Tag Archives: ladies’

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SWEATER – BLOUSE IN LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL

A 1940'S SWEATER - BLOUSE IN LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL

Very feminine, very versatile.  I photographed it on Madge and it fits her “VA –  VOOM” like a Fifties sweater-girl but I think I’d like to see it on more petite Stella, instead.

This little blouse is a fine sweater-knit.  Looks great with pants or skirts.  Although it doesn’t show well in the photo, the small collar is decorated with delicate applique and beads.  I haven’t tried it yet with the ’40’s slacks shown yesterday but the color is close so it might be perfect!  What a fabulous find.

This blouse is a cross between sportswear and dress-wear.  In the Forties, daily outfits were usually more finely tailored and sophisticated than what is worn now, no matter how “cute”.  If you really want to be well-dressed, take a lesson from true vintage fashion . . . . . . . . . .. ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

FOUND A HANDMADE, SILK KIMONO YESTERDAY!!!

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-111

Beautiful floral colors and hand-stitching throughout.  Very unusual find, too.  It needs a little attention, but will be coming your way soon.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE RED! VA-VA-VA-V00M TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LINGERIE SLIPS

via MORE RED! VA-VA-VA-V00M TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LINGERIE SLIPS

MY SLEUTHING SKILLS ARE PRETTY SLICK AND THE HUNT CONTINUES TO BE FANTASTIC!

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-111via MY SLEUTHING SKILLS ARE PRETTY SLICK AND THE HUNT CONTINUES TO BE FANTASTIC!

MY SLEUTHING SKILLS ARE PRETTY SLICK AND THE HUNT CONTINUES TO BE FANTASTIC!

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-111

If I do say so myself, this season of investigations has been great so far and looks fabulous ahead.  Finds continue to turn up at my usual $1 – $5 per.  Though I did spend a little more in mysterious South America, all were incredible bargains.

With some of the gorgeous garments I’ve uncovered recently, I’m just as much in search of venues to wear them as the clothing and accessories themselves!  Stay tuned, because the fun and excitement keep on coming and – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

MY LATEST FIND – 1960’S BLACK CREPE SHEATH DINNER DRESS

DSC00677

This style is a very elegant, body-skimming sheath design with back zip and a low plunge behind.  Notice the chiffon drape which hangs from the waist, and the simple embroidery on the bodice.

Although the interior size tag reads 8, an attached paper tag dangling from a side-seam give the sizing as 7/8, meaning that this was a Junior size frock rather than Misses, with a youthful cut.  LOVE IT when original sales tags are present and testify to a garment that has never been worn!!

Knee-length to moderate-mini, depending on the wearer’s height, and with a 3″ hem allowance.  Perfect.  Just my size!  Never fails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A REALLY CUTE BLOUSE MYSTERY – VINTAGE OR RETRO?

DSC00675

I just loved the mid-century post-war vibe of this shirt as soon as I saw it.  The cotton fabric is in a print very faithful to that time-frame, and some of the design details are, too.  But, there’s evidence of a label which doesn’t look like it was an old one (?).  All I have to go by is the remnant left when it was cut out.  I’m not often stumped – but it gets trickier . . . . . . . . .

Somewhere along the line this shirt was altered and re-styled, probably to make it smaller.  I love the piping accents that may have been added.  The front probably used to button, but was closed to make a pull-over style.  At the end of the day, I can’t definitely say what the true age of this garment is or be really clear be clear about it’s history.

However, it’s very fun and fits me!  What could be better?  I’ll choose to believe that it’s 55 years old and enjoy.  You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1990’S RETRO ’60’S MOCK-NECK SWEATER FOR THE LADIES

DSC00672

Although this top was made only 20 years ago and wouldn’t be true vintage in my book, it’s got the good retro design and quality construction that made it worth picking up.  It’s also a soft wool, with the back neckline zipper which was so popular several decades ago.

I like the design and even the color, which is actually a dark navy but it’s made for a larger gal than I so will probably find another home some day.  This blast from the past will last some girl for several decades more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TWO WELL-MADE KNIT FROCKS FROM THE EARLY 1970’S

I’m showing these dresses together because they have so much in common.  The biggest similarity is the heavy-weight knit fabric that was so characteristic of clothing made between 1973 and 1976, more or less.  It is beautiful, sheds wrinkles and drapes like a dream.

These examples are not high-end, but are very well-tailored.  Neither has a label, so I’m not sure if they might have been custom-made.  In any case, the original owner of the red one altered the hemline at some point.  Both still have about 3″ of hem allowance (such a luxury!).

I haven’t tried them on yet, but predict that they will fit me and will be very flattering.  Well-made garments of quality fabric and good design usually are – another reason why I adore true vintage fashion!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

DRESSY TRUE VINTAGE HAND-KNITTED OR CROCHETED SHAWLS FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES, COTILLIONS, THE OPERA . . . . . . . . .

DRESSY TRUE VINTAGE CROCHETED SHAWLS FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES, COTILLIONS, THE OPERA . . . . . . . . .

Two beautiful hand-crocheted or knitted shawls for party-wear or any festive occasion. In neutral pastel shades with metallic yarn accents.

Items like this were especially popular in the years moving from the 1950’s to the 1960’s. Many women made these garments at home.  Nothing dresses up a little black dress in such a feminine and beguiling way as a needlework accessory.

If you like doing handiwork, look for old pattern and instruction books from the ’50’s and ’60’s.  Although many types of scarves and shawls are sold now, nothing compares to a handmade item in a soft, genuine wool yarn.

And, if you can find a true vintage shawl – go for it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM