I’ve always loved the garments made by this company, SWIRL, and this one is no exception. It may not be as old as some of the ones I own, but still has the ’60’s – ’70’s applique’ and the great styling.
Like some other things (the dresses I just came up with . . . . .), you can never have too many . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Look what I found in Canada! Celebrity brand Mary Janes with leather soles and chunky heels.
These would be from the mid to late 1960’s. Like some others I’ve shown before, one shoe has the maker’s name stamped on the footbed and the other has the name of the local store that sold them. This was a common practice in the Forties, Fifties and Sixties when small, privately-owned shoe stores were in every town and city and many of them had a good relationship with the suppliers of the special brands they sold.
Probably moderately priced when they were originally sold, but quality, quality, quality all the way . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Yes, I’m back at Headquarters now – unpacking and taking care of business. Although these finds are out-of-season right now, despite the heat, I like to show brand-new discoveries ASAP.
What makes these worthy of my closet? The styles are simple, but the vintage fabrics are REALLY NICE. Also, the hand-done tailoring touches, like a full lining, well-cut facings and hem allowances make them special garments.
I always pick up pieces of exceptional quality. They are rare treasure, not seen in the marketplace today. Stay tuned for more . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I have found several of these elegant black and white styles from the ’60’s and ’70’s – and wear them a lot. As versatile as a Little Black Dress for day and fun to accessorize. If made by a well-known clothing company or designer, the workmanship was good .
Polyester knits made up until the early 1970’s were usually very nice – good quality and with a substantial feel and nice drape. A well-made dress or pant-suit could take you through 3 seasons of the year. Although similar-looking dresses are made now, the older ones almost always have superior tailoring and fabric.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Talk about fussy and pretty .. . . . .! Although they’re similar in some ways to the blouses shown yesterday, I like these so much better. In spite of the high neckline on the left, they’re less prim and will look great with jeans and peasant skirts.
These styles go way back, from the 1890’s (with long gloves or a jacket, of course. Can’t show those arms!) to the 1940’s and 1950’s when peasant-style was all the rage. As always, the fashion came back in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s and was just as iconic then.
As I’ve said, it’s rare to find blouses and shirts this old in fabulous condition. The things that make this possible are the high-quality construction and fabric plus the fact that people used to care for their clothing much better than we do now. For modern vintage sleuths, our gain!
So, never give up – just learn how to sneak smarter . .. . . . . . . . . . .. ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
A change of pace for the weekend – let’s slip into some fabulous-feeling vintage nylon. There’s nothing that feels like it – heavy, smooth, creamy and cool on your skin. Well, enough of that – this is a vintage fashion blog, not a . . . . . .
These are what the fashionable woman wore at home while relaxing and/or for casual entertaining. The one on the left is a slip-over design with roses embroidered at the neck. The right-hand style is unique with two fabric layers, a front zipper and long scarf “tails” that can be tied in a bow or crossed in front and thrown over the shoulders. One is by ShadowLine and the other by a less well-known maker.
Those shoulder “tails” are an interesting feature. I have a velveteen sheath dress circa about 1960 which has them and also a jacket, which I think comes from the wartime era. Not sure if this style element was something that repeated – I haven’t seen it often. The color combo on the right has such a characteristic ’60’s look.
When I go sleuthing, or just sorting through my closets, I drift through several decades one after the other. It’s almost as good as going to the movies . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here’s a collection of neckties that span from the early ’50’s to the late ’60’s. Brand names include Wembley and others (which I’ve forgotten at the moment). Some are of silk, some of rayon blend and some of polyester.
Although the widths vary a lot from decade to decade, I don’t think that I would let that keep me from wearing the one I wanted to if I were a man. They can all look sharp and interesting or fun.
It’s not difficult to find these now. Once in a while I check for them. They even make nice belts for women’s clothing sometimes, and women did wear them as ties, too, in 1967 when the British Carnaby Street fashions were really in. You can wear a skinny one for an Annie Hall look, or whatever.
When it comes to wearing vintage fashion, anything goes . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Yes, you did see the one on the left a few days ago, but here’s my photo with both. The vibrant-colored fabric with such a rich hand makes these garments radiant and unique.
Thai silk is like no other. The fabric is so lustrous and with a hand-made texture. The colors are gorgeous, in beautiful combinations.
On top of that, the hand-tailoring of these garments makes them so beautifully detailed and fitted. Both of these dresses would have been custom-made for someone who was vacationing or living in Thailand or China.
And, of course, in classic styles that are as wearable now as they were in the 1960’s . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Examples from the decade, preserved and displayed beautifully. Stilettos and little strappy things. Cute, chic and sexy. In alligator, suede, satin, patent leather – such a fabulous collection!
These are mostly dressier styles on this side of the display case. You can catch a glimpse of some more everyday heels on the other side.
From Carnaby Street to The Man from Uncle to early James Bond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here’s a pretty frock that’s just right for a dinner date, dancing or a semi-formal party. I always love sheer/opaque fabric combinations and a flippy hem that moves so wonderfully.
This dress was from a California designer/company that was popular in the 1960’s and 1970’s. One follower who commented when I first showed it 3 years ago said she would add a silvery belt and sandals. Sounds perfect to me!
Although this particular garment was made a little before the time of “disco nights” in the late Seventies, the style is classic and I’d certainly dance the night away in it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
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