Love this true vintage coat! Beautiful wool, by Sterling, also with a one-button closure and lovely shawl collar. This kind of sumptuous material is pure vintage and the pattern makes it unusual.
Neutral colors make it perfect for any cold season – autumn on into winter.
It was a surprise find that I snapped up in a flash! Most of my finds are that way, which is what makes vintage-hunting so much fun and such a wonderful bargain.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This lovely true #vintage #coat is in a brown tweed with flecks of other warm colors and has a brown acetate lining. Though the photo doesn’t do it justice, it is really cute and has a nice swing. It makes me think of Britain, though I think it was made in the U.S. – “a Petite by Fashioned”. It’s so classic and of high quality that I can’t say exactly when it was made.
I love the little straps with buttons that decorate the collar on either side of the neck. Little touches like this are the delight of true vintage items and aren’t done nearly as well (if at all) on more modern #clothing.
This coat closes with only one hidden button in front. I have one or two others like this and several, as well as capes, that don’t close at all or just at the neck. I wondered when I wore it the last time if it would be warm enough in 20-something cold. It was just fine!
So, don’t let lack of button closure discourage you from buying a great vintage coat if you #find one that you love. Adding a belt is always a cool option, if you want to.
I was thrilled to find it – I’ve never seen another like it. True vintage is so original! You just never know . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It’s still cool enough to wear them for dressy evenings and I love to top my party-wear with these old fur-trimmed lovelies. The brown one is from the Forties and is of a light-weight wool with dyed rabbit trim. The black coat is lined rayon crepe with mink at the cuffs – perfect over a little black dress.
This time of year, with Valentine’s behind us, St. Pat’s day and Easter approaching is full of special events going on and good opportunities to dress up a bit. Never to be missed! Go forth and enjoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
These black crepe coats are so fun and individual – I really love wearing them! While not being fully antique, they are earlier examples from the ’30’s & ’40’s. One may be from the early ’50’s . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .
On the far left, the characteristic feature of this one are the shoulder tails, which are folded across the front in this picture. It also has a deep slit in the back hem – almost a long jacket, rather than a coat.
In the center is a rather plain, tailored black crepe coat, but you can see the scalloped hems on the sleeves. Perfectly elegant and discreet.
On the right, a plain, one – button front crepe coat with ivory lining, deep side slits and mink cuffs at the elbows. Hardly inconspicuous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
In three lengths, sumptuous and elegant, black velvet evening wraps from the ’40’s and ’50’s. Can’t see detail in these photos (black is that way!) but the detail, though lovely, is not terribly important because you can see the lines.
The detail is subtle in the garments – the focus is on elegant simplicity, beautiful fabric and beautiful cut. What could be better over your choice of evening ensemble?
Besides, they’re very discreet at night, in the dark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This true vintage beauty from the ’50s or early ’60s was another surprise find. In textured wool, 3/4 length in a swing design (love that), angled pockets, wing collar and a silky satin black lining.
Label from Marshal Field & Company, Chicago. The buttons, of plastic or bakelite, are carved to reflect light in such a way that they sparkle as though there were rhinestones! I’ve never seen buttons like this before (and I’ve seen LOTS of vintage buttons).
Like new. Looks great on! It was stuck in with a lot of other nondescript coats. You just never know . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This unusual ensemble was hand-tailored – and beautifully done! I just love finding true vintage garments that have been custom-made. The workmanship is often astoundingly fine.
Just look at those great buttons, too! Rarely have I found these, plus that hat. The fabric is a beautiful marled woolen weave in Autumn colors and both pieces are fully-lined.
A wonderful discovery from the late 1950’s – early 1960’s. Wowee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
You know I’m not a big coat collector, though my behavior this season might make a liar of me – so many fantastic vintage examples have come my way. Couldn’t pass this one up. It was sold by the old bargain department store where so many mid-century women shopped – Woolworth’s – and carries their label.
For one, the blue and gold plaid is unusual, as well as the scalloped collar and pocket flaps – this is a style more often seen in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The swing cut and midi length are almost always signs of the early mid-century time, too.
The feature which surprised me most is the zip-out pile lining – so practical and progressive for that era (I thought!). Without the liner, the wool shell is medium weight and has a nice black lining of rayon or acetate – good for spring, fall and mild winters. The liner has complete sleeves that end in ribbed cuffs to make the coat truly warm for cold winters. Such a perfect outerwear garment to be sold to modern mid-century women who were practical and thrifty to a fault (having lived through the Depression and WWII) but also ready for style and plenty to come into their lives again, which it did with a vengeance in the 1950’s.
The icing on the cake is that this coat is in almost perfect condition. Yes, it was worn, but so well-looked-after that you’d hardly know it and those few little signs will be easy for me to repair. So sorry that it’s way too big for me, but just had to buy it and show it to you, while repeating the story it tells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Very feminine, very versatile. I photographed it on Madge and it fits her “VA – VOOM” like a Fifties sweater-girl but I think I’d like to see it on more petite Stella, instead.
This little blouse is a fine sweater-knit. Looks great with pants or skirts. Although it doesn’t show well in the photo, the small collar is decorated with delicate applique and beads. I haven’t tried it yet with the ’40’s slacks shown yesterday but the color is close so it might be perfect! What a fabulous find.
This blouse is a cross between sportswear and dress-wear. In the Forties, daily outfits were usually more finely tailored and sophisticated than what is worn now, no matter how “cute”. If you really want to be well-dressed, take a lesson from true vintage fashion . . . . . . . . . .. ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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With this photo, I’ve shown most of my true vintage bed jacket collection. But, as always, you just never know . . . . . . . .
The one on the left is obviously the most unusual, and the oldest (probably 1940’s), but look at the gorgeous lace, ribbons and embroidery, the feminine styles, the soft and flattering blues of the 1950’s versions. And, even quilting, for a morning that’s colder. No wonder I love them and do a happy dance when I find another.
All of these were probably owned by women from middle-income families and were part of an average wardrobe – frequently used. Oh, the charm of it all . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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