives: day dress

TRUE VINTAGE SUNNY SUMMER SUNDRESS FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

IMG_1370This dress looks so fabulous on Stella – it’s made in just her size.  I’ve shown lots of yellow dresses, but this is the dressiest and the oldest.

Alas, the labels are gone so I’m not sure of the fabric content – it looks like linen and acts like a rayon blend.  Just a hint of sheen and  a soft hand, but with body.

What I love most about this dress is all the beautiful detail.  The delicate straps are double and there is a little knot tied on the bodice where they attach.  There are little flowers attached all over, with faux pearl centers.  To finish up, the hem is decorated with floral embroidery.

It’s all so elegant and well-made, while not being too dressy to wear almost anywhere.  And, a simple fitted sheath style with back center zipper.  I suspect that it was hand-washable, so no big deal in the care department.  The best of all worlds!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

“NEW” FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – 1970’S HALTER SUNDRESS BY PARADE – NEW YORK

IMG_3475

This little beauty has such a wonderful fit, because it’s adjustable!  The neckline and waist closures are so unique – wrapping straps that hook like a belt, with several holes to choose from.  Never seen one like this before!

I just love discovering these interesting and unusual tailoring and design details.  In this example, it’s so ingenious yet so simple.  A bit confusing at first look, but makes perfect sense and works beautifully.

The fabric and the fit are ultra-flattering and so cool and carefree for summer.  It’s a high-quality construction by a well-known, if smallish, vintage clothing maker and in perfect condition.  Sweet!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND – 1960’s MOD PLUS SIZE SUMMER DRESS BY MYNETTE

img_2352

This is also a true vintage brand that I already own – so fun to find things by names that I know.  It’s a vintage 16, which was a plus size at that time, but still looks pretty cute on Stella.

Plain and everyday, but still worth picking up, to me.  All part of the vintage sleuthing craft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FLATTERING TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S SUMMER DRESS IN APRICOT

FLATTERING TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S SUMMER DRESS IN APRICOT

I love the styling of this frock, with its wasp waist, free hips, cap sleeves and delicate neckline that really enhance the figure.  Madge’s fuller measurements give it the right “va-voom” fit.  I also like the peek-a-boo effect of the white band below the waistline.

This was another “surprise find” – always the most fun!  Summer days and nights, here we come . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A COUPLE OF LATE ’40’S – EARLY ’50’S FUN SHIRTWAIST DRESSES IN SUNNY COLORS

A COUPLE OF LATE '50'S - EARLY '60'S FUN SHIRTWAIST DRESSES IN LEAD-INTO-FALL COLORS

I love the colors of these dresses – pink to lavender, with black and white.  Both in a similar shirtwaist style, below-the-knee length and made of a substantial cotton.  Perfect mid-century design.  Absolutely LOVE the collar shapes!

The dress on the left has little houses in a novelty print and some interesting tuck and piping details.  The fabric is a bit heavier, and I’d wear it into Fall.  The one on the right has cute pockets, ric-rac trim and a great plaid.  It really says “summer” and farmers’ markets, to me.  I took the sleeves off for a more flattering fit for me (and saved them, of course!) and wear it often.

Neither one has a label, but I doubt that they were made at home – especially not the left-hand one.  Just goes to show, that labels often go by the wayside. . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SLEEVELESS FROCK IN PRETTY YELLOW POLKA-DOT FABRIC

I’ve had such a run of finding 1960’s dresses lately!  But, I’m also finding items from decades before and it’s all so exciting.  This pretty summer frock is a dropped-waist style that adds a twist to what would otherwise be a plain, but very elegant, sheath.  This kind of casual elegance was so much a part of early-Sixties fashion.

The fabric I love because polka-dots and bright yellow are always so great for summer dresses.  It’s a synthetic with a nylon feel, but may be a blend.  Might have been custom-tailored, as so many true vintage dresses are, but it’s hard to say since the sewing skills our grandmothers had were so professional.  Labels can be missing for many reasons.

This one just makes me want to wear it to a carnival and go on all the rides while eating cotton candy and winning at least one Teddy Bear . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

CUTE TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER DAY FROCK – ANOTHER EARLY ’60’S FIND!

IMG_1506A flowery knit with a flouncy neckline – this dress was made in 1962.  Hemlines were still a bit longish then, and nipped waists were still “in”.

Oh, so much fun to be right back there at the exact time – perfect frock to wear to a picnic or to the carnival.  Rides weren’t so wild then that women had to worry about their skirts flying, like we would now.

The fabric is a little heavier, so probably no slip required – definitely a plus on a  hot day, though a cotton slip could even be a nice cooling layer against the synthetic material.  Always good to have at least one on hand, and the true vintage lingerie is always pretty and sweet.

Take me out to the ball game.  Take me out to the fair . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE MID-SIXTIES MOD SUMMER MINI-DRESS

IMG_1500This is the latest of my latest discoveries – the real deal from when mini-dresses were a “new” thing, and somewhat daring (not forgetting the 1920’s, of course).  It’s made of a nice synthetic fabric in a fine rib knit. Love the funky print and the sunny colors.

At first glance it looks like it could have been made yesterday, but it’s got fully built-in and substantial bra cups in front such as you see only in mid-century bathing suits and the occasional vintage dress.  In other words, it’s constructed like a brick house – no worries or straying straps.

That’s only one of the many things I adore about true vintage fashion – the superior construction which makes many items easy to wear because of thoughtful features that minimize the need for special undergarments – and saves us from wardrobe malfunctions!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER – A SAUCY LITTLE FIFTIES DRESS (AND THE LINGERIE SLIP I WEAR WITH IT!)

A SAUCY LITTLE FIFTIES DRESS (AND THE LINGERIE SLIP I WEAR!)

I just love this dress, with the big bow and button in front.  The colors are so sunny and really stand out!

It’s made of a heavy cotton that doesn’t show through, but I like to wear a comfy nylon slip underneath and this lovely orange one from the 1950’s just fits the bill.  I really like wearing lingerie that matches my outfit and the Fifties were famous for their bright undergarment colors (especially in slips).

With a fabric-covered belt it fits nicely and looks cute as well as lady-like. Just depends on which way you want to go . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ONE OF MY FAVORITE (I SAY THAT A LOT!) TRUE VINTAGE DRESSES FROM THE 1970’S, BY COS COB

ONE OF MY FAVORITE (I SAY THAT A LOT!) DRESSES FROM THE 1970'S, BY COS COB

I love wearing this dress and it’s special because it belonged to a family member.  Cos Cob was a well-known maker of women’s sportswear back in the day, similar to Bobbie Brooks, but I don’t think that the company was as old.

This dress is cotton in a wonderful print, with a long pointed collar and nice, easy shape.  Thank goodness it isn’t culottes, which were popular then.  They look convenient, but they’re really not.

A sleeveless shift is great for casual summer wear and always looks smart if you accessorize properly.  That’s the key to transforming most ensembles and women used to do that so well.  The Europeans, I must say, are better at it than Americans now.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM