Tag Archives: history

UPSCALE TRUE VINTAGE 3-SEASON FAUX FUR HAT. SO MUCH FUN TO WRITE ABOUT THIS!

About the last thing I expected to encounter! There I was, looking for some chains for crystal pendants I’ve been buying and a dangle for the end of my 1960’s chain belt (which I found, by the way) and what was propped on a nearby hat-stand?; a quasi-luxe faux beaver fur hat, made in Italy for the iconic Simpson’s department store chain of Canada, which finally phased out in 1991!! More about that a bit later. First, the hat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Boy, do I miss my models who are having time free at Headquarters. They would do a much better job of showing this off, but you can get the essentials from these photos. Looking almost like new, with just a little storage crush. This baby is at least 35 years old and could be more like 60. The rayon-like liner is pristine, with the original label. Classic Russian toque style with a slim fabric hatband for best fit. It’s very flattering and super-practical – will fill an empty niche in my hat collection perfectly!

And, what a pedigree! Made in Italy, to their high standards of that time (some makers still seem to have them). Simpsons Department stores were historic vendors, started in 1872!!! They were in stiff competition with the Eaton’s chain and evidently tried to upscale their merchandise for a winning position. All the Eatons stores finally closed in 1999, so these two were head to head for well over 100 years. The first Simpsons store was in Toronto, Ontario, and could be compared to the iconic Marshall Field of Chicago in terms of the elegance of the store itself and its merchandise. Like Field’s, they also did the elaborate Christmas windows that families would travel far just to see. 80 years later, they teamed up with Sears, Roebuck & Co., becoming Simpson Sears. Like Sears in the U.S., they also offered a catalog service. In another 24 years, the Simpsons element was purchased by the Hudson’s Bay Company and the store name became The Bay in 1991. In the Northeast U.S. and Canada, all three of these names were very well-known and depended upon for high quality and fashionable merchandise. In the States, we could compare Eaton’s, Simpsons and The Bay to Marshall Field’s, Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue, to name a few. You can see why I’m so thrilled with this true vintage find!

So, as I always say: You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stay tuned. I am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1940’s WAR-SHOCK DRESSES & WARTIME FASHION TRENDS

Before 9-11 it was hard for young U.S. Americans to understand the shock and fear that the attack on Pearl Harbor caused in December 1941. The government’s decision to join WWII, which had been happening in Europe and seemed remote to most everyday folks in the U.S., suddenly brought it close to home. The news and the movies began to open the doors on Asian culture and the curiosity of Americans and popular culture started to make this theme trendy. These dresses are from some of my most interesting investigations.

From the 1940’s on, Cheongsam dresses like the lavender one above gained popularity. Mata Hari and Charlie Chan became cultural figures in the media. The beauty and flattering fit of Chinese and Japanese traditional frocks brought interest in Chinatown areas of many cities and non-Asian women began to shop there. Above, see also a Japanese tea dress – fabulous find dating from the 1930’s, made in Hawaii. The purple native traditional gown from Hawaii also found a home in some American woman’s closet after people began traveling again.

But, before that time, women stayed at home. They worried about their family members and friends who were fighting in or living in war zones. They joined the war effort in whatever way they could through their work, volunteerism and spending habits. Of course, some kind of escape was necessary to maintain their sanity. That’s where the movies and dancing filled a void. Whether homemade or found at retail, dancing and cocktails required special dresses and women were very creative despite the restrictions caused by rationing.

Synthetic fabrics were most available and affordable, so this red jacquard frock with puffed sleeves and an elasticized neckline which allowed cold shoulders was home-sewn. A similar style in black was local couture from a specialty shop in Texas and has ruched 3/4 sleeves and shows off the luxury of velvet piping decoration. The pink knitted and crocheted 2-piece cocktail dress was another unusual find which somehow found it’s way to Argentina. It’s made of a heavy, glossy/shiny yarn that allowed some gal to make a glamorous outfit on the cheap.

So fascinating! Such a fun bunch of clues these are. The delight is in the details. More tomorrow – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM