Tag Archives: day dress

CUTE CUSTOM-TAILORED DAY DRESS WITH MATCHING SCARF – TRUE VINTAGE FOR SPRING, SUMMER OR EARLY FALL

IMG_1671 IMG_1665This frock is another of Rosalie’s creations.  (The mother of a dear friend and a fantastic seamstress).  A simple design made interesting with inverted pleats on the bodice and skirt. She was such an exceptional tailor! The fabric is a textured type that was very popular in the mid to late ’60’s which resembles burlap or “hop sacking”.

I have added the chain belt, though the dress was intended to hang straight and falls nicely without it.  The scarf is another addition – also Rosalie’s, but it was commercially made.  Since the colors blend so nicely and both are from the mid-sixties Mod era, they are really good together.  This is a good example of how accessories can transform an outfit.

So, here’s an everyday ensemble from 50 years ago that’s so easy to wear and has a different “twist” that makes it absolutely unique today!  Even though it’s not pop-your-eyes-out vintage, people will see it and say “hmmmmm. . . . . . . . . . . . . .?”

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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VERY CUTE! TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S SPRING DAY DRESS

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SWEET LITTLE BIAS-CUT FROCK WITH A SWING AND SWAY HEMLINE.

This dress is so simple, but there are very interesting and attractive details – true to its mid-century era.  The bow at the neckline and little covered buttons are precious.  The fabric, also, is lovely.  It feels like rayon and has a weave that makes it look like shantung – very smart for such a plain dress, but – that’s true vintage – they put really nice details on even the most everyday off-the-rack garments.

Although this style would be very easy to home-sew, the dress was commercially made.  A tag inside says it’s a vintage plus size 18 1/2, believe it or not.  Equivalent to a size 6 or 8 today.  Size 4 me can even wear it with a belt, though I might want to pad my bra a bit . . . . . .. .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE SHEER SHIRT-DRESS FOR SPRING FROM THE 1950s

TRUE VINTAGE SHEER SHIRT-DRESS FOR SPRING FROM THE 1950s

In the 1950s, this style of shirt-dress in a very sheer printed material was popular.  I have found several of them here and there.  Although the photo doesn’t do it justice, it’s one of my favorites.  The fabric drapes really well and is very flattering.  Bits of pink in the print help it to go with my skin-tone.

Usually, dresses of this type were belted and, of course, would be worn over a slip. Imagine this one with a lovely true vintage nylon slip underneath (but not a fussy slip). and a covered buckle belt or tie belt. . . . . . . . . . .your skirt swaying in the breeze as you walk down main street on your shopping errands for the day.  A pretty little ’50s bag and peep-toe sling-back sandals might be nice.  Or, you can mix it up.  I love a full-on vintage look, especially with dresses, but mixing decades is also fun.

Vintage accessories with modern clothing really works for me sometimes. I find the mixing easy with casual looks. The great thing about many true vintage items is that their styles are very classic and elegant. Therefore, if you do go 100% true vintage in an outfit that is very elegant, it won’t look overdone or too much like a movie set. Be careful not to over-do things like jewelry or hat and gloves unless you want to aim for the kitchie look.  That’s fun, too.  And, to me, fun is what it’s all about.

I love the elements of history, mystery, style and aesthetics and recycling – but it’s all fun to me!  Everyone loves a treasure hunt, because you just never know . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER “NEW” SPRING DRESS – ’80’S DOES ’40’S FLORAL SHIRTWAIST

ANOTHER SURPRISE FIND! TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S/’50’S DRESS WITH THE TAGS STILL ON!!

ANOTHER SURPRISE FIND! TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S/’50’S DRESS WITH THE TAGS STILL ON!!

ANOTHER SURPRISE FIND! TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S/'50'S DRESS WITH THE TAGS STILL ON!!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE surprises like this!! A polished cotton Spring shirtwaist frock from back in the day that’s new to me!

This dress would have been sold in a hometown store or a department store – it was a budget to mid-priced item – but the quality of workmanship would beat most of what is sold today.  That’s not even to consider the fabric – it’s really superior and you won’t find anything like that now!

It was just an everyday day-dress to Rosie the Riveter or Lucy Ricardo, but I think it’s cute with a lot of attitude today. That’s what it’s all about.  Madge thinks it’s pretty swell . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A CLASSIC CASUAL DAY-DRESS FROM MID-CENTURY

A CLASSIC CASUAL DAY-DRESS FROM MID-CENTURY

In a pretty blue & white print cotton or cotton blend knit, this dress has classic fit and style characteristics i.e. cap sleeves & a keyhole neckline.  It falls to mid-calf.

This one will take you into Spring and right on into Summer.  There is no identifying info inside and I’m placing it 1950 – 1970.  I have seen others similar from those times.

With such an attractive silhouette and pretty fabric, I’m not going to nit-pick.  Sometimes the clue trail is tantalizingly inconclusive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A PRETTY LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE DRESS FOR WARM WEATHER – 1950’S SHEER!

MY FAVORITE (FOR NOW) 1940’S RAYON DAY DRESS

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A super-startling surprise find!  Beautiful 1940’s fabric, perfect condition and just my size.  Fun floral for spring and my favorite dark, dark navy in the background.  These rare and interesting flaps that fall from the waist at both hips are a style feature I’d never seen before finding this beauty.  They were a common sight on many 1940’s dresses.

It’s a simple, easy pullover style that falls just right because of the cut, the fabulous rayon drape and the shoulder pads.  I think I’ll be wearing this one for at least the next 40 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PLANNING SOME SPRING CLEANING THIS WEEKEND? DO IT IN TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S STYLE . . . . . . . . . ..

PLANNING SOME SPRING CLEANING THIS WEEKEND? DO IT 1940'S STYLE . . . . . . . . . ..

Some of you may remember that I have several day dresses made in this wrap style, but this one is distinctive.   It was made by (or modeled after one made by) a clothing company in the 1940’s which  sold this style as a house dress.  I have seen a re-print of their newspaper or magazine ad.

Nothing could be simpler or more comfy than this design.  It is practical (see the big pockets) and easy for bending and stretching into those dusty corners and down to those dirty floors.  If you don’t get too dirty, it looks nice enough to make a quick run to the market in.

This was a practical Mother’s Little Helper (before Mrs. Robinson changed the tune on that one completely) and was sold as such.  Who would have known . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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