Tag Archives: frock

TRUE VINTAGE 1960s – ’70s FULL LENGTH FLORAL PARTY GOWN

TRUE VINTAGE 1960s - '70s FULL LENGTH FLORAL EASTER PARTY GOWN

,Zooming into Summer now, you may be looking around for outfits to wear this weekend, to a garden or patio party . .

A beautiful gown in a pastel floral print, perfect for a dance, dinner, theater event, etc. – anything a bit more formal that this week’s celebrations or events might throw at you.

This one has an empire waistline seam, a sheer layer of fabric over an opaque lining and a center back zipper. No slip necessary, though I do have a true vintage long crinoline underneath in this picture. I’ll show that to you later as it is very interesting, itself.

I’m not sure whether this dress was made in the ’60s or ’70s. I lean toward the ’60s, but it is a classic style with only one tag left inside that is not a definite answer to the question. But, the fabric just has a ’60s feel to it . . . . . . .

Anyway, it is lovely and radiates the feeling of cheerful, bright sunny days. This is the kind of thing that we all like to start wearing this time of year. If it were shortened (or maybe even if not) and without the crinoline it could be worn as a day dress, because of the simple style.

Look for things like this now. Lots of older women made a habit of cleaning out their closets in the Spring, and you just never know . . . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy
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GORGEOUS MID-CENTURY SPECIAL OCCASION SILK DRESS FROM AUSTRALIA

IMG_1056     Back to my Australian find – I found the best photo and description of this gown and Stella shows it off properly.  I gasped when I discovered it.  It may even have been a wedding gown back in the Depression and World War days of the 1930’s and 1940’s when they were often simpler.   But, I suppose they had the equivalent of “debutantes” in that society, too.  The custom of showing off young, marriageable women “of good family background” was a widespread practice that still persists in some places.

Lots of clues:  Since Australia is closer to Southern Asia than we are in North America, silk may have been a more  popular fabric for better dresses than it was here.  A friend of mine says that she remembers the wired necklines from the 1950’s.  This dress was made for a VERY tiny person (even more so than Stella), so it could have been floor length on the original owner.  Impossible to say for sure.

Anyway, it’s beautiful and unique with an interesting history. I’m glad to have it home where I can show you a better photograph.  Fully lined, with covered buttons at the wrists and that collar with  wiring all around the edges – it was quite a tailoring project for someone!  It’s really one that makes me wonder what stories it can tell . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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STELLA’S TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S 2-PIECE WEDDING SUIT

IMG_0937
This is the ensemble that Stella was wearing when I met her and I’m glad she didn’t want to give it up.  I’ll be showing some white satin 1940’s wedding pumps tomorrow.   Although they didn’t come with this outfit, they’d be just perfect with it!

During wartime, this was a relatively modest choice for her wedding and the bride probably had this suit custom-tailored.  Naturally, it has many of the 1940’s styling details which were popular then – shoulder pads, nipped peplum waist, a handkerchief hem and a rare coil metal zipper in the skirt.

Also, some of the favorite classic features of a wedding gown are also present – rows of tiny, covered buttons and medieval-style points on the sleeve hems.  The fabric is a substantial brocade/jacquard floral – not a high-end textile, but nice.  Clearly, this wedding took place in a formal setting.

I wonder about her hair . . . . bridesmaids?  Wouldn’t it be fun to go back as a guest? . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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AND, HERE’S MY EARLY 1960’S KENNEDY ERA WEDDING DRESS SURPRISE FIND

Isn’t she sweet?  The early Sixties were still so precious, with their knee-length princess dresses.  And, they brought shoulder tails back again for dressy frocks.  So unusual.  With sequins decorating the midriff, too . . . . . . . .

I’d be confused whether I was going to get married or going to the Prom . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE SILK FORMAL DRESS OR WEDDING GOWN FOUND IN AUSSIE-LAND

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThis frock is another of my stupendous finds in Australia!   Made somewhere between the 1940’s and 1950’s, it’s a gorgeous dress and I suspect that it really is from the Forties.

Looks like it’s hand-tailored, but by someone who was REALLY good.  The collar is reinforced with hidden wire that is soft to wear, but holds the shape and lets you reshape the neckline as needed –  an unusual tailoring feature that emphasizes the irreplaceable value and uniqueness of true vintage clothing and accessories.

It’s a demure style, despite the neckline plunge, and could be full-length on a petite figure.  I wonder if it was made as a wedding gown?   Although some were very fancy, many of that time did not have a lot of frill and fuss and were actually very tailored styles.

