This beautiful polished cotton frock – Kay Whitney by Huntington – is absolutely gorgeous. The fabric and the tailoring are top notch.
Naturally, it’s got a fabric-covered belt, the full skirt and a generous hem allowance. It’s not a one-off design, I found, when I saw another identical to it on eBay – but it’s wonderful anyway.
However, this one is one-off now! As beautiful as it was in its original design, it was a bit too conservative a style to be flattering on me. The shoulder straps were wider and it had a fabric tie sewn completely around the neckline which you would tie in a bow in front. Pretty, but not me.
I removed the tie, making the shoulders skinnier and the neckline wider. I used some of the leftover tie material to make little flat bows at the shoulders. Of course, if you are a purist, you would never have changed it. That’s something I rarely do, but I liked it so much and wanted it to suit me.
So, I now have an original – and without sacrificing quality or elegance. The best of both worlds.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
This little cutie is not by a famous maker, but it’s got nice tailoring and style details. Look at the contrasting facing, the welts at the shoulders and the little false cuffs.
All-weather coats were really popular 40 or 50 years ago. Almost everyone had them for in-between seasons and just in case.
You can’t go wrong with a classic style like a trench-coat or a practically neutral color like light blue. I prefer black myself, or beige for day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion
A rare find, though many are made today that look similar – true vintage capri pants in a fall-color plaid. They have little slits at the ankle, a high waist, and metal side zipper than actually slants into one of the hip pockets. The maker is Shipmates.
These were kind of like our nicer jeans are now – they were common as casual wear and in the ’60’s they started to venture more beyond picnics and recreational activities.
What makes them different than the ones today? The fabric, the color combos, the zippers, the labels, the fit.
The original owner hardly wore these, if at all. That shows how much skirts and dresses still held the traditional place for women’s daily wear. I wonder how long these were in hiding? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com
I show a lot of this style, because it was SO popular from the mid-forties until the early ’60’s. This example is quintessential in all its qualities.
I’m sure this was home-sewn because when I found it I found 3 others obviously made for the same woman. Yes, she may have had a tailor.
Lovely cotton which can’t be found anymore – certainly not in fabric stores. It’s hard to describe if you don’t know it. Looks wonderful, feels wonderful and gets better with age.
Also, the buttons she used are just great! They’re big, plastic and colorful. Some were sculpted in their shape. The sewing is impeccably done and fabric-covered belts always look so crisp and stylish. Naturally, there’s a generous hem (whatever happened to those?).
All four of these dresses were of exactly the same style, each one in a beautiful cotton print. Though I’m sure they were well-used, they hardly looked worn – a testament to the quality of vintage materials and workmanship, as well as the care of the owner.
Each one opens the book on a mystery, just as illusive as they can be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . … . . . . . .
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com
Back in the ‘ 50’s and ’60’s, purses made of woven materials like reeds, wicker, raffia, synthetic strands and other natural and natural-looking things were really popular. Some were decorated with whimsical designs and were very casual. Some were trimmed in leather and were almost dressy. Most were in-between, for everyday use.
I’ve found a ton of these over the years because they were so popular and are not really old, as vintage fashion items go. So, it did not really tax my sleuthing skills but, finding the best of these items in good condition can still be a challenge.
This one is a real cutie, with just enough attitude because of it’s structured shape and leather trim to have some high-fashion aspirations like lunching and club-prowling, which it may realize under some conditions.
However, it’s still just basically a small-time, hand-crafted little purse, even though it is from British Hong Kong. I don’t hold that against it one bit. Every wardrobe should have at least two or three of this genre, as they’re very versatile.
And, just like my example here, they often come from some pretty exotic places . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Magicvintagespy 