Another of my absolutely fabulous finds – fit for a princess at a party or Prom. This one is a quintessential 1950s pouf dress by Frank Starr, (of California, I believe) in a floral print. He was a well-known designer at that time.
I’m always amazed at what I find, and this frock really turned the lights on! Organza over rayon or acetate, with a velvet-covered belt & the makers’ label on an inside seam.. In virtually perfect condition.
I can just see Elizabeth Taylor flouncing around in this in one of her movies, playing a young woman ready to go to a dance party. Imitations are made, but true vintage can’t be replaced and it’s priceless, in my opinion.
This example can hardly compete with the one shown yesterday, or the day before. They are all wonderful and uniquely original. We’ll step backwards in time just a little bit tomorrow. What’s coming up until then? You just never know . . . . . . . .
Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy
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,Zooming into Summer now, you may be looking around for outfits to wear this weekend, to a garden or patio party . .
A beautiful gown in a pastel floral print, perfect for a dance, dinner, theater event, etc. – anything a bit more formal that this week’s celebrations or events might throw at you.
This one has an empire waistline seam, a sheer layer of fabric over an opaque lining and a center back zipper. No slip necessary, though I do have a true vintage long crinoline underneath in this picture. I’ll show that to you later as it is very interesting, itself.
I’m not sure whether this dress was made in the ’60s or ’70s. I lean toward the ’60s, but it is a classic style with only one tag left inside that is not a definite answer to the question. But, the fabric just has a ’60s feel to it . . . . . . .
Anyway, it is lovely and radiates the feeling of cheerful, bright sunny days. This is the kind of thing that we all like to start wearing this time of year. If it were shortened (or maybe even if not) and without the crinoline it could be worn as a day dress, because of the simple style.
Look for things like this now. Lots of older women made a habit of cleaning out their closets in the Spring, and you just never know . . . . . . . . . .
Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy
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Back to my Australian find – I found the best photo and description of this gown and Stella shows it off properly. I gasped when I discovered it. It may even have been a wedding gown back in the Depression and World War days of the 1930’s and 1940’s when they were often simpler. But, I suppose they had the equivalent of “debutantes” in that society, too. The custom of showing off young, marriageable women “of good family background” was a widespread practice that still persists in some places.
Lots of clues: Since Australia is closer to Southern Asia than we are in North America, silk may have been a more popular fabric for better dresses than it was here. A friend of mine says that she remembers the wired necklines from the 1950’s. This dress was made for a VERY tiny person (even more so than Stella), so it could have been floor length on the original owner. Impossible to say for sure.
Anyway, it’s beautiful and unique with an interesting history. I’m glad to have it home where I can show you a better photograph. Fully lined, with covered buttons at the wrists and that collar with wiring all around the edges – it was quite a tailoring project for someone! It’s really one that makes me wonder what stories it can tell . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Count on the McCall’s magazine to come up with everything! – including patterns for hand-crocheted or knitted dresses for all the women in your wedding party. Unbelievable!!
Well, it would certainly have kept the cost down. Many women did make their wedding gowns and attendants’ dresses in the past, or have them made, but usually the designs weren’t so labor-intensive as something like this. Can you imagine, with everything else there is to do to prepare for a wedding?
So, that was life in the early 1950’s. A lot simpler in some ways, a lot more tedious in others – but we’ve lost most of the elegance along the way. We’ll keep stepping back in time with my latest finds . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
This is the ensemble that Stella was wearing when I met her and I’m glad she didn’t want to give it up. I’ll be showing some white satin 1940’s wedding pumps tomorrow. Although they didn’t come with this outfit, they’d be just perfect with it!
During wartime, this was a relatively modest choice for her wedding and the bride probably had this suit custom-tailored. Naturally, it has many of the 1940’s styling details which were popular then – shoulder pads, nipped peplum waist, a handkerchief hem and a rare coil metal zipper in the skirt.
Also, some of the favorite classic features of a wedding gown are also present – rows of tiny, covered buttons and medieval-style points on the sleeve hems. The fabric is a substantial brocade/jacquard floral – not a high-end textile, but nice. Clearly, this wedding took place in a formal setting.
I wonder about her hair . . . . bridesmaids? Wouldn’t it be fun to go back as a guest? . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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