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 not into high fashion. You can see that on any TV show from that time, and in old media photos. Yes, I’m into time-travel and theatrics – such fun!
It’s a medium to large size, and I probably won’t have it altered for myself, but just couldn’t resist. It’s too iconic and authentic. Despite all the miracle fabrics available now, you really can’t improve on the real thing . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
I LOVE these shirts! Of course, I can’t wear them (WAY too big), but I couldn’t resist anyway. The photo doesn’t show you the details well, so I’ll describe. Let’s start with the true vintage shirt on the right.
This one was made in Hawaii in the 1960’s or ’70’s. Beautiful heavy 100% cotton fabric that is so characteristic of true vintage garments made there before about 1975. Since that time, the fabric usually isn’t so nice, nor the construction. My apologies to Hawaiian clothing-makers if there are exceptions.
The prints on these materials are also superb – nice designs and astounding colors. The label and the buttons used are also good clues as to the age of the shirt.
The shirt on the left is retro – probably 1980’s – but it is such a nice reproduction of a 1950’s to early 1960’s men’s shirt that I decided to pick it up. Really nice retro-style fabric that sets it apart. I can’t identify anything about the maker on-line and I’m not sure if the buttons are original or not, but I like it anyway.
So, you see that some of my decisions to buy are gut-level decisions, but they are good decisions. I’ve said good-bye to old experiences of sometimes getting home and saying to myself “Oh, darn, I probably goofed here – I’ll have to give this one away or try to re-sell it”. That was a downer, a drag and a bother.
But, with persistence, experience and growing know-how I finally became . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
A COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE SLEEPWEAR & LOUNGEWEAR.
Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy
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