No matter what, I’m sure that this gown has at least one fabulous story to tell!  I wonder . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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AN INTERESTING VINTAGE/VINTAGE-STYLE WEDDING/DANCE DRESS

AN INTERESTING VINTAGE/VINTAGE-STYLE WEDDING/DANCE DRESS

This ’20’s – style dress was made in the 1970’s and was probably intended to be a wedding gown.  The design is actually a hybrid ’20’s/’40’s in some ways. As marginal as the 1970’s were with regard to quality fashion (in my opinion), I have found some vintage-inspired garments made during that decade that were pretty cool.

This dress has never been worn – still has a paper inventory tag fastened inside the left sleeve. Also, there are care and content tags, but no maker’s label.

It seems fairly well-made and is an interesting design.  I find it intriguing as a curiosity, mostly, and would put it in the category of the Gunne Sax dresses of that time, many of which were styled after antique fashions.

Was this the remnant of a wedding that never happened, or just dead stock?  I wonder.. . . .  you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY SIXTIES FORMAL OR SEMI-FORMAL DRESSES IN PASTELS WITH LACE OR EMBROIDERED OVERLAY

EARLY SIXTIES SPRING SEMI-FORMAL DRESSES IN PASTELS WITH LACE OVERLAY

A hallmark of early Sixties fashion was lace or embroidered organza overlay, which we see again and again every decade or two! These very pretty frocks were meant for semi-formal occasions – dinners, parties, dances and ceremonies. A professional cleaning will refresh the full-length ones in time for a wedding!  The bride would look gorgeous in the white and the blue is perfect for any of a wedding party or mother-of-the-bride.

They’re so feminine and flattering, in a variety of styles.  And, of course, beautifully-made.  I especially like the knee-length one – a little bit Mod, but also traditional.   The lace over-dress is partially open in the back, revealing the fitted sheath beneath.  Long sleeves add a little warmth for early Spring and make the design more demure BUT . . . . . . .

very sexy in an elegant and sophisticated way.  They knew how to do that back in the day.  A lost art?  I hope not  . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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SLEEK AND SHAPELY. A CUSTOM-TAILORED FIT AND FLARE FROCK, 1960’S

SLEEK AND SHAPELY. A CUSTOM-TAILORED FIT AND FLARE FROCK, 1960’S

I just LOVE this dress with its big hem allowance, like the sundress from yesterday, vintage metal zip and beautiful color palette. The photo doesn’t do the fabric justice – tones are a bit darker and more vibrant in person. It’s a cotton twill with just enough heft to hang well. The dress fits me perfectly and the cut is very flattering. This photo makes it look as though something a little wonky is going on at the sides of the bodice, but that is not the case. The dress is seamed in a way to define the waist a bit and make the upper body fit more closely.

This combo of deep red, scarlet and turquoise is one of my favorites. The addition of orange, yellow and greenish accents make a really lovely color experience that almost seems to draw me into an interesting landscape or a Moroccan souk full of beautiful carpets, fruits and vegetables. It’s wonderful to discover handmade garments made in ways that follow the techniques of excellent construction. Can’t wait to try this one, in particular, on Stella. She always does justice to my fitted finds. Take a look at previous posts and see what I mean.

Tomorrow we’re in for fabulous fun with dress discovery #3. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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CUTE CUSTOM-TAILORED DAY DRESS WITH MATCHING SCARF – TRUE VINTAGE FOR SPRING, SUMMER OR EARLY FALL

IMG_1671 IMG_1665This frock is another of Rosalie’s creations.  (The mother of a dear friend and a fantastic seamstress).  A simple design made interesting with inverted pleats on the bodice and skirt. She was such an exceptional tailor! The fabric is a textured type that was very popular in the mid to late ’60’s which resembles burlap or “hop sacking”.

I have added the chain belt, though the dress was intended to hang straight and falls nicely without it.  The scarf is another addition – also Rosalie’s, but it was commercially made.  Since the colors blend so nicely and both are from the mid-sixties Mod era, they are really good together.  This is a good example of how accessories can transform an outfit.

So, here’s an everyday ensemble from 50 years ago that’s so easy to wear and has a different “twist” that makes it absolutely unique today!  Even though it’s not pop-your-eyes-out vintage, people will see it and say “hmmmmm. . . . . . . . . . . . . .?”

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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