Tag Archives: dress

I’M IN A BLUE MOOD IN TRUE VINTAGE HEAVEN – MORE PRETTY SHIRTWAIST DRESSES

IMG_0984 IMG_0983     I LOVE shirtwaist dresses!  Madge shows these off very well because they don’t have side closures.  The first one here is a mid-century piece with a matching fabric-covered belt.  Both are day-dresses but this one is prettier and more dainty.

The second is an ’80’s does ’40’s style.  Not the original belt on that one – so I’ll find another or make one with fabric from the hem, if I decide to shorten it.  It’s a sportier style, but can be dressed up, too.

I also love the Blues, and there are more to come . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

NOW FOR THE TRUE VINTAGE LATE SUMMER PARTY DRESSES AND FALL FROCKS TO HAND-KNIT

IMG_1028 IMG_1043From the early 1960’s, frocks just perfect for weddings, parties or just being pretty.  Like my others, these patterns come from a McCalls Needlework Magazine of that era.

IMG_1025This was the type of project our grandmothers might have busied themselves with over the  early winter months.  I know that my friend who gave me these did!

Women who loved to knit, crochet and sew looked forward to the new patterns just like  women look forward to fashion magazines and runway shows now.

Simple pleasures, but stunningly pretty and very true vintage . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SILK DRESS & 1950’S SHEER BLOUSES WITH PRETTY SKIRTS & LINGERIE SLIPS

IMG_0993 IMG_0994Really pretty outfits, a dress and skirts/blouses.  I have combined more modern vintage skirts with sheer true vintage 1950’s blouses.  The pink leather peep-toe slingback pumps are ’80’s or early ’90’s does ’40’s – Nina brand. (’90’s – I have a hard time calling that “vintage” , though some people do) since I love the old classics much more.  The slips are true vintage and the silk dress is authentic 1940’s or 1930’s, too.IMG_0995FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

LATEST FIND – A LOVELY LACE BEADED DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1960’S . . . . . . .

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About 4 – 5 sizes too big for Stella, but it has to be shown on a model because of the swishy skirt and the way it drapes.  Lace overlay was very popular in the Kennedy era and much more nicely-done than the cheap versions we’ve seen lately.  The fabric is glossy substantial, and there are pearl bead accents sewn all over.

Another great part of the design is the way that the back swoops toward the waist.  So, it’s not a drop-your-champagne-glass-when-you-see-it type of frock but it’s a lovely, classicaly-tailored garment that was worth collecting (and a design that is easy to alter!). .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE 1930’S – 1940’S SLEEVES FROM A DAY-DRESS

Puffed, very girly sleeves on a plain, black crepe dress that was a very common part of most women’s wardrobes.  Almost everyone had a black crepe dress – often more than one and not just for evening wear.  Crepe was such a frequently-used fabric that made even ho-hum garments drape beautifully and look fabulous!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

LOVE IT! CUTE TAILORED 2 PIECE DRESS FROM THE SIXTIES – SEVENTIES

Lovely late-mid-century tailoring.  Picture this dress on a shorter model – it’s not supposed to be midriff-baring.  I love this nautical flair in dark navy and white, with asymetrical back and side buttons on the top.  Such an unusual design!

It’s cute and sassy while also being elegant.  That’s the best type of vintage design in smart casual wear.  They used to do it so well . . . . . . . . . . . .

I was super-happy to encounter this set.  Unusual pieces always give me a thrill.  So, wait till you see what I discovered next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER FUN MID-CENTURY FIND

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This maxi dress from the ’60’s to ’70’s is a popular style of that time.  In this case, the Hostess Gown has elements of the Asian Cheongsam style dress that is classic and very flattering.  A Mandarin collar, frog closures, a shadow design of fans and flowers and walking slits in the hem hold true to traditional Asian dress design.

In this case, the dress is handmade and has a vintage Talon zipper.  Although it may have been made in some U.S. woman’s home rather than a Chinese tailor’s, the mid-century handiwork of that time adds to the value of a dress made then.  So, another garment a bit large for me, but worth collecting.  Things tend to get more exciting from here on, so –

Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A LITTLE MORE “FALL-ISH” LOOKING – TRUE VINTAGE “TONI TODD” DRESS FROM THE SIXTIES

IMG_0976     The Toni Todd label was a mid-priced line of popular everyday dresses.  Pretty hum-drum by the standards then, but nicer than lots of the stuff that is marketed today.  The best feature of this one, I think, is the styling.

The fabric is a poly or poly-blend knit.  It is a one-piece, but made to look like a two-piece ensemble and pulls on overhead. Two of the buttons on one shoulder can be unfastened to allow this, while the others that run down the center of both sleeves are purely decorative, as is the red vinyl belt.

In terms of dating it exactly, the length of the skirt throws me off a bit but it could just have been a style element even though lots of hemlines at the time were shorter.  It is an unusual design which contains elements of Mod and military styling – both popular in the mid- to late 1960’s.

It’s so much FUN to find vintage garments like this, with several interesting and curious fashion features that make the deciphering of their history a little unusual or puzzling. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

STUNNING 1950’S MINK-TRIMMED DRESS

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This dress/gown/frock was such fun to discover – it’d been a while since I had run across a fur-trimmed garment with sleeves like this, and never on a dress.  This is more than a cocktail dress, but not quite formal.  Was this specially made for a visit to the Queen?

Like one of my 1940’s  wedding gowns, it is a brocade-type fabric, though a bit less heavy. I am puzzled as to what type of event this dress would have been worn to.  Time for some research.  Any ideas?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S ATOMIC WHITE & GOLD EVENING GOWN

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We’re approaching the time of year – Homecoming – Holidays – when gowns and formal-wear are most popular (until we get into Mardi Gras and Prom time!).  This dress is so gorgeous and unique – a white evening gown with a splash of gold comet-dust across the bodice and down the skirt.

I’ve seen so many ceramic and plastic items from the Fifties (I have a lamp like this!) that are white or black and decorated with gold this way.  It was so much fun to find it on a dress.

It’s a rayon or acetate sheath with a defined waist, draped all over with tulle netting. Very ’50’s and perfect for a Princess of the Galaxy, or the Magicvintagespy . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM