Tag Archives: Mad Men

VA-VA-VOOM! TOTALLY MAGICAL TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S VIXEN DRESS

VA-VA-VOOM! TOTALLY MAGICAL TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S VIXEN DRESS

OK.  Let’s compare this frock to the dress shown yesterday. . . . . . . ..

This was a completely magical find!  For the first thing, I almost missed it.   I was an inexperienced sleuth at the time, years ago, and wasn’t sure what I was seeing.

Second, it was at least 3 sizes too big, with some dowdy design features that were not appealing.  However, this is a 100% silk dress with a designer label.

Look at the draping and the ruching – GORGEOUS!! Another woman remarked about it and woke me up.

After a few very simple alterations, without doing anything that can’t be reversed, voila’! An absolute Mata Hari, femme fatale frock. Who knew?

From the same 1950’s era as yesterday’s dress – just as elegant but with a totally different feel.  This dress is very sexy and dramatic, but not in any way sleazy or tacky.  That’s the beauty of true vintage style and quality . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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1950’s LBD WITH SHEER BLACK SLEEVES AND SEDUCTIVE SHAPE

1950's LBD WITH SHEER BLACK SLEEVES AND SEDUCTIVE SHAPE

Leave it to the 1950’s to produce the most come-hither styles . . . .. . .. How could anyone resist this one?  The inventors of the “cocktail dress” knew their stuff.

Rather than a sleeveless style, “demure” sheer sleeves add just the right touch of modesty and mystery and end up amping the “sexiness” to new levels.

One of the mistakes that so much modern fashion makes – it’s so in-your-face that after the shock and awe wear off in a few minutes, it’s pretty boring and tacky.  True vintage fashion rarely, if ever, makes that goof.  It’s usually has just the opposite effect.  And, high quality materials and tailoring is the cherry on top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER FIND! FROM COCKTAILS YESTERDAY TO SHOPPING AND HOUSEKEEPING

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Another mid-century style – this time from the mid-late Sixties –  but in a most casual house dress.  Sorry it’s a bit out of focus – I love this print and always enjoy red.  It’s in a half-size 14, which was  vintage language for Plus-size but it’s really not BIG at all.

The half-sizes were cut bigger in the bust and pretty straight through the waist (I’ve pinned this one in the back) but the shoulders are small, so I can wear it fine with a belt.  It was apparently belted originally because there are signs of belt loops.

I love the embroidered tag sewn in the neckline, the pointed collar and pearlized buttons with stems.  The fabric, again, is a mystery but doesn’t feel like polyester.

A no-nonsense frock that any average homemaker might have worn while going about her daily housekeeping duties.  Just the simplest and easiest thing to wear, and cute to boot!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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

 

ANOTHER SCORE! 1960’s TRUE VINTAGE DRESSY ILLUSION DRESS

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Fast-forward from yesterday – about thirty years . . . . . . . . . . . This surprising frock looks so plain, at first, but is elegant as can be!  It’s made in a style that was popular, I’ve found, in the early 1960’s – a dress made to look like a 2-piece ensemble. Hemmed to hit at the knee or slightly below.  Perfect for cocktails or dinner out.

Although it appears pink in the photo, the fabric is a vivid coral color in a smooth knit. I’m not sure what the material is made of.  The sophisticated, simple style is very nice and I can’t wait to get it onto Madge, who I’m sure would do it justice with her robust and curvy figure!

The best aspect though, from a construction point of view, is the beautiful high-quality rhinestone trim such as we haven’t seen for decades! Each stone is set in metal prongs, like they used to do in the Thirties, Forties and Fifties. It is very lovely and adds just the right touch of dressy bling at the upper arms and hips.

Love the embroidered tag, too.  I’m excited – haven’t found something of this particular genre in a while – makes it all so FUN!  Another “new” discovery is coming tomorrow, so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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BEAUTIFUL DELICATE COLOR TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – 1960’S SLIPS TO WEAR WITH YOUR PASTELS

BEAUTIFUL PASTEL TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - 1960'S SLIPS TO WEAR WITH YOUR PASTELS

Here are great nylon slips for Spring into Summer wear. When the weather has us in the doldrums, these will pick up the spirits and coordinate with the lovely pastels we are beginning to wear again.

Gorgeous lace and embroidery – the slip on the left may even be 1940’s. We know we’re getting into the 1960’s with the one far right because of the fabric and construction – not just the length – .some pre-WWII slips were short, too, depending on the style.

It’s fun to know all the details but I love each one . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE IN A FEW MINUTES?

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A handful of fun separates when I had a bit of time on my hands:  1.  a cute poly/cotton pajama top from the Fifties or Sixties that doubles as a summer blouse  2.  RARE, RARE, RARE FIND of Fifties pajama bottoms – although they’re not a perfectly-matched pair, I think they’ll make a great lounging outfit together with the bed jacket shown earlier today.  It’s always great to have these on hand.  Nice lace at the ankles   3.  a home-sewn Sixties shirt.  I’d wear it with jeans, but it’s not the best job.  However, worth buying just for the buttons.

Never miss an opportunity to uncover more clues . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANOTHER “NEW” TRUE VINTAGE BED JACKET WITH UNUSUAL STYLING

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I know, I know, I know . . . . . I collect so many of these that I’ll have to lounge a whole lot and eat many breakfasts in bed to be able to wear them all . . . . . . . . . . . . .. BUT

How can I resist?  Who wouldn’t love a gorgeous little scrap of mid-century feminine luxury like this one?  Although they are always pretty, I’m especially excited when I find one that is unusual.  I’m not sure that I have another one in this green color or with this type of styling.  Generally, they were made in pink, blue or sometimes in white.

The lace is especially nice, too.  Even when I get to a point where I’ll have to part with some of them, this one is a keeper . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

SCORE!! FOUND A TRUE VINTAGE KENNEDY ERA PARTY DRESS

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Wowee!  I love it so much!  First off, this beautiful frock appeared to my spying eyes and I was transported to a dance in 1960 . . . . . . . . . . .

Sheer, printed fabric over an acetate sheath – so pretty and feminine, with fabulous movement in the skirt.  The pleats make the bottom half of the dress look a completely different color, though the fabric is exactly the same.  Such wonderful wizardry in the beautiful tailoring tricks seen in true vintage garments.

This is the kind of find I live for – and I’m glad that they are frequent!  I’ll have so much fun with this one.  It’s done a lot of dancing and needs some TLC, but nothing I can’t handle – getting ready to party on.  The “new” finds are coming more frequently now, so stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

WINTER TO SPRING COLORFUL TRUE VINTAGE LADIES’ SKIRT SUITS

WINTER TO SPRING COLORFUL TRUE VINTAGE LADIES' SKIRT SUITS

Here are three lovely wool skirt suits in pastels and sunny red. Back in the day, “winter white” would be “out” by now – worn only till the end of January. The pastels would traditionally have shown up in the first half of February, when resort vacation clothing also would make an appearance.  This is the time of year that many people took their annual beach vacation.

The holidays are behind us, it’s a new year and I’m sure you’re ready for a change!  These are just about the last of my wool suits for this winter . . . . . . . . . .

From the early 1960’s, in true Jackie O (sorry, Jacqueline) style, these lady-like but perky ensembles make us think of sunnier skies. The blue and pink are of boucle’ and the red is a smoother weave.

Boxy jackets and straight skirts, the sleeves (at least on the pink and red) are bracelet length which looks great with gloves and also lets you show off your charm bracelet to best effect.

Of course, if the weather remains very cool where you are, these beauties will be gorgeous at Easter, so don’t get tired of wearing them too soon . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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

A BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL SUIT FROM AROUND 1960

A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL SUIT FROM AROUND 1960

This skirt suit has the shorter Chanel – style jacket and a straight skirt that hits near the knee. Also 3/4 sleeves so characteristic of that time.  The jacket is the stand-out piece here and every woman was wearing this style in 1962 – including Jacqueline Kennedy.

Made by Puritan’s Forever Young line, which the actress Gloria Swanson was affiliated with at one time – the things that make it most different from others in my closet are the HUGE, gorgeous buttons made of braided cord and the loose weave of the fabric.  It’s a style made to wear with only a simple, shell-type blouse, or no blouse at all.  You would need to wear one of your lovely slips underneath.

A perfect transitional ensemble for Fall or Spring – when I don’t want something too heavy, but still want to be warm. As always, these separate pieces can do double duty in many different ways and the style is perfectly classic.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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