Tag Archives: frock

I RE-STYLED A GREAT TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S WIGGLE DRESS!

IMG_1001     When I found this cutie, it was one slim dress – probably about a size 2 – 4, but very tight and petite in the bodice, so hard to squeeze into.   It also had a little wear on some of the seams.

I mused and pondered about how to save the dress so that I could wear it because I love the style and, especially, the pink/brown/ivory printed material.   It feels so wonderful – can’t explain it – you’d have to experience it yourself.   Some kind of synthetic or poly-knit, which was popular then and I’ve never seen any quite like it.   Love the color combo!

So – brainstorm!   There was a seam right at the waist and I separated the top from the bottom.   A stretchy band of matching brown knit lengthened the top just right for my torso and a simple elastic waistband in the skirt made it very easy to wear.   It works!

I opened a seam along the left side of the top for more ease and added some hooks and eyes.   A little hand-done repair here and there salvaged this find for many more wearings. Can’t wait to wear it with some of my Forties shoes!

Just goes to show that there are gazillions of possibilities . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S RAYON SHIRTWAIST DRESS AND LINGERIE SLIP

IMG_0991Navy blue again, with a white print.  Shoulder pads; the whole bit.   I just LOVE this style!   Forties rayon drapes so nicely, feels lovely and has a beautiful sheen. Shoulder pads and a belted waist are so flattering to many women and I love the prism-cut rhinestone buttons, too.

Pictured here with the rayon slip I wear with it.  Vintage nylon is wonderful, but rayon and silk slips are, also.  I like to combine similar fabrics  to my dresses in the undergarments I wear with them, if I can, or at least to match eras.

Also, woven peep-toe heels with ankle straps.  These are from the Forties or early Fifties and are also favorites.  All that’s missing are a garter and nylons, a handbag and jewelry – maybe a hat . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

A TRUE VINTAGE DO-IT-YOURSELF WARDROBE PLAN FOR YOUR 1956 OCEAN CRUISE

IMG_0970 IMG_0971 IMG_0969 IMG_0968 IMG_0967 IMG_0965 IMG_0964Can you imagine?!   You’re planning to set sail in a few weeks.  Why not spend that time knitting and crocheting your entire wardrobe for the trip?   Sound like a good idea?   Think of the money you’ll save!   Imagine the compliments and envious looks when other women see your gorgeous, custom-made outfits.  Just pull out the instructions in your latest issue of the McCall’s needlework magazine.

Such ambition those mid-century women had!  My pillbox is off to them . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE BLACK & WHITE KNIT DAY DRESS – SO SMART AND CHIC!

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I have found several of these elegant black and white styles from the ’60’s and ’70’s – and wear them a lot.  As versatile as a Little Black Dress for day and fun to accessorize.  If made by a well-known clothing company or designer, the workmanship was good .

Polyester knits made up until the early 1970’s were usually very nice – good quality and with a substantial feel and nice drape.  A well-made dress or pant-suit could take you through 3 seasons of the year.  Although similar-looking dresses are made now, the older ones almost always have superior tailoring and fabric.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ICONIC KENNEDY ERA MID-CENTURY LBD: TIMELESS ELEGANCE . . . . . . .

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Fabulous Stella – she’s a pro. Here she is looking stunning in a black crepe cocktail dress from about 1960.  Simple lines and expert draping, this frock is absolutely beautiful. Though it might be just a little bit hot to wear during a summer heat wave, as we’ve still been having, it’s a perfect transitional frock and can be worn year-round if the temperatures allow.

What could be more flattering than one of these fitted sheath dresses?  Though it looks very plain and does need one fabulous accessory piece to set it off, it has one design element that makes it super-special . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I’ll publish the back view next – wait till you see that!

Stay tuned . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

GORGEOUS PLUNGING BACK NECKLINE ON MY LITTLE BLACK DRESS TRUE VINTAGE FIND!

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Just look at this beautiful, sweeping back – it is the signature feature of this frock.  What an impression it makes!

I also love the bateau neckline, the fitted shape and lovely tailoring.  The fabric is perfect, too.  Crepe material like this in wool, acetate or rayon has such a wonderful drape to it – no wonder it was used so much for dress – wear up into the 1960’s, when it seems to have been replaced by polyester and poly blends.

Yes, poly is easier-care – no dry-cleaning needed – but it doesn’t hang like vintage crepe. Nothing does.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE FROCK AND MATCHING JACKET FROM THE EARLY 1960’S

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Found yesterday!  A beautiful cotton sundress with matching bolero jacket.  These lady-like dresses were popular in the early 1960’s for everyday wear.  Perfect for a day at the county fair.

Another reason for the good condition is the quality of the fabric and the workmanship.  A maker’s tag is still at the neckline and indicates that it was from an upscale mid-priced clothing line.

It’s another rare find.  I’m always so thrilled with the lovely tailoring details on these older dresses.  As usual, someone cherished this one and took excellent care – there’s hardly a bit of wear.  Just another day in the life of . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

ANOTHER MID-CENTURY FLOWER-POWER FROCK – FROM PARIS!

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GIRLY, GIRLY, GIRLY FLORAL DRESS FROM ABOUT 1970

See the similarities to the dress shown yesterday, from Canada?  Yes, the siren call of Fashion was making slaves of us all on both sides of the Atlantic.  All over the world, women who were able to follow the latest trends were rushing to wear this 1940’s retro style.  Even though Paris was slow to be corrupted, it happened.

The thought of it kind of ruins your day, doesn’t it?  Well, thankfully we’ve now reached the era when we can wear whatever suits our fancy without worrying about whether we’re up-to-date.  Because, if we develop our own unique, personal look, we will be very fashionable (and who cares, anyway)!

This dress was probably custom-tailored, too.  We’re still in polyester (of course), but not in a knit.  This is a woven fabric with a much lighter hand and a woven-in stripe for texture and eye appeal.  Same prim collar, fussy trim, puffed sleeve, nipped waist and swing skirt.  It’s also a little more sophisticated than yesterday’s frock – less of a rockabilly feel.

Still not haute couture, by any means.   And, like all the “newer” garments, it carries the stamp of international trends and fabrics that take away from it’s Parisian roots.  That’s one reason that I always prefer clothing from the early 1960’s and before.  But, if you have to go with something made later, why not choose something from Paris?  Tomorrow, we’re off to Ireland . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE SEVENTIES DOES FORTIES FLORAL DAY DRESS

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EARLY 1970’S RETRO-STYLE SHIRTWAIST DRESS

I’m dodging out of Paris and into Canada for one day because of today’s find.  In my favorite brown and blue combo, a custom-tailored poly frock from the early 1970’s that rocks the 1940’s vibe.

I’m impressed with how well the tailor set these ruffles on the collar and sleeves.  It testifies to some expertise. i’m not so much into ruffles, personally, but I adore swing skirts!

A simple dress but definitely from that time about 1973 when lots of cutesy ’40’s style elements were coming out in popular clothing.  I so love being able to date a garment very closely like this.  That makes it extra special. It’s a perfect fit for Giselle, too.  We’ll go back to Paris in the same time-frame tomorrow . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM