Tag Archives: Forties

STYLISH FORTIES DRESS & FIFTIES SHOES IN NAVY – AND PEARLS!

IMG_0920 IMG_0974 IMG_0955This cute little shirtwaist dress was a surprise find.  Love it so much!   With a fabric-covered belt, Peter Pan collar and bows on the sleeves, in wonderful classic navy blue.

I have several pairs of shoes that would go well, but I’m showing these stilettos with little curlicues on the vamps – a favorite pair.

As Coco Chanel would say, no outfit is complete without pearls.   I collect nice ones whenever I run across them.   Most are costume, but some are real.   It’s fun to find different styles & hues, and they go with everything . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

GLAM RED VELVET LEISURE GOWN – TRUE VINTAGE 1930’S STYLE, BY MARILYN OF NEW YORK

IMG_0979 IMG_0980Here’s another mid-century at-home leisure outfit.  This one is a sumptuous lipstick red velvet design that mimics 1930’s – 1940’s style – I have a true vintage 1930’s rayon robe with tasseled sash – but this one, while still true vintage, is probably from the 1950’s or 1960’s.

LOVE the glamorous look and luxurious feel. What a treat to make a RARE discovery like this one (of course, that happens to me a lot, and each one is a delight!).

With pinked seams, rolled cowl neckline, a long back zipper and the wonderful rayon tassels on the belt plus a lovely embroidered tag.  I can just see “The” Marilyn wearing this  backstage in her dressing room, can’t you?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SOME OF MY FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE NECKLACES – 1920’S – 1950’S

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Glass beads, rhinestones, crystal, topaz, mother of pearl and silver, Lucite and nickel – these gorgeous pieces span from, I believe, the Twenties to perhaps as late as the early Fifties.  It’s worth taking a close-up look.

Many of the chains are of silver.  Most of the stones are semi-precious.  The lobster claw clasp seen on the second to the left is a replacement for the original.  The silver serpentine chain on the topaz pendant is also modern.

The large pink glass bead necklace was handmade in the ’20’s or ’30’s, with a brass chain. The rhinestones and Lucite are set in nickel or pot metal.

So pretty any time of year . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE NATIVE AMERICAN JEWELRY IN SILVER AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES

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Although handcrafted jewelry is still being made by indigenous artists in the U.S. and elsewhere, nothing compares to these older pieces.  Those that are truly antique by now are even more wonderful.

I have other, larger things, too, but don’t wear them as often.  These pieces are a combination of family heirlooms and some that I have found.  The design and heavier weight of older pieces makes them extra-special and the quality of the turquoise is superior, also.

Nothing more classic and unique,  any time of the year.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’s/1950’S/1960’s NATURAL POLISHED STONE JEWELRY

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Good with almost anything, a variety of jewelry items for women and men with polished semi-precious stones were really popular in the mid-century. Necklaces, bracelets, pins, sweater clips,cuff links, tie pins, rings – you name it.

Generally, these pieces were not of fine construction in gold or silver, but they lasted a long time anyway. Sometimes they came in sets, as the pendant and bracelet pictured at top. Often people would purchase them at vacation sites as souvenirs. Hobbyists sometimes made them at home, too.

I like to wear mine with many outfits, from casual to semi-dressy. It’s a real iconic mid-century touch.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE WIND-UP WATCHES: A CLASSIC AND FEMININE ACCESSORY

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I collect these in high-quality and stylish examples. Yes, you’ll have to wind it briefly once or twice a day and learn how to do that correctly, but no big deal. It’s well worth it and any minor repair for the fashion effect.

Silver and gold are out there, as well as base metal pieces. I look for delicate design and pretty straps.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE SEVENTIES DOES FORTIES BLOUSE AND HIGH-WAIST PANTS

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Two finds from the 1970’s, put together perfectly.  I love the cute 1940’s vibe;  these pieces were made in the early 1970’s when that style was revived.  The shirt was from Sears Junior Bazaar and the slacks made by a company called Beeline. How fun!

The pants are long, so they’re great with platform sandals – another thing popular at that time – also part of the 1940’s retro thing.  As a true vintage sleuth, it’s so fun to watch how the styles go around and come around again.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL WEDDING GOWN AND VEIL FROM 1940

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I’ve really been scoring the RARE finds over these past few weeks – older garments and accessories, iconic styles and items in great condition!  Can’t wait to get back to Headquarters and put this wartime bridal ensemble on Stella, who is the only one of my models who will be able to wear it.  Until then, I’ll tell you the story of this lovely gown and it’s matching veil.  As an additional blessing, the tale comes directly from the original family.

Although many brides were wearing suits and shorter dresses to be married in 1940, this bride chose the traditional full-length gown and veil for her ceremony.  It was purchased through a well-known department store, where her father was a buyer, and may have come from Europe.  The rayon dress is not a high-end item, but is an iconic design of the time and elegant in it’s simplicity.  An unusual feature is the antique ivory color, which is original.  The full-length veil of fine netting with embroidery flows from a delicate headband decorated with dried flowers and vines.

The gown was stored away after the wedding and cherished by the family for many years.  Now, I will continue to care for it with the love and respect it deserves.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

HEADING BACK IN TIME AGAIN – ANOTHER RARE FIND IN EUROPE. MID-CENTURY LEATHER HIGH-HEEL PUMPS

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TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER SHOES

If you look closely, you’ll see that these pumps were Made In America.  When was the last time we saw that printed on something?  It’s always the U.S.A. now, and has been since the 1970’s, I think.

These beauties are from way before that time – 1940’s – 1960’s – and have wonderful leather construction.  Although you can’t see it in the photo, the heels are 3″ high and sturdy.

Though found in Ireland (Dublin, to be exact), it goes to show that trade for some goods was going on even back then.  Maybe this pair are from the early mid-century era when Europe suffered more than North America from the effects of war and had to import many goods that otherwise would have been made there.

We’ll never know the exact story of how these slippers danced their way across the Atlantic, but someone loved them well and they found their way to – guess who . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY VICTORIAN-STYLE BOHO FINDS IN EUROPE!

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Talk about fussy and pretty .. . . . .!  Although they’re similar in some ways to the blouses shown yesterday, I like these so much better.  In spite of the high neckline on the left, they’re less prim and will look great with jeans and peasant skirts.

These styles go way back, from the 1890’s (with long gloves or a jacket, of course.  Can’t show those arms!) to the 1940’s and 1950’s when peasant-style was all the rage.  As always, the fashion came back in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s and was just as iconic then.

As I’ve said, it’s rare to find blouses and shirts this old in fabulous condition.  The things that  make this possible are the high-quality construction and fabric plus the fact that people used to care for their clothing much better than we do now.  For modern vintage sleuths, our gain!

So, never give up – just learn how to sneak smarter . .. . . . . . . . . . .. ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM