Recently I’ve closed up Headquarters and been traveling from safe house to safe house. Will be at the satellite location again early next week and settling in. Whenever “new” finds are discovered, you will be updated.
Thanks, as always, for standing by and Stay Tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It was fun going through all the red and pink pretties from my closet, and reviewing my coat and hat collections. I suppose we can be grateful for the opportunities this year is giving us to wear them a lot! Am hoping that more Spring-like conditions will welcome St. Patrick’s Day and Easter.
Haven’t been investigating at the usual pace since I’ve been protecting a valuable and vulnerable asset at Headquarters during this current pandemic threat. Whenever field operations resume, you will be the first to receive intelligence. In the meantime, with 3,000 – 4,000 posts in the Magicvintagespy.com archives, it’s the perfect time to do some research.
Stay tuned for the next information drop , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Okay, we’re back to the jackets and coats that will take us out of late winter and into Spring! Since I’ve been doing a lot of red lately, here’s a cute shirt-jacket that I suspect is from the early 1960s but could be older. It had a girls’ school patch on front (which I have, of course, saved) and zips part-way down the front with a metal zipper.
This is cute and very different, easy to pop on over slacks, jeans or even a shift dress or skirt and blouse. I try to picture how it was worn by the original owner.
The corduroy is of a quality rarely seen today. The photo doesn’t do it justice, as the color is actually very bright and there’s no damage and very little wear. 100% cotton and, though it is fairly lightweight, is a dense weave that stands up for years rather than breaking out in thin patches or holes quickly. That’s what I love about the older fabrics. Although some of them have some vulnerabilities and require special know-how to care for them, they all have benefits that make them special in the way the color pops or how they hang or drape on the body. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to find something as good now. Although this is just a simple item, I love it and you can see how it has held up despite its age.
In a couple of weeks, I’ll begin publishing photos of a few true vintage things that I’ve kept at this second home for the warm weather, and my most recent finds! I like to keep the posts seasonal to North America, so stay tuned. You just never what will show up!
Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy
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I just LOVE this one, too! From the same era as the coat shown yesterday, but could have been a bit earlier. It looks best on the body, rather than on a mannequin, because the cut shows off when the body moves.
Made of rayon or a rayon blend with a beautiful drape and is fully lined with acetate satin. The buttons are just for show because it is an open-front style. The pockets sit diagonally and also have button decoration. Lots of details!
Although the swing style has been repeated at times, this authentic design is unique and never to be found except when it was new. There’s absolutely nothing like true vintage! It looks great over dresses, skirts and tops, slacks or jeans – just keep the lines sleek underneath; nothing full or poufy.
You ain’t got a thing if you ain’t got that swing . . . . . doo wop doo wop doo wop doo wop doo wop doo wop doo wop doo waaaaaaaaaa. . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
It’s still not too late to glam it up with fabulous fur accessories, especially during the variable March weather . . . . . . . our mothers and grandmothers had to be prepared to look chic no matter what!
Marlene and Celia have been waiting for another chance to get into the picture. Here you see them modeling a variety of mink accessories, with the exception of the black muff far left, which I believe is of rabbit fur and has a small zipper compartment and the black hat, which is curly lamb.
Whole skinned animals, with heads, feet and tails (and little glass eyes) were popular as stoles in the 1930’s & 1940’s, maybe the ’20’s, too. Big “Eeew!” factor for a lot of people now. I’ve already covered the fur issue so, if you love real furs (and animals) stick to 1960’s and before.
There’s a dark brown mink scarf that closes with a big mink-covered button (very elegant) and a blonde mink “dickie” to wear at the neckline under your coat.
The hats are probably the most visible accessory when you’re first seen – these are super-flattering but also will be warm. So, when you’re forced to take to the sidewalks, just remember —- to be well-dressed at all times is a gift to yourself and everyone who sees you.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Even though I’d want a heavier coat or jacket over this for winter, I’m often wearing a jacket inside all day this time of year. For cool days and evenings, I love the trim, square shape of this jacket though the shoulders are not heavily padded.
Nice nipped waist, zip front, cuff detail, front welts and it may have tab detail at the waist and, maybe, the wrists. It’s simple and tailored with a crisp look.
Not many of these are around now in excellent condition like this one. Very special – I was thrilled to find it! Looks equally good with pants or a skirt – that’s the beauty of this short style. The lack of length means that I could wear it with any style skirt – pencil or full. So versatile!
Love the ’40s. This one takes me right into film noir, walking the dark city streets with my private investigator boyfriend, looking out for the murderer . . . . . . . . around that corner? You just never know . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGSPY.COM
Curly lamb fur jackets and coats were common dressy items for mid-century women to own. I picked up this example because I don’t have one in this length and I just love the tailoring.
Of course, the cut and finishing are beautifully-done. The lining, especially, caught my eye with it’s embroidered design and the original owner’s first name and last initial stitched inside.
Such fun to wear! Today, without the rigid rules about dress, an old fur coat looks just as great over jeans as with formal-wear. I love enjoying these vintage garments while they last and am happy to watch real fur go out of production.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This beauty that I just found would look great on any Grace Kelly wannabe. It is very flattering on, and it has a swing-style back. The Kashmiracle faux cashmere fabric is made of polyester, so doesn’t need quite the storage care of a wool coat, though insects can attack other fabrics, too, and (as can be seen here) crowded storage can cause wrinkles. Love the dyed-to-match sculpted buttons. It is a beautiful mauve color (and I found a few days later a gorgeous silk scarf in the same tones to wear with it!) Goes to show that you just never know . . . .
Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy
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So, you’re all dressed for the event, party or dinner and must have some kind of outerwear because it’s still pretty chilly. How about this Spring coat in the most lovely blue that echos the color of your dress and shoes! It doesn’t have a front closure, but you can hold it together as you step out of the taxi.
I would say that it is made of a rayon blend. Very nicely made and styled – love the color and the striped rayon/acetate lining. It is a virtual match for the dress and shoes and would create a stunning ensemble. Check out the last two posts for the dress and shoes.
Although my guess is that it was made a few years earlier than the dress and shoes, it’s not far off. Maybe closer than I think. It was just WAY too nice to pass up when I discovered it. Simple and elegant style, very chic and probably always will be. You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .when magic will happen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy
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