This frock has been with me for a little while. It’s a pink and blue floral on a charcoal background, with a little bow on the bodice. I have added a cloth-covered belt in charcoal. Unusual shades to take us into autumn, still with a light and outdoor feel. Would look nice with darker leather shoes and handbags, for a change, and maybe a coat or jacket as the weather changes.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
A dream find for any vintage-hunter! Love this pretty day-dress so much. It needed some TLC with stains from storage, but I was up to the challenge. Beautiful decoration and comfy cotton; it’s the perfect summer frock.
Imagine this kind of intricate stitchery on an everyday dress today – even similar-looking examples are only cheap imitations of what used to be the standard of quality back in the day. More newly-discovered treasures are coming – we’ve only just begun . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Ooh, LOVE this! Stella’s got a real rockabilly thing going on. What a pretty and flirty dress someone made back in the day!
Just right for summer shopping, dancing and just playing around. The bust-line flounce, wrap tie cummerbund belt and full skirt are really flattering features that also allow for some size variability when you have skinny or fat days. Although, this frock was made for a slender gal because there are no zipper or buttons.
Ah, well. Stella can do it, and so can I. So, definitely another keeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG; MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This little beauty has such a wonderful fit, because it’s adjustable! The neckline and waist closures are so unique – wrapping straps that hook like a belt, with several holes to choose from. Never seen one like this before!
I just love discovering these interesting and unusual tailoring and design details. In this example, it’s so ingenious yet so simple. A bit confusing at first look, but makes perfect sense and works beautifully.
The fabric and the fit are ultra-flattering and so cool and carefree for summer. It’s a high-quality construction by a well-known, if smallish, vintage clothing maker and in perfect condition. Sweet!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I love the styling of this frock, with its wasp waist, free hips, cap sleeves and delicate neckline that really enhance the figure. Madge’s fuller measurements give it the right “va-voom” fit. I also like the peek-a-boo effect of the white band below the waistline.
This was another “surprise find” – always the most fun! Summer days and nights, here we come . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here we have two beautiful sundresses, in similar colors. Not really my colors – I’m a Summer skin-tone, rather than Spring or Fall, but who’s going to quibble when faced with these!
I’m guessing that the one on the right is the newer of the two. The one on the left has more detail on the bodice and even has bows fixed to the shoulder straps in back. It has a covered belt, whereas the other dress just has piping at the waist.
They’re both lovely, in a beautiful heavy cotton. Madge wears it very well, don’t you think? Such exceptional fit and tailoring.
Either of them could go from simple daytime activities to work (probably with a sweater or jacket), dinner, dancing, a party or date.
I often see dresses like this in movies from that era. Wear them and step into a time warp . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Here’s another dress from about the same time as the last one. It has the same features of design – the side metal zipper is the most significant. I don’t know why that was a favorite feature, rather than allowing the front opening to be longer.
Although it was more trouble to put that side zip in, it was hidden (more or less) from view and allowed the front and back lines of the garment to be unbroken. My best guess is that this style feature is more elegant than a back zip or long front opening would be.
So many of the styles and tailoring methods from the ’50’s and before paid a lot of attention to keeping the lines of a garment very elegant, with good fit and clean silhouette. Back zippers on pants and skirts are a good example of this.
This dress is, I’m sure, custom tailored. The skill of the sewer is excellent and it would challenge the quality of any commercially-made things today, outside of haute couture.
The reds, golds and mossy browns in this print make me think of leading into Fall, but let’s not rush our summertime, when the livin’ is easy . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com
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
Isn’t this just to die for? Of course, the little bolero jacket comes off to reveal a sleeveless gown with slim straps – that’s for after the ceremony when the party really starts!
The tulle, lace and embroidery plus the poufy skirt are so Fifties and wonderful as can be. Don’t make ’em like this anymore . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Look at these beauties! The convertible clutch style which lets you use the handle or not has always been so versatile and convenient. Although some of these are very mid-quality, they all have some distinctive features that make them stand out as great true vintage finds. Let’s start out from left to right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
The white purse at far left is a high-quality construction from the Sixties and has that shiny box hardware enclosing it on 3 sides. It is made of leather and has a shoulder strap that can be tucked inside. Very sleek and streamlined – a great look for summer.
The 1950’s beaded evening bag in front is in perfect condition, with a silk satin lining and a beautiful clasp and box chain handle, which can be hidden inside. This type of handbag was always hand-made, usually in Hong Kong. Even for an expert, can you imagine the care and time it took to attach all those beads so perfectly and securely?
The other three bags have a metallic finish and are made of synthetic materials or cloth – not in quite as good shape as the first two. But, they are nicely made and all have pretty hardware clasps – always interesting to find. The two in the center also have box or braided chain handles, rather than the simple chain that is most often seen. These more complex types of chain are prettier and also seemed to break less easily.
As always, they all show that care was taken to preserve and protect them, so I can enjoy them 50 or 60 years later! The throw-away quality that we seem to be satisfied with today can’t begin to compare, but is still way over-priced!! Such a shame – but not for this Magicvintagespy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 