JUST FOUND – SOME PRETTY CUSTOM-TAILORED 1960’s DRESSES

Yes, I’m back at Headquarters now – unpacking and taking care of business.  Although these finds are out-of-season right now, despite the heat, I like to show brand-new discoveries ASAP.

What makes these worthy of my closet?  The styles are simple, but the vintage fabrics are REALLY NICE.  Also, the hand-done tailoring touches, like a full lining, well-cut facings and hem allowances make them special garments.

I always pick up pieces of exceptional quality.  They are rare treasure, not seen in the marketplace today.  Stay tuned for more . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THREE PIECES OF TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S COSTUME JEWELRY

THREE PIECES OF TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S COSTUME JEWELRY

I’ll be showing highlights of my vintage jewelry collection, along with the shoes and dresses.  Here are three pieces which were very characteristic of the Sixties decade.

Enameled pins were very popular – especially in flower shapes. Also, large pendants that hung to the chest were a big thing.

The pin is not marked, nor is the middle pendant but I think that the chain which came with it said it was by Trifari.  The gold-color pendant with chain is by Sarah Coventry. Modernistic shapes were really popular.

Any one of these really sparks up an outfit and gives it a mod, mid-sixties flair.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S HEELS – PERFECT LITTLE SLINGBACK PUMPS

TRUE VINTAGE PUMPS FOR SUMMER - PERFECT LITTLE SIXTIES SLINGBACKS

These, again, are a favorite pair of shoes and look great with that little suit from yesterday.  So classic, they can be worn any time of year.  In fact, they look great with many of the dresses coming up . . . . . . .

They were made by Life Stride, with leather uppers and synthetic soles (but that very long-wearing stuff).  This company also made purses to match, as did many of the other mid-priced shoemakers then.

Very flattering fit and the bows on the back straps are so sweet!  I wear them a lot.  Mid-heels make them super comfortable and practical for shopping to dancing, but sexy-looking, too. . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE BLACK & WHITE KNIT DAY DRESS – SO SMART AND CHIC!

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I have found several of these elegant black and white styles from the ’60’s and ’70’s – and wear them a lot.  As versatile as a Little Black Dress for day and fun to accessorize.  If made by a well-known clothing company or designer, the workmanship was good .

Polyester knits made up until the early 1970’s were usually very nice – good quality and with a substantial feel and nice drape.  A well-made dress or pant-suit could take you through 3 seasons of the year.  Although similar-looking dresses are made now, the older ones almost always have superior tailoring and fabric.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FEMININE TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S BLOUSES – FOUND IN DUBLIN!

Here we have Victorian meets 1940’s in these girly, secretary-style blouses that were really popular 40 to 50 years ago.  Paired with a straight skirt and mid-heel stiletto pumps, they were office-worthy attire or might have been seen on your favorite teacher.

The polyester used at that time was not as weird-looking and feeling as a lot of it has been since about 1975.  In this case, it’s much more refined-looking and might even be blended with rayon or acetate, which were very popular fabrics in the decades before then.

I’m certainly not professionally trained in costume design, but have learned a lot.  Average off-the-rack blouses from mid-century have many stories to tell.  These probably got a lot of wear, too, but it’s amazing how well they have held up.  Blouses of this style and quality are another rare find – more tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S MOD ARNEL SHEATH FROM PARIS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

A MOD PRINT IN RARE ARNEL FABRIC!

Moving forward in time 20 years or so, this iconic ’60’s dress is an unusual discovery.  In virtually perfect condition, what a find!

The fabric, Arnel triacetate, was a biggie for a few years but soon gave way to acrylic and polyester.  Granted, there are a few care issues that would have made the change more convenient but we’ve always lost something when those older fabrics were replaced with the “new and improved”.  The sheen and the feel of this material has never been duplicated, as far as I can tell.

Of course, the rarity and special qualities of these old pieces are what give me the biggest kick when I find one!  It would be boring if things made today looked and felt the same. Some day we’ll be able to see this only in museums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A CLASSIC SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS WITH A STORY

A CLASSIC SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS WITH A STORY

This dress doesn’t shout at you, but it shouted at me and that was why I picked it up.  It is so obviously classic 1960’s and has an interesting label.

I researched the company, Carolina Made, and discovered a small clothing firm in, I believe, South Carolina, USA, which has been selling clothing for decades.  Rather than closing down, as many have done over the years, they have morphed into selling a completely different casual line of t-shirts, shorts and other sportswear that looks like the usual modern styles.

The southeastern U.S. was a clothing manufacturing center for many, many years.  This is where the garments were constructed.  So, this company – regardless of how it has changed – represents that history.

And, this dress also represents the history of classic styles in several ways.  The style has stayed good over several decades, the construction is strong and the colors are basically neutral.  It’s very versatile and useful – the way that we wear jeans today, a dress like this would serve for many activities that an average woman would do in a day in 1964.

The original belt was probably a fabric tie belt – this dress was not even swanky enough to have a buckle belt on it.  It’s a workhorse-type of dress, but with lots of possibilities.

Anyway, that’s the story that it told me and part of the enjoyment I get from hunting for true vintage.  I love stories and 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 EARLY – MID 1960’S LOUNGE-WEAR AND HOSTESS GOWNS

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY - MID 1960'S LOUNGE-WEAR AND HOSTESS GOWNS

A change of pace for the weekend – let’s slip into some fabulous-feeling vintage nylon. There’s nothing that feels like it – heavy, smooth, creamy and cool on your skin.  Well, enough of that – this is a vintage fashion blog, not a . . . . . .

These are what the fashionable woman wore at home while relaxing and/or for casual entertaining.  The one on the left is a slip-over design with roses embroidered at the neck. The right-hand style is unique with two fabric layers, a front zipper and long scarf “tails” that can be tied in a bow or crossed in front and thrown over the shoulders.  One is by ShadowLine and the other by a less well-known maker.

Those shoulder “tails” are an interesting feature.  I have a velveteen sheath dress circa about 1960 which has them and also a jacket, which I think comes from the wartime era. Not sure if this style element was something that repeated – I haven’t seen it often.  The color combo on the right has such a characteristic ’60’s look.

When I go sleuthing, or just sorting through my closets, I drift through several decades one after the other.  It’s almost as good as going to the movies . . . . . . . . . . . .

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 EARLY 1960’s SPRING JACKET IN NAUTICAL COLORS

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960s SPRING JACKET IN NAUTICAL COLORS

Red, white and blue have been popular color combinations, especially in Spring & Summer, for many decades.  Patriotic for some countries, but usually associated with a boating theme, in all kinds of clothing and accessories.

Lightweight jackets are always a must-have for Spring, Summer and Fall weather.  This one has that classic look that goes over skirts and dresses, slacks, jeans and shorts.   I was glad to come across it because I didn’t have one similar.

Yes, there are lots of modern jackets sold now that look like this one at first glance and Bobbie Brooks is still a modern label.  What makes this one different?   It was certain things about the material and the cut that told me, for sure.  That is a skill I have learned which makes the “hit” rate high for me and multiplies the fun I have!

The magic and mystery are a daily thing for me, because you just never know what will turn up . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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