Tag Archives: men’s

A REAL VINTAGE -SLEUTHING MIRACLE!

Must report this major success – I believe it’s a first for me. Two weeks ago I was doing an investigation and discovered, in a very disorganized and jumbled collection, an old plaid cotton robe from way back that was missing it’s tie belt. Ho, hum – that’s the usual case, unfortunately. This item was posted on the blog on June 20.

Today I was able to get back into the field again and a thought in the back of mind was that perhaps somewhere, sometime soon I might run across a black or burgundy belt that would work as a substitute. Well, one of the first things I spied in the motley mess was: THE ACTUAL MISSING BELT!! If these belts have not been preserved along with the garment, it’s virtually unheard of to see them again. It will need some mending since it’s very old, but can be rehabbed with no problem.

Found something else very neat today which I’ll be showing soon, but this was my little victory dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A Cozy Mid-Century Housecoat and Very Vintage Robe

This pretty aqua at-home garment by It’s A Charm is remarkable because it looks virtually new after about 60 years. Classically styled, the front snaps are made to look like buttons. The string tie at neckline is fastened on with a little safety pin in order to be removed when you put the item in a washing machine. So practical. The cute flower basket embroidery on the pocket really is Charming.

On the other hand, I can’t help but love this ratty robe (men’s, I think) that needed a little mending at the collar. It’s probably the older of these two pieces and testifies to lots of loyal service on weekends and evenings, year in and year out. Made of cotton fabric in an attractive plaid – I’ll still need to find or make a belt for it, but that should be a cinch (no pun intended?). Who knows – I may even encounter one the next time I get out in the field . . . . which brings up the aviso that outlets may be closing again due to current threats . . . . . . . . . . . .

Still more to come, however.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEST VINTAGE COTTON BATHROBE FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS!

So lightweight and cool but oh, so Vintage! Yes, it’s a man’s but not way big so I’ll happily curl up in this flattering gray-green printed wrap when the temps are soaring outside. In perfect condition, too!

It’s a Brent brand – the men’s version of a Montgomery Ward proprietary label. Good old “Monkey Ward”. Like Sears & Roebuck, Simpson Sears (in Canada) and J.C. Penney, it served well as a moderately-priced department store and catalog shopping service for decades. It’s fun to collect the old catalogs, too, if you come across them.

This piece is just a lark and will be fun to wear. Also, it will probably last a long time, without the fraying seams and trim that are so common now. It already has . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THE MOST WONDERFUL SHIRT – LET’S START HERE

IMG_4866

Handmade for a man in the 1950’s,  or maybe even the Forties, but I’ll make it my own.  Neat little way of unbuttoning the neckline so that it can be slipped on.  The most fabulous soft cotton, due to many washings and wearings.  LOVE the french sailors print!!!!!!!

And, of course, a chest pocket on the left.  There is damage under one arm, so I will be taking the sleeves off and making it a cap sleeve tunic.  Don’t mind – as an alteration, that’s probably better.  Love it when I find unusual things like this.  More coming . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FUN FIFTIES PJ’s FIND

IMG_4543

Nothing better than Sanforized cotton flannel pajamas on cool nights.  Although these were made for men, the Medium size would be OK for lots of women today.  At first, I thought that they were “new”, but one of them was probably worn a little.  They were made in Hong Kong, so the workmanship is up to a higher standard.  I love all of the old details and vintage buttons.  They were sold by Sears back in the day, under the stores’ own label.

Not the most flattering or delicate of sleepwear, but still wonderful!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER RARE FIND – 1950’s to EARLY 1960’S DEAD STOCK OXFORD SHIRT OF SANFORIZED COTTON

DSC00730

It’s a plain,white oxford shirt so I won’t bore you with the photo.  The label is worth the whole find and all the details from the 1950’s to early 1960’s – – – – – –

there’s a cellophane collar prop still in place, a paper tag hanging from a button, a paper square in the pocket that was placed there by the final inspector, and an inventory stamp near the hem.  An interesting thing about the fabric (besides being Sanforized) is that the weave gives it stretch, without any of our modern spandex.  An extra tag sewn at the neck advertises this.

The sleeves will be too long for me so, of course, I’ll end up selling it but the best thing is the way that the story still unfolds.  From what I can resource so far, this may have been a British brand.  A find like this is always worth picking up just for the fun!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

YEE-HAW! GIT ALONG LITTLE DOGIES! AN ICONIC WESTERN-WEAR LABEL SINCE THE EARLY 1900s

DSC00714

Yes, it’s a standard cotton cowboy shirt with snap closures.  An embroidered patch on the back indicates that it was worn by a rodeo showman.  It’s not that old – 1970’s – 1990’s probably, but the real treasure is the brand label.  Again, look it up on Wikipedia – very interesting history.

Of course, I look mostly for garments and accessories that I’ll add to my own wardrobe but this field of espionage is so fascinating that I sometimes take a little detour.  I wonder what may show up next?  You just never know   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FOUND A HANDMADE, SILK KIMONO YESTERDAY!!!

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-111

Beautiful floral colors and hand-stitching throughout.  Very unusual find, too.  It needs a little attention, but will be coming your way soon.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MY SLEUTHING SKILLS ARE PRETTY SLICK AND THE HUNT CONTINUES TO BE FANTASTIC!

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-111via MY SLEUTHING SKILLS ARE PRETTY SLICK AND THE HUNT CONTINUES TO BE FANTASTIC!

MY SLEUTHING SKILLS ARE PRETTY SLICK AND THE HUNT CONTINUES TO BE FANTASTIC!

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-111

If I do say so myself, this season of investigations has been great so far and looks fabulous ahead.  Finds continue to turn up at my usual $1 – $5 per.  Though I did spend a little more in mysterious South America, all were incredible bargains.

With some of the gorgeous garments I’ve uncovered recently, I’m just as much in search of venues to wear them as the clothing and accessories themselves!  Stay tuned, because the fun and excitement keep on coming and – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM