ELEGANT SMALL TRUE VINTAGE SPRING OR SUMMER HATS IN CELLOPHANE STRAW

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Very tidy and elegant, these small hats would look lovely with many outfits, from black to pastels. From the Fifties or early Sixties, they are a quintessential lady-like finish to your ensemble.  Beautiful face-framers – perched on the crown.

They are made of cellophane straw, a popular mid-century hat material.  Subtle and chic, but oh, so glamorous. . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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MID-CENTURY TRUE VINTAGE TARTAN PIECES – REAL CLASSICS

MORE TRUE VINTAGE TARTAN PIECES - REAL CLASSICS

I’m not sure which clans these may be from, but they are the real deal or very close. From Canada, where there’s still a large population with near roots in Great Britain.  This is another “well-heeled” look in the United States.  At one time, the girls who went to the best schools almost all had a tartan skirt in their wardrobes and they were extremely popular!

I just love the colors and the “casual but very well-dressed” vibe that they have. Tartan weaves, whether “real” or not, are often quite beautiful and the high quality ones are worthy of a place in your closet for life. The clothing styles also tend to be classic and enduring.

In this case, I’ve got two skirts – both in a kilt style. One closes with buckles and the other with buttons, and has a matching vest top. I suspect that these particular ones came from the early 1960’s or, maybe, the  1950’s.

Worn with  blouses or sweaters, kilt skirts have been in elegant and stylish women’s closets for decades. Like any other classic separate, they’re as versatile as a pair of jeans (but these will last longer!) And, they’ll keep you a lot warmer!  DEFINITELY worth grabbing if you find a real one!

Katherine & Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Twiggy, Princesses Diana & Kate. . . . .. . . . . … . they’ve all worn tartans – and so have men, too.  Sherlock Holmes, . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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EXTREMELY RARE FIND – TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY CUSTOM-TAILORED CHILD’S DRESS

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Old cotton and buttons; hand-stitching – this little frock is probably from the 1950’s or 1960’s.  Can you imagine a little girl’s everyday dress surviving till today??????  Read on . . . . . . . . . . . .

Once in a while, in an unusual venue, I’ll see something out of the ordinary – like a piece that is very antique or something made for a child. Although children’s clothing is not my usual focus, I’ll take a second look.

Well, this was another Wowee, look at THAT! moment so, of course, I had to bring it home.  What a relic so well-preserved, with the added bonus of having been hand-made.  Several things about the construction are unusual.

In these situations, it’s common to see something that was made for a special occasion – that is, dressy clothing or christening gowns, etc. that are often preserved after one or two wearings; maybe baby shoes that are tough enough to stand up over time (no pun intended).

BUT, not everyday items!!  These usually have gone by the wayside decades ago because of the normal wear-and-tear a child puts on their clothing, not to mention outgrowing it and passing it on or Mom turning it into a dishrag.

So, I feel like a museum curator with a new discovery laid before me.  The mystery goes on . .. . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S FLOWER-POWER BLOUSE

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Unbelievable!  This beautiful fitted blouse in lovely smooth rayon was a “QUEEN” size in the mid-sixties.  It’s labeled as a 13/14 but it fits me with a little extra room in the bust – and I wear a modern size 4.

Who cares, right?!  It’s got all the lovely features of true vintage tailored items, with extra seam allowance and nice darting to enhance the fit. Love the print, the long sleeves and oh-so-Sixties roll collar.

Another unusual discovery and, wait, there’ll be more . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A VERY PRETTY CRANBERRY RED SKIRT SUIT FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

A VERY PRETTY CRANBERRY - COLORED 1950's to EARLY 1960'S SKIRT SUIT:  NICE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Now I’ll start showing you my best true vintage winter outfits, to go along with the beautiful lingerie.  This suit from the 1950’s or early ’60’s is very tailored in it’s lines. Nicely made, for a small women’s clothing store (the store was small, and probably the women, too, back then!).

It’s not flashy, but is very elegant – the kind of pieces you could wear this way and that way for years. The fabric itself is very lovely, in a tweedy weave with tones of berry with charcoal mixed in. The collar is accented with suede leather. Nice buttons, with suede leather centers.

Just think of wearing this with one of yesterday’s full slips underneath. Quite appropriate for this month of January . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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SUCH FUN! TRUE VINTAGE SOUVENIR KITCHEN LINENS

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From the West and Down East – a vacationer’s mid-century mementos of a fun holiday!

Fun cotton linens for the kitchen and dining table were big favorites during the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Many a traveler picked them up as souvenirs, too.  I just love the funky and funny prints!

As always, these items tell a story.  You could have practically driven through California without a map after buying this muslin tablecloth. Although the apron doesn’t have any words, the cute illustrations of pilgrims/immigrants in their native dress and the border designs contain a lot of information about the communities or cultures that they came from.

Also, if you can do a close-up look, you’ll see a small vintage safety pin stuck in the waistband.  I always like to leave things like this in place because that’s just how the cook or housekeeper wore it during her daily routine.

These linens will last forever if they’re looked after well – remove stains quickly and wash gently.  I’ll bet that I can channel some very interesting vibrations with these in my kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY ’60’S SWEATER JACKET WITH BEADING

VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY '60'S SWEATER JACKET WITH BEADING

A most lady-like sweater-jacket, lined in acetate. The heavily-beaded design is repeated on the back, as well.  3/4 sleeves add to that vibe – so Kennedy Era . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

Jackets like this were worn over sheath dresses, with slacks and skirts. This one is by Banff, a former maker of fine knits.  Remember the yellow summer sweater I showed a couple of months ago?  Same maker.

These were available for sale at fine department stores and in small specialty shops, sometimes in popular vacation areas.

Again, not my color but, hey, the right necklace or scarf/blouse/dress underneath can take care of that in no time . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE STILETTOS SOLD BY J C PENNEY & CO. – 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

TRUE VINTAGE STILETTOS SOLD BY J C PENNEY & CO. - 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S

The diva who owned these knew what she liked, in two colors. Sold by J.C.Penney’s back in the day; no well-dressed woman would be caught without her high heels.

These are sassy little numbers, aren’t they? Just right for the next cha-cha party. Highball anyone?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY COTTON FROCK

A bit off-season, for sure, but who cares!  This pretty frock has many hand-tailored details, though I suspect that it was commercially-made, in Fifties or very early Sixties.

I’m having so much fun!  Who can resist a swingy, light-hearted dress like this?  Cool and comfortable on the hottest days of summer.  Great for leisure or work.  There’s nothing like being cool as a cucumber even in the tightest situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S JACQUARD COCKTAIL BLOUSE

THIS WILL BE PERFECT FOR UP-COMING PARTIES . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S JACQUARD COCKTAIL BLOUSE

Here’s a lovely, oh-so-flattering jacquard blouse for cocktails, dinner, dancing and parties. It looks superb with a long black skirt or black cigarette pants.

Notice the little bows at the waist. It also buttons up the back (I LOVE that feature of so many ’50’s blouses) with 5/8″ covered buttons. Very swank.

The fun thing about 50’s separates like this is that they were dressed up or down, since rock and roll, rhythm and blues and, later, cocktail parties became such a rage – on top of the more formal and traditional occasions that were always part of the social scene.

As usual, the cut and tailoring of this piece is outstanding. The fabric is quite nice, too. Just the right thing for a woman of intrigue to have in her closet, no? . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE…

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