Tag Archives: dress

KENNEDY-ERA SHEATH DINNER DRESS IN FABULOUS CONDITION

A gold rayon satin sheath, perfect for cocktails and dinner out in 1960. The over-dress with high slits and frog decoration is very much a style of that time. The white embroidered design is a little showy, but understated fashion wasn’t a big thing then. However, this dress still manages to be elegant.

Sadly, there is no label remaining and I doubt that it was home-sewn. Could have been custom-tailored by an expert dressmaker, which was a favorite thing to have done back then. Of course, I miss my mannequin models big-time when showing off this frock. A fitted sheath looks best on hourglass figures and was really cut to fit that way when it was new.

I’m discovering things from the late ’50’s and early ’60’s a little more often in the last year or two and it’s obviously a sign of the times. Not sure how many 80- and 90-year-olds might still be hanging on to a favorite Mod designer outfit. I guess I’ll find out later, but we’re still going in that direction tomorrow. Hang on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEWEST FIND! MID-CENTURY COTTON GRANNY DRESS

Ooh, groovy mama! I love these – from a small-ish label in California this hippie boho dress from the late 1960’s or early ’70’s is a pure sign of those times. 100% cotton, with flounces and smocking. To be worn barefoot or with army boots.

I’ll have a lot of fun with this one. Wonder what’s next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

CUTE LITTLE APPLE PRINT ON A 1930’S – 1940’S RAYON DAY DRESS

It was the height of my happy dance when I spied this lovely! Almost-perfect condition (just a little hole mend in an inconspicuous area and missing belt) and from my favorite decade(s). Sorry that the pic is a bit out of focus – the apple print is very sweet.

A simple v-neckline with a fabric string tie. Seam at the waist, belt loops and gentle shaping, midi-length. With the black rayon background, the belt will be very easy to replace. Perfect for everyday.

Tomorrow, we’ll be traveling up toward modern time (as late as the early 1970’s). Keep watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG; MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A PRETTY LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE COTTON DAY – FROCK

Of exactly the same era (late ’50’s early 1960’s) as the party dress shown yesterday, this comfortable but flirty day-dress is a fabulous find. All it needs is a little bit of color refreshment and one small re-stitching on a seam. Then, off to the State Fair!

Boy, I really miss Stella (my vintage size 10 mannequin – modern size 2) when traveling because she and Giselle (size 4) and Madge (size 6) really put life into my discoveries on camera. However, never fear – when I do return to Headquarters you will again see these lovely garments properly displayed.

Tomorrow, the dress which is probably the star of this trunk show. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

I’M STILL IN THE PINK WITH THIS FUN PARTY FROCK

This little number would be from the early 1960’s. Someone loved it very much as it’s clean and in wonderful condition, with only a little evidence of some dancing wear on the skirt. I confess, I did (very easily) remove an old spilled drink stain from the bodice so I know this dress has a history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It’s increasingly rare to find examples like this one, which is obviously from an estate. I’m grateful that many women who built their wardrobes in the mid-century 1940’s to 1960’s saved their favorites in the back of a closet for decades. When circumstances finally cause a clean-out of their homes these treasures are uncovered, for me to find!

And, this is only the beginning. There are more to come so, stay tuned . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE FINDS – TRUE VINTAGE HOME-SEWN HOUSE DRESS 3 WAYS

I’ve seen many classic house dresses like this one in the rural mid-west. I’ll bet the woman who made it had sewn lots of them for herself over the years. It’s got decorative vintage buttons and a waist seam, but no pockets.

And, it’s a BIG size – the sleeveless style turns into cap sleeves – much too big for size 2 Stella, but look what happens with the addition of a belt. Belt around the waist seam at the hip level and it’s a 1920’s day dress. Cinch the waistline and it’s stylish in the 1940’s and 1950’s. So much can be done with a classic design. Leave it to those farm women to make the most cool and comfortable frocks for daily household chores, with a quick shopping trip into town thrown in.

Next, we’ll look at a dress for a city gal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

VINTAGE HOME-TAILORED COTTON SWING DRESS

Can’t say exactly when this dress was made – definitely 1970’s/’80’s or before – but isn’t it cute! Again, it’s too big for me but will be an easy alteration because of the style and construction. LOVE the print and colors and the swing design. I’ve added this bright red belt for fun but it would look just as nice with a navy belt, which would be much more subtle.

Can’t wait for next summer!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1980’S DOES 1940’S VELVET EVENING GOWN

Beautiful acetate/rayon velvet fabric and a gorgeous sweetheart neckline with pretty drop shoulders. Love this style! Also, it has nice tailoring as in the dress I showed yesterday. Whereas the shirtwaist from yesterday is WAY too big for me and will be sold, this dress will be simple to make a little smaller if I wish. We’ll see – it might end up on the eBay block, also, depending on what I think when standing in front of the mirror.

The only style element that I don’t like since it seems a little over-the-top is the thigh-high front slit. Fortunately, that should also be easy to change. Though you know that I always prefer a garment that is from the same decade as it’s style, rather than a re-make, I’m willing to pick up well-done pieces from the 1980’s and 1990’s. So, stay tuned. More to come . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FINDS – 1980’S DOES 1940’S

Nicely-done reproduction of a wartime 1940’s shirt dress. The fabric has a nice hand and finish. Plus, there are attractive tailoring details such as a hook and eye at the waistline and 1″ hem allowance.

I came across two more repro dresses that were worth picking up during my recent travels and will post them for you soon . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

AN ICONIC TAILORING CLUE ON THIS DRESS PUTS THE DATE IN QUESTION . . . . . . .

At first look I would immediately say that this dress is of the same era as the previous one shown yesterday. Well, almost . . . . . . . . . . .BUT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The raglan sleeves have gussets sewn in the underarms. This is a feature usually seen in 1950’s dresses and earlier. So, this little number may be a bit older. It’s also very well-made with a beautiful shantung fabric, made of rayon rather than the more common silk shantung. The bolero jacket is very practical and pretty.

I could have these dresses altered to fit me but, since I have others very similar, they’ve gone on to eBay. The find was the fun this time. One more to go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM