Tag Archives: jacket

TRUE VINTAGE SPRING JACKETS & COAT 1940’S – 1980’S

Distinctive tailoring and fabric in ladies’ jackets helps identify their decade in fashion history. Wool jackets with interesting buttons and lots of tailored details were very popular from the late 1930’s into the 1950’s. Not all 1940’s jackets had big, military-style shoulders. The two 1940’s jackets in the first photo are good examples which were both parts of a skirt suit originally. They’d look great with a pair of tailored pants, too. Look at the buttons and pockets that draw attention. Tabs on the cuffs and waistline detail do the same. Both jackets have an easy, flattering fit.

In the 1950’s, jackets became more sporty and body-conscious in many cases. This fitted white leather jacket is a great example. Covered buttons, a wide collar, slash pockets and back vent really draw the eye. It’s sleek and streamlined. The fitting reflects that in the tapered sleeves and fitted waist. Extra room on top which accents she shoulders and bustline gives a bit of an athletic or “va-va-voom” figure enhancement. Love it!

The bright red all-weather textured polyester coat from the 1970’s has many mid-century style features. The stand-out collar design with extended lapels is a “1970’s does 1940’s” style which was very popular in the early Seventies. The fitted Princess cut also harks back to the 1940’s and 1950’s, up through the early 1960’s because it is very classic. Knee-length hemlines on coats reflected the hemlines on skirts and dresses, so were shorter during WWII and the mini-skirt era between the early ’60’s and early ’70’s.

The tan-color 1980’s jacket is also made of leather. It’s a casual style that is more international and eccentric but has a bomber jacket silhouette paired with a 1940’s peplum waist that goes with some types of skirts and pants. Lots of gathers on the shoulders and at the waist give it a roomy fit that lets you wear a sweater underneath if you want to.

Before heading into a chronology of true vintage Spring day dresses, we’ll take a Snowbird vacation tomorrow. Stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ICONIC TRUE VINTAGE COAT, FROM THE LATE 1950’S TO 1960’S. LET’S LIGHTEN UP A LITTLE!

For the milder climes, a car coat. This time it’s suede instead of wool, but still with the dressy mink collar and showy buttons. As I’ll show later, leather jackets for women, from Western-wear to dressy styles, were a big thing in the early to mid-Sixties, worn by more and more middle-income women. Usually of a tailored, but casual style and gradually dropping the fur excepting for the hoods of parkas and up-market leather coats and ski jackets.

I’ll continue to focus on seasonal items during this shift from Autumn to Winter and with a nod to the Holidays and vacations. Excepting in the news, nothing controversial happening here but intrigues have a way of appearing spontaneously. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE OUTERWEAR? FUR REAL OR FAUX? WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT . . . . . . . . .

Last night I was out and about to a theater production and couldn’t reasonably drive a two block distance. Walking was the only choice, which I love, but IT WAS SO COLD!!! My warmest outerwear option, which kept me toasty and comfy, was my post-war beaver jacket from Canada. 75 years old and it’s still snuggly and beautiful. I grieve for the precious animals who (yes, WHO) were sacrificed for vanity and retail profit back in the day and will NEVER buy modern fur products. I advocate for animal rights but also celebrate those lives and gifts by preserving and enjoying elegant fashions from the past for as long as they will last.

I own many gorgeous fur and faux fur pieces made decades ago, before protective legislation and individual conscience stopped some of the fur trade and promoted humane practices. Above is one example, on the left, of an older fur jacket dyed to mimic mink. I cannot identify the fur – could be muskrat. Before the end of WWII, furs considered to be less fine were often processed this way. Other examples, such as the one on the right, are fakes – popular in the 1950’s and beyond. Some have been very convincing even since the 1950’s. Many of those made today look and even feel very authentic. The look is fun and elegant, in a vintage way, plus, as I proved last night, very practical.

Faux fur and secondhand true vintage furs are the best, the ONLY humane and progressive choice. I prefer those from the 1960’s and before. The remaining fur trade is still a blot on humanity, so we must be vigilant in our boycotting of this active market but I don’t see the enjoyment of historical fashions as being hypocritical. I will continue to show you how much I love them. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SMARTLY TAILORED MID-CENTURY LEATHER JACKET

I love this leather jacket from the 1950’s. Such a flattering fit and cut for comfort, with lots of room across the shoulders and back. Darts at the elbows also make movement easier without binding. Plus, slash pockets at the waist add convenience without adding bulk. So, we’ve got a nipped waistline! Covered buttons are always a plus in the quality department, too.

Just a bit tiny for me, so I had to let it go but the photographed evidence will remain in the files. Stay tuned, as transmissions will continue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S JACKET AND SKIRT

I love the apple-green button trim on this navy jacket from the 1940’s. Alas, the original skirt was lost, but I was able to find one with an almost-perfect color, fabric weave and true-to-the-era style. That is phenomenal and rare, but not impossible for the Magicvintagespy.

