ACCESSORIES REALLY SHOW UP AND SHOW OFF IN THE SPRING!

It’s so frustrating not to be able to post a photo every day, but with traveling so much it’s difficult to take along enough pictures to cover the whole time that I’m away from my vintage closets. However, I never stop thinking about them and recently have been thinking more about ACCESSORIES.

 Now that the heaviest coats are coming off and everyone is dreaming about  spring outfits, more colors and lighter-weight clothing, accessories will show up and show off more, too.  I think that women made more use of them in decades past than we do now, wearing hats, gloves and scarves with most ensembles and much more jewelry.  Mens’ accessories also seemed to take more of a leading role than they do now, especially for day-to-day wear – remember the ever-present hat in the 1940s and ’50s.

Where do I begin?  There are so many categories – handbags and purse accessories, wallets, luggage, belts, gloves, hats, headscarves, neck scarves, ties, handkerchiefs, watches and all types of jewelry and ornaments for clothing, bodies and hair, SHOES, slippers, stockings and tights, umbrellas and rain-gear, glasses and sunglasses – what else?.  Any one of these items can make (or break) an ensemble all by itself.  That’s why it’s so  important and so much fun to collect well-selected items and investigate the ways to use them in your wardrobe.  The creative variations are endless and deserve careful consideration, rather than just throwing things together.

I’ll be posting photos of my true vintage accessories in among the photos of clothing and sometimes will do a series of accessory photos to highlight a particular type.  True vintage accessories are easy to find when you are looking in the right places and know what to look for. They tend to hide in obscure spots and sometimes in plain sight, often turning up when you least expect it.  You just never know . . . . . .

 

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy

Facebook.com/magicvintagespy, Google+, Twitter & Pinterest

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE CAR-COAT, 1950S TO EARLY ’60S

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE CAR-COAT, 1950S TO EARLY '60S.

TRUE VINTAGE 1940S – ’60S CORDUROY JACKET/SMOCK

TRUE VINTAGE 1940S – '60S CORDUROY JACKET/SMOCK.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950S LINGERIE SLIP/DRESS VALENTINE’S DAY STUNNER

TRUE VINTAGE 1950S LINGERIE SLIP/DRESS VALENTINE'S DAY STUNNER.

ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE 1950S/’60S LEATHER CLUTCH FOR THE VALENTINE’S DAY BASH

ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE 1950S/'60S LEATHER CLUTCH FOR THE VALENTINE'S DAY BASH.

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY ’60S VALENTINE’S DAY FROCK

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY '60S VALENTINE'S DAY FROCK.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950S – ’70S “HAPPY DAYS” UNISEX JACKET

TRUE VINTAGE 1950S – '70S "HAPPY DAYS" UNISEX JACKET.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950S – ’70S “HAPPY DAYS” UNISEX JACKET

Doesn’t this just make you want to pull out the Mickey Mouse ears, saddle shoes, or Keds and toast marshmallows? Or maybe put on the Frye boots, a workshirt and painter pants for a “70s thing – whatever mood you’re in, it’s fun to have garments like this in the closet. ONE GLANCE and I knew that it was not a modern item. That’s the cool thing about true vintage – even people who aren’t expert at picking it out will notice something different or intriguing about what you’re wearing that sets you apart from the crowd.

This one is of a heavy knit that has kept its shape beautifully. Aside from a little fuzz, which can be shaved away, it is in excellent condition. I suspect that it is from the 1960s, all things considered, though the style could span 2 or 3 decades. It’s certainly not a high-end item but, what fun! When I saw it I snapped it up and have enjoyed it ever since. You just never know . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

WHY IS TRUE VINTAGE THE BEST IN FASHION?

If you’ve been watching while I share my closet, you know that some of the items are astounding, some may not appeal to you, some might look better modeled by a person, rather than Madge or Stella (my mannequins – they work very hard), or that some could use a steaming or a press to look their best.

Keep in mind that I have loved true vintage clothing and accessories forever because of their special characteristics, and even the most humble item has some very unique qualities.

In decades past, consumers looked for excellent design, quality materials, fine workmanship, durability and value when they shopped and manufacturers produced goods to these standards.  It was more important to have a few lovely, well made and dependable things that felt good to own than a couple dozen mediocre items that were economical but lacked real style and wouldn’t last.  Today we seem to have settled for cheaper, flashier, disposable fashion  with the result that everyone looks more or less the same (even those who are trying to be different) and few people are truly stylish or elegant.

That is why I have loved to collect and wear true vintage since I was in college and really enjoy sharing my passion.  There is no comparison to the quality of materials used, the beautiful designs and superb workmanship in even very simple styles.  The humblest garment is a champion of durability and has a certain cache’ that can’t be found elsewhere.  Most everything you buy will be one-of-a-kind, at least for all practical purposes.  You’re unlikely to see anyone else wearing your outfit and some were truly one-off when they were made.

When I post my photos, I’ll tell you about the lovable features of these pieces and share the magic and excitement of finding and wearing them.  When you’re on the hunt for vintage fashion, amazing things are always just around the corner . . . . you just never know!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COMfile0001209214386  ebook cover #1 (1)

True Vintage Early 1960s Evening Coat

True Vintage Early 1960s Evening Coat.