Tag Archives: Hawaii

ANOTHER RARE FIND: 1940’S RAYON TEA DRESS FROM HAWAII

The Malihini company which made this garment may have been Japanese-owned. At that time, of course, Hawaii was not a part of the United States. The style is, therefore, traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony garb rather than the Hawaiian style that we began to see become very popular in the 1950’s. The rayon fabric is absolutely wonderful – you’d have to feel it to know. Rayons of that time often felt like silk.

This dress is even too tiny for Stella to get into. A very rare clue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MY FAVORITE SILK SOUVENIR SCARF – FROM HAWAII, 1950’S

MY FAVORITE SILK SOUVENIR SCARF - FROM HAWAII, 1950'S

The colorful, naive graphics of true vintage souvenir scarves and hankies are SO much fun!!  It’s wonderful to find one in silk, or any high quality vintage fabric like rayon or fine 100% cotton.

The designs are always so cute and bright.  Not a good disguise, though, unless I’m wanting to look like a tourist . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1950’s PIN-UP SWIMSUIT FOR A VALENTINE’S DAY PHOTO

1950's PIN-UP SWIMSUIT FOR A VALENTINE'S DAY PHOTO

Bored in Miami?   Snowbound in your photography studio?  How about livening things up with a little vintage cheesecake?

Look at those cups on this classic ’50’s Jantzen maillot!  If you didn’t have the figure, these suits would do their best to give it to you.

I’ll bet you can think of all sorts of ways to pose in this bubblegum pink cutie, and with all the necessary accessories.

Snowstorms –  That’s why your mother wanted you to learn how to play by yourself.

Valentine’s Day –  That’s why it’s good to know how to play nice with others . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

1970’S – 1980’S HAWAIIAN SHEATH DRESS – ONE OF THE BEST!

It’s SO good to get out into the field again! Here’s part of what the latest investigation uncovered. A classic fitted-sheath design, which we still see a lot of on the market, always flattering and always in style. So, what makes this one stand out amongst those that are on the racks today?

1. THE QUALITY:

  • the FABRIC – 100% rayon in a really nice artistic print, substantial but with a soft hand and glossy finish.
  • the CRAFTSMANSHIP – Careful finishing, with piping around the neckline and armholes. Facings and hem allowance with some depth.

2. THE DESIGN:

  • AUTHENTICITY – Hawaiian style, made locally in Hawaii.
  • CUT AND FIT – shaping darts front and back to fit the curves of the torso gently and move with the wearer.
  • WALKING SLITS – on each side of the skirt enhance comfort and prevent tearing.

I don’t see garments this nice in the stores today. The material is to die for – both in how it looks and feels. The dress has a real authentic vibe. Garments this well-made also fit more nicely, last a long time and rarely need any kind of repair. The only possible downside is that dry-cleaning is the proper care but, since we can now do this safely and effectively at home in the dryer, extra expense is minimal.\ It’s another one that I’ll wear frequently and forever! More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LOVE THIS HAND-TAILORED COTTON GOWN IN A PRETTY PEONY PRINT

dsc00719.jpg

The colors are beautiful and the styling unusual, with a faux train detail back and front – falling from the bodice.  My first impression was that this dress may have been made in Hawaii, but I’m not sure.  There is no label and my impression is that it was made by an individual with tailoring expertise or at a small tailoring shop.

The fabric and construction details say true vintage to me, so I’m going with that.  Such a pretty design – it floats from just above the bust-line, swirling down to the hem, which is cut just a little longer in the back to make the dress fall properly.  This is a detail that is not often (if ever) seen in mainstream patterns that have been cut recently – one of the important styling elements that have gone by the wayside in modern times.  Surely true couture houses still observe them(?).

Anyway, gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.  Very informal but extremely elegant.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1970’S HAWAIIAN GOWN

IMG_1355 IMG_1354Although I much prefer Hawaiian garb from the 1940’s and 1950’s, I sometimes will pick up things from the ’60’s, and ’70’s, too.  The fabric used was still very nice  and the tailoring often exceptional.

Back then, Hawaiian apparel was almost exclusively made by small concerns who stuck to traditional designs and workmanship.  Also, the quality of cotton and rayon used was excellent.

This dress, though plain in the front, has a sweet detachable half-belt in back and two pleats fall from it like a faux train – a nod to traditional Hawaiian styling.  The skirt, also, is quite wide at the bottom and sweeps when you walk, giving a rather regal feeling . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

1980’S HILO HATTIE HAWAIIAN SHIFT DRESS – I BOUGHT THIS FOR THE PEDIGREE AND THE FABRIC

IMG_3438

Nothing special about this dress, excepting that this maker is a respected label when it comes to more recently-made Hawaiian vintage.  However, the fabric is really nice – a rayon with a good hand, lovely colors and a great print.  Since it’s too big for me, I think I’ll be making some curtains for my bathroom with it!

There are lots of reasons to love true vintage clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THREE OF MY OLDEST TRUE VINTAGE HAWAIIAN GOWNS

THREE OF MY MOST VINTAGE HAWAIIAN GOWNS

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

ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET – TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S / EARLY 1970’S HAWAIIAN DREAMS

ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET - SIXTIES / EARLY SEVENTIES HAWAIIAN DREAMS

Here are two more beauties from Hawaii.  The same fabulous construction and fabric, but slightly more modern art prints.  Don’t you love those colors?  Whenever I find one, I grab it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BE A LUAU MAMA OR A CHIC WAIKIKI WAHINI

BE A LUAU MAMA OR A CHIC WAIKIKI WAHINI

Since I’ve started getting out the patio frock, here we go – – – – – – Nothing rivals the beautiful workmanship and fabulous fabric found in true vintage Hawaiian fashions from the early Seventies and before.  The colors are incomparable.  The cottons and rayons are practically indescribable.  Men’s shirts are also incredible.

Since at least the 1940’s, dresses made in Hawaii were very desirable for their quality and fit.  Some are exceptionally comfy and relaxed. Others are high-volume sexy or very chic.

Think Mata Hari of the islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM