Tag Archives: early 1960’s

TRUE VINTAGE COTTON CANDY CONFECTION OF A FROCK – EARLY 1960’S

TRUE VINTAGE COTTON CANDY CONFECTION OF A FROCK - EARLY 1960'S

Time for a new color.  This dress is spun sugar pink, with bubblegum, white and (dare I say it – puce).  That’s an awful name for a color, but mixed with these others it is very effective.

There’s no tag remaining, so I don’t know for certain that this dress was commercially-made but it certainly looks as though it was.  The bodice is lined and the belt would have required some exceptional skill to make at home.

This type of fabric was called “whipped cream”, I think.  A type of synthetic, but I can’t say which.  It has unusual body that gives it a form of its own.  The tie belt and blousey effect create a flattering fit.

Back zipper – simple style, but very much a stand-out.  It makes me think of an ice cream social in the summer . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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ARE YOU READY FOR THESE? TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S SUNDRESSES

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S SUNDRESSES

Here we have two beautiful sundresses, in similar colors.  Not really my colors – I’m a Summer skin-tone, rather than Spring or Fall, but who’s going to quibble when faced with these!

I’m guessing that the one on the right is the newer of the two.  The one on the left has more detail on the bodice and even has bows fixed to the shoulder straps in back.  It has a covered belt, whereas the other dress just has piping at the waist.

They’re both lovely, in a beautiful heavy cotton.  Madge wears it very well, don’t you think?  Such exceptional fit and tailoring.

Either of them could go from simple daytime activities to work (probably with a sweater or jacket), dinner, dancing, a party or date.

I often see dresses like this in movies from that era. Wear them and step into a time warp . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE “SUMMER OF ’42” HALTER DRESS

Just which decade is this dress from? I don’t know – it’s so classic in style, that it could be from either the 1940’s or 1950’s.  I’m going to bet on the earlier time, but can’t be sure.  Dare I say that it could even be from the ’30’s?!

I am certain that it’s true vintage and I love it to pieces!  The back, of course, is open to mid-back and there is a metal zipper on the side.  I expect that it was custom-tailored.  Just look how well the pattern is matched!

This is a favorite style of mine, and I really responded to the fabric when I discovered it.  Love the colors!  I also like the fact that the cut of the top is modest without being unnecessarily so.  Makes it very easy to wear.

Just right for a beach town, vacationing or a hot summer day anywhere.  Put on a big straw hat and just look like one of the tourists . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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LOVELY COTTON SHIRT-WAIST FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

LOVELY COTTON SHIRT-WAIST FROM THE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S IN FALL COLORS

Here’s another dress from about the same time as the last one.  It has the same features of design – the side metal zipper is the most significant.  I don’t know why that was a favorite feature, rather than allowing the front opening to be longer.

Although it was more trouble to put that side zip in, it was hidden (more or less) from view and allowed the front and back lines of the garment to be unbroken.  My best guess is that this style feature is more elegant than a back zip or long front opening would be.

So many of the styles and tailoring methods from the ’50’s and before paid a lot of attention to keeping the lines of a garment very elegant, with good fit and clean silhouette.  Back zippers on pants and skirts are a good example of this.

This dress is, I’m sure, custom tailored.  The skill of the sewer is excellent and it would challenge the quality of any commercially-made things today, outside of haute couture.

The reds, golds and mossy browns in this print make me think of leading into Fall, but let’s not rush our summertime, when the livin’ is easy . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY ’60’S SHEER SUMMER DAY-DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY '60'S SHEER SUMMER DAY-DRESS

This was a fun find, with its own attached scarf and in cool, floaty fabric again.  The really unusual thing, to me, is the color combo.

It’s an all-over print in purple with black accents on an olive background.  That’s a great combination which you don’t see often – especially for summer!

By Westover – New York.  Fabric-covered belt.  It’s one of those fun, flirty and feminine styles that I’m sure some woman loved wearing, even if her day was just a pretty average one.  Of course, she’d have a pretty slip underneath, too.

I’ve never seen another one like it.  It’s a real one-of-a-kind style, as so much true vintage is.  Each one is a unique discovery – you just never know. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion

ANOTHER 1960’S SUMMER SHEATH DRESS

A SECOND VIEW OF THIS 1960'S SUMMER SHEATH DRESS

Notice the way in which the embroidery follows the curve of the figure by placing it along the side seam.  So pretty and flattering!  A woman could always feel attractive and well-dressed in a frock made this nicely and with such gorgeous details.  This is another of my earliest finds.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S DRESS FOR SUMMER PICNICS & OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

A TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960'S DRESS FOR SUMMER PICNICS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Between the Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekends in the United States – the traditional beginning and ending of “summer” and outdoor fun, there will be lots of picnics, barbecues, fun and games.

This dress makes me think of those times – maybe because the skirt looks a lot like the tablecloths used at Summer events. It’s simple, probably poly/cotton with a back metal zipper. Very casual wear from a time when women still wore dresses and skirts more often than pants or shorts.

In spite of its simplicity (or, probably because of it) it’s pretty and flattering. Trim around the neckline and armholes show that it’s nicely made. The material makes it easy to wash, so that mustard, ketchup, relish, mud and dog slobber will come right out.

Worth hanging onto for those events that come up every year. You just never know when you might be invited to a corn roast, a crab boil, a school picnic, an ice cream social, a parade, . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
blog address: Magicvintagespy.com

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book title: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available at Amazon.com

A TRUE VINTAGE SHEER DAY DRESS, PROBABLY 1950’S

A TRUE VINTAGE SHEER DAY DRESS, PROBABLY 1950'S

This dress was custom-tailored at a time when sheer fabrics had become very popular. I’ve found several of these. Of course, you’d want an un-fussy slip underneath.

It’s a pretty print in pink and red on white voile, with a ruffle around the neck and little cap sleeves. Fifties styles tended to be, on average, more “feminine” than those designed in the 1940’s, when clothing was more tailored and, sometimes, even masculine in its lines. (Remember the huge shoulders popular then.)

These dresses give a lovely opportunity to show off beautiful lingerie but, as mentioned above, keep the slip simple – not full of lots of frills and details – so that it doesn’t overwhelm the dress itself. You’d also want it to be of the same length, and white.

I love to collect true vintage slips in all styles, lengths and colors so that I have the right one for every dress I own. Some are even great to wear as a summer dress by themselves!

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog address: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available at Amazon.com

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S DAY DRESS FOR SPRING AND SUMMER. ONE OF MY FIRST FINDS!

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960'S DAY DRESS FOR SPRING AND SUMMER

From shopping, to work, to date – meeting or picnic, this dress is very simple, but stylish and feminine, too. In pale blue, there are two layers of fabric. The outer layer is somewhat sheer with embroidery all over.

The bodice has an interesting shape, with deep pleats along each side that give it some fullness and a cap sleeve effect. This frock definitely has style and could be dressed up or down – very versatile.

Many of the dresses from late ’50’s to early ’60s have elegant details like this. The form-fitting cut of that era seen in sheath dresses is so flattering! True vintage garments are rarely run-of-the-mill and often show these style surprises and very pleasing lines.

That’s one reason why they’re so much fun to find. Each one is a surprise and you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

AND, HERE’S MY EARLY 1960’S KENNEDY ERA WEDDING DRESS SURPRISE FIND

Isn’t she sweet?  The early Sixties were still so precious, with their knee-length princess dresses.  And, they brought shoulder tails back again for dressy frocks.  So unusual.  With sequins decorating the midriff, too . . . . . . . .

I’d be confused whether I was going to get married or going to the Prom . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM