Tag Archives: dress

1950’S TRUE VINTAGE SLINKY POLY(?) SYNTHETIC DAY DRESS

1950'S TRUE VINTAGE SLINKY POLY(?) SYNTHETIC DAY DRESS

The dresses made of this smooth, drapey, slinky synthetic (probably polyester) material were all over in the mid-to late ’50’s. The styles were usually very much the same, with a covered belt (this one doesn’t match the original), a side zipper and short sleeves.

I’ve got many versions of this. This one looks pretty plain but, on the right figure, VAVOOM! I guess that’s the way with anything if it fits right, but this fabric is one of those that just swings and sways with you and follows the body nicely. They knew how to do that in the ’30’s and ’40’s, too.

Madge shows it off nicely. This one is by a company called Tiffany.

These dresses are never lined excepting, perhaps, around the neckline. They’re usually in some kind of abstract or stylized print – sometimes in very bright colors, and generally have a plain neckline.

This is a good example of an average style that, when it is well cut and fitted on the right body, looks great! True vintage garments usually do because they have the expert construction and design that makes clothing very flattering and elegant.

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

WONDERFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1930’S – EARLY 1940’S DAY DRESS

WONDERFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1930'S – EARLY 1940'S DAY DRESS.

WONDERFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1930’S – EARLY 1940’S DAY DRESS

WONDERFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1930'S - EARLY 1940'S DAY DRESS

For those of you who have been watching since last winter, you may have seen this dress before. BUT, the photo I had with me then didn’t do it justice. Now that I have Madge, I wanted to publish another one.

This frock was a rare find! For one thing, its age and superb condition makes it remarkable and it has such wonderful details.

The fabric is unusual. It may be a 100% cotton, as we might expect from the look of it, but it doesn’t feel that way. I’m not sure if that is age (though it’s in very good shape) or if it is another material or a blend. I’d love to have a laboratory where I could analyze the content of fabrics because it’s a fascinating question.

Another thing I love are the buttons. I believe that they are real mother of pearl, rather than pearlized plastic. Some of them are broken because they are a perforated design and somewhat delicate, but at least half of them are fine.

The slide-through buckle was missing (I could tell that was the type of buckle it was because of how the belt is made) so I added a vintage mother of pearl one that I already had and it’s perfect.

It’s another Bonnie Parker dress (remember – Bonnie and Clyde) and so much fun to have discovered it! Lots of imagination in this one – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . ..

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S DEBUTANTE GOWN

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S DEBUTANTE GOWN.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S DEBUTANTE GOWN

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S DEBUTANTE GOWN

This lovely little frock might have been worn by some young lady at a recital, coming-out party or first formal occasion. I say that because it is small and very demure.

The only decoration are two petite bows at the waistline in back, next to the metal zipper. I suspect that it was specially made for her by a tailor. If commercially-made, it came from a small, exclusive shop.

The dress is a very pale beige taffeta, with lace overlay on the bodice. Moderate scoop neck front and back. Ruched cummerbund waistband,semi-full skirt with attached netting crinoline.

Very proper and very lovely. I actually found another one alongside it, possibly of the same owner. It has a bit more dramatic decoration, but is very much the same and from the same era.

Can you imagine needing a dress like this every year, or maybe more than one! Did her family move in an upper-class social circle, or was she just a creature of time and place who was required to dress up like this for certain occasions that she attended?

That’s what I love about these adventures – you just never know … ……. …. . .. . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A VERY EVERYDAY DRESS FROM THE 1940’S OR EARLY ’50S

A VERY EVERYDAY DRESS FROM THE 1940'S OR EARLY '50S.

A VERY EVERYDAY DRESS FROM THE 1940’S OR EARLY ’50S

A VERY EVERYDAY DRESS FROM THE 1940'S OR EARLY '50S

This one might seem prim and unexciting by our standards today, but it was very normal everyday wear for women 60 or 70 years ago.

If you look at it in an unprejudiced way, it is really quite flattering and comfortable-looking. Let me tell you – the slinky synthetic poly or whatever fabric is like wearing your nightgown all day long!

These little prints were very popular on everyday dresses back in the day. They were almost as common and neutral as a solid color.

A homemaker could wear this, or a “career girl” – it would look appropriate on almost anyone almost anywhere. It was one of those no-fail outfits that you always want to have at least one of in your closet in case you suddenly have to go to a dicey appointment, or meet a scary person or blend in without being noticeable.

Do you have one or two? Because, you just never know .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY ’60’S SHEER SUMMER DAY-DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – EARLY '60'S SHEER SUMMER DAY-DRESS.

MORE TRUE VINTAGE FUN FROM THE 1940’S – A CUTE LITTLE FROCK FOR DAYTIME

MORE TRUE VINTAGE FUN FROM THE 1940'S – A CUTE LITTLE FROCK FOR DAYTIME.

MORE TRUE VINTAGE FUN FROM THE 1940’S – A CUTE LITTLE FROCK FOR DAYTIME

MORE TRUE VINTAGE FUN FROM THE 1940'S - A CUTE LITTLE FROCK FOR DAYTIME

This one is just pure smiles, to me. It’s only an everyday dress, but so cute!

Love those pockets and all the little details. And also, so well-made. This is not a fine garment, but it’s a sturdy one!

I expect that this dress was worn during the war years. No shoulder pads, but it’s got a kind of no-nonsense way about it, as did a lot of the clothing during rationing. This is something that Rosie the Riveter might have worn at home.

Many looked similar later on and even into the ’50’s, but they tended to be a bit more feminine and “designed” after the war was over.

I’m no university-trained costumer, but I think I’m right. Undercover investigators learn on the job and I’ve trained in the field – hunting down the elusive cloak (no daggers, yet, but you just never know) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com