Tag Archives: Fifties

AUSTRALIAN TRUE VINTAGE SPECIAL OCCASION DRESS IN SILK – 1950’S (OR BEFORE)

IMG_1056     This very pretty frock has an unusual neckline.  The collar is of 3 layers, and each one is bordered by covered wiring which allows the wearer to shape the neckline as desired.  A friend of mine said that she remembers dresses of this type from the 1950’s.  The style would certainly fit in with early ’50’s and late 1940’s fashion.

It’s also very tiny, so it all points to a time when average women’s figures and clothing sizes were much smaller than they are today.

The fabric appears to be silk.  So lovely and flattering.  Obviously, this dress was made to be worn to a party or other special occasion.  Imagine my delight when I discovered it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER GREAT DISCOVERY! FABULOUS FIFTIES FROCK WITH FUR TRIMMING

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CUSTOM-TAILORED 1950’S PARTY FROCK WITH RABBIT TRIM

Although this dress looks very cute on Stella’s figure, it really must have been sewn for a petite woman much shorter.  I can’t quite imagine a style like this with fur and rhinestone trim made for a teen or a child in the 1950’s.  At any rate, the average height of a Fifties lady would have been 5 or 6 inches shorter while still perhaps being a tiny vintage size 10, like Stella.

Imagine my surprise to see this rare garment!  If you’ve been with me for a while, you may remember that several years ago I encountered a similar frock in ivory brocade with mink trim on the 3/4 sleeves.  That seems to have been a popular early 1950’s trend. In this case, we are seeing very pretty rabbit fur, with a little rhinestone trim nestled in the bodice ornament.

Another surprise is that this frock, despite it’s elegant style and up-scale materials, appears to have been hand-made.  It’s construction demonstrates the handiwork of someone who was very skilled, so perhaps it was made by a professional tailor rather than a home-based seamstress.  However, who actually knows?  With no labels to point the way, it’s just another delicious mystery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY HAPPY DAYS COTTON BLOUSE FOR SUMMER – ONE OF MY FIRST AUSSIE FINDS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA So simple and plain, but it really transports me to photographs of women having fun at the seaside in the Forties, Fifties and early Sixties. And, there’s LOTS of absolutely beautiful seaside in Australia!  Although we’re thinking about Autumn here and getting ready for cooler weather, the Australians are thinking about the blazing heat to come soon “down under”.

This top was custom-tailored in a lovely heavy woven cotton (not knit). Sleeveless, boxy cut, square neck with a little decorative pocket in front.  Just grazing the waistline, to show a little tummy once in a while.

Nothing could be more basic or classic.  Worn with a pair of “capris”, “pedal pushers” or “short shorts” or, even, with a pleated white skirt or a pair of jeans – that’s how it was done back in the day.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A TIMELESS FIND FROM “DOWN UNDER” – TRUE VINTAGE CLASSIC WHITE BLOUSE

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA     This shirt joined my true vintage wardrobe when I was in Australia several years ago.  It’s of the most wonderful cotton/cotton-blend fabric! That was my first tip-off to its age.  I have another white blouse from the Forties with similar tailoring details, but this one is not quite so old.  Although it’s a timeless style, the little clues that it isn’t modern are all over.

With no label, its origin is a mystery.  It looks as though it was commercially-made, but not completely.  Sometimes custom-made garments from tailoring shops had that look.

Although the answers are elusive, it’s different and I know it.  Imagine my delight to discover this hiding among all the ho-hum modern things . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SILK DRESS & 1950’S SHEER BLOUSES WITH PRETTY SKIRTS & LINGERIE SLIPS

IMG_0993 IMG_0994Really pretty outfits, a dress and skirts/blouses.  I have combined more modern vintage skirts with sheer true vintage 1950’s blouses.  The pink leather peep-toe slingback pumps are ’80’s or early ’90’s does ’40’s – Nina brand. (’90’s – I have a hard time calling that “vintage” , though some people do) since I love the old classics much more.  The slips are true vintage and the silk dress is authentic 1940’s or 1930’s, too.IMG_0995FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

LOOK WHAT I FOUND TODAY!!

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Vintage high-top ladies’ roller skates, complete with pom-poms and original carry-case.  (I can even wear them!)  How cool is this!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MY 1st NEW FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S CLASSIC GIRLY BLOUSE

I’ll start off with this conservative but very of-the-time ladies’ blouse.  Not my style (or size), but oh-so-vintage and worth collecting.  In this case, it’s a well-made version from Montreal, where style has always been ascendant – so it has a good pedigree.  That French influence is always a plus!

“Whipped cream”, Georgette fabric finish was popular in modern synthetics of that time.  Along with the lace and embroidered trim, it adds a pretty, feminine element to the style of this shirt.  I also always love little pearlized buttons wherever they turn up on vintage clothing – usually blouses and sleepwear.

Don’t know much about the history of this clothing company – sometimes the background on Canadian makers is less available.  However, it’s well-made and stands up well against any American maker’s products of that time.  I always love to see examples like this, no matter where they come from.  Keep on bringin’ ’em on – and I do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE CUSTOM-TAILORED FOR THE MAN IN HER LIFE

IMG_0961 IMG_0962 IMG_0972Yes, you can also make your husband’s, son’s, father’s, boss’s (lets not get carried away) next necktie, etc., etc, etc, . . . . . .

This red shirt was custom-made, but by a western-wear retailer out West, sometime in the ’40’s, ’50’s or maybe the early ’60’s.  Bespoke attire was a common luxury, even here in the U.S.  Of course, it’s been a tradition and beautifully done in Europe for decades (centuries?)

I’ve recently seen some ads for what looks like business and formal clothing that can be ordered custom-made, with one fitting or at-a-distance alterations near the end of the process.  An improvement on ready-to-wear, but not like having it constructed from the first detail by a tailor having that in-person relationship with you and your body, giving you a perfect fit, exact style preference and real-time preview.

And what a nice luxury it was to have that done for you, or to have the leisure time to do it yourself . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

STUNNING 1950’S MINK-TRIMMED DRESS

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This dress/gown/frock was such fun to discover – it’d been a while since I had run across a fur-trimmed garment with sleeves like this, and never on a dress.  This is more than a cocktail dress, but not quite formal.  Was this specially made for a visit to the Queen?

Like one of my 1940’s  wedding gowns, it is a brocade-type fabric, though a bit less heavy. I am puzzled as to what type of event this dress would have been worn to.  Time for some research.  Any ideas?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S ATOMIC WHITE & GOLD EVENING GOWN

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We’re approaching the time of year – Homecoming – Holidays – when gowns and formal-wear are most popular (until we get into Mardi Gras and Prom time!).  This dress is so gorgeous and unique – a white evening gown with a splash of gold comet-dust across the bodice and down the skirt.

I’ve seen so many ceramic and plastic items from the Fifties (I have a lamp like this!) that are white or black and decorated with gold this way.  It was so much fun to find it on a dress.

It’s a rayon or acetate sheath with a defined waist, draped all over with tulle netting. Very ’50’s and perfect for a Princess of the Galaxy, or the Magicvintagespy . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM