I love the apple-green button trim on this navy jacket from the 1940’s. Alas, the original skirt was lost, but I was able to find one with an almost-perfect color, fabric weave and true-to-the-era style. That is phenomenal and rare, but not impossible for the Magicvintagespy.
Aside from the cute and iconic design, these pieces are able to be worn as separates as well as a suit. The fabric, though it may be wool-based, is still 3-season and makes this find a very practical part of my wardrobe.
The only downside, if there is one, is that this material must be dry-cleaned and should be protected from moth damage. When adding true vintage clothing to your wardrobe, it’s important to remember that some fabrics which look like the today’s synthetics and blends were often made with wool years ago. The up-side, which is definite, is that wool lasts forever and the construction of these garments probably will, too!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
When it starts to get cold, I think of looking at my collection of vintage furs. Beautiful garments of by-gone days – never to be made again, I hope, but worth enjoying while they last. The stylish cape on the left would only be worn during the day by a society matron and usually saved for evening wear. The jacket on the right, however, is much more versatile and looked good over a suit or day – dress back in the day as well as with jeans now.
Just as nature intended to protect their original owners, furs provide great warmth. They’re still fun to admire and wear, but I can’t help remembering the sacrifice of the animals who produced them when I do. We humans who have used the animal kingdom to clothe and feed us for centuries must honor that by becoming humane today.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Hello, Climate Change! The weather has suddenly morphed from sweltering to chilly and I’m pulling out these snuggly cotton flannel pajamas. Nothing beats the comfort and durability of these common Fifties garments. So comforting and warm, and I love the design that Stella wears above!
Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
This brand is a new one on me, but the style is so 1960’s that I had to pick them up and was pleased to learn more about them. Although I’ve seen only a few other modern frames with nosepieces, the look is always good and these are quite close to the true vintage style.
Another great thing to learn was that they are very well-made, in Korea (so no surprise). Good value! This company was founded in Korea in 2011 and makes lots of neat designs. The particular model is called Planet Blu. My research into Gentle Monster products turned up photos of some that are very similar, but not exactly the same. My best guess is that they were made about 5 – 10 years ago. Not true vintage by any standard, but the high quality retro chic makes them worth mentioning.
Gentle Monster makes a variety of ready-to-wear glasses for sun protection, reading and blue light blocking but the frames can apparