Tag Archives: formal

UPPING THE GLAM – GORGEOUS DRESSY TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S SHOES AT THE SHOE MUSEUM

GORGEOUS DRESSY 1950'S SHOES AT THE SHOE MUSEUM

More lovelies from the Shoe Museum, Upstairs, 27 Bolivar, Mexico City. These are all dressy styles from the 1950’s decade.  Some would also have come from Spain.

A real variety of beauties here. I would love to have been able to photograph them all and really do recommend a visit to this FREE small museum. Very well done!

Yes, I know that I stress the fact that I publish ONLY my own true vintage wardrobe. It’s true that I don’t OWN these shoes (sob), but I DID FIND & PHOTOGRAPH THEM and felt I must share them with all of you. Please forgive . . . . . .. . when I finish posting this series of pix, it’s not likely to happen often.  I prefer to play for keeps . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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SWEET 1950’S TRUE VINTAGE PARTY FROCK

This one is my very favorite – in a silvery plum. I think Peggy Lee would have loved performing in this.  Definitely a dance dress, maybe even for Prom.  Who knows – cocktails and a fancy dinner . . . . . . . . . . .?

One thing I love so much about true vintage garments is the specialty fabrics.  This one has the floral pattern embroidered on the black background, with metallic highlights.  And, of course, the fabric is cut to drape beautifully.

Your regular boyfriend can escort you around in this one, but he’d better be prepared for the competition . .. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SPRING FROCK FOR AN EASTER PARTY

PRETTY SPRING SIXTIES FROCK FOR AN EASTER PARTY

Spring flowers abound on this breezy semi-formal dress from the 1960’s. It is lined, but I think that originally a stiff a-line petticoat would have been worn underneath – probably with a crinoline to hold its shape.

However, the print is casual, so the petticoat could no doubt be omitted for an informal party. So up-beat for Easter doings, though a little jacket or warm shawl would also look pretty if it’s cool.

Empire waistline styling with a simple back zip. Although I adore the elegance of the Fifties and before, sometimes the extra simplicity of fashions that took over in the Sixties is refreshing – certainly easier for a quick costume change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE GOWN MODELED AFTER GRACE KELLY’S IN THE HITCHCOCK MOVIE “REAR WINDOW”

A very favorite find, custom-tailored in the early 1950’s after one that Grace Kelly’s character, Lisa, wore in the classic Alfred Hitchcock movie, Rear Window.  Lisa’s dress had a yellow printed skirt, rather than blue.  I even know the woman who made this frock in 1954!

The black fabric in the bodice is stretchy and the neckline very unusual.  It fits perfectly, no matter how your own curves go!  The skirt is of three layers, with sheer fabric on top and netting underneath.  The little black “leaves” are embroidered on the sheer overlay.

What could be more fabulous? – a costume similar to one worn by one of my all-time favorite actresses in a favorite movie by a favorite director! How intriguing . . . . . .. . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE SPECIAL-OCCASION SKIRT SUIT FROM THE LATE 1950’S / EARLY 1960’S

A BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE SPECIAL-OCCASION SKIRT SUIT FROM THE LATE 1950'S / EARLY 1960'S

Perfect for a special cold weather dinner or other holiday event or for a dressy winter wedding (as guest or bride), a semi-formal skirt suit is always astonishingly elegant.

This little lovely is of wool in a cream beige textured weave, with large ornamental buttons and a boxy cut, beautifully made, of course.  Knee or just-below length skirt and a hip-skimming jacket with bracelet-length sleeves.

The most arresting feature is the mink collar, which amps the visibility of this ensemble to a high level.   Or, you could remove the fur and replace it with a silk scarf or a pearl collar. It will make a noticeable entrance, but it’s powerful presence will only build after that.

You can decide if you’re Jackie Kennedy or Princess Grace or, or, or . . . . . . . . .. That’s the fun – you just never run out of options . . . . . . . . . ……. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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THE FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE MYSTERY DRESS FIND EXPERIENCE!!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

FABULOUS CUSTOM-TAILORED GOWN

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

Wow!  Another nice little journey that made my day!!  Not only did I spy this little number by turning a corner in a place where I don’t usually look, but when I got her home and made a closer examination, many elements of her story revealed themselves.  What a fun surprise!

The second two photos are what I first saw.  I knew it was true vintage right off the bat, but the lace puzzled me.  It looked a bit too modern and odd in it’s placement, but then I’ve been surprised before doing a little research in the past, so that didn’t stop me.  There were other factors which testified to her era . . . . .

Later on, I found more.  And, the lace was tacked on as an afterthought.  Did the original seamstress just want to gussy it up a bit or was it adapted as a costume years later?  It has a bit of a dance-hall girl flavor to it . . . . .

So, off came the lace and look what happened to the skirt when it wasn’t tied up a bit! Not a full circle, but with lots of movement.  And the fabric is incredible – a heavy rayon with a double-sided pattern that you could almost wear inside-0ut.  I’ve got a two-piece jitterbug dress from the pre- or post- WWII era that is made of similar material, so I think that I’ve got my time frame.  I’m going to go with that . . . . . . . . how cool!

It’s always fun to spot something that immediately leaves no questions, but those that reveal an on-going mystery story are the real icing on the cake.  More tomorrow . . . . .

 

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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE MID-1960´S PARTY FORMAL – FOR PROM OR ANOTHER SPECIAL OCCASION

SWEET SIXTEEN IN THE SIXTIES

SWEET SIXTEEN IN THE SIXTIES

I´d love to have Stella here now!  This innocent, cotton-candy gown is just right for a petite figure like hers – made to fit a teen-age girl like Buddy Holly´s Peggy Sue, but about 10 years later.  Lace and bows and sheer pastels, plus an ankle-length hem  – all the things that used to be standard for a Prom dress back in the day.

It´s just so iconic of that time – in between some of the sophistication that was coming out in the late Fifties and very early Sixties, and before the Mod fashions hit hard.  Less elegant or frilly, a little more casual, but VERY sweet and girly.

We´re so lucky that many women of the Sixties and before tended to hang on to their favorite ¨special¨ dresses for decades, preserving them for fashion archivists and those of us who adore true vintage today!  The best treasure is usually buried pretty deep . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1950S – ’70S “HAPPY DAYS” UNISEX JACKET

Can’t resist the autumn jackets right about now . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

Doesn’t this just make you want to pull out the Mickey Mouse ears, saddle shoes, or Keds and toast marshmallows? Or maybe put on the Frye boots, a workshirt and painter pants for a “70s thing – whatever mood you’re in, it’s fun to have garments like this in the closet. ONE GLANCE and I knew that it was not a modern item. That’s the cool thing about true vintage – even people who aren’t expert at picking it out will notice something different or intriguing about what you’re wearing that sets you apart from the crowd.

This one is of a heavy knit that has kept its shape beautifully. Aside from a little fuzz, which can be shaved away, it is in excellent condition. I suspect that it is from the 1960s, all things considered, though the style could span 2 or 3 decades. It’s certainly not a high-end…

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TRUE VINTAGE 1970’S GUNNE SAX BY JESSICA “DANCE-HALL GIRL” DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1970'S GUNNE SAX BY JESSICA "DANCE-HALL GIRL" DRESS.