It’s always fun for me to review the wardrobe archives and I must also be thinking about October . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I COULDN’T RESIST! JOIN ME FOR A SEPTEMBER SERIES
Tag Archives: fashion
THANK YOU, ALL, FOR PARTICIPATING IN MY SUMMER TRUE VINTAGE CLOSET REVIEW
A PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE SHORT-SLEEVED SHEATH DRESS FROM THE 1960’S – CUSTOM TAILORED
This pretty dress is in an unusual shade of blue, kind of between a Wedgewood and French blue. A combo that I always love and don’t come across often enough – blue and brown. It was custom – made, with hand-done crewel embroidery on the front.
The easy sheath style is always perfect, and the short sleeves make it less obviously Summery or better for a cooler location. I love their fluttery cut and the brown lining peeking out. The main material is a sort of hop-sacking weave, which was very popular in the late ’60’s. Just the right weight for going into Fall.
Back metal zipper and fully lined in a lightweight cotton blend material. Flattering but simple. Madge fills it out beautifully, no?
Looks just right for a teacher, or, or, or . . . . . . . . .
I wonder who . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . … . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
A COLLECTION OF FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S DRESSES FOR EARLY FALL
While it’s still warm enough to wear them, here are several of my favorite casual day-dresses. They’re great in the Summer, too, but the colors look like Autumn to me. The plaid fabrics are a wonderful vintage look.
I just love these for running around in every day. Since the fabric is somewhat sheer, they do require a slip but they’re super simple to wear and accessorize. Anyway, who objects to opportunities to wear beautiful true vintage lingerie?
All have unknown maker’s names, or maybe just a union tag. They were average garments from that time and wouldn’t have been expensive, but they fit really well and look smart. Exceptional tailoring is one of the reasons that I love true vintage clothing so much.
For some reason, these look like Nancy Drew dresses to me. How appropriate . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
SWEET TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – ’50’S COTTON DAY DRESS – END OF SUMMER COLORS
This cute little dress is just so back-to-school in it’s looks! It’s a little small on Madge, so I’m guessing it was a girl’s, but the average woman was tiny by today’s standards. Almost every woman wore something similar on a daily basis back in the day.
It’s a lovely cotton with woven-in plaid – maybe made at home. The style is typical shirtwaist, excepting for a ruffle that goes all the way around at hip level. Maybe this was someone’s idea of adding something original to their creation. It’s not a peplum, so . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
maybe the piece of fabric was too short and the tailor wanted to dress up the seam that had to go there. I have found many home-sewn garments that tell stories about shortage of materials or mistakes, especially from the times when the Depression or World War was changing everyone’s lives .
Such a treat to find pretty vintage fashion that also tells something about history . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION
1950’S – EARLY 1960’S RETRO FROCK – A MODERN EXCEPTION TO THE RULE (SORT OF – a little rant about tailoring and quality)
1950’S – EARLY 1960’S RETRO FROCK – A MODERN EXCEPTION TO THE RULE (SORT OF – a little rant about tailoring and quality)
Here’s a modern dress by Kim Rogers brand, made in Vietnam. For several reasons, I must point it out as an example of a rare exception to the rule that true vintage clothing is always superior to recently-made fashions. I was drawn to it immediately because of the nicely designed retro style and the almost-vintage look and feel of the fabric. The construction is very good, too.
Note the photo of little keepers at the shoulders for bra or slip straps – it’s a wonderful feature that I treasure in my true vintage pieces. These haven’t been common in dresses for decades! Also, it’s fully lined. Asian dressmakers have done superb couture for ages, so it doesn’t surprise me that the workmanship on this garment is excellent.
What might also be considered a plus by modern women is that the fabric is 100% polyester. ” Ick!” you say, “sleazy and hot”; but it can be washed in a machine, with care, and drip-dried. (preferably a modern machine that has a hand-wash cycle and doesn’t agitate back and forth). It’s also amazing what sorts of finishes can be made with polyester – sometimes it’s a really good appearance mimic for real silk, rayon or even linen. But, of course, not in terms of their other qualities – looks aren’t everything . . . . .
So, that gets us down to the real nitty-gritty. Do you really want to wear a summer sundress made of polyester, when you’re trying to stay cool and looking your very best at an event or on a date? Do you want the zipper on your dress to very obviously announce to anyone who has any fashion savvy that “No, this is NOT a true vintage dress – just a retro fake”. And, horror of all horrors, do you want to walk into the party and see another woman dressed just like you?
Thus, a very respectful nod to this clothing company for their care and attention to detail and style, at least where this dress is concerned. When I’m traveling and wouldn’t want to subject any of my authentic vintage treasures to threats of loss or damage, I’ll certainly take it and wear it inside or when the weather is mild. It’s nice to see a manufacturer that cares about some of the finer points of good quality any time – especially in this age of cheaper-is-better.
BUT, all things considered, give me a quality true vintage garment over a modern one no matter what . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
MOD TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S LIME GREEN DRESS
FABULOUS ORIGINAL FORTIES – FIFTIES COTTON HALTER DRESS
FABULOUS ORIGINAL FORTIES – FIFTIES COTTON HALTER DRESS
Couldn’t wait for summer! What a great discovery – an iconic halter frock in luscious cotton. These sexy and cool dresses are perfect for hot days (and nights). Move over, Marilyn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 