Tag Archives: elegant

JUST FOUND – 1980’S NEW WAVE 1940’S DRESSY DRESS

img_3580.jpg

This pretty raspberry-colored midi frock has nice details.  Love the shoulder treatment that broadens without the heavy shoulder pads!  The coat-style button front is different, too, and the belt that buckles in the back with a point in front (or back, as you wish) makes it easy for me to date it almost exactly.

I’ll enjoy wearing this one with its slim lines and adjustable front hem opening.  Very versatile and, again, very vintage – New Wave did it pretty well.   More on the way. . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE PURSE BONANZA! FANTASTIC LEATHER CLUTCH FIND

img_3571.jpg

I’ve had really good fortune finding clutch handbags recently and several have been leather.  It’s always fun to find party bags like the one below but most are made of cloth or vinyl – even the old ones – a true vintage leather bag is a real treasure!

The bag on top, however, is my greatest love.  It’s from the Forties or Fifties and is SO elegant.  The style is superbly simple, but the design is unusual.  Picture holding the bag with both hands, with the front facing you as in the photo.  Place your thumbs on the metal tabs at each side and push gently – that releases the clasps to open the bag!  I love the creative closures that are on many of the best vintage handbags.  Some of them locked in place, and it was a puzzle to figure out how to release them the first time.  This bag posed that problem to me for a few seconds.

Both these handbags have smooth, clean linings and pretty pockets inside.  I’ve been fortunate enough to discover accessory items which were really well cared-for by their original owners so have hardly any damage.  Many women used to tuck them away in drawers and closets with tissue-paper wrappings and stuffing, saving and protecting them for the next special occasion – or for the next woman who would love them. . . . . . .

More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE DRESSES! 4: 1980’S NEW WAVE RETRO POST-WAR LEOPARD BELTED CAP SLEEVE SHEATH

IMG_3575

Nothing says New Wave ’80’s like leopard print and shoulder pads!  Love this slinky beauty – what fun to wear!  This is one of my favorite styles.

If you can’t have the true 1940’s, it’s the next-best thing.  Stay tuned for the next best thing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE DRESSES! 3: ’70’S – ’80’S DOES 1950’S ENGLISH GARDEN HOUR GLASS SUNDRESS

img_3574.jpg

Dark navy and white, with clear buttons all-the-way down the front.  Almost a tea dress, but very North American.  So smart not to spoil the print and pretty lines while still making it super-easy on and off.  I really appreciate the good tailoring that could still be found on  low- and mid-priced dresses in the Seventies and early Eighties.

Love the nipped-waist fit and cute pocket flaps at the hips.  It’s a simple dress, but with so much FIT and figure-enhancing detail.  It will be another go-to frock on hot days this summer.  Soon we’ll be heading into Fall and even Holiday styles – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE DRESSES! 2: CUSTOM-TAILORED MID-CENTURY SLINKY SHEATH

img_3573.jpg

This one’s a sexy day dress with ruching at the waistline to give it a bit of curvy shape, while still staying very proper.  Love the abstract atomic print in subtle shades that could go to work, or dinner, or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hand-tailored frocks are so much fun to discover because they always tell a story about the designer.  This style is so versatile – I’ll enjoy it, too.  More on the way . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE DRESSES! 1: FABULOUS ’70’S OR ’80’S DOES 1940’S HALTER NECKLINE SUNDRESS

img_3569.jpg

What a pretty frock!  Although it was retro when it was made 30 – 45 years ago, it’s true vintage now and gorgeous.  So glad that summer is far from over – I’ll really enjoy wearing it.

I’ve discovered a treasure trove of dresses and clutch purses lately, so stay tuned . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

UNUSUAL FIND! TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S LADIES’ NYLON LINGERIE PAJAMA SET

UNUSUAL FIND! TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S LADIES' NYLON LINGERIE PAJAMA SET

It is SO unusual to find a pair of true vintage pajamas with both pieces intact, let alone dating before the 1970’s!  I had to use a little of my special sleuthing know-how to do it, but they were hiding in plain sight.

This pair is by Shadow/Line and is made of fine vintage nylon, with netting, lace and embroidery at the neckline and on the front pocket.  In a beautiful deep coral pink, which is also an unusual color to find.  Yes, there are always fun surprises around the corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TODAY IT’S A TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – EARLY 1950’S NYLON LADIES’ ROBE

TODAY IT'S A TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S - EARLY 1950'S NYLON LADIES' ROBE

I’ve had lots of fun finding “new” things! I love the fit and drape of this robe. It fits the neckline so nicely and the hem swirls a bit in back.

As soon as I put it on, I could tell that it was an older item by the fit as well as the tailoring details and the fabric. That’s one of the most fun things about discovering, because the clues lead you on to lots of “aha” moments.

And, there’s no more favorite expression than that for a true vintage sleuth . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HAND-TAILORED AND ELEGANT: MID-CENTURY SILK SHEATH DRESS FROM HONG KONG

IMG_3566

This dress is another keeper!  I wish Stella were here to model it for you – it’s so beautiful. So chic and elegant, of 100% silk with a floral jacquard design, with all the fine details that would be expected from an expert tailor.   This dress was made in the late 1950’s – early 1960’s by a tailoring firm especially for a higher-end shop in the Bahamas.

Excepting for the missing original belt and a few stitches in the hem which need to be repaired, it is in perfect condition.   A dress of this type would have been especially prized by it’s mid-century owner, and protected from damage.  That’s why it’s still possible, if you are lucky, blessed and skilled, to discover these frocks today.

I’m also fortunate to be of a size that was more or less average at that time, so I can wear many of my finds without alterations.  However, an expert cleaning service will have skilled seam-sters who can work wonders when necessary, so carry on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY’

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1970’S COTTON SKIRT AND VEST BY MISTER LEONARD

img_3564.jpg

Just found this casual but classic 100% cotton plaid set in a beloved style from the mid-Seventies.  Mister Leonard was a popular Canadian clothing label started in 1965, making sportswear that sold in several major department stores.  It prospered until the late 1980’s and finally closed in 1999, due to market pressures and the declining health of it’s founder.

For Summer and into Fall, nothing could be more comfortable and cute than an ensemble like this, which could be worn everyday at home or tricked up a bit for work. Pure cotton clothing is always desirable, but the quality of this fabric sets it apart as well as tailoring details which are uncommon today.

Just my size, too!  Here’s another keeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM