What fun to find this!! Love true vintage men’s and boys’ shirts and tops. Since men usually tend to be much harder on their clothing than women do, it’s unusual to encounter garments that have survived, especially in wonderful condition like this one.
Just an everyday casual shirt, it’s still got a great fit, fun collar and wonderful lightly-brushed cotton fabric. Happy Days all over again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Flygirls by Black Flys – love that Eighties vibe that zoomed back to the 1940’s again. It seems like the early 1970’s does Forties thing was early Forties puffed shoulders, cute collars, jumpsuits, platform shoes and, maybe, little shoulder pads. The early – mid 1980’s does Forties was WWII and post-war BIG shoulders, peplum waists, shirt-dresses, platform shoes, pencil skirts in longer lengths and some accessories like large paste and rhinestone brooches.
So, these New Wave glasses remind me of that time when sunglasses were first being worn by regular folks and considered fashionable. Usually they were made from one of the first plastics that were being invented around the time of the two World Wars and becoming more and more popular.
Of course, the case is pure 1960’s – early Seventies flower-power retro that I found. It’s great for these glasses because it is hard (very protective), coordinates color-wise and fits the glasses well. It’s so important to protect your true vintage items from damage – they’re irreplaceable pieces of fashion history and such wonderful parts of a wardrobe!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I just had a windfall of finding a whole armful of lovely pastel full slips from the ’50’s and early ’60’s, but I’m going to show you this one first, which I found a few days ago. It’s older, and longer, and more elaborately-styled in a design which I rarely find.
This slip is from the era when lingerie was made as if it were the main attraction of your whole outfit. Forget what you’re wearing on top of it – the beautiful underthings is what’s really going on. Look at those stunning crystal pleats on the bodice and the flounce at the hemline.
A slip that is so well-styled, carefully-made and of a wonderful, heavy nylon or rayon (or cotton, for summer) that it could stand alone as a dress is the kind of slip that our grandmothers wore every day. Some were fancier than others, but even the more day-to-day items were elegant.
More pretties to come, and more to discover. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
When it rains, it pours! Wedding dresses have been coming my way. This beautiful frock would also do nicely as a semi-formal dress for Prom or something similar.
Pretty taffeta with a brocade design woven in – the head-dress is very sweet with little pearls and flowers and a short veil. The dress is really a straight sheath, with a poufy over-skirt lined by a netting crinoline. I think that elbow-length sleeves are so chic and elegant – it’s nice to see them here, finished with a little bow.
I don’t need a wedding dress or a Prom dress so this set may end up going to another bride or to a high school dance, but either way it will be a fabulous find again for some lucky girl . . . . . . . .. .. . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I had one other 1960’s sheath dress with fringe like this several years ago, and it was a surprise. Looks like a hoochie-coochie 1920’s or ’30’s frock but that kind of fringe is so GREAT for Sixties dancing, too. I guess some women thought so . . . . . . . . . . .
The interesting thing about this particular one is that the body of the dress is made of a soft fabric that feels like cotton with chenille stripes. I thought chenille was just for bedspreads, bathrobes and sweaters. That’s one thing I love about this investigating – you learn something new every day (and get to play dress-up every day, too).
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Just picked these up as curiosity items, in the case of the boots, and fashion finds in the case of the wedgie sandals. Great additions to my collection!
Let’s start with the boots. They look like Sixties style(?) and have old metal Robin zippers up the side. Made for super-practicality, as most fashion rain-wear was back in the day, they are one-piece rubber construction. Not meant to wear in your garden like English Wellies, these were street-wear for very wet (or snowy) days. Waterproof below the zippers. I just love these everyday examples of true vintage products’ sensible value. Nothing frivolous or impractical here, but with a nod to fashion, as well.
Next we go on to a 1980’s brand that I collect whenever I find them – Penaljo made some wonderful 1940’s – 1950’s retro sandals and I show my latest find (the grey ones) along with some I already had (the green and cork pair). Just love these for summer – so wartime/I Love Lucy. ADORE wedge heels – very cute with shirtwaist and sun-dresses, capri’ pants or skirts. Leather construction with good attention to detail. Worth picking up. So, we’re on a roll. Stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
From the 1960’s back to, maybe the 1920’s, these three are my oldest vintage examples of Hawaiian gowns. From the farthest left, to right –
Psychedelic hues and patterns on the far left – not hard to see the late Sixties here. The center dress is from the 1950’s and is fashioned in the traditional Hawaiian style, with a panel on the back that is almost like a train, without the dragging hem.
On the far right is a mystery dress with a metal side zipper. It has images in the print that are not your standard Hawaiian shirt variety and the fabric is very different –
instead of being the heavy cotton that I’d usually expect, it is a fluid material that I’d guess is rayon. If the label did not indicate that it was made in Hawaii, I’d say it had come from Japan. The toggle closure at the neck is also something often seen on Chinese and Japanese garments. It’s also got a very 1930’s cut – close to the body.
Hmmm . . . . . . . . . this is REALLY Mata Hari undercover espionage stuff. I wonder how she wound her way to the place where I discovered her . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I just love, love, love the look of round-toed pumps! These are sweet and sassy at the same time, and oh, so of-the-period. When I really want to be back-in-the-day, these are some that I’ll wear.
Black suede, 100% leather construction with elegant bows on the vamps – this pair is made by Air Step. Another fabulous discovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
These gorgeous lingerie gowns were another surprise find – always so much fun! The shoulder detail is what really makes them stand out – the way the straps are joined in the front. They just don’t make ’em like this anymore.
The sheer panels and the gathers are also lovely, as well as the cloud-soft feel of the nylon fabric.
Sigh – to die for . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Wool felt with leather interior and exterior hatbands – it’s a quality item that was sold by a western-wear dealer in Denver, Colorado. This one could be several decades old or just a couple – that’s how durable and stylish true vintage apparel is!
When it’s taken care of, it lasts and lasts and never goes out of fashion.
What could be better than that? Tomorrow we’ll see . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 