A gorgeous 1950’s nylon full slip by Dorsay. Such beautiful lingerie! The workmanship and materials can’t be rivaled by modern versions.
Just look at the tiny pleats on the bodice and embroidery at the hem – plus lace, etc. and wider straps. the heavy fee of the nylon fabric is a delight, too. I’m sad that it’s too big for me, but I have many lovely others and, I’m sure, more on the way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Finding this dress was a real sleuthing success! I’d been hunting for a vintage silk Cheongsam style in my size for years, then uncovered this one at a teeny, teeny price. The original color was a yellowy beige and there were several brown stains and a little rip near the hem. But –
The Magicvintagespy knows what to do. So, I mixed a couple of dye colors that I had leftover from another job and expected to have a soft, neutral brown. Instead, I got this WONDERFUL lavender/bronze color! LOVE IT!!! The stains are history and the hem needed raising anyway et voila’.
The moral : Put out the vibes and never give up. KNOW YOUR STUFF, and the perfect find will materialize in your wardrobe.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This is such a beautiful thing – I wish it weren’t too big for me. But oh, well, I love it all the same. Not way old, because it’s poly satin, but the embroidery is to die for and it’s not completely colorfast so may not be too modern. I’m not always sure about the construction and fabric qualities of garments made overseas.
Anyway, what a gorgeous item to wear around the house and, also, out. I have a fantastic embroidered red silk jacket from China that I often wear with black pants when dressing up is the thing. Looks ab fab.
Tomorrow I’ll show a very recent discovery of the same genre, but older and more the style of Mata Hari. Something I’d been searching for for a long time . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
So pretty and feminine, so slinky and comfy. Mid-century lingerie sleepwear just can’t be beat for quality and style. Wearing it always makes me feel like I’m in a film noir or an early 1960’s sit-com.
The details on older lingerie are so beautiful and artfully-made, much of it truly by hand even on commercial gowns and robes. We’re so lucky that these items can still be discovered, with a little persistence and discrimination. With care, they’ll last you the rest of your life and that’s a long time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Although the phrase “made in Japan” used to connote (in Western countries) some cheap trinket back in the WWI, WWII and Post-war days before their technological revolution, Japan is also the country that is known for gorgeous kimonos and traditional garments of the most elaborate embroidered silk.
Another unusual and surprising find. I’m not sure exactly how to date this 100% cotton robe, but it’s beautiful and well-styled in it’s elegant simplicity. The fan motifs are very wonderful and I love the colors (as does Stella – with that auburn hair it’s dynamite on her!).
Definitely a keeper. More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Definitely retro (not REAL vintage), but I love the styling and the drape of the rayon fabric. It’s got the iconic fit of 1930’s – 1940’s sheath gowns that were so elegant and dramatic.
The huge hibiscus flower is probably a bit over-the-top in terms of designs from wartime, but some very bold floral prints were made then, too. Anyway, I think this one rocks!
So, Mata Hari, move over! The Magicvintagespy is on a roll . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Puffed, very girly sleeves on a plain, black crepe dress that was a very common part of most women’s wardrobes. Almost everyone had a black crepe dress – often more than one and not just for evening wear. Crepe was such a frequently-used fabric that made even ho-hum garments drape beautifully and look fabulous!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This post was inspired by the fabulous Theodora Brack and her post of a few weeks ago on the blog, Paris: People, Places and Bling. Shirt sleeve styles are, again. doing some very interesting things with pleats, gathers and puffs. Here are a few from my own true vintage collection which show how these styles cycle through the decades.
Pictured here are 1930’s and 1940’s blouses excepting, in photos #1 and #3, the right-hand and left-hand examples are retro Forties, which were made in the early 1980’s. Cotton, silk, rayon and poly. Kimono, pirate, Western-inspired and prissy designs all had their day in the 1940’s and have wound their way up and down runways every decade or two since then. Of course, some decades were known for their beautiful craftsmanship, gorgeous fabrics and special tailoring details so these aspects will always be showcased in true vintage garments from those times.
Modern blouses which follow these style trends will not be nearly as beautiful or as well-made but, I love my finds. Thanks for the opportunity to put them in the spotlight again.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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
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
Magicvintagespy 