JUST FOUND! “TED WILLIAMS” BRAND TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S SPORTSWEAR

img_2472

“For Active Americans” on the label – famous baseball star Ted Williams had his own sportswear line that produced outerwear, mostly, from the 1950’s – 1970’s and was sold by Sears & Roebuck and at Simpson Sears in Canada.  What an interesting item with history that I did not know!

Although this may have been a men’s or boy’s jacket, I think it is unisex.  Small – medium on a sportswoman with room for a heavy sweater underneath and FULL of pockets with sturdy metal zippers and features that would be very handy for a hiker, day-camper, cross-country skier (or hunter – some were made for this).   I guess the big pocket across the back was called a “small game pocket” but it would be PERFECT for carrying a lightweight sleeping bag or tent or many other trekking supplies with space above to allow a day-pack to hang.

Virtually unused condition, warm and toasty with a quilted lining and rib-knit cuffs and collar.  I hope to go to Montana next year, and this would be a great thing to take along! Reminiscent of mid-century family vacations to the national parks – there’s a whole Happy Days/Kennedy era novel inspired by this one.  Tomorrow I’ll show you it’s sophisticated sister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HALLOWEEN’S IN THE BAG – TIME FOR ALL 1950’S HOMEMAKERS TO THINK ABOUT THANKSGIVING & CHRISTMAS . . .

IMG_0935 IMG_0936Although we do Christmas marketing almost year-round, back in the mid-century time no one thought seriously about Christmas stuff until after the American Thanksgiving in late November.  But, if you’re making lots of your gifts . . . . .

McCalls needlework magazine promoted doing just that – to economize as well as adding a personal touch.  Can you imagine getting all that done ?!

For many of our grandmothers, that was just part of the day-to-day.  And, they did produce beautiful things – from hats, gloves, sweaters, socks and scarves to dolls & their clothing, tablecloths & bedspreads, just to name a few.

I love discovering some special true vintage handmade item that was probably made as a gift or a table decoration for a special family holiday. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

DISCOVERED! RARE 1960’S HAWAIIAN SHIRTS

img_2412

Rare fabric, rare makers, rare designs.  Men’s shirts, but small – for me!  Love these!!  I have a few, but these are unique.  So fun to find labels that I rarely or have never seen, fabric that I had to research and these great prints that just pop out like nothing else.

And, as always, at a fabulous bargain . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BACK TO SCHOOL TIME! 1950’S/1960’S SWEATERS THAT MOM & GRANDMA WERE BUSY KNITTING . . . . .

IMG_1007IMG_1014IMG_1011IMG_1008IMG_1009IMG_1012IMG_1013IMG_1018

Yes, it’s that time of year again.  I don’t know how many of you had mothers or grandmas who made most of your wardrobe, all year long – BUT, it was not at all unusual back in the day.   And, aren’t these cute and good-looking!    I’ll bet no one else would have had one like it.

These kinds of needlework magazines with patterns were really popular and there used to be little knitting shops around that sold all the necessary supplies.   When I was cleaning out some of the OLD family stuff recently, I found a lot of knitting needles of every size and configuration you can imagine.   I couldn’t begin to understand how they were used . . . . .

In these old magazines that were given to me, I’ve seen ads for knitting machines, too – something small that you could set up and use at home.   Although I can’t imagine devoting the time it would take to make these garments really well, they are SO beautiful that it seems it was well worth it.

I’d love to hear about your own family stories . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BACK TO THE EARLY SIXTIES – TRUE VINTAGE MEN’S SWIM TRUNKS

BACK TO THE EARLY SIXTIES - TRUE VINTAGE MEN'S SWIM TRUNKS

Gearing up for summer with a pair of true vintage men’s swim briefs.  I think this is a really flattering length – not too short nor too long.

Simple construction with a button at the waist.  These were  a hand-me-down from a family member and I’m so glad to have them in my collection!

Just think of all those vintage beach photos with surfboards and old movies and TV shows – didn’t the guys look so much more hot?

  • I’ve just discovered a women’s suit of the same era in Sweden!  So much to catch you up on, but the sightseeing demands and dodginess of Internet may delay the communique’s in full at least until I’m back at temporary Headquarters.  However,  I’ll do my best to keep you informed from the field.  Stay tuned  . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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

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

WOVEN SUMMER – WEIGHT VERSION OF THE CLASSIC COWBOY HAT – MADE IN CALGARY, ALBERTA BY SMITHBILT

WOVEN SUMMER - WEIGHT VERSION OF THE CLASSIC COWBOY HAT - MADE IN CALGARY, ALBERTA BY SMITHBILT

Just as classic as the wool felt version, this beautiful Smithbilt hat is also of the highest quality.   Not sure when it was made – these enduring styles and handmade constructions are almost ageless.

Contrasting two-tone woven-in design & leather bands inside and out.  The weaving is tight and even.   This hat will also last forever (almost) if it’s taken care of.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE SLEEPWEAR & LOUNGEWEAR

A COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE SLEEPWEAR & LOUNGEWEAR

It seems that in the past women, and men, made a real art of wearing at-home fashion. They didn’t bop around the house in sweats or nothing (nothing is lovely, but not very mysterious).

No, there were smoking jackets, bed jackets, peignoirs, robes, caftans, gowns, pajamas and many variations of each. I will show more in the future, but for now . . . . . .

Left to right: a quilted lounging or bed jacket from the 1950s or 1940s, a boys’ size 18 lounging jacket from the 1950s or 1960s (just right for a small woman, too), a babydoll gown and peignoir set from the 1960s or 1970s, and two 1950s bed jackets.

One should not neglect one’s fashion presence just because (maybe) no one else is around. Much more important if someone is.
I love finding these beautiful old high-quality items.  Everyone deserves the luxury.

There’s nothing like receiving casual guests in a smart caftan or reading in bed in a lovely gown with matching robe because if the doorbell rings . . . . . . . .well, you just never know . . . .. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’s & ’60’s MEN’S NECKTIES

TRUE VINTAGE 1950s & '60s MEN'S NECKTIES

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

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S/1970’S MEN’S LEISURE SLACKS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

ANOTHER NEW FIND.  SOME OF THOSE AWFUL MID-CENTURY SLACKS, IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION.  THESE ARE SO FUNNY, I COULDN’T RESIST!

With a sports shirt and maybe a dark brown poly sports jacket, you’d be right there in 1970’s style.  Put on a different top and jacket and you could go late Sixties.  Well, I guess they were cool then, and they’re cool now – for a different reason.

This pair was made by the Haggar company, which did make decent slacks, and they’re in great shape.  The fabric feels very nice to touch and I’d wear them, too, if they were in a suitable size.

And the checked pattern – so iconic – much better than similar ones in a plain color.  One thing about the poly knits, they did last pretty well if they were taken care of BUT it’s still not common to find men’s garments this well-preserved.  So, it’s another treasure for the archives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

SOMETHING FOR THE MEN! TRUE VINTAGE CUFF-LINKS BY SWANK

SOMETHING FOR THE MEN!  TRUE VINTAGE CUFF-LINKS BY SWANK

Costume jewelry for the guys, though they may be sterling silver. Sets like this were standard dress-wear for men in the mid-century and before.  These came through my family, but I always nab nice ones when I find them.

They are by SWANK, in their original packages.  The set on the left, with pearls, were sold at a hometown menswear store.  The set on the right was packaged especially for a department store.  Perfect with your ’50’s,’60’s or ’70’s dress shirt (and tie).

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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