Tag Archives: frock

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LITTLE GINGHAM DAY DRESS

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S LITTLE GINGHAM DAY DRESS

Don’t you just love this one? Well, I do. Gingham isn’t for every day, but it is for always. I love it in shirts, shorts, skirts, frocks, tablecloths, curtains . . . . . . . . . nothing says “vintage” like gingham!

The best things about this one, aside from the great fit, are the neckline detail and the cross-stitch embroidery near the hem. I think that this must have been handmade (oops – as if all clothing were not!).

Anyway, it’s cute as can be and has a very fetching, though lady-like fit. I’ve seen a number of garments with cross-stitch embroidery from this time period, and it seems like it’s often done on gingham. Duh – wonder why – saves a lot of counting – have you ever done cross-stitch? Then you know what I mean – shades of 8th grade home ec.

My, how I do digress – but that’s what true vintage does! It transports us to other times, other roles, foreign lands, fantasy situations – the movies! What better way to go tripping? Well, cruises are nice, a martini or two . . . . . . .

Oh, the vagabond and wayward life of a magicvintagespy. Who knows where the next assignment, or what diversion may take place in the meantime? You just never know . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S CASUAL KNIT DRESS BY LADY CAROL

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S CASUAL KNIT DRESS BY LADY CAROL.

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY: A LITTLE MORE UP-TOWN, IN A LAID-BACK ’50S – EARLY ’60’S WAY

A LITTLE MORE UP-TOWN, IN A LAID-BACK '50S - EARLY '60'S WAY

This was a fabulous find – not too dressy, but certainly a step up from some of the little day dresses I’ve shown recently.

Cotton, again – one of the most versatile and perfect fabrics for most attire 50 or 60 years ago. No one was afraid of an iron, and most women expected their clothing to last a lot longer than one season.

This is a snazzy little number, though possibly custom tailored. It shows off the mentality of women who had gotten tired of war-time deprivation and modest conservatism a decade or so before.

Although it took us a while, girls have always just wanted to have fun . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

MY “I LOVE LUCY” DAY DRESS – TRUE VINTAGE FROM THE 1950’S

Here’s another favorite dress of mine – true vintage,as always. I call it my “I Love Lucy” dress because it just reminds me of Lucy Ricardo on that show and something that she might wear – a bit of the harlequin!

Another full-skirted wonder in cotton (or maybe a blend – it’s an interesting fabric). I love the weave – so unusual, and colors that look well on me.

I love finding and filling my closets with things that I love to wear and feel really good in. No matter your taste or opinions about fashion, that’s what it’s all about.

I love the uniqueness,quality, glamour, fun and elegance found in true vintage fashion items and that’s one of the ways I make myself happy . . . . . . . . . . . . . always pay attention to yours . . . . . . .. . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

A FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE DRESS FROM THE LATE ’50S – EARLY ’60’S BY SWIRL

A FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE DRESS FROM THE LATE '50S – EARLY '60'S BY SWIRL.

A FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE DRESS FROM THE LATE ’50S – EARLY ’60’S BY SWIRL

A FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE DRESS FROM THE LATE '50S - EARLY '60'S BY SWIRL

This dress is one of my favorites from the 1950’s/early 1960’s. I have one or two others, and the style is very distinctive.  Applique’ decorations are a lot of fun on these older items, too.

It was made by Swirl and is a wrap-around. Easy to
wear with a flattering fit. One piece, with a belt that slips through and then ties in front.

I put the bandana bows on the shoulders due to some fade there (a common problem with true vintage items, due to storage) – and I like them! They go great with the cute flower.

Never fails to get compliments.  With some little red sandals, or even Keds . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950’S DRESS A’LA GRACE KELLY

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950'S DRESS A'LA GRACE KELLY.

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950’S DRESS A’LA GRACE KELLY

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950'S DRESS A'LA GRACE KELLY

This dress is very special. It was custom tailored, modeled after one that the American actress Grace Kelly wore to the premier of her movie “Rear Window”, in 1954.

The fabric is sheer, that’s why it’s pictured with a slip under. It has a fabric-covered belt and very full skirt. Naturally, a side metal zipper so it’s a bit too difficult for Madge to slip into.

The collar is actually larger than pictured, but I hemmed it because it was too wide for me. Didn’t cut it, though, so the original has not been damaged. Very important!

It’s a beautiful, feminine style and very elegant. Just what would have been expected from Grace. Was it made for me? Of course not – but I know who did make it and got the whole story. I’ve got another of her Grace-inspired creations to show later . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE 1940’s -1950’S DAY DRESS – ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITES

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE 1940's -1950'S DAY DRESS – ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITES.

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE 1940’s -1950’S DAY DRESS – ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITES

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE 1940's -1950'S DAY DRESS - ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITES

This one just turned up by surprise! and, I’ve worn it a lot ever since. It’s a favorite of mine. Love the print!  Madge can’t wear it because of the side zipper and she’s got SHOULDERS!  I look forward to re-photographing it on Stella.

A basic cotton day-dress from the ’50’s. I’ve forgotten whether it has a label in it or not (and I’m too busy to go look!) Doesn’t matter – I love it whether it was custom-tailored or commercially made.

There are some garments that you can put on, like the one I showed yesterday, and it says YES! when you look in the mirror. That should always be the criterion whenever you buy ANYTHING!

This one feels good to wear and to look at. That’s just the way it is. All my wardrobe items feel good for their own reasons. The ones like this one are those that find their way to my everyday closet.

The standards are different for everyone. Learn what yours are and always listen to that voice of intuition . .. . . .
. . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM