Tag Archives: hat

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S TRENDS IN DRESSES, HOUSEDRESSES & ACCESSORIES – TO THE START OF MOD

Casual cotton and cotton blend housedresses and model’s coats became really popular as styles started to become less traditional. Some of these dresses would even be seen at the grocery store or for other casual errands in warm weather. The shirtwaist dress was still around, of course, but was starting to take a back seat for everyday. The culotte mini/play-dress was also a new take on the 1940’s/’50’s romper. Casual designs like those shown above were still very well-made, generally, and had cute and pretty prints and tailoring elements.

Dresses with little matching jackets became very popular for everyday wear when a step up the dressy scale was called for – an important appointment, special event or church. The shoes, purses and hats are examples of those which might have been worn with dresses like this. The blue & green example above was home-sewn in the color combo that defined popular design in 1963. The prints on the two blue dresses in center are a harbinger of the MOD trend that was just about to erupt.

Stay tuned for a trip to the mid-1960’s tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE TRUE VINTAGE HATS FOR MID-CENTURY ENSEMBLES

Aren’t these fun and beautiful! From the 1940’s to the early 1960’s, women would hardly leave the house without a hat. Straw, suede, velvet, synthetic mesh, wool felt and ribbon were all used frequently. Artificial flowers and real feathers were, too. The combinations and designs were almost limitless. Finding a hat that flattered you and accented your clothing was an epic quest.

Even though I’ve been told that numerous groundhogs predicted an early Spring this year (yay!), I’ll be leaving the Spring fashions for a bit while concentrating on some beloved and practical vintage wardrobe items that have kept women and men warm on frigid days like the one’s we’ve been living with. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

POST-WAR THREE-SEASON SKIRT SUIT & HAT & PUMPS

Imagine my THRILL at discovering this never-worn ladies’ suit from the late 1940’s to early 1950’s! Perfect condition, tags still on. Love the wasp waist and strong shoulders. The white trim is so stylish and perfect for Spring, though the medium weight of the fabric makes it wearable on cool Summer and Fall days, too. This beautiful hat could have been made to match, but was found completely separately. How perfect is the color and little round white button and white stripe on the brim?! Although the pumps are not a perfect color match and were made in the 1960’s or 1970’s, I include them because the Spectator style was very popular during this pre- and post-war time frame and is a perfect part of this ensemble.

It’s wonderful when evidence fits together in this way. It’s certain that a hat, some kind of hat, would have been worn with this suit because of the era when it was sold. But, finding the PERFECT hat in this way is rare, though never impossible. That’s one of the things that make the one-and-only Magicvintagespy’s craft so wonderful and unique. More to come – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

True Vintage Hats: Another Stand-out Accessory That Belongs in Every True Vintage Wardrobe

In my book, the 1940’s through the 1960’s was the best era for ladies’ hats in the U.S. unless you’re into antiquities. Yes, every decade has had some great ones but most beautiful hats that are truly wearable come from the Mid-century. Here are some iconic examples from each of those decades: a Forties picture hat, Fifties toque & pillbox with veil and Sixties pastel cellophane/raffia hats.

Mainstream women from all three of these decades wore hats frequently, if not daily. (Classic films and old magazines are good documentation of this.) So, obviously, they were sold in every store which carried ladies’ fashions and most were affordable. Easy to wear, flattering and very collectable, so go for it. . . . . . and stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A PRETTY MID-CENTURY ENSEMBLE FOR WARMER WEATHER

During the vetting process I found two bits of evidence that seem to go together well. The dress is an unfinished project which is no mystery as it was given to me by the mother of a friend, who was an exceptional tailor. She even passed on the original pattern, which could have sleeves or not. The best thing about this design is the interesting pockets. When finished, it would be a very smart day dress.

In which case, only a coordinating hat would do for a late 1950’s – early 1960’s ladies’ ensemble. Just right for a Spring or Summer day in the city.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A VERY DIFFERENT ACCESSORY FROM THE 1940’S – “EL RITA” PASTEL FEATHER HAT

What could be a better brand name for something this flamboyant? Next time I need a flamingo costume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OK, it IS pretty and definitely tells us that Spring has sprung. The El Rita label has apparently made hats (of various kinds) for many decades, but the elastic chin strap is always a good clue to the early mid-century or before.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL 1950’S – EARLY ’60’S FEATHER HAT

I love this gorgeous hat SO much. Although I wish that the feathers had stayed on the birds, it’s OK to forgive the cluelessness of vintage fashion manufacturers and customers as we work to see that the retail markets for furs, feathers and skins are ended forever. We can still enjoy the beauty of these antique pieces while they last. Faux fashions that are almost identical are now available and getting better all the time.

For women who love hats, the 1940’s through 1960’s were a real heyday. Hats can be so flattering! I’ll have more to show as I select others which I can bear to part with. The biggest issue about a collection is that they require so much room to store them properly. This one’s a little bitty an too small for me, so that makes it easier to let it go. Still, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS FORTIES – FIFTIES HAT FIND

Rare find – 1950’s or early 1960’s Katz housecoat

While this may not seem exciting to you, it is to me and I’ll tell you why. Katz was in business for almost 100 years, since the late 1890’s, and started off making underwear then branched in several directions until closing in the 1990’s. I have found only 2 items made by the Katz company over all my many investigations, which seems illogical. So, I consider a garment made by Katz to be a rare find. So much for the pedigree – let’s see what else is very cool . . . . .

Another thing about this brand is that, though they seem to have been mid- to low-priced items, the quality of construction is exceptional. All the finishing is very well done and the decoration is made to last. The buttons and lace are of excellent quality. Although this coat is at least 60 years old, it is clean and untorn. We could chalk these two points up to the higher standards of quality usually seen in true vintage garments and the better care of their wardrobes that our mothers and grandmothers took. However, this is still not true in every case. The only things I need to attend to are re-stitching one bit of seam and replacing a button, which I’m sure I already have a good match for.

The design is extremely basic so might be considered boring, but I’ll be keeping this coat because it’s the only one of its type that I’ve seen which is just a mid-thigh length. Very unusual. So convenient and cool. Definitely worth picking up. I also unearthed an accessory item from the same era and with similar credentials. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: Magicvintagespy.com

TRUE VINTAGE CLASSIC MANTILLA SCARVES – A CULTURE OF SPIRIT, TRADITION, MYSTERY AND ALLURE

TRUE VINTAGE CLASSIC MANTILLA SCARVES - A CULTURE OF SPIRIT, TRADITION, MYSTERY AND ALLURE

Marlene and Celia are back and . . .. .. introducing Daphne, far right.  She’s stuck in the ’60’s and ’70’s and is kind of a California casual gal so doesn’t care much for most of my elegant looks.   However, she is wearing the less traditional, graphic patterned lace today.   I suspect that these are from the 1960’s.

These are a totally different look and sometimes double as a shawl.  In the U.S., many women of the Catholic faith used to keep lace head coverings around to wear to church and they’ve always been popular souvenirs of a trip to Mexico or Spain where they were called mantillas (roughly pronounced mon-tee-ya).  Over the centuries women and girls have worn them not only in strictly religious ceremonies, including weddings and funerals, but at traditional social events, too.  It seems that many cultures have their own version of the lace scarf and how to wear it.

So, there are many interpretations of the lace “mantle” and how/where to wear one.  Make up your own . . . . whenever a touch of elegance, allure and the unexpected is desirable . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM