Isn’t this cute? Someone custom-sewed it back in the day. Love the flippy skirt and overall easy style. Neat find!
Not much else to say, but the photos will keep on coming. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
A perfect little black dress for day – wonderful find! The classic elements – 3/4 sleeves, decorative detail and shantung weave – make it very fun and versatile. A best of the best everyday garment to discover.
Always an adventure!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Believe it or not, it IS a maternity dress! From the Forties or early Fifties!! The brand name is Lady in Waiting (how cute). What a fun, fun find!
Nothing could be more practical or economical than this baby (pun intended). The fabric is cotton, rayon or a blend in a colorful print. Perfect for a summer pregnancy. The dress is simple and was not expensive, but so ingeniously designed and convenient!
The easy, breezy shirtwaist style is always in fashion and the flowing fabric is very forgiving. Underneath that wrap-around wasp waist sash is extra material and a set of 3 snaps near each side seam which allow the dress to be let out up to about 10 inches. So, no matter the stage she’s at, this mama could wear the dress from start to finish and beyond.
Good old American ingenuity (not to imply that we’re the only ones). I love clever fashion ideas like this one.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Isn’t this print gorgeous? And, the cotton is super, super soft – probably due to age and washings as well as a high-quality fabric.
Another mystery for me! Can’t date it exactly – there is no label and signs say that it was hand-tailored. The style is not traditional Hawaiian, but certain details, such as the pleat in the back of the skirt and the fabulous material, make me think of other vintage gowns made there.
No matter. It’s lovely and tiny but, if I can comfortably wear it it’s a keeper! We’ll see . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Fabulous late 1930’s – early 1940’s styling details, hand-tailoring and original(?) fabrics??? I know the design (a relative had one similar). The embroidered mesh on the bodice is similar to the wartime dressing gown shown a couple of days ago. The synthetic(?) fabric is like nothing I’ve felt before. The gusset at the hemline is a period feature.
IS THIS AN ORIGINAL WWI – WWII GOWN OR AN EXPERTLY-MADE REPRODUCTION? I can’t be sure. It’s in almost-perfect condition, but has been around for a while. No label, of course. Would love to know it’s story. Any ideas, you well-trained experts out there? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Couldn’t wait to get this gorgeous gown onto Stella. She’s just the right size (and maybe I am, too, if I can bear to risk wearing it!). The embroidered netting and roses on rayon are so, so 1930’s – 1940’s.
I love the special tailoring touches from that time such as the longer hem in back that makes a little train. This dress was probably meant to fit someone a little shorter than Stel.
It would seem that Montevideans from early in the wartime era loved their fashions and accessories from France. More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Though certainly not a star when it comes to quality or design, it’ll be fun to wear when I’m in the mood. Even the best of the late 1960’s to early 1970’s wasn’t great.
In this case, worth picking up for several reasons. 1. Perfect condition and commercially-made. When I see items like this in great shape, they’re usually home-sewn. Probably women who sewed appreciated the value of their clothing more. I rarely find a true vintage knit from this era that was commercially-made unless it’s a rag. 2. The content & care tag and the Ladies Garment Workers Union tag are still present. 3. The fabric and styling are purely from the era. Although some fairly faithful retro copycats have been made in recent years, there’s always nothing better than an original. 4. The pattern, collar and color are just cute!
So, that rounds out my week. We’ll see what happens around May Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
When I come across a pretty one, I’ll always snap it up. This example, quite different from the one I showed a few days ago, was machine-made and not as old. Although hankies began to lose popularity to Kleenex paper tissues in the 1930’s (for those who could afford to buy them), many women continued to carry fabric handkerchiefs into the 1950’s and even the early 1960’s. Men, of course, for much longer.
For a special occasion, the use of a handkerchief is more elegant than using a paper tissue – especially for drying tears. A productive cough and runny nose, on the other hand, call for something more hygienic (disposable) and sturdy than a delicate lace pocket square.
When did manufacturers stop making fabric hankies? Maybe they still do. No doubt a supply of both hankies and paper tissues are on hand in many dresser drawers today, along with the dress gloves, purse mirrors and other accessories that every sophisticated woman has at the ready for whatever event may come up on her calendar.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
What a neat discovery! I have 2 or 3 lingerie bed jackets from this era already, but haven’t found another for a long time. Rare, rare, rare. This one may have been part of some woman’s trousseau, which she stored away lovingly for decades. Some were made of silk. This one is glossy rayon.
Pretty bed jackets from the post-war 1950’s are also fabulous, but much different from the older wartime ones. Notice in the detail close-up the embroidered mesh decoration. Remember that from the nightgown I showed just a few days ago?
Oh, I’m over the moon again and will also store this garment away lovingly, probably for decades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
When I don’t find the real 1940’s thing, this will do. When a dress is as nicely done as this one, I collect it and wear it with no worries.
In a pretty true-to-Forties style, of 100% rayon with an abstract leaf print, this frock wraps in front and ties to one side. Well-fitting with some smocked elastic in the waistband behind and well-placed buttons and snaps inside to prevent gaps. This is a design that rivals the best vintage styles with attention to tailoring detail and makes any garment a pleasure to wear.
Modest-sized shoulder pads and a midi-hemline add to the figure-enhancing final result. Easy, worry-free wear and flattering style never came any better. Although it’s only baby vintage, just about 35 years old, I’m pleased and will wear it a lot!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 