Tag Archives: early 1960’s

TRUE VINTAGE SIXTIES SHEATH DRESS WITH SURPRISING TAILORING!

TRUE VINTAGE SIXTIES SHEATH DRESS WITH SURPRISING TAILORING!

The first thing I noticed about this dress was the style, and the long metal zipper on the left side.  When I looked more carefully, the unusual fabric and careful construction wowed me!  With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, need I say more?

The lining, which can be seen at the neckline, is a pale yellow.  The patterned material is light green, yellow and blue . Over that is a sheer layer of light olive, which is hardly noticeable at first but really intensifies the color of the underlying pattern!

This is a  mid-century, maybe custom-made dress of exceptional handmade quality and with beautiful design and fabric.  I LOVE finding things that are different from what I’ve seen before and being surprised!!!  That’s the best fun of sleuthing for true vintage fashion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

True Vintage Early 1960s Dressy Coat Over Your St. Patrick’s Day Frock

True Vintage Early 1960s Evening Coat
I showed this coat a few weeks ago, but what time could be more appropriate for a re-run . . . . . .

Imagine yourself in this, over a gorgeous green dress, on your way to a swanky cocktail party or the church dance.  This beauty is by Lilli Rubin, in emerald rayon blend, lined in turquoise blue!  The collar, neckline bow and elbow-length sleeves are hallmark features of that era, as well as the color.  The fabric is a jacquard with flowers embroidered all over.
What a great surprise it was to find this!!  It starts up all kinds of fantasies about elegant dinners, evenings at the theater . . . . . you just never know . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A FAVORITE 1960’S 2-PC. DRESS

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From the Mad Men Kennedy era, this cute little dress went to town,  a casual lunch with a friend and a movie afterward.  It’s not dressy enough for the Women’s Club but just right for a relaxed day out.

This little number is an easy-wear slinky knit (LOVE how they feel!) with a pull-on waist in the skirt.  We’re started to get Mod – psychedelic lime green calla lillies!!!  Hand-washable, of course.  Life was getting so easy ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

By the Sixties, sometimes women could get by without the hat & gloves, especially in areas with a warmer climate.  However, you  needed to be very careful about where you were going in something this dressed-down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S CAPES

TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S CAPES

I’m appreciating the crisp transitional temperatures and rain right now, even though it seems cold!
I know many people are experiencing this all over the world.  Makes me want to show my wonderful capes, which are great for this type of weather.  Want to make an entrance at the St. Patrick’s party?  Wear the cape on the right with the green side turned out.

From the 1960’s, one is in always-wonderful-red kind-of traditional/military style and the other a blue & green reversible paisley pattern with an open front and decorative string tie.

Like a bright hat, either of these makes a big impression on the street.  Both are wool, so provide warmth while the loose fit keeps it from being too hot and can be worn over just about anything.  Just right!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

FAB DISCOVERY – A 1960’S BABY DOLL NEGLIGEE’ & PANTS

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A rockabilly Bye-Bye-Birdie Playboy hot weather classic – the short short baby doll nightie.  Just right for after the St. P’s party. I’ve come across a few of these during my investigations, but rarely with the original panties!  The green is more or less unusual, too, and goes perfectly with Stella’s new auburn hairdo.

Although “baby doll” nighties started out in the 1940’s when many fashion hemlines skyrocketed because of the shortage of fabrics, the earlier ones did not tend to be as short as they became during the Kennedy era.  Many 1950’s babydoll nightgowns were just above the knee – shorter than the skirt and dress hemlines popular then, but hardly short by today’s standards.

As always, though, it has pretty lace and ruffle trim and has held up like crazy over more than 50 years!  It’s always new for the Magicvintagespy – I wonder what will be next . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY LEATHER CLUTCH PURSE

ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE 1950S/'60S LEATHER CLUTCH FOR THE VALENTINE'S DAY BASH

Accessories are EVERYTHING to an ensemble, so what to carry on an impromptu dressy occasion?   A true vintage bag, of course. This one doesn’t steal the show but demonstrates your exquisite taste and knowledge of quality.  I have many dressy bags, but this one is often my go-to choice.

It’s of gold leather and is lined in black rayon. The inside pocket, of course, contains its own little make-up mirror for touching up your lipstick throughout the night. No self-respecting true vintage handbag would come without one. If you’re a really successful sleuth, it will still be in it’s original little paper envelope.

