Tag Archives: dress

EARLY 1960’S SPECIAL OCCASION FORMAL DRESS

It’s rare to find these true old ones in great condition anymore. 20 years ago they were coming out of the closet when the former debs and prom queens were moving house or retiring. Now anything that looks like this on the surface was probably made in China yesterday.

However, when you look a little more closely at a true vintage gown you’ll see the careful construction and quality materials that these older garments were made from. Even those that aren’t top-of-the-line are still distinguished and built to last!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

CUSTOM-TAILORED 1980’S REPRO OF A POST-WAR CLASSIC GOWN

A beautiful 1940’s cocktail-style dress constructed to professional standards. Who knows if it was made for a gala event, theater production or just for the love of couture. Whoever did so had marvelous skills as a dressmaker.

Although it looks best on a more voluptuous figure than Stella’s, she shows off the stylistic elements better than my models Madge and Giselle. Extended, padded shoulders, trim waist, full skirt and a wide sash are each iconic elements of late 1940’s fashions designed after the rationing of fabric was ended. Hemlines fell again and glamorous elements reappeared. It was a fabulous time for fashion and was championed from Paris by Christian Dior.

Like Stella, my figure doesn’t do it justice so it will be among the archives on offer in about 3 weeks.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PRETTY EARLY 1960’S DAY DRESS

Here’s one of the loveliest examples of a Kennedy-era day dress I’ve found. The special characteristics that stand out here are the bubbly, happy print and the “whipped cream” texture of the synthetic fabric. They’re features identified with those few years surrounding John’s and Jackie’s “Camelot” and not often done as well since then. Women’s clothing between about 1955 and 1965 combined the elements of feminine style and fun in really wonderful ways.

Although the fabric is a type of polyester or poly blend, the light weight and the fit of the dress make this a cool summer confection. It really makes me think of some kind of dessert. Although I’ve loved the frock for years, the fit never loved me and I couldn’t bear to re-style it. Its a real Marilyn Monroe piece that looks it’s best on a voluptuous figure.

So, I’m happy to let it go to someone who can allow it to fulfill it’s mission. More to come . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

EARLY 1960’S TAILORED DAY DRESS

EARLY 1960’S TAILORED DAY DRESS

Another WOW find, with some mysterious features. The fabric, styling, and tailoring all point to a true vintage heritage, BUT it looked a little too good to be true. This dress is in near mint condition and the long metal zip is on the right side (!?) – not the usual placement during the 1960’s time period. Also, the finishing reflected a commercial product but I didn’t see a label (found it later!). Almost made me wonder if this could be a well-done repro or custom-tailored retro garment but still, that didn’t seem right.

When I tried the dress on, the label appeared (it is vintage) tucked low inside the front bodice. This, of course, made the research much easier, though I’ve been able to find very little information about the company. Here is what I do know:

GLASS Original New York made dresses in the 1960’s and, maybe, into the 1970’s though I’ve seen a picture of only one other example and it looked more ’60’s to me than ’70’s. The tailoring was evidently exceptional, which is consistent with this frock. Construction includes wide hem allowances, very secure stitching, beautifully-done detailing and styling and excellent quality fabric and notions. The only thing I would add to enhance the fit on me personally would be little strap holders inside the neckline on each side. For someone with broader shoulders than mine (more average), that wouldn’t be needed so the fit and tailoring is still quite correct for the general market since the dress is just a tad too large for me.

Interesting feature: The side zip enhances the hourglass fit of the dress and is sewn in with a covering overlap that faces from back to front, rather than front to back (which I would expect). As I looked more closely, I can see why the the designers probably did it this way – the zip is more hidden than it would be if the flap closed in the other direction! That’s a big surprise and demonstrates the very careful and knowledgeable tailoring involved. This choice no doubt had to do with how the cut and the weight of the fabric affected the way the dress would hang. Most clothing companies don’t take this amount of care.

A below-the-knee hemline and sexy fit place this piece squarely in the Kennedy era late 1950’s – early 1960’s. I’m so thrilled to have found it and learned something about this dressmaker. I’m also sure that the fun isn’t over so, stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SUPER-CLASSIC ELEGANT 1960’S FIND: THE ICONIC A-LINE SHEATH

SUPER-CLASSIC ELEGANT 1960’S FIND: THE ICONIC A-LINE SHEATH

This one is definitely a keeper! The photograph can’t do this dress justice (yes, I really do miss my modeling team) but you, vintage fashion enthusiasts, have the imagination to see it for what is truly is. I’m showing it here with a recently-discovered chain belt which is a perfect accessory in the Sixties style.

A garment such as this one never goes out of fashion. The original owner knew this since she had it tailored or made it herself from excellent quality fabric in a beige tan shantung weave. It has been worn, but is in wonderful shape with no flaws found and a sturdy metal zipper. The icing on the cake, of course: it fits me.

No huge fireworks display or parade with floats and bands, but continued finds like this one make regular undercover sleuthing adventures well worth my time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – 1970’S HOUSEDRESS: HOME-SEWN CHRISTMAS FROCK?

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – 1970’S HOUSEDRESS: HOME-SEWN CHRISTMAS FROCK?

During my most recent investigatory episode, this garment is the first that I spied. Aside from the lace trim and piecing on the bodice, there’s nothing remarkable here – no pockets, extra trim or embroidery and the tailoring isn’t exceptional. However, I did zoom in on the fabric. Looks like a heavy woven cotton in a red, green and black plaid. Hmm . . . . . . . . what was in this seamstress’s mind? Holiday cheer? Little House on the Prairie, the winter months? In virtually original condition, it was worth picking up.

So, I got it home and tried it on. It looked very small, but fits me to a T! You’ll see later how good it may look on Stella. (I really miss my assistants when working at satellite locations.) It’s doubtful I’ll keep it in the long run, but it does have it’s own story to tell. More to come. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SEXY, SHEER ’30’S – ’40’S RETRO FROCK BY VINTAGE STORIES OF LONDON

I’d been thinking of finding something light that would be good summer sleepwear for hot and sticky weather; so that was what was on my mind when I spotted this fabric. I took a good look and said “Oh, my goodness!” Even hanging in my hands, I could see what a good pedigree this style has and, when I was able to try it on at home, OMG!!! Can’t wait to photograph it on Stella. I’m really hoping to find the right slip and to be invited to a New Year’s party.

It fits me like a glove and is so flattering with an hourglass cut, elbow-length sleeves and knee-length hem plus a deep V-neckline. The soft, pretty lace and excellent construction don’t hurt, either. It even has a side zipper. Obviously, this company takes their design and quality seriously.

So, I did a little research about the maker and discovered that Vintage Stories opened in 2017 in London, England with styles inspired by famous people in past decades. I know little more than this about them and am not sure if they are still producing items or exactly where they are sold. Each garment is said to have a story behind it, so I wonder what the story is here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM