Tag Archives: Mad Men

LOVELY CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE SKIRT SUIT FROM NEW YORK CITY

LOVELY CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE SKIRT SUIT FROM NEW YORK CITY

I’ve SO enjoyed going through my skirt suit collection  for this series of posts! I was reminded of how great a find this one was, during a special trip to the Big Apple.

All the suits you’ll see are from the 1940’s to the mid 1970’s. This one is so classic it could almost go anywhere in that period. In this case, the skirt has been shortened a few inches – always without cutting off material, so the original length can easily be restored!

The details most loved about this one are the great colors – always love the unusual combination of blues and browns – and the suede trim.

The classic cut is also one of the best, best things about any garment and why true vintage is usually way ahead of modern clothing. This suit, like most I’ll show, will look sophisticated and elegant for as long as I own it.

If you think “dowdy” or “matronly” when you see this photo, you’re not using real style sense. Don’t forget that an ensemble like this can be worn many ways, including using the jacket and skirt as separates, and with many different accessories, making it fresh and versatile each time.

And, there’s never any competition for true elegance . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ANOTHER FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S FLOWER-POWER BLOUSE

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Unbelievable!  This beautiful fitted blouse in lovely smooth rayon was a “QUEEN” size in the mid-sixties.  It’s labeled as a 13/14 but it fits me with a little extra room in the bust – and I wear a modern size 4.

Who cares, right?!  It’s got all the lovely features of true vintage tailored items, with extra seam allowance and nice darting to enhance the fit. Love the print, the long sleeves and oh-so-Sixties roll collar.

Another unusual discovery and, wait, there’ll be more . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE LINGERIE – IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LACE . . . . . . . . . . ..

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE LACE . . . . . . . . . . ..

These are perhaps the only black slips I’ll show, for now, even though I have lots of them. The details don’t photograph well, but in this case you can see the gorgeous lace on the hems and bodices.

This lace is unusual and the two black slips are somewhat longish – 1940’s or early 1950’s. They’re almost little dresses themselves.

Each of my slips has a unique decoration of some kind – even the plain ones that I probably won’t be photographing have some interesting features or an unusual color.

Fun to wear with your beautiful true vintage dresses or even if you have to wear boring clothes . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A VERY PRETTY CRANBERRY RED SKIRT SUIT FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

A VERY PRETTY CRANBERRY - COLORED 1950's to EARLY 1960'S SKIRT SUIT: NICE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Now I’ll start showing you my best true vintage winter outfits, to go along with the beautiful lingerie.  This suit from the 1950’s or early ’60’s is very tailored in it’s lines. Nicely made, for a small women’s clothing store (the store was small, and probably the women, too, back then!).

It’s not flashy, but is very elegant – the kind of pieces you could wear this way and that way for years. The fabric itself is very lovely, in a tweedy weave with tones of berry with charcoal mixed in. The collar is accented with suede leather. Nice buttons, with suede leather centers.

Just think of wearing this with one of yesterday’s full slips underneath. Quite appropriate for this month of January . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

THE FIRST PHOTO OF MY “BEST” TRUE VINTAGE LINGERIE SLIPS – THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNDERTHINGS!

This begins the main showing of my beautiful slip collection. They will be grouped, generally, by color. Overall, they’ll range from 1920’s – 1960’s with most from the ’40’s and ’50’s. We’ll start off with some golds and bronzes.

Materials will be silk, acetate, rayon and nylon – most will be of nylon. The trims are lace and netting, sheer nylon, embroidery, ribbons and applique’ – I think that covers it.

Most times the body of the slips and the decoration are of the same hue, but in many fine pieces – as shown here – the decoration is done in a contrasting color. They’re almost too pretty to cover up!

Isn’t it luscious to know that while you’re all bundled up in your wools and corduroys, jackets and sweaters and coats that underneath it all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

SUCH FUN! TRUE VINTAGE SOUVENIR KITCHEN LINENS

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From the West and Down East – a vacationer’s mid-century mementos of a fun holiday!

Fun cotton linens for the kitchen and dining table were big favorites during the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Many a traveler picked them up as souvenirs, too.  I just love the funky and funny prints!

As always, these items tell a story.  You could have practically driven through California without a map after buying this muslin tablecloth. Although the apron doesn’t have any words, the cute illustrations of pilgrims/immigrants in their native dress and the border designs contain a lot of information about the communities or cultures that they came from.

Also, if you can do a close-up look, you’ll see a small vintage safety pin stuck in the waistband.  I always like to leave things like this in place because that’s just how the cook or housekeeper wore it during her daily routine.

These linens will last forever if they’re looked after well – remove stains quickly and wash gently.  I’ll bet that I can channel some very interesting vibrations with these in my kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

 

ANOTHER DISCOVERY – TRUE VINTAGE BLOUSE BY LADY MANHATTAN

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What a fabulous maker’s label!  I just love old Lady Manhattan blouses.  This one is from the  early 1970’s or, possibly, the late 1960’s.  The first thing that caught my eye was the print – then the styling.  There are a few more clues that are the real truth revealing it’s era.

Although this one is casual, it still demonstrates the the classic elegance that was typical of this brand.  Lady Manhattan always made lovely women’s blouses and was still  in the marketplace doing women’s clothing into the Eighties, but I  prefer their mid-century creations.  Too bad Madge isn’t here to model – it’s just about her size.

What a treat!  I come across these only once in a while, so I’m really thrilled.  But then,  everything I find is an uncommon treasure, so it’s rare or more rare and I get the thrill bumps a lot.

Hope you had a fabulous time on New Year’s Eve and are well-recovered by now.  More tomorrow . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY ’60’S SWEATER JACKET WITH BEADING

VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY '60'S SWEATER JACKET WITH BEADING

A most lady-like sweater-jacket, lined in acetate. The heavily-beaded design is repeated on the back, as well.  3/4 sleeves add to that vibe – so Kennedy Era . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

Jackets like this were worn over sheath dresses, with slacks and skirts. This one is by Banff, a former maker of fine knits.  Remember the yellow summer sweater I showed a couple of months ago?  Same maker.

These were available for sale at fine department stores and in small specialty shops, sometimes in popular vacation areas.

Again, not my color but, hey, the right necklace or scarf/blouse/dress underneath can take care of that in no time . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE STILETTOS SOLD BY J C PENNEY & CO. – 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

TRUE VINTAGE STILETTOS SOLD BY J C PENNEY & CO. - 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S

The diva who owned these knew what she liked, in two colors. Sold by J.C.Penney’s back in the day; no well-dressed woman would be caught without her high heels.

These are sassy little numbers, aren’t they? Just right for the next cha-cha party. Highball anyone?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

MY SECOND MEN’S BATHROBE FROM THE ’50’S – ’60’S, WITH A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT VIBE

MY SECOND MEN'S BATHROBE FROM THE '50'S - '60'S, WITH A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT VIBE

You see how classic – this robe is made in the same style as the one I showed a few days ago, with the same, now rare, black satin trim. However, the feel is completely different.

This robe is of Sanforized cotton, in a very traditional medallion print. The fabric is slightly lighter-weight and much more “conservative”.

I suspect that this robe is also from the 1950’s, or  the late 1940’s. Menswear has rarely been as lavish as women’s and this one was not a luxury item, but these satin-trimmed robes are special.

Makes me think of a man of distinction; a real big spender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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