Tag Archives: Forties

MADE IN JAPAN – LOOK AT THIS FAB COTTON KIMONO!

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Although the phrase “made in Japan” used to connote (in Western countries) some cheap trinket back in the WWI, WWII and Post-war days before their technological revolution, Japan is also the country that is known for gorgeous kimonos and traditional garments of the most elaborate embroidered silk.

Another unusual and  surprising find.  I’m not sure exactly how to date this 100% cotton robe, but it’s beautiful and well-styled in it’s elegant simplicity.  The fan motifs are very wonderful and I love the colors (as does Stella – with that auburn hair it’s dynamite on her!).

Definitely a keeper.  More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

OPENING THE TREASURE CHEST – TRUE VINTAGE LABELS ARE SO MUCH FUN

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Classic true vintage ’40’s – early ’50’s style, custom-tailored by Rosalie Couturier.  I loved finding this dressmaker’s personal label in the waistband of this beautiful frock!  What a nice surprise since it was hidden.  The best labels, like this one, were embroidered on cloth.

It’s amazing that this beautiful garment has survived 60 – 70 years in such wonderful condition.  Its original owner obviously loved it and cared for it well.

Lovely rayon fabric, with stitched-in pleats on front and back – bodice and skirt.  So many little hand-done details.  Beautiful, big sculpted shell buttons, fabric-covered belt.  A little wear there on the buckle, but that is the only flaw.

And, when I got it home it fit Stella beautifully.  Perfection!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

RARE EARLY MID-CENTURY ICONIC “SANFORIZED” COTTON SAILOR BLOUSE

IMG_1377 IMG_1379 What could be more classic than a sailor collar?  These have been popular fashion for decades and always come back.  Side vents, detachable “modesty panels” in necklines, and tartan plaid have also been important details found in iconic true vintage styles. This blouse was made in the 1940’SIMG_1378 to early 1950’s.  The label says it is made of “Sanforized” cotton – Sanforization was a process developed in the 1930’s.  It’s so unusual to find a blouse from that time that is in wonderful condition!

White cotton blouses used to be a major staple in every woman’s (and man’s) wardrobe. Men still wear them, more than women do, because they usually don’t do any of the ironing that is required!

Yes, they require more care in some ways, but it’s well worth it.  Nothing can compare to this fabric.  Also, if you do get a stain, it’s often easier to remove than from easy-care synthetics because cotton can withstand hot water.

Discovering a garment like this is always a high point of any investigation, for me.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MY TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SHOULDER SEASON FROCK BY LORA LENNOX – FROM KANSAS CITY!

IMG_1441Such a smart-looking little day-dress by Lora Lennox.  Apparently, this was a dressmaker label that was common back in the day.  The polka dots and big buttons are a lot of fun – plus the vibrant salmon – orange color; not garish and softened just a bit by the pinkish undertone.

I ALWAYS love shoulder pads and the hem flounce is very saucy.  These are wonderful when you walk in them.

Doesn’t this dress look fabulous on Stella?  I love it.  And the fact that I found it in Kansas City – well, that conjures all kinds of possibilities in terms of it’s history . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

A TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’S – EARLY 1950’S SKIRT SUIT – JUST RIGHT FOR SHOULDER SEASON

IMG_1453IMG_1452Here’s another ensemble in that lovely salmon pink that keeps coming back every decade or so – more to come!  This suit was such a fun find – look, it still has the original store tags hanging on!

Although it was an ordinary item when it was originally sold – more or less a generic garment with no specific brand label – notice the nice design and cute tailoring details.  Even in lower-priced vintage clothing the attention to smart and careful tailoring was almost always there.

Wouldn’t this be a nice outfit to wear this season to a dressy occasion that calls for something a bit conservative?  Even though I rarely go to events like that, I always keep one or two things ready to go . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

BACK IN TIME AGAIN – 60 OR 70 YEARS. A COTTON HOME-SEWN TRUE VINTAGE FROCK – 1940’S/1950’S

IMG_1239An unusual dark plaid, but a shirtwaist style and definitely for warmish weather.  Notice the second layer of skirt, with a little ruffle at the top.  I wonder if the fabric she used was sold from a narrow bolt, so she had to piece the skirt for that reason???

It’s so much fun to try and unravel the mysteries that older garments, especially, can pose.  Unlike dresses made later, that usually buttoned lower down to make them easy to get into, these earlier ones often button only to the waist.  That’s why those side zippers were so necessary.

It also allowed the waist to be kept really tiny, rather than gathered in by the belt – just barely large enough to get shoulders through, with the help of that zipper opening.  Ahh, fashion . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE/RETRO HEELS THAT ECHO THE FIFTIES

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA     Love the lines of this heel, and the leather construction.  Heel caps are nailed on and materials all quality.  When true vintage (at least 30 years old) and retro are combined in one piece, it’s all about style and quality to decide whether they’re a good choice or not.

Apparently made by a higher-end line of a popular brand from Brazil, which has done a lot of good vintage/retro styles.  I’m guessing these are late ’70’s, ’80’s or maybe early ’90’s. It’s a skill to find old retro items now, that still have some of the good quality.

Rivaling the real 1950’s thing enough to be worth picking up.  Such fun!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S/1950’S SHERBET-COLORED PEEP-TOE PLATFORM SANDALS

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These lovely sandals are very fine, in beautiful kid suede. They have tiny peep-toes – a favorite feature of mine – and sling-back heels.

What a fabulous addition to any 3-season dress or perky pants outfit!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ONE OF MY FAVORITE FORTIES FROCK FINDS

IMG_1274  I just LOVE this so much.  Look at that fabulous, huge velvet bow, the pretty scalloped neckline and the pleated panel in front.  Makes me feel exactly like I’m back in an old movie.

Shoulder pads, of course, and a side zipper.  This was an elegant dress for dinner or some special occasion.  In black crepe – the classic never-fail fabric for flattering fine frocks – whether formal or simply dressy.

Beautifully made, of course, though not a designer piece.  Didn’t matter back in the day, because the quality scale was so much higher.  I found another 1940’s dress at the same time which is a semi-exception to this rule and very surprising because of that.  But, then, it was wartime and social factors sometimes caused a major disruption in ladies fashion . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

PRETTY AND GLAM 1980’S DOES 1940’S RAYON SHEATH GOWN

Definitely retro (not REAL vintage), but I love the styling and the drape of the rayon fabric.  It’s got the iconic fit of 1930’s – 1940’s sheath gowns that were so elegant and dramatic.

The huge hibiscus flower is probably a bit over-the-top in terms of designs from wartime, but some very bold floral prints were made then, too.  Anyway, I think this one rocks!

So, Mata Hari, move over!  The Magicvintagespy is on a roll . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM