EARLY 1960’S FUN AND GAMES – WHAT A DIFFERENT LIFE OUR GRANDMOTHERS LED!

IMG_1039IMG_1040These McCalls magazine needlework ads would make you think that our grandmas’ lives were all about simple fun in the kitchen and scheming to get their husbands to give in to their wishes.

That’s the stereotype, isn’t it?  I wonder how much of that is true?  Don’t think I want to go back there, but the sweater is gorgeous!

Hand-knits from that era are really special, sweet and innocent styles . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S JACKET

IMG_0139This one is a favorite of mine.  It is of a heavy cotton-type material with a quilted lining.  Warm, but not too heavy.  Fabulous Forties style and, also, very practical.

The colors are ivory, green and red.  It’s perfect for spring and fall weather.  The attached belt across the front and some elastic in back give the nipped waist feature that I really love. And, of course, pads in the shoulders.  So flattering!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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A VERY COOL GEOMETRIC PRINT TRUE VINTAGE SHIRT FROM THE LATE SIXTIES – VERY EARLY SEVENTIES

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAnother “new” Australian discovery!  Although they’ve been making lots of look-a-like retro fakes for a while now, this one is undeniably true vintage, right down to its label.

I just LOVE this print.  Again, not my own best colors but I can’t help enjoying it so much anyway.  Even the true vintage labels are delights in themselves – often so artistic and interesting.  Sometimes they’re funny!

In your standard poly/synthetic blend fabric of that day, it’ll be easy-care as long as treated gently. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN,THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S WESTERN-WEAR LEATHER JACKET FOR FALL

True Vintage Leatherwear

Beautiful true vintage western-wear jacket from the 1950s/early ’60s. Notice the superb workmanship and tailoring (even though it would look best on a size 4 model rather than size 6).

I LOVE the older leather items made in the American west, or in Mexico and Europe.  So beautiful!  Forgive me if your country has made wonderful leather items, too, and I have not mentioned you here.

The materials are of high quality and have enabled it to last for 50 years with very little sign of wear.  Find a jacket of this type and enjoy it for life!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S PARTY-WEAR – GREAT BOHO BLOUSE A’LA JANE RUSSELL

Original True Vintage Party Dressing (or cafe' boho garb?)

Great black velveteen top from the 40s or, maybe, early 50s. It’s a vintage size 16 (can you imagine! Size 4 me can wear it, though it’s very Jane Russell w/o all the decolletage). Just goes to show how sizes have changed.

The back neckline is a wide scoop. There is a short metal zipper at the waist on left. Imagine this worn with a long sweeping skirt, a pencil skirt or cigarette pants with a wide belt – all black or imaginative color combos. This style can easily go elegant or boho/beatnik.

The style is really flattering & dramatic. The neckline is beautiful left alone or showcasing a necklace or long dangling earrings (not both, please).

Another fabulous example of original true vintage elegance, found unexpectedly. You just never know . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER NEW FIND – A COMFY MID-CENTURY BATHROBE

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With winter coming, I just couldn’t pass this one up.  Although it’s got some issues and is not my color, I’m going to keep it to wear around the house on a chilly day when I want the quilted comfort of a true vintage robe.

Not into yellow?  Well, I can dye it!  Yes, this robe is made of acetate, which will accept dye well – at least in my previous experience.  So,  crimson or hot pink will make a pretty coral color that will warm me up on cold, snowy mornings . . . . . . .

As an aside, don’t try dying at home unless you are experienced or don’t mind having a mistake (maybe a BIG mistake, depending on the garment).  It’s a great way to learn, but do so with caution.

P.S.  PLEASE VOTE THIS NOVEMBER.  IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED, OR AREN’T SURE ABOUT YOUR REGISTRATION, CHECK ON IT AND GET THAT DONE.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MORE FINDS! 3 KNIT DRESSES FROM THE MAD, MOD 1960’S

I love these!  They’re so typical of the day-dresses from the early to mid-Sixties that said “Fall is Here”, mostly for professional women.  Anyone who wanted to look nicely tailored, but casual, wore styles like these.

So, I’ve seen lots of them on TV but not in person.  It’s great fun to find this blast from the past that probably belonged to the same woman.  Wonder what her everyday story was about . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SPEAKING OF FIFTIES & SIXTIES SWEATERS – SOME FUN EXAMPLES TO KNIT AT HOME!

IMG_1041IMG_1042IMG_1044IMG_1045IMG_1032      McCalls needlework magazine from 1961 has patterns and instructions for these neat tops.  It was one of those times when the fashion gets really playful.  My most recent finds on this trip are ’60’s!

Not quite so intimidating as trying to make some of the dresses and coats, but challenging enough!  There’s no mistaking the styles from that time and I’ll be showing more . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S DRESSY SHAWLS & TOPS TO MAKE AT HOME

IMG_1021IMG_1022     It’s the time of year when we start thinking about dressy events, dances and holidays again.  I’ll be showing more true vintage formal, semi-formal and dressy looks.

These tops would look great with the velveteen skirt from yesterday.  And, I’ve got some formal and dressy frocks that need a special wrap to go with them.  Often what you already have in the closet just doesn’t work.  That’s the time when our grandmothers would get out their knitting needles and crochet hooks . . . .

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MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S MARY JANE’S – CUTEST ALL-LEATHER MOD CARNABY STREET SHOES

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA     Look what I found in Canada!  Celebrity brand Mary Janes with leather soles and chunky heels.

These would be from the mid to late 1960’s.  Like some others I’ve shown before, one shoe has the maker’s name stamped on the footbed and the other has the name of the local store that sold them.  This was a common practice in the Forties, Fifties and Sixties when small, privately-owned shoe stores were in every town and city and many of them had a good relationship with the suppliers of the special brands they sold.

Probably moderately priced when they were originally sold, but quality, quality, quality all the way . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM