Tag Archives: evening

MY LATEST FIND – 1960’S BLACK CREPE SHEATH DINNER DRESS

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This style is a very elegant, body-skimming sheath design with back zip and a low plunge behind.  Notice the chiffon drape which hangs from the waist, and the simple embroidery on the bodice.

Although the interior size tag reads 8, an attached paper tag dangling from a side-seam give the sizing as 7/8, meaning that this was a Junior size frock rather than Misses, with a youthful cut.  LOVE IT when original sales tags are present and testify to a garment that has never been worn!!

Knee-length to moderate-mini, depending on the wearer’s height, and with a 3″ hem allowance.  Perfect.  Just my size!  Never fails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

DRESSY TRUE VINTAGE HAND-KNITTED OR CROCHETED SHAWLS FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES, COTILLIONS, THE OPERA . . . . . . . . .

DRESSY TRUE VINTAGE CROCHETED SHAWLS FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES, COTILLIONS, THE OPERA . . . . . . . . .

Two beautiful hand-crocheted or knitted shawls for party-wear or any festive occasion. In neutral pastel shades with metallic yarn accents.

Items like this were especially popular in the years moving from the 1950’s to the 1960’s. Many women made these garments at home.  Nothing dresses up a little black dress in such a feminine and beguiling way as a needlework accessory.

If you like doing handiwork, look for old pattern and instruction books from the ’50’s and ’60’s.  Although many types of scarves and shawls are sold now, nothing compares to a handmade item in a soft, genuine wool yarn.

And, if you can find a true vintage shawl – go for it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE SIXTIES COCKTAIL PARTY DRESS

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With all the casual elegance of the mid-1960’s, this metallic frock is the greatest!  I was just thrilled to find this.  It’s fully-lined and in great shape.  I had to tack up the hem and give it a light cleaning – that’s all!

More perfect party-wear.  Couldn’t ask for more this holiday season.  I  enjoyed this one on New Year’s Eve.  Simply-made and easy to wear, that’s the best of the best when it’s also high quality.

Love true vintage . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER LUXURY FUR – THIS ONE A STOLE, FROM THE 1950’S

Although it’s probably not THE finest, I think that this fur is genuine mink.  So pretty and stylish, in a color and design that I didn’t yet own.  As always, I love the little details.

The stole has straps sewn inside which keep it from falling off your shoulders.  There are little, teeny pockets at the rounded ends in front – just big enough to curl your hands into to keep them warm.  The silky lining has these WONDERFUL planets and stars embroidered all over!!  AND –

I love the label – “The Store that Quality Built”.  Wish more vendors would take that as their motto now.  AND –

of course, the original owner’s initials are embroidered inside.  Such elegance . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

BEAUTIFUL 1950’s CORDED EVENING BAG BY GARAY

I have a couple of corded purses, but they’re all different and naturally one can never have too many. . . . . . . . .  Although Garay purses are still not scarce, they are a very good true vintage brand so I’m always glad to find one.  This clutch looks as though it was never used and has the nice feature of a center zip compartment, with an open pocket on either side.  Still very slim, and more convenient than some little bags that will only carry a lipstick, a small wad of money and a key.

So, it’s a keeper.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THE FIRST OF TWO FABULOUS MID-CENTURY FINDS – NEW LOOK CUSTOM-TAILORED BALL GOWN

This gown is hand-tailored with extreme attention to detail.  It would be worn with a crinoline for a full, bell-shape.  Because of the styling, I would guess that it was made in the early 1950’s but, possibly, as early as the late 1940’s.  A special occasion dress, of course, and there’s hardly any evidence of wear.  Maybe it was even made for a Prom or Homecoming dance back in the day.

Women were so happy to dress in longer skirts, sumptuous fabrics and new styles after the austerity of the war years.

I’ll be showing a sister gown tomorrow – very similar style and probably made a few years earlier.  What fabulous discoveries!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MID-CENTURY DRESSY FROCK IN BLACK CREPE WITH RHINESTONES

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERALOVE finding true vintage dresses!  This will look amazing on Stella, but here’s your preview look-see.  May have been custom-tailored, with hand-sewn details.  Could be ’40’s, ’50’s or ’60’s – needs more study.

Basic sheath styling with a dramatic cascade of white rhinestones in front.  The long sleeves add a demure air, with covered buttons at the wrists.  Back zip and slightly below-the-knee hem length.

Perfect for a dinner date, party or any night out.  Just the right combination of racy and conservative to keep ’em guessing . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S MINK-TRIMMED EVENING BLOUSE FROM NEW ZEALAND

IMG_1074     Stella rocks this wonderful find from my recent trip.  Can’t wait to wear it over a long black skirt or with black cigarette pants!

This was not a high-end item, in spite of the mink trim  – like so many lovely things from mid-century, the average woman was able to buy and wear it. It is open-weave in a glossy synthetic material, lined with black fabric.  The floral fantasy pattern reflects the colors of most, if not all, of the treasures I found in that country.  Stay tuned to see more . . . . .

It was made by a New Zealand clothing company back in the day.  I was told by other vintage experts there that New Zealand used to have a very excellent clothing industry which has, sadly, gone now.

But, so much more FUN for a modern sleuth . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S PEEP-TOE GOLD LEATHER & CLEAR VINYL EVENING SANDALS FROM A SPECIALTY STORE

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S PEEP-TOE GOLD LEATHER & CLEAR VINYL EVENING SANDALS FROM A SPECIALTY STORE

I think we’ve got a good show-off of the clear vinyl and gold leather that was so popular in dressy sandals from the Fifties.  These came from a private store in Chicago that had shoes specially made under their own label.

There are so many photographs of women in the ’50’s wearing gold dress sandals and sandals with clear vinyl vamps that it’s iconic of that time.  Makes me think of Peggy Lee and Cotillion dinner – dances that were such popular social events then.

Off to the Country Club, anyone? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER CACHE OF WONDERFUL MID-CENTURY HANDBAGS – UNUSUAL FINDS

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Although the purse in the top left corner is similar to others that I’ve come up with recently, I’m glad to have it in a less-often-found silver fabric.  The others are worth telling you about one at a time.  Let’s start with the white beaded bag on top:

a very lovely little convertible clutch bag that can go from dressy day to summer evening and also would stand out as part of a bridal ensemble.

Just to the right of it is a fabric coin or lipstick purse made in Italy.  Though it is just a purse accessory, the black satin and art print on front, as well as the filigree hardware make it a special keeper.  Italian-made purses and shoes from the Fifties and Sixties were of the highest quality and design and are to die for.

At the bottom is a pretty little brocade purse that could be an accessory but is meant to stand on its own, when only the barest essentials are necessary.  It’s very tiny, but unsnaps again to allow room for just a little more than the coin purse alone.  Although you probably can’t read it, in the corner to the left of the top snap is embossed in gold script “B. Dainty”.  Sweet!

Finally, the duchess of the lot is a fully-beaded clutch with a zipper top and silk lining.  Of the finest materials and displaying the most hand-done workmanship, it’s probably the oldest.

Although I’ve been happy to discover so many evening bags recently, especially with thoughts of this year’s holiday season beginning to creep into mind, I most love the special pieces like these – makes the day’s adventure really fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM