A GORGEOUS TAILORED DRESSY FROCK – TRUE VINTAGE FROM THE SIXTIES

This dress is beautiful.  Despite it’s clean and unassuming lines, it is beautifully tailored.

Of black velveteen, it’s a party or dressy-occasion frock.  Fully lined, with nice details at the hem, waist and sleeves.  It’s the type of dress that might have been worn to a Homecoming dance or party, a recital or special dinner event.

Even though the style is “plain” (read Elegant), I love finding garments of such high quality because they stand out on that basis alone.  It really gives me a lot of pleasure to wear clothing like this.  Of course, I always love black . . …. …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SLEEVELESS FROCK IN PRETTY YELLOW POLKA-DOT FABRIC

TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S SLEEVELESS FROCK IN PRETTY YELLOW POLKA-DOT FABRIC.

TRUE VINTAGE MEN’S LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT FROM THE 1950’S

A rare find for me, and one of my favorite items . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE MEN'S LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT FROM THE 1950'S

I absolutely love this shirt and others like it. Sorry I don’t have a male model. The distinguishing feature is the embroidery on the left side. These little designs are so much fun. Some are really creative!

Men sometimes wear long sleeves in the summer, so I consider this a year-round garment. Especially when it’s in a lighter color. It can be dressed up with a sport coat.

Some shirts of this type have multi-colored designs. Usually the fabric has a bit of sheen and the embroidery is glossy. You can tell by a quick look that it is a quality original item and not a modern imitation.

I LOVE to find them! Would have adored being a curator of wardrobe for Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer or Warner Bros. back in the day.

It’s even more fun to go to the closet and decide which movie to play in today . . …

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TRUE VINTAGE FLOWER POWER MID-1960’S DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE FLOWER POWER MID-1960'S DRESS.

TRUE VINTAGE SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS FROM THE 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS FROM THE 1950'S.

TRUE VINTAGE SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS FROM THE 1950’S

One of my best favorites . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS FROM THE 1950'S

This style was everywhere from about 1945 to about 1965, I think. In house dress to day dress styles, the shirtwaist with full skirt was a classic fashion. I remember my mother wearing them.

Some had fabric-covered buckle belts and some, like this one, had tie belts. All kinds of prints or solids were seen.

I love this one, which is a semi-sheer material in a print with a French motif. Not a bit high-end; just the average do-what-the-day-requires outfit for a modern 1950’s housewife.

This one came my way from a relative, which makes it very special . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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ANOTHER FUN FIND! HIPPIE ’60’S CASUAL CHIC HAWAIIAN PATIO LOUNGE-WEAR DRESS

ANOTHER FUN FIND! HIPPIE '60'S CASUAL CHIC HAWAIIAN PATIO LOUNGE-WEAR DRESS.

ANOTHER FUN FIND! HIPPIE ’60’S CASUAL CHIC HAWAIIAN PATIO LOUNGE-WEAR DRESS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAlthough it’s of a simple cut, the novelty sleeves, lovely fabric and excellent tailoring make this a special gown for a relaxed day at home or casual event.  The sleeves are slit to the shoulder with purple lining.

I’m guessing that this dress was made in the early 1960’s and has a Hawaiian maker’s label inside.  Certain details hint at it’s correct age.

I always admire how well women of the past looked after their clothing.  Add that to the superior quality of the garments to begin with, and many are preserved today in wonderful condition for us to wear, study and enjoy.  With apologies to a few designers who continue to believe in elegance and quality, I’m not sure that women 30 or 40 years from now will find much of anything made after 1990 that has lasted that long, and it won’t be much of a loss . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A TRUE VINTAGE HAND-KNITTED WARDROBE FOR YOUR NEXT SEA CRUISE?

A TRUE VINTAGE HAND-KNITTED WARDROBE FOR YOUR NEXT SEA CRUISE?.

A TRUE VINTAGE HAND-KNITTED WARDROBE FOR YOUR NEXT SEA CRUISE?

IMG_1476 IMG_1477     Can you imagine making your own travel wardrobe for that ocean voyage overseas?  Well, that’s what some ladies were doing in the early 1960’s!

Springtime, beginning in February, was traditionally the season for international travel – after the Christmas season was all tied up, and before Easter.  Although some North Americans jetted off for ski or beach vacations, the true “Jet-Set” or those planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip headed for Paris & London, East Asia, South America or the Caribbean.

Our grandmothers thought that an ocean cruise was one of the most glamorous ways to travel – and it was, then.  What more elegant attire than a wardrobe of custom-made clothing.  If you weren’t in a position to visit a couturier and had good do-it-yourself skills, a McCall’s Magazine needlework pattern would have been just the thing!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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