Tag Archives: fitted

PURE CLASSIC! VINTAGE DAY DRESS IN FLORAL COTTON

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Right on the heels of that daring red frock shown yesterday came this traditional, custom-tailored every-day dress in a beautiful cotton print.  Again, I can’t say exactly how old it is but it was home-sewn in a classic, mid-century style.  The fabric is gorgeous.

Although it’s another perfect fit for me, the style is very plain so I think I’d cinch the waist with a belt to enhance the fit and add a pert little scarf or pearls at the neckline, depending on my mood.  Yes, that would be VERY cliche’ ’50’s but – so what? – also a VERY pretty look. Unless I wanted to go completely kitchy for the fun of it, I’d leave off the hat/gloves -handbag/shoes sets.

Anyway, this dress really makes me hanker for Spring!  Can’t wait to see what turns up next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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MORE “NEW” FINDS! TRUE VINTAGE “TEA” DRESS A’LA SCARLETT O’HARA

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Here’s another mystery dress with regard to dating it exactly.  It’s a tea-length party gown which has done some duty over the years and has a very interesting neckline, made to be worn on or off the shoulder.  The bodice is boned, front and back, and the color is a rip-roarin’ red!  Scarlett would approve.

Always fun, and I know that it’s at least forty years old.  I doubt that it was custom-tailored, but there is no label.  Interesting tailoring details in a seldom-seen style, which fits me to a T!  However, I think I’ll need to invest in a corset for the best fit – I’ve never owned a regular brassiere that would do it justice.

When I get back to Headquarters, however,  I’m sure that Madge will be able to do it justice.  More tomorrow – stay tuned  .. . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A FAVE WASP-WAIST SUIT FROM THE LATE 1940’S

A FAVE WASP-WAIST SUIT FROM THE LATE 1940'S

Here’s a wonderful post-WWII skirt suit that has that superb hour-glass shape that I love. To me, it’s an era that produced some of the most flattering clothing – like the suit from yesterday, also.

In wool, with stripes of charcoal, mid-blue and wine. Padded shoulders. Cheeky little turned-up cuffs. And, a longer skirt which is very versatile on it’s own, too.

Although thoughts of Spring are definitely in mind, we could wear these gorgeous garments for at least another month in this kind of weather and I take advantage of every chance I have!  Let’s see what else I can find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE 1940’S TO EARLY 1950’S JACKETS

ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE 1940'S TO EARLY 1950'S JACKETS

From my just-about-favorite era, this is one of the items I have acquired from a vintage clothing shop and I just LOVE it. The shape and all the contrast trim is so smart!  It has a bit of a military vibe, which so many wartime  designs tended to.

As always, it is very well-made and tailored in mid-gray wool with charcoal accents on the collar, buttons and cuffs.

Alas, the original skirt was not with it, but it was not difficult to find a charcoal skirt that matches well, though is shorter than most skirts would have been, except during the war when they were shortened due to rationing of fabric.

This color and style is easy to mix and match with different-style skirts and slacks, especially if you stick with the charcoal color. A go-to jacket forever . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TWO LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE DRESSING GOWNS FROM THE 1920’S – 1940’S

TWO LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE DRESSING GOWNS FROM THE 1930'S - 1940'S

These kinds of lingerie items are so special and rare. Dainty, lightweight robes like the one on the left were standard bedroom wear in the ’40’s and before – the thing to wear between rising and dressing.

The contrasting colors of the rayon gown on the left are so unusual and little details like the tiny buttons and shoulder-augmentation make this a distinctive garment – not just something to throw on absentmindedly.  It’s from the late 1930’s to 1940’s.

The gown on the right is even older. It is of white/ivory rayon satin, with side snap or hook closure in a plain sheath style. I’ve paired a  bed jacket with it, made of similar fabric. This could be adapted to a formal dance or wedding gown and would be from the late 1920’s to the 1930’s, similar to a Coco Chanel design of that time (the dress – not the bed jacket).

Anyway, they are wonderful finds and gave me a real thrill to discover them! The fun never ends . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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1950’S FRENCH ROOM GLAMOUR & CREATIVE SLEUTHING SUCCESS

FRENCH ROOM GLAMOUR & CREATIVE SLEUTHING SUCCESS

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this jacket! It was from the “French Room” of some department store in the 1940’s – 1950’s and has the most lovely European couture style.

