Just fabulous! Custom-made by the same woman, of ultra-soft cotton in a wonderful 1940’s – early 1950’s style that I just love. And, in my size!!!!!
Nipped waist, flirty skirt, shoulder pads and cute sculptured plastic buttons. What could be better? Perfect condition, washed to incredible comfort. I don’t usually go for floral prints, but who can quibble? . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
McCalls needlework magazine from 1961 has patterns and instructions for these neat tops. It was one of those times when the fashion gets really playful. My most recent finds on this trip are ’60’s!
Not quite so intimidating as trying to make some of the dresses and coats, but challenging enough! There’s no mistaking the styles from that time and I’ll be showing more . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
These bracelets are so distinctive-looking – so interesting, to pair with any casual or daytime outfit. They’d also go well into the night, with the right ensemble.
I’ve always pounced when I spotted something like this – rare and fabulous! Though they’re often made of pot metal and plastic (or bakelite), cast rather than hand-made, they are so unusual and will last a long time if you don’t mistreat them.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s my main collection of true vintage white rhinestone collars. From simple and sweet to sassy and sophisticated. These were made between 1940 and 1960, I’d say. Some might be older, or slightly newer.
To be worn alone, or almost alone. Unless you’re doing a period costume from a time when overkill was the usual fashion and everything was worn as a set, these lovelies shine most brilliantly when standing alone.
Just my opinion, for what it’s worth . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Stella stuns in this slim sheath with a draped neckline in back. I know the woman who made this dress back while John F. Kennedy was president and it is exquisitely tailored in charcoal cotton velvet, with a fabric-covered belt.
The style is simple, but dramatic. The cowl neckline in back is what makes the dress. It’s perfect for a necklace that is long enough and simple enough to be draped front to back with a beautiful clasp at the neck, or hidden under a high neckline in front while making a statement on your bare shoulders behind.
But, it doesn’t need much adornment and best to keep it simple . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This is one of my favorite little necklaces, from the 1950’s or early Sixties. Very sweet – love the rhinestone bow and the faux pearl drop. The chain, also, is studded with rhinestones all the way.
The earrings are a bit later – late Sixties or Seventies, but they coordinate nicely. A parure like this would have been perfect with a formal pouf dress – depending on the age of the wearer and the occasion.
Definitely costume jewelry, but so pretty . . . .. . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It’s the time of year when we start thinking about dressy events, dances and holidays again. I’ll be showing more true vintage formal, semi-formal and dressy looks.
These tops would look great with the velveteen skirt from yesterday. And, I’ve got some formal and dressy frocks that need a special wrap to go with them. Often what you already have in the closet just doesn’t work. That’s the time when our grandmothers would get out their knitting needles and crochet hooks . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It’s the details and the fit that make these things so wonderful! That’s what I love about true vintage and hand-constructed clothing. Check out these photos from a 1950’s needlework magazine, given to me by a woman who did this every year.
For a woman who had the skills to make these, it must have been so much fun to look through the new knitting magazines. These weren’t runway styles that were out of her reach!
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
How about this little DECOration with that cocktail dress from yesterday? You wouldn’t want to get too much bling going with the rhinestones on the dress, but an addition like this one could be just perfect.
Though certainly not from the same era (about 30 – 40 years apart!), mixing time is not a bad thing. In fact, that’s one of the attractions of true vintage fashion for me, because I like to live different times, places and characters. I just love this piece, in its original box from Peacock Jewelers.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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