A FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE LADIES’ HAT – 1940’S / 1950’S

A FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE LADIES' HAT - 1940'S / 1950'S

One of my very favorites – this Spring hat is so distinctive and unusual. With classic lines and straightforward coloring, but a surprising and flattering asymmetrical trim.

That feature reminds me of a green hat that Greer Garson wore in the WWII movie Mrs. Miniver. To die for . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE SHOES FROM THE 1930’S

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE SHOES FROM THE 1930'S - SEEN AT THE SHOE MUSEUM Beautiful footwear on display at the shoe museum I discovered in Mexico City last year.. This group is from the 1930’s.  I’ve been showing a lot of shoes lately, but they’re always favorites.  Enjoy!

Looking at old magazine and catalog ads, as well as when I observed these shoe displays, it was evident how much the styles slopped over from decade to decade or would repeat again several decades later.

Love the whimsical designs and decoration on many old vintage items!  As always, it’s in the little details, the quality of materials and the workmanship that the truth comes out . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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RARE TRUE VINTAGE 1930’S EMBROIDERED PUMPS

RARE TRUE VINTAGE 1930'S EMBROIDERED PUMPS

A rare surprise find for me – these beautiful pumps in excellent condition, from the 1930’s. Unusual to find shoes from that time in the first place, but with fabric uppers and in such good shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

These might look lovely with a Spring party or tea dress. They would also be beautiful with a tailored outfit for every-day. Of course, that depends on your every-day wardrobe . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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STUNNING TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SHOES AT THE SHOE MUSEUM

STUNNING TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S SHOES AT THE SHOE MUSEUM

Here’s another great collection of sling-backs & pumps.from the shoe museum in Mexico City. Look at the decoration on the vamps and the peep-toes. LOVE peep-toes!

Can you imagine owning beautiful designer styles like this, in 100% leather construction, done by hand?  Heaven!  Used to be, shoes like that were available in most shoe stores.  Now they’re all made of ticky-tacky and they all look just the same.

’40’s shoes are some of my very favorites, and such a pleasure to see so many examples in such beautiful condition.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S STRAPLESS DRESS WITH BEADED BODICE AND MATCHING JACKET

Here’s the flip-side of sweet – my favorite strapless number from the 1950’s. Rayon with beading and a killer fit.

I love to imagine where this one has or could have been. Smokey nightclubs come to mind. Maybe she was a singer.

It was a dark night in the city. The story you are about to see . . . . . . . ….. . .. . . . . … . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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LIKE THE LAST 1940’S JACKET AND SKIRT? HERE’S ANOTHER!

LIKE THE LAST JACKET AND SKIRT?  HERE'S ANOTHER!

This is one of my very favorite jackets – a lighter-weight rayon/synthetic number with an abstract print in brown on ivory, with black velveteen collar, cuffs & buttons. I wear it with a modern (80’s or 90’s) black silk skirt, at present.

Somewhere between the late Forties and the mid-Fifties this garment with an atomic print made a very stylish statement. It is utterly unique and I LOVE it!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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FOR EASTER, CHURCH OR A ST. PATRICK ‘S DAY DRESSY EVENT, A TRUE VINTAGE GREEN FEATHER HAT IS CHIC!

FOR CHURCH OR A ST. PATRICK'S DAY DRESSY EVENT, A GREEN FEATHER HAT IS CHIC!

No matter when you wear the green hat, it’s going to draw attention. So, why not St. Paddy’s Day? The black and white number with artistic feather trim is also to die for.  Chin straps were so practical.

These two are from the 1950’s and/or 1940’s. Marlene and Celia are feeling pretty “haute mode”.

Just love feather hats, and I’ll be showing some more before the Spring fashion parade is through. Notice that we’ve also got a veil. . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ONE OF MY FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SWING JACKETS – ELEGANT AND STRIKING

ONE OF MY FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S JACKETS - ELEGANT AND STRIKING

Couldn’t believe it when I spotted this one – an ivory crepe swing jacket with lovely shoulders and fabulous drape. It closes with a single covered button at the neck.  It’s a great silhouette, very elegant with lots of presence!

Over skirt, dress or slacks it’s so elegant and moves wonderfully. One of my best examples of what made Forties
fashions fabulous . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER DISCOVERY! TRUE VINTAGE ’70’S DOES ’40’S JUMPSUIT

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

FROM THE EARLY 1970’S RETRO FORTIES ERA

This is an unusual purchase for me, but it is so iconic of that early ’70’s time that I just had to nab it – and some of the details are compelling.  Jumpsuits were a big deal (briefly) during the early 1970’s, as they were (briefly) during the 1940’s, too.  Can’t wait to photograph it on Stella.  It’s a small size that will fit her to a “T”.

The first thing that caught my eye was the color – love this wonderful glossy Bordeau wine hue – and the fabric.  It’s a blend of acetate and rayon (very popular in the Forties) and gives the garment that wonderful drape plus adding the depth and shimmer to the color.

Shoulder pads, a nipped waist and plunging back above a button-and-zipper closure.  Couldn’t be a more flattering style on someone with a slim figure.  The waistline also has  belt loops, showing that a wide cinch belt was the original.  It will be fun to find the one I like best. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A TRUE VINTAGE SUCCESS STORY FROM THE 1940’S AND A CAUTIONARY TALE

WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT WHAT I GOT!!  A SUCCESS STORY AND A CAUTIONARY TALE

I absolutely adore this jacket. AND, it’s got a real story – The silk pants are not original, but the greenish bronze is a good match to the trim and I wear them with the jacket as loungewear.

When I first bought this jacket, it was a light lemon yellow, with emerald green embroidered trim, in a very large size.  From the  1940’s, the fabric was  a mystery – probably acetate or some blend.

It had been sold by a well-known (back in the day) Denver department store and carried their label.  I enjoyed wearing it as a wrap over strappy dresses or with skirts and light blouses. Yellow is not my best color, but it still worked.

After several years, I wondered how it might be to dye it a more flattering color – so, out came the scarlet dye and into the washing machine it went.  I’ve done this a number of times and have a system that USUALLY works – it’s ALWAYS a gamble.

So, what I got was a beautiful orange-red jacket with bronze embroidery (love it!) and in a size that fits me perfectly. Surprise!!

Could have been a disaster if I was not somewhat experienced and prepared.  Colors can turn out blotchy, seams can rip, fabrics can pucker and shrink beyond belief!!  Just a heads – up – the possibilities for success are endless, but so are the hazards, so here’s a word to the wise . . . . . . . . . … . . . . . . . . . learn your stuff well, then you can be adventurous!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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