Aside from the cute and iconic design, these pieces are able to be worn as separates as well as a suit.  The fabric, though it may be wool-based, is still 3-season and makes this find a very practical part of my wardrobe.

The only downside, if there is one, is that this material must be dry-cleaned and should be protected from moth damage.  When adding true vintage clothing to your wardrobe, it’s important to remember that some fabrics which look like the today’s synthetics and blends were often made with wool years ago.  The up-side, which is definite, is that wool lasts forever and the construction of these garments probably will, too!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MAJOR GLAM IN TRUE VINTAGE FURS – STOLE/CAPE AND JACKET FROM THE 1940’S / 1950’S

     When it starts to get cold, I think of looking at my collection of vintage furs.  Beautiful garments of by-gone days – never to be made again, I hope, but worth enjoying while they last.  The stylish cape on the left would only be worn during the day by a society matron and usually saved for evening wear.  The jacket on the right, however, is much more versatile and looked good over a suit or day – dress back in the day as well as with jeans now.

     Just as nature intended to protect their original owners, furs provide great warmth.  They’re still fun to admire and wear, but I can’t help remembering the sacrifice of the animals who produced them when I do.  We humans who have used the animal kingdom to clothe and feed us for centuries must honor that by becoming humane today.

 

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER CLOSET HIDER: 1960’S CASUAL KNIT ZIPPER JACKET WITH COLORFUL TRIM

When the weather got cool, this was casual street-wear the way that hoodies are now. Of course, hooded sweatshirts were also around but they were seen mostly at athletic events or other outdoor activities. A jacket like this had just a little more panache and could be worn over jeans or slacks.

Also perfectly classic and unisex in style. Sportswear separates tended to have more decorative trim in the Fifties and Sixties, in my experience. The heavy metal zippers don’t tend to fail. Bulky acrylic knits with knitted cuffs keep you nice and toasty. Lots to love here!

I’ve never heard of the brand name, Abbey, and couldn’t find it online but that makes this jacket even more special. Another keeper in a small size – whoo-hoo!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FOUND! BACK OF THE COAT CLOSET, A CLASSIC MEN’S MID-CENTURY STYLE SPORTSWEAR JACKET

Can’t get more classic than this! It’s got all the bells and whistles: Classic tailoring – metal front zipper, slash pockets, adjustable button cuffs, adjustable stand collar. Mid-century modern fabric innovations – water-resistant, all weather, wash and wear, wrinkle resistant Dacron Polyester and Cotton blend.

Vintage Peters jacket, so perfectly preserved, so classic in every way. The style could have been sold in the 1950’s, 1960’s or 1970’s but the label places this one in the 1980’s. Probably that is the only thing that changed in a substantial way. Some old companies sold high quality garments in the same popular styles for decades.

This was a men’s jacket back in the day, though it’s really uni-sex. The little size tag that would hang below the label is gone, but it’s small – like a 36. Lucky me! It’s another keeper. Will be back soon with the final find. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ELEGANT, WARM AND HUMANE TRUE VINTAGE OUTERWEAR FOR A FORMAL OCCASION

Evenings are still cold enough to require a warm coat or jacket over formalwear. A blonde faux mink jacket fills the bill and masquerades beautifully. As a great example of mid-century faux furs, this one appears genuine until the closest examination is made.

Styled and tailored as the best furs have always been, this jacket has a full cut, wide collar, cuffs, slash pockets and decorative buttons. A silky full lining covers you inside. The only break with pure vegan construction is a strip of what I believe is leather that faces the front closure on each side. To the credit of the maker, this addition does a good job of strengthening the foundation for the buttons and buttonholes (super important!) and helps the jacket to fall correctly. Now there are ways of accomplishing this with vegan materials.

Again, this coat demonstrates the garment industry’s post-war/mid-century efforts to make the type of wardrobe items which were formerly luxury goods become available to women of the middle classes. Today this trend has continued to build in many segments of wardrobe manufacture i.e. shoes, handbags and sachels/briefcases as well as cosmetics and personal care products which used to be made wholly or in part of substances harvested from animals (fur, skins, leather, whale oil, wool, lanolin, and more). Humane culture is finally becoming mainstream. How Woke of us!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

POST-WAR TAILORED JACKET IN WINTER WHITE

If you look very closely you can see the many design details included in this lovely garment. The only feature you may not see in this photograph are fabric tabs with buttons at each hip, just behind the pockets. They’re just for style – no function at all – but that’s usually what fashion is all about. If you find a garment that looks absolutely great, with every detail enhancing the fit and the utility as well, that’s gravy and BUY IT!

That’s not to dis this jacket at all. Lightweight wool with a full lining. The pockets are real and there’s even a hanging loop at the back of the neckline. Did I mention that it’s in pristine shape?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM