BEAUTIFUL SPRING SKIRT SUIT FROM THE SIXTIES

IMG_2613

Though it’s not by a high-end designer, it would have been right for Jackie Kennedy.  This lovely wool suit was just the thing in 1962.  So well-made, with all the little tailoring details that are so important.

One of my favorite things about it is that the mink collar is lightly stitched on, so that it can be easily removed.  It’s nice to have that choice.

Not my color, unfortunately, so I recently put it on eBay but I have two other colors very similar which I can wear.  It’s fun to see how all of them are as alike as colored Easter eggs, yet each one is different . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

 

2 BEAUTIFUL BEAVER JACKETS

IT’S STILL WAY COLD ENOUGH FOR THESE.  BOTH ARE 1950’S TRUE VINTAGE.  THE ONE ON THE RIGHT WAS FROM MY FAMILY.  THERE’S HARDLY A MORE BEAUTIFUL FUR, THOUGH UNLESS I FIND A TRUE VINTAGE ITEM AT LEAST 60 YEARS OLD, I PREFER TO BUY IMITATION.2 BEAUTIFUL BEAVER JACKETS

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

TRUE VINTAGE SWEATERS – FOUND IN AUSTRALIA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI always love finding true vintage sweaters in good condition, because they’re rare and a lot of fun to wear.  The weather is certainly right for them now!

The 1960’s top on the right looks very plain but it’s knitted of a yarn with sparkle, even though it is not a dressy design.  Just a cute, everyday item with Happy Days style (and  looks much better on my mannequin, “Madge”, than on the hanger – couldn’t wait to get it home).

The cardigan on the left is the star of this post.  Of soft wool, it is hand-embroidered and the body is lined.  Full-fashioned with hand-tailored details, as was usually the case with good-quality garments made before 1965 or so.  Though there is no tag saying so, it may have been made in British Hong Kong, as many of them were.

Wait till you see the next things I’ve come up with . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

WOWEE AGAIN!!! MORE GREAT FINDS TODAY

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-1-11111211111112111Today, on a more-or-less routine survey, I had wonderful good fortune.  I’m just about to re-examine and photograph my newest acquisitions and get them ready to post on the blog.  Because I have already scheduled postings for the next three days, expect to begin seeing these on Sunday, Nov. 13.

Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

THE 1950’S HUSBAND’S ANSWER TO BUYING A MINK

THE 1950'S HUSBAND'S ANSWER TO BUYING A MINK

Genuine mink fur novelty jewelry had a bit of mid-century popularity during the 1950’s. Kind of a fun idea at the time, BUT –

if we could go back in time to advise our young grandmothers, we might say  “Be careful what you ask for!”  This whimsical little mink “brooch”  may not be exactly what Ethel had in mind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE SPECIAL-OCCASION SKIRT SUIT FROM THE LATE 1950’S / EARLY 1960’S

A BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE SPECIAL-OCCASION SKIRT SUIT FROM THE LATE 1950'S / EARLY 1960'S

Perfect for a special cold weather dinner or other holiday event or for a dressy winter wedding (as guest or bride), a semi-formal skirt suit is always astonishingly elegant.

This little lovely is of wool in a cream beige textured weave, with large ornamental buttons and a boxy cut, beautifully made, of course.  Knee or just-below length skirt and a hip-skimming jacket with bracelet-length sleeves.

The most arresting feature is the mink collar, which amps the visibility of this ensemble to a high level.   Or, you could remove the fur and replace it with a silk scarf or a pearl collar. It will make a noticeable entrance, but it’s powerful presence will only build after that.

You can decide if you’re Jackie Kennedy or Princess Grace or, or, or . . . . . . . . .. That’s the fun – you just never run out of options . . . . . . . . . ……. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TWO UNUSUAL TRUE VINTAGE EVENING COATS – 1940’S – 1950’S

TWO  UNUSUAL TRUE VINTAGE EVENING COATS - 1940'S - 1950'S

I just had to add these to my collection when I found them! The coat on the left is a lightweight wool in a textured weave and could possibly be worn over a dressy day-dress, too. The coat on the right is a lightweight black crepe.  Let me describe them in more detail . . . . . . ..

The brown coat on left has a rippley collar and bands of fur – probably mink (not sure) – around the collar and down the front.  It has big fabric-covered buttons in front and on each sleeve. It could be knee-length only if you’re quite short.  This one was made during the 1940’s.

The black one – more an “opera coat” (but not long enough) – is made of black rayon, lined in white, with sable-colored mink on the cuffs.  Perfect sleeve length for long gloves.  It would be knee-length on someone of average height. I think it was made to wear over LBDs in the ’50’s.

What finds! I discovered 3 of the longer coats within a few months of one another – 2 black and one ivory cream – but I’ve never seen one since. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ICONIC TRUE VINTAGE POST-WAR “WALKING SUIT” WITH FOX FUR COLLAR

This “walking suit”, with large braided buttons and a big shawl collar is made of heavy boucle’ knit  in wool. The jacket is longish and the skirt (before I folded the hem up) is below the knee.  It was sold during the post-war era 1945 – 1955.

Many suits like this have fur collars, a lot like coats, because they were made to almost double as outerwear in colder weather.  Since women had become more active in the work-force, they were out and about more and their clothing had become less “dainty”, though still very beautiful.  These might also be called “city suits” – made for walking the long blocks in downtown urban areas.

I’ve removed the fur collar, which had been hand-tacked on, and could certainly see wearing this today!  With a pretty sweater and scarf,  maybe a hat, it would be plenty warm – saves the bulk of a coat.   Just right for window-shopping or errands in the city.  Elegant and practical, too.  Best of both worlds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE FUR HAT BONANZA – A TOQUE IN CURLY LAMB

This was another one worth nabbing, because though I have similar curly lamb hats in black and marled grey, I didn’t have a luscious chocolate brown like this one.

It’s got a beautiful, architectural design that makes me think of the 1940’s.  It’s true vintage but is so classic that I can’t date it exactly.  Again, in near-perfect condition.

Curly lamb seems to be one of the furs that is easiest to replicate in imitation form, so go for it if you can’t find a real one made in the 1960’s or before.  Leave anything modern on the racks or, preferably, on the animals’ backs.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE FAUX FUR FABULOUS FROM THE SEVENTIES

Though not purely the best of the best, this is a good example of faux fur that has been available for several decades.  I have others from the 1950’s.  It’s a reliable true vintage brand, and is a fabulous alternative to real fur – has to be seen up close and touched to be sure.  Some made now require a second look and feel.  Vive les animaux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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