Tag Archives: find

OPENING ANOTHER JACKPOT! HERE S A 1940’S – 1950’S SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS WITH GREAT DETAILS

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How neat!  Classic mid-century styling by Renee Originals with excellent tailoring and hardly any sign of wear.  I just love old frocks that testify to the way that women used to value and preserve their clothing; especially the favorites!

The fabric may be a cotton/rayon blend.  It’s of a medium weight and printed in a checkerboard floral pattern – fall-ish colors with asters or Gerber daisies.  The buttons are black, faceted to look like jet, and there is ric-rac trim on the bodice and skirt.

I’m in love!  Of course, this is an Autumn to Winter dress although temperatures this year would let me wear it now.  I think I’ll save it for the season.  You’ll probably see it, along with other recent finds, modeled properly by one of the working “girls” whenever I get back to Headquarters.  We’re on a roll here, so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1940’S WARTIME HOUSE DRESS WAS A WONDERFUL SURPRISE FIND!

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Just right for Autumn, these dark tones are unusual and attractive.  The fabric wasn’t expensive, but is distinctive with a slightly nubby stripe woven in.  Take a zoom-in look.  A very practical style, like the women of that day.

The buttons add some interest with silver rims and extras trimming the collar.  That’s a smart place to put an eye-catching touch to the design with additional specialty buttons which would be hard to find.  A lost button would have a ready replacement.

I’ll love this frock for a long time.  As much as finding dressy, elegant and off-beat outfits thrills me, these more everyday, easy-wear items are still a favorite.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG;  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

 

A FAVORITE FORTIES SKIRT & BLOUSE FOR FALL, WITH A COORDINATING JACKET – AS ALWAYS, TRUE VINTAGE

IMG_1002 IMG_1003This combo is perfect for early autumn.  Three of my favorite separates, which are very versatile.

The blouse is a silky fabric – maybe silk or might be a synthetic of the time – in cafe’ au lait  with black polka dots. It’s so pretty here, or with pants or a suit.

The bolero jacket by Fashion Frock is also a favorite.  It’s a tweedy brown/black fabric with a black velveteen collar and fills out the ensemble nicely.

The skirt is wonderful!  Black velveteen with a big bow behind, between the buttons.  It’s also got a hem that dips a bit in the back.  Dressed up or down, so many ways to wear it and it’s so cute!

All these pieces are from the Forties or early Fifties.  That’s always a favorite era for me, and I so LOVE finding things that I can put together in lots of different ways . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE FORTIES/FIFTIES LITTLE FLORAL DRESS IN A DARKER BACKGROUND HUE

TRUE VINTAGE FORTIES/FIFTIES LITTLE FLORAL DRESS IN A DARKER BACKGROUND HUE

This frock has been with me for a little while.  It’s a pink and blue floral on a charcoal background, with a little bow on the bodice.  I have added a cloth-covered belt in charcoal.  Unusual shades to take us into autumn, still with a light and outdoor feel.  Would look nice with darker leather shoes and handbags, for a change, and maybe a coat or jacket as the weather changes.

 

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MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’S SWISHY FALL DAY DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’S SWISHY FALL DAY DRESS

IMG_1662Here’s an iconic Forties frock, in rayon or a blend.  Just a moderately dressy day dress which would have been a wardrobe basic for any smartly-dressed woman.

The top has interesting details – a fold-over neckline and ruching at the bottoms of the 3/4 sleeves.  Naturally, there is a zipper at the waist which will help you to squirm into it.  Of course Stella, bless her svelte little self, doesn’t have any trouble.

The skirt, in an Autumn hue, is made of a slinky fabric that swishes nicely. The print is halfway between atomic and abstract – one of those mid-century modern things that was beginning to happen post-WWII.

Very simple, with timeless lines and minimal detail.  A covered, tailored belt with a slide buckle finishes it all off.   As beautiful and interesting as some of the fussier garments were, the elegant pieces are the true gems . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

HOW ABOUT A TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SWING EVENING DRESS?

STILL WONDERING WHAT YOU'D NEED SOME ELEGANT GLOVES FOR? HOW ABOUT A TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S SWING EVENING DRESS?

Black is always good, but this dress – with its black velvet accents – looks just right for that Halloween party or autumn dance.  Originally from Margaret’s of Lubbock, Texas, it’s a ’40’s stunner with a big swingy skirt.  I look forward to photographing it properly on Stella some time, back at Headquarters.  But, for now, here’s an early photo I took shortly after the discovery.

Made of black taffeta sometime after World War II with black velvet tubing all around the skirt and making a false lacing up the bodice front.  Ruching on the 5/8 sleeves – a common tailoring touch on garments from the Forties.

As always, fashion good fortune was with me.  A great dance dress and fabulous find!  Jitterbug or Texas Two-step – let’s go!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com

ANOTHER COTTON DAY – DRESS! TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S SHIRTWAIST IN A VERSATILE MOCHA HUE

ANOTHER COTTON DAY – DRESS! TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S SHIRTWAIST IN A VERSATILE MOCHA HUE

ANOTHER MOCHA DRESS! TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S SHIRTWAIST

As you now know, I have a number of frocks in this style but this one is special – because I found it during my trip to New Orleans.  It’s very cute on and comes with sentimental value because I LOVE New Orleans and hadn’t been there in a long time.

This day-dress is made of a lovely soft cotton (worn many times) in mocha with a coffee-colored print design.  Just the right shade for early Autumn days.  As is common with some of the best garments, this one’s fabric-covered belt has a matching-color plastic buckle.  It’s always interesting when buckles and buttons are dyed to match the fabric.

The clothing in New Orleans, I found, has fabulous stories associated with it and many of the shopkeepers can tell you some!  The garments always seem to come from interesting people living in interesting places and with fascinating histories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM