Tag Archives: dresses

MY SLEUTHING SKILLS ARE PRETTY SLICK AND THE HUNT CONTINUES TO BE FANTASTIC!

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If I do say so myself, this season of investigations has been great so far and looks fabulous ahead.  Finds continue to turn up at my usual $1 – $5 per.  Though I did spend a little more in mysterious South America, all were incredible bargains.

With some of the gorgeous garments I’ve uncovered recently, I’m just as much in search of venues to wear them as the clothing and accessories themselves!  Stay tuned, because the fun and excitement keep on coming and – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

TWO WELL-MADE KNIT FROCKS FROM THE EARLY 1970’S

I’m showing these dresses together because they have so much in common.  The biggest similarity is the heavy-weight knit fabric that was so characteristic of clothing made between 1973 and 1976, more or less.  It is beautiful, sheds wrinkles and drapes like a dream.

These examples are not high-end, but are very well-tailored.  Neither has a label, so I’m not sure if they might have been custom-made.  In any case, the original owner of the red one altered the hemline at some point.  Both still have about 3″ of hem allowance (such a luxury!).

I haven’t tried them on yet, but predict that they will fit me and will be very flattering.  Well-made garments of quality fabric and good design usually are – another reason why I adore true vintage fashion!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SOME FUN RUN-AROUND MINI-DRESSES

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A couple of these little cuties were hand-made and seemed worth picking up.  Again, practical and handy, though I may not keep them for long.

It’s just fun to find them and take a trip back 40 or 50 years.  More interesting things are on the way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FUN, FUN SUMMER FINDS TODAY!

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Just found a trove of custom-tailored summer fashions, plus some accessory goodies.  Wow, posts are going to be up to mid-December now so, stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

2 1980’s does 1940’s DAY DRESSES

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Just found – I sometimes like TVR (true vintage retro-at least 30 years old and made in a retro style) garments if they are well-done.  I’ve recently found quite a few.

In this case, we’ve got a south-of-the-border print dress made by Brownstone Studio (a “better” modern brand) with true-to-the-Forties style and a lightweight rayon print shirt-waist in my favorite dark navy and white that kind of flutters as you walk.

For everyday, when I don’t want to have to be concerned about safeguarding a precious true vintage garment while I’m living life, these are just right.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BE A LUAU MAMA OR A CHIC WAIKIKI WAHINI

BE A LUAU MAMA OR A CHIC WAIKIKI WAHINI

Since I’ve started getting out the patio frock, here we go – – – – – – Nothing rivals the beautiful workmanship and fabulous fabric found in true vintage Hawaiian fashions from the early Seventies and before.  The colors are incomparable.  The cottons and rayons are practically indescribable.  Men’s shirts are also incredible.

Since at least the 1940’s, dresses made in Hawaii were very desirable for their quality and fit.  Some are exceptionally comfy and relaxed. Others are high-volume sexy or very chic.

Think Mata Hari of the islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

IT’S TIME FOR MID-CENTURY COTTON DAY – DRESSES TO COME OUT OF THE CLOSET

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These fun and beautiful frocks are what EVERYBODY was wearing as everyday-wear between about 1935 and 1965.  The cottons are sturdy but wash and wear to a fabulous softness.  The colors are bright and the motif’s go from traditional floral or medallion prints (like the one here) to atomic geometrics and cartoon novelty images.

I absolutely cannot get enough of these!  The typical fit and flare styling is very forgiving, allowing  me a reasonable fit across about 3 sizes.  A belt can work wonders with almost any garment.  If shoulder pads are appropriate to the era, that makes a big difference, too.

With the exception of the Sixties shift style, this basic shirt-waist design is just about the most comfortable, practical and versatile for day-wear ever; still, it allows for elegance and the irreplaceable look of true vintage fashion.  I’ll keep showing more of these wonderful everyday styles, and whatever turns up.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

OH BOY!! RARE FIND YESTERDAY THAT JUMPS ME BACK INTO THE 1950’S. LOVE IT!!!

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-1-1111121111111211111  Just when the 1960’s treasures were beginning to feel a little hum-drum, up comes a beautiful men’s item that pulls me back to post-war days and some of the best old movies.  Stay tuned – I’ll publish it tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WELL-MADE PATIO PARTY DRESSES FROM THE LATE ’60’S – EARLY ’70’S

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I know that these are summer fun frocks but, for those who are wintering down south or just like to think about warmer climes, I had to show these recent finds and to buy them because of their good quality.  Nice, heavy knits and well-cared-for by their original owners.

Love little shoulder ties, fun prints and empire waistlines.  This style of dress is not unusual to see, but the quality is relatively rare.   Most of the time, you have to go back to the 1960’s to find them as nice as these.  Another genre that are often this good are the long dresses made in Hawaii – usually Sixties and before.

Of course, these discoveries didn’t thrill me as much as some that I make but still worth it.  It’s always good to appreciate garments like these while you’re on the lookout for what’s  around the corner – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

McCALLS 1963 NEEDLEWORK MAGAZINE SAYS – START KNITTING YOUR NEW YEAR’S DRESSES NOW!

IMG_1033 IMG_1029 IMG_1034Although these frocks are in pastels and the weather is often dark and gloomy now,  these are the styles and colors that used to appear as soon as the Christmas and holiday season was over.  Late winter/Spring fashions and travel clothing came out in the magazines and department stores back in the day.

For our grandmothers who were crafty, it would be time to start making your dresses like these that do take a little time to create.  Although they would almost always be knitted or crocheted in wool, they really have a Spring-like feel to them and that was what people loved when travel to warmer places during the winter was short or not possible at all.

Lightweight wool goes through 3 seasons very well.  Clothiers and fashionistas have always known this and included smart and beautiful wool garments in their wardrobes almost all year long.  Now that it’s become easier to care for them, with hand-washing and at-home dry-cleaning, I love my vintage sweaters and dresses up until May, too . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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