Woven raffia bag with beaded decoration. One old feature that is fun to find once in a while – a snap purse compartment which is a part of the lining. I’ve pulled it up so that you can see it.
This is pure fun and frivolity, in a refined and European way. Perfect with my bright yellow sundress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Although the purse in the top left corner is similar to others that I’ve come up with recently, I’m glad to have it in a less-often-found silver fabric. The others are worth telling you about one at a time. Let’s start with the white beaded bag on top:
a very lovely little convertible clutch bag that can go from dressy day to summer evening and also would stand out as part of a bridal ensemble.
Just to the right of it is a fabric coin or lipstick purse made in Italy. Though it is just a purse accessory, the black satin and art print on front, as well as the filigree hardware make it a special keeper. Italian-made purses and shoes from the Fifties and Sixties were of the highest quality and design and are to die for.
At the bottom is a pretty little brocade purse that could be an accessory but is meant to stand on its own, when only the barest essentials are necessary. It’s very tiny, but unsnaps again to allow room for just a little more than the coin purse alone. Although you probably can’t read it, in the corner to the left of the top snap is embossed in gold script “B. Dainty”. Sweet!
Finally, the duchess of the lot is a fully-beaded clutch with a zipper top and silk lining. Of the finest materials and displaying the most hand-done workmanship, it’s probably the oldest.
Although I’ve been happy to discover so many evening bags recently, especially with thoughts of this year’s holiday season beginning to creep into mind, I most love the special pieces like these – makes the day’s adventure really fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This dress is another keeper! I wish Stella were here to model it for you – it’s so beautiful. So chic and elegant, of 100% silk with a floral jacquard design, with all the fine details that would be expected from an expert tailor. This dress was made in the late 1950’s – early 1960’s by a tailoring firm especially for a higher-end shop in the Bahamas.
Excepting for the missing original belt and a few stitches in the hem which need to be repaired, it is in perfect condition. A dress of this type would have been especially prized by it’s mid-century owner, and protected from damage. That’s why it’s still possible, if you are lucky, blessed and skilled, to discover these frocks today.
I’m also fortunate to be of a size that was more or less average at that time, so I can wear many of my finds without alterations. However, an expert cleaning service will have skilled seam-sters who can work wonders when necessary, so carry on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY’
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In a ’50’s to early ’60’s style, but with mid-1960’s-type fabric this dress illustrates the creative power that home-sewers in the mid-century had over their wardrobes. The size, style and fabric were completely at their discretion and genre’s could be combined in any way.
This example was made for a teen or a petite woman (the photo is somewhat foreshortened, too, so it’s not quite as short-waisted as it looks), probably as a dressy day or party dress. It’s a simple style in cotton blend with a zip back and elasticized sleeves but shows evidence of extra care and skill in the insertion of piping detail at the waist and flounce on the skirt. There are also strap-keepers sewn in at the shoulders and some seams that were done by hand.
What a fun little mystery-history to unravel! More back to the future on the way . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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All hand-made – it’s a classic style which we still see, but the fit and style are different in the way that only true vintage designs can be. It hits just above the waist and belongs over a plain, black or white dress. I probably have one or two that will fill the bill . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Of course, the two bags on the right are elegant essentials forever but I’m really thrilled to find the mid-century souvenir summer purse on the left. So bright and cheerful! It’s in perfect condition, was handmade in the Philippines, and is of a shape that I’ve never encountered before in a handbag of this type.
So practical and roomy – styled like a classic handbag rather than a beach bag or tote. I’ll use this for a long time as an everyday summer purse.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Cute, cute, cute and so exactly of that time! Almost every schoolgirl, college coed and the occasional hip mama was wearing little day-dresses like this one. I’m no certified clothing historian, but if you look back in the old magazines and vintage TV and movies, you’ll see that this is true.
This example may even have been sewn at home. The shirt-dress pattern is very simple and well within the skills of a girl or woman who had learned to sew in Home Economics class (yes, they used to teach that to all the girls) or was taught by her mother. Almost every girl/woman did some sewing of at least a dress or two, and many, many made almost their whole wardrobes that way. If you weren’t a tailor, then coats and most jackets would have been above your skills, but most other garments were possible with a pattern, buttons, etc., and some fabric from a store downtown.
So, I’m all over the map with the things turning up lately and that is one of the best parts of the fun! Wonder what will show up next – I haven’t even shown you everything “new” yet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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In kind of a sheer, crinkley synthetic with a side zipper, this home-sewn frock was standard day-wear for for an average gal in the early to mid-1950’s. Of course, she would have worn one of the beautiful slips from that day underneath – or a camisole and crinoline petticoat to make the skirt stand out.
Someone made this looking forward to sunny Spring and Summer days. Nothing could be more flattering to a slim figure, whether curvy or not, than a wasp waist, full skirt, cap sleeves and a pretty neckline. It’s New Look all over with a below-the-knee hem and close-to-the-body bodice.
What a great find! More to come – stay tuned. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Hardly worn, by Corelli, an Italian company that has been making footwear at least since the 1950’s, it’s not clear exactly when these were made. Some of the techniques are vintage by our standards, but European shoes – especially by a traditional maker – are probably made to a different (and higher) standard than in the U.S., with more things hand-done.
I’m not going to quibble on these. Cute 1950’s style, high quality and they fit!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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From the 1960’s back to, maybe the 1920’s, these three are my oldest vintage examples of Hawaiian gowns. From the farthest left, to right –
Psychedelic hues and patterns on the far left – not hard to see the late Sixties here. The center dress is from the 1950’s and is fashioned in the traditional Hawaiian style, with a panel on the back that is almost like a train, without the dragging hem.
On the far right is a mystery dress with a metal side zipper. It has images in the print that are not your standard Hawaiian shirt variety and the fabric is very different –
instead of being the heavy cotton that I’d usually expect, it is a fluid material that I’d guess is rayon. If the label did not indicate that it was made in Hawaii, I’d say it had come from Japan. The toggle closure at the neck is also something often seen on Chinese and Japanese garments. It’s also got a very 1930’s cut – close to the body.
Hmmm . . . . . . . . . this is REALLY Mata Hari undercover espionage stuff. I wonder how she wound her way to the place where I discovered her . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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