Tag Archives: formal

A TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY CAPE AND GORGEOUS COAT FOR A CHILLY DAY

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY CAPE AND GORGEOUS COAT FOR A CHILLY DAY

The temperatures are hovering Spring-like in some places, but I know that these wonderful garments can still be worn in many cities. One reason I still like cold weather is for the opportunity to wear lovely wool clothing.

The coat has a fabulous collar and stand-out sparkley rhinestone buttons, in my favorite red. I like to wear it in the evening.  They would both be from the 1950’s – early 1960’s.

The lovely woven cape came from San Francisco and was, undoubtedly, tailor-made with a silk lining bordered by about 6 inches of hand-done embroidery. It has arm slits for convenience, so I can easily substitute it for a coat or throw it quickly over anything else I might be wearing.

“Look, Fred – who’s that mysterious woman? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S EASTER DANCE PARTY / PROM POUF DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S EASTER DANCE PARTY / PROM POUF DRESS.

PRETTY SPRING SIXTIES FROCK FOR AN EASTER PARTY

PRETTY SPRING SIXTIES FROCK FOR AN EASTER PARTY.

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE – PROBABLY FROM THE 1960’s

TRUE VINTAGE HANDCRAFTED EVENING PURSE – PROBABLY FROM THE 1960's.

TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER FORMAL DRESS FROM THE 1970’S OR 1980’S

TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER FORMAL DRESS FROM THE 1970'S OR 1980'S.

A LATE 1970’S POLY-KNIT GOWN AND JACKET ENSEMBLE FROM A MIAMI SPECIALTY BOUTIQUE

A LATE 1970'S POLY-KNIT GOWN AND JACKET ENSEMBLE FROM A MIAMI SPECIALTY BOUTIQUE.

A LATE 1970’S POLY-KNIT GOWN AND JACKET ENSEMBLE FROM A MIAMI SPECIALTY BOUTIQUE

A LATE 1970'S POLY-KNIT GOWN AND JACKET ENSEMBLE FROM A MIAMI SPECIALTY BOUTIQUE

Disco Days again! This silver-sparkly knit dress and jacket are for dancing the night away.

The dress is bare shoulders with rhinestone-studded straps and trim, back zip and a side slit for doing the boogie. The jacket has rhinestone-studded buttons. I have some silver and black platform sandals from the same era that go perfectly!.

This is another of those specialty outfits from a small shop in South Beach Miami, Florida. It has the hallmarks of the late ’70’s – mostly in the fabric and some of the construction details.

Not a high-end garment this time in terms of its quality, but I’ll bet it was expensive because of where it was sold – even back then. Fortunately, all the rhinestones in the buttons and trimming are in place so we can’t fault the value of those items – they didn’t tend to fall apart.

I’m always pleasantly surprised to see how well decorative trimmings and buttons on true vintage fashion hold up over many years. It’s a blessing, because they’re irreplaceable!  However, I have found a couple of stores that specialize in these authentic vintage items where you can look . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE SWING DRESS FROM THE 1940’S

TRUE VINTAGE SWING DRESS FROM THE 1940'S

A lovely swing dress, of two layers, with a circle skirt and lace mesh overlay. This is so pretty!

It’s got a v-neck front and back, with a long side zipper. It swings and sways and such a flattering fit. I just love that cafe au lait color.

I believe that the fabric is rayon, at least for the dress underneath. That fabric was SO commonly used during the ’40’s. It can pose some care issues, but it has such nice qualities otherwise that it’s usually worth it.

This is not a Here I am. Look at ME!! dress, but once you’re seen, you won’t be forgotten. Best not to choose it when you’re going incognito . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S RED TAFFETA GOWN WITH A CIRCLE SKIRT

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S RED TAFFETA GOWN WITH A CIRCLE SKIRT.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S RED TAFFETA GOWN WITH A CIRCLE SKIRT

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S RED TAFFETA GOWN WITH A CIRCLE SKIRT

This is a very special dress – the one that the actress playing the “vixen” would wear in a 1950’s movie. Or, the devil with the red dress on. . . . . . . . .

Taffeta seems to be one of the favorite “special dress” fabrics from the ’50’s. I also love boat necks and 3/4 sleeves. Fire engine red always makes a statement. It’s not a debutante party frock – about 100 miles from the little white one I just posted!

I would really like to know the history of this one. Based on where I discovered it, I suspect that it was worn by a small-time bad girl or a wannabe.

One of those “in your dreams” dresses. It’s always good to have at least a few of those handy because, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM