Tag Archives: ladies’

A LITTLE MORE “FALL-ISH” LOOKING – TRUE VINTAGE “TONI TODD” DRESS FROM THE SIXTIES

IMG_0976     The Toni Todd label was a mid-priced line of popular everyday dresses.  Pretty hum-drum by the standards then, but nicer than lots of the stuff that is marketed today.  The best feature of this one, I think, is the styling.

The fabric is a poly or poly-blend knit.  It is a one-piece, but made to look like a two-piece ensemble and pulls on overhead. Two of the buttons on one shoulder can be unfastened to allow this, while the others that run down the center of both sleeves are purely decorative, as is the red vinyl belt.

In terms of dating it exactly, the length of the skirt throws me off a bit but it could just have been a style element even though lots of hemlines at the time were shorter.  It is an unusual design which contains elements of Mod and military styling – both popular in the mid- to late 1960’s.

It’s so much FUN to find vintage garments like this, with several interesting and curious fashion features that make the deciphering of their history a little unusual or puzzling. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS TRUE VINTAGE JACKIE KENNEDY EARLY 1960’S SKIRT SUIT

IMG_0985    This suit is so iconic of that era.  Gorgeous yellow wool in a loose weave, with a cute little vintage mink collar.  If the collar is too dressy, it can easily be removed with just a snip-snip because it is hand-basted onto the neckline.

It’s easy to wear and the two pieces can be very versatile.  True vintage suits are worth investing in for many reasons – the styles are usually quite elegant; tailoring is superb and the quality of materials are unavailable today.  Because the designs are classic, the jackets and skirts can usually be worn in a variety of ways that would never have been thought of decades ago.

Love the big covered buttons and pencil skirt.  So pretty, and a nice alternative to dark, somber colors for Fall and Winter.  Being on the prowl is so much fun, because you just never know . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

STUNNING 1950’S MINK-TRIMMED DRESS

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This dress/gown/frock was such fun to discover – it’d been a while since I had run across a fur-trimmed garment with sleeves like this, and never on a dress.  This is more than a cocktail dress, but not quite formal.  Was this specially made for a visit to the Queen?

Like one of my 1940’s  wedding gowns, it is a brocade-type fabric, though a bit less heavy. I am puzzled as to what type of event this dress would have been worn to.  Time for some research.  Any ideas?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S ATOMIC WHITE & GOLD EVENING GOWN

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We’re approaching the time of year – Homecoming – Holidays – when gowns and formal-wear are most popular (until we get into Mardi Gras and Prom time!).  This dress is so gorgeous and unique – a white evening gown with a splash of gold comet-dust across the bodice and down the skirt.

I’ve seen so many ceramic and plastic items from the Fifties (I have a lamp like this!) that are white or black and decorated with gold this way.  It was so much fun to find it on a dress.

It’s a rayon or acetate sheath with a defined waist, draped all over with tulle netting. Very ’50’s and perfect for a Princess of the Galaxy, or the Magicvintagespy . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE LATE SIXTIES CRUSHED VELVET PARTY MINI- DRESS

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Yes, it is really crushed!  Needs a trip to the cleaner or, maybe, a good steaming.  Doing this at home can be tricky, however, with true vintage garments.

Reminds me so much of photos I’ve seen from the late 1960’s and early 1970’s – a typical dress for the Homecoming dance.

Crushed velvet and panne’ velvet were really popular then, plus dresses with Victorian or Edwardian tailoring details. Funny how fashion really swings back and forth from modernistic to old-style, sometimes combining the two in one garment.

In this case, I love the long sleeves and vintage-style bodice with lacy trim at the neck and a mini-skirt combined. I see a lot of that in my investigating experiences – so interesting!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S HAND-DYED SILK BELTED TENT DRESS

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Custom-tailored in a popular style of the mid-late Sixties, batik dyed silk tent dress that I like to wear belted. It also has a shawl made of the same material that completely transforms the look.

Wearing it un-belted is also a completely different look, but not my style. This cut can work for almost any figure, but really looks great on curvy Madge. That’s her edge over slender Stella, so they’re getting along fine .. . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

STELLA (FINALLY!) MODELS THIS 1950’S HAND-TAILORED WIGGLE DRESS

Now that Stella’s on the modeling circuit, this dress can be displayed as it should be.  Several years ago I found this beauty – wish the photos did it justice.   Gorgeous atomic/abstract/art swirl fabric in glossy and soft rayon.  All hand-tailored.  FAB!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SPRING – SUMMER PLATFORM PUMPS

TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S SPRING - SUMMER PLATFORM PUMPS

Navy leather pumps with a little bit of nautical-style trim, and modest platform soles. Chunky heels.  100% leather construction (of course!).  Classic, classic, classic and built like a brick house.  No wonder they’re still skipping the streets 70 years later!

Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THIS WAS A SURPRISE FIND! LEMON YELLOW TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LINGERIE NYLON HALF-SLIP

NEW FIND! LEMON YELLOW TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S LINGERIE NYLON HALF-SLIP

You know I have SO much lovely true vintage lingerie and a ton of 1950’s slips, but I still go giddy when I find another one.  They’re just so beautiful with their lace, applique, ribbons, sumptuous fabric and elegant tailoring.

This one is by Warner’s in a lemon ice color.  Just the right length for a bottom-of-the-knee dress or skirt, or a midi.

I’m so glad that we are not locked into a certain hem length for months (or years) like women were in the past.  No more dread of appearing unfashionable or out-of-step.

Ha!  Can hardly imagine it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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A PAIR OF TRUE VINTAGE JOHANSEN LOVELIES FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

ANOTHER PAIR OF JOHANSEN LOVELIES FROM THE 1940'S - 1950'S

Just as classic as the Little Black Dress, little black pumps are obviously just as iconic. Perfect style and durability for about 70 years.  This is a dressier pair, of suede leather, which probably saved them the more frequent wear of an everyday shoe and preserved them for me.

I’m so glad!  This heel height couldn’t be more comfortable – elegant and flattering, too.
Great for dancing.

And, sometimes, for making a quick get-away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM