Tag Archives: dress

SLEEK AND SHAPELY. A CUSTOM-TAILORED FIT AND FLARE FROCK, 1960’S

I just LOVE this dress with its big hem allowance, like the sundress from yesterday, vintage metal zip and beautiful color palette. The photo doesn’t do the fabric justice – tones are a bit darker and more vibrant in person. It’s a cotton twill with just enough heft to hang well. The dress fits me perfectly and the cut is very flattering. This photo makes it look as though something a little wonky is going on at the sides of the bodice, but that is not the case. The dress is seamed in a way to define the waist a bit and make the upper body fit more closely.

This combo of deep red, scarlet and turquoise is one of my favorites. The addition of orange, yellow and greenish accents make a really lovely color experience that almost seems to draw me into an interesting landscape or a Moroccan souk full of beautiful carpets, fruits and vegetables. It’s wonderful to discover handmade garments made in ways that follow the techniques of excellent construction. Can’t wait to try this one, in particular, on Stella. She always does justice to my fitted finds. Take a look at previous posts and see what I mean.

Tomorrow we’re in for fabulous fun with dress discovery #3. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND! 1960’S – ’70’S TRUE VINTAGE SUNDRESS

This is the first item I discovered on Wednesday. It’s not the best of the 3 dresses, but I love it and will start here. There’s no label, and only a manufacturer’s tag in the side seam. A budget-priced item, it was originally unlined but the previous owner put in a perfect lining adapted from a vintage lingerie slip. Now it’s not see-through in any way and hangs better. See what a little ingenuity can do?

The colors and chevron stripes were what caught my eye to begin with. The lightweight fabric, easy fit and pull-over style make it a perfect summer frock or swimsuit cover-up. I’ll get a lot of use out of this one. Stay tuned for the rest of the line-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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

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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE HANDMADE SPRING SHIRTWAIST DRESS FROM THE FORTIES OR FIFTIES

TRUE VINTAGE HANDMADE SPRING SHIRTWAIST DRESS FROM THE FORTIES OR FIFTIES

IMG_1301An iconic mid-century cotton shirtwaist dress that someone made at home, probably in a small town or on a farm.   EVERY WOMAN was wearing these at one time – like we wear jeans today.

If you’re able to zoom in, check out the buttons and the pocket flaps on the skirt.  It’s a very pretty pink plaid.  Just right for running out to the A & P, baking a pie or collecting eggs . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S PARTY DRESS – REMINDS ME OF GRACE KELLY

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S PARTY DRESS - REMINDS ME OF GRACE KELLY

This one was a FABulous surprise find!  I always have my eyes open and my antennae up, but this blew me away!

A sheer layer over plain liner, and fitted drop-waist hourglass shape – the colors are for Fall but work beautifully in Spring and Summer for someone with the right coloring.  It reminds me of a dress that Grace Kelly wore in the Alfred Hitchcock movie, Rear Window in 1954. Just a fabulous film – highly recommended.

The style is a bit different and the colors are, too.  The criss-cross neckline is something not usually seen.  I love it – it’s so fun to find unusual items.

Watch that old movie if you can.  It’s a great one and the clothing is wonderful.  I have at least one other dress that was, in fact, modeled on one of the frocks that Grace wore in Rear Window.  And, also, a dress modeled on the one that she wore to the opening of that movie.  It pays to have older friends who used to do a lot of sewing back in the day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

BEST TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SUNDAY, DINNER, PARTY, DATE, OCCASION JACKET DRESS