French blue with royal purple cuffs and attached scarf, wicked fit and unusual tailoring details. So unusual! Near the same time, I also found a French wool hat in the same purple – PERFECT!

I looked for several years for the perfect skirt or dress to go with it and, voila’, it did appear, as I knew it would.  Perfect color and fit – a sleeveless sheath dress.  Purples are hard to match, like many other hues.

Ooh, la la! Oui, oui!  So now I have my cute little outfit with just the right sassy chic.  Ce la vie for the Magicvintagespy.  Now for the shoes – I have the most perfect pumps from France in brown leather, but I would so much like purple. . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSES FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S IN SILK, LINEN & RAYON

Here’s the perfect shirt to go with those 1940’s pants, right here on the left – ivory silk by Lady Manhattan.  Nothing more classic and beautiful  – unless . . . . .

We move center to a waist-length linen blouse that buttons up the back. Look at that fabulous lace neckline.  How feminine and chic!  Under a little suit or just with a skirt . . . . . .

And, the blouse far right can do the same job in sumptuous rayon.  It shows more of the gorgeous hand-done tailoring detail that is so characteristic of true vintage garments.

They’re all treasures . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S CHRISTMAS RED VELVETEEN PARTY DRESS

PARTY, PARTY, PARTY . .. . . . . . . . . ..

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S CHRISTMAS RED VELVETEEN PARTY DRESS

Staying in the spirit – looking ahead to the Christmas Dance (or the Valentine’s Day Dance)! I just love this little circle skirt dress with sequins on the bodice.

Probably custom-tailored, with little cap sleeves and a skirt meant to swing.  Just right for dancing.

This is one of my favorite colors – good any season, but especially right when everything is white and gray outside. Velveteen is also such a feel-good fabric. You can’t beat rayon for drape, but velvet, silk, nylon and poly have their own lovely ways.

Zip up the back, waist-hugging style – there’s nothing too remarkable about the tailoring but it’s unmistakably TRUE VINTAGE, and  only the real thing that has that “look”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S JACQUARD COCKTAIL BLOUSE

THIS WILL BE PERFECT FOR UP-COMING PARTIES . . . . . .

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S JACQUARD COCKTAIL BLOUSE

Here’s a lovely, oh-so-flattering jacquard blouse for cocktails, dinner, dancing and parties. It looks superb with a long black skirt or black cigarette pants.

Notice the little bows at the waist. It also buttons up the back (I LOVE that feature of so many ’50’s blouses) with 5/8″ covered buttons. Very swank.

The fun thing about 50’s separates like this is that they were dressed up or down, since rock and roll, rhythm and blues and, later, cocktail parties became such a rage – on top of the more formal and traditional occasions that were always part of the social scene.

As usual, the cut and tailoring of this piece is outstanding. The fabric is quite nice, too. Just the right thing for a woman of intrigue to have in her closet, no? . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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HOW TO SEW WITH TRUE VINTAGE STYLE

Sometimes I come across patterns or notions from the true vintage eras that I love.  It’s worthwhile to pick them up, and I’ll explain why , , , , ,

Whether you sew or not, if you want to copy or have someone else re-make a true vintage garment,  a pattern is a necessity in order to get it right.  Unless you are a master at pattern-making yourself, the original cut of the garment will be impossible to recreate and the result will look like retro – not true vintage.

Beyond the qualities of the true vintage fabric and decorations that are used, the identifying factor of a true vintage design is the cut and, therefore, the way that it fits the body.  There’s no way to cheat on it and the look of the finished garment is unmistakable.

True vintage notions can make a big difference, too.  Buttons, of course, but zippers are probably the most important closure item with regard to getting the fit to be authentic.  Nothing will be more correct than a zipper that is like the original in looks and function.  And, we know how often one of those might need to be replaced . . . . . . .

So, there’s my little rant on that subject.  Of course, there’s lots more to get into if you are a couturier or just an expert needle-worker.  But, it’s worth knowing about, and very interesting when you want to get it perfect.

However, nothing is true vintage except real true vintage, no matter how well it has been reproduced.  But, if you’re very, very good at faking it, it’ll take a master sleuth to expose you . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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