Tag Archives: hand-tailored

WAIT, WAIT!! . . . . . LOOK WHAT I FOUND YESTERDAY!!!!!!!

IMG_1512Hold the runway show – Here’s Stella, still in the early 1960’s.  Imagine my delight to discover this beautiful evening dress, crafted in Hong Kong where some of the most lovely hand-tailoring was done for decades.

From shoulder to hem, it’s exquisite and deserves a detailed description.  The bodice is a shell of embroidered lacy floral openwork, lined in sheer black and decorated with sequins and beads.  It is made as a separate top which zips up the back and is attached to the dress at the shoulder seams.  Very heavy, with all the bead-work, which would have been applied by hand.

The body of the dress is ivory on top (though you won’t see this), with a classic black crepe skirt.  A crepe bow and 1″ border are attached to the hem of the shell , right at the waist.

Both the dress and attached shell have metal zippers in back so, as with many true vintage fashions, you’ll need an extra pair of hands to help you dress – – whether a partner or a lady’s maid, I can live with that.

Now for the additional little details – full lining in the skirt and a back kick pleat, little hooks and eyes in strategic places and bra strap holders sewn in at the shoulders.

I wonder who bought this, at what shop in what city, and where it was worn . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN – INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950’S

From the time when Roy Rogers & Dale Evans were TV celebrities, Happy Trails to you . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN - INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950'S

These two dresses are examples of fashions made and sold in the U.S. Southwestern states (Arizona, New Mexico mostly). They are inspired by traditional Native American designs and may have been made by Native Americans.  My warm-weather wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without them.

Outfits like this were especially popular in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Some from the 1940’s have been seen. Tourists often returned from vacations with one and non-Native people who lived in the region wore them a lot.  It was a real craze for a while.

Ric-rac and braid trim on bright cotton material was popular. The skirts are big and swingy – usually full circle. I have more to show – some have interesting tailoring details on the blouses. Love ’em!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

View original post

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY HAWAIIAN SHIRTS FROM BACK IN THE DAY . . .

CLASSIC TRAVEL SOUVENIRS AT THEIR BEST!!!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE HAWAIIAN SHIRTS FROM BACK IN THE DAY . . .

These shirts are authentic from Hawaii when they were very well-made and always a vacation souvenir. The shirt on the left, especially, is from the 1940’s or ’50’s – made of cotton with a bark cloth print. It’s also got buttons made from, I think, coconut shell.

The shirt on the right is newer – 1950’s to ’70’s. It is also cotton and is from the shop at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. That is (or was) a famous hotel on Waikiki Beach which had their own line of clothing with their label. The buttons are also distinctively theirs.

What’s so great about these shirts? The lovely cottons, the great prints and the “exotic” origin. I don’t have any of the fabulous rayon shirts from the ’40’s that were made there – maybe someday – noting better to wear during a tropical investigation on a hot summer night . . …

View original post 24 more words

A TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LITTLE GINGHAM DAY DRESS

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

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…

View original post 100 more words

HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA

A PERFECT HANDBAG FOR SPRING, SUMMER, FALL . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA

Another of my favorite things is vintage hand-tooled leather (in purses and belts, etc.). I have a ton of these, too. This one is a special example because of its unusual design.

The motif here is trillium flowers. They grow in the northern U.S., parts of Europe (I think – is that right?) and are a symbol in Canada. They are a beautiful white flower that blooms in the forest.

This purse came from Canada and, I’m sure, was made there. It doesn’t even seem to have been used. Is it true vintage? That I can’t tell you.  Some people are still quite skilled at doing this as a hobby.

Most commonly, at least here in the U.S., we see true vintage handbags with traditional motifs that were popular on Western-wear – even saddles and such. Many are floral, but not like this.

Some tooled leather purses from Mexico made…

View original post 95 more words

TRUE VINTAGE “SUMMER OF ’42” HALTER DRESS FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

This dress would also be fabulous for the Fourth of July!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

Just which decade is this dress from? I don’t know – it’s so classic in style, that it could be from the 1940’s – 1950’s. I’m going to bet on the earlier times, but can’t be sure. Dare I say that it could be from the ’30’s?! Could be, but probably not.

I am certain that it’s true vintage and I love it to pieces! The back, of course, is open to mid-back and there is a metal zipper on the side. I expect that it was custom -tailored.

This is a favorite style of mine, and I really responded to the fabric when I discovered it. Love the colors! I also like the fact that the cut of the top is modest without being unnecessarily so. Makes it very easy to wear.

Just right for a beach town, vacationing or a hot summer day anywhere. Put on a big…

View original post 36 more words

TRUE VINTAGE FLOWER POWER MID-1960’S DRESS

Back to Mad Men times . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE FLOWER POWER MID-1960'S DRESS

Someone custom-tailored this dress in about 1965. I put the tie belt around it just for effect, but it is an A-line style, which can be worn belt-less, too.

Although it doesn’t show well in this photo, the neckline is a wide, high scoop with a collar. The material is unusual in that it is fairly heavy and is almost embroidered with the floral pattern – not printed. The style and flower design, plus the back metal zipper, are the clues to its age. Although many copycat styles and designs are on the market now, this one just looks different and you have to have a trained eye and know the details to spot it.

It’s always fun to suddenly see a dress like this, because it immediately transports me to the ’60’s and all the mod and English influence that was popular then. That’s what everybody wore, who was…

View original post 93 more words

SUPERB TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S TAILORED JACKET – MY FINAL FIND IN AUSTRALIA

SUPERB TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S TAILORED JACKET – MY FINAL FIND IN AUSTRALIA.

TWO-PIECE KNIT MAD MEN DRESS FROM THE LATE ’50’S/EARLY ’60’S

TWO-PIECE KNIT MAD MEN DRESS FROM THE LATE '50'S/EARLY '60'S.

A TRUE VINTAGE EMBROIDERED RAYON BLOUSE FROM THE 1940’S

A TRUE VINTAGE EMBROIDERED RAYON BLOUSE FROM THE 1940'S.