The accessories that you carry or wear (this includes shoes) raise or lower the impression of your entire outfit. Genuine leather is always a preferred material, and quality construction.  Remember the phrase “well-heeled” to describe a person who is well-dressed and tasteful, referring especially to their choice of footwear?  That’s what it means!

It’s not the point to look for something expensive or flashy (better NOT flashy) if you are successful in the hunt for true vintage fashion.  It’s so much fun to spot that perfect bag hiding and waiting . . . . . you just never know . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY ’60S PARTY FROCK

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY '60S VALENTINE'S DAY FROCK

This dress is of heavy taffeta.  It looks so Spring-like, but in this substantial fabric and vibrant color it could stand on its own (almost literally!) any time of year.  The photo is of the back view, because of the cute bow.  In front, there is simple seaming at the waist for a cummerbund effect.  Very elegant and sweet, but also quite flattering with the shaped fit.

Love the salmon pink color! The material, 3/4 sleeves and netting under the skirt are so common for that time.  Such a beautiful fabric – I’ve found several dresses made of heavy taffeta from the late ’50’s to early ’60’s, in beautiful jewel tones. Would be perfect with a true vintage or modern FAUX rabbit stole ~ true vintage mink if you’re a real debutante.

As I’ve said before, when going for fur I choose true vintage (at least 50 years old) or faux/fake fur.  It is getting so good these days that you can have the look without the cruelty.  However, if I find a fur that is so old that buying it won’t support the current market for the fur trade, I go for it. There’s nothing like True Vintage.

This gown turned up a few years ago during one of my investigations. You just never know . . . . . .!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

PRETTY (AND ALMOST PERFECT!) IN PINK – A MID-CENTURY PILLBOX HAT THAT LUCY, JACKIE AND DIANA WOULD LOVE

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Marlene is mesmerizing in this gorgeous veiled hat.  Just covering the eyes, it adds a bit of mystery to a bright and open face.  She was so inspired by the Spring hue that she even changed her haircolor . . . . . . . . . . . .

I’ve honestly not seen a veil made this way before and am a bit unclear about how it is supposed to be worn. However,  it’s situated in the right direction so maybe this is it. Perhaps it could be worn tipped a little farther back on the head.  Many hats from the Forties had parts hanging over the shoulder in kind of a gypsy touch.

Anyway, it’s beautiful and just right for the season.  When flowers and grass are coming up,  here we go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PERFECT TRUE VINTAGE EARLY ’60S STILLETTOS FOR THE VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY

PERFECT TRUE VINTAGE EARLY '60S STILLETTOS FOR THE vALENTINE'S PARTY

Since we’re doing accessories this Valentine’s Day, there are such a sweet collection of things to wear to a holiday party in my closet! These pink patent stilettos are some of my favorites.

From the Mad Men – Kennedy era, these pumps are beautiful 100% leather from top to bottom. No wonder they’ve lasted 50 years, and can go a lot longer. It’s hard (impossible?) to find modern shoes of this quality, so I always prefer my true vintage ones. They’re usually more comfortable, too.

I’ve got lots of lovely vintage shoes because I’m always finding them. You just never know . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

3 TRUE VINTAGE 1960’s MEN’S HATS – STETSON, FELT OR LEATHER

3 TRUE VINTAGE 1960's MEN'S HATS - STETSON, FELT OR LEATHER

While we’re acknowledging some accessories that were popular for mid-century, how about the ever-present men’s hat?  Men’s vintage clothing is not my specialty, but sometimes I can’t resist. These can look just as cute or smart on women as they look handsome on men.

I still love seeing a man in a hat and, if you watch old movies 1965 and back, men wore hats almost ALWAYS when they were away from home.  There were few exceptions to that rule. Men’s hat styles were almost as important as the trends in women’s frocks.

However, the design of classic accessories seems to morph more slowly than garment designs do and the style changes in men’s hats have been subtler over the decades, though still very important.  Most dress hats are still made of wool felt and will last forever if protected from moths and properly stored.  All it takes is a little brushing once in a while and making sure that it doesn’t get crushed.

This classic brimmed style can go with lots of things, from boho to casual to smart casual to elegant. Remind you of anyone? Come fly with me, come fly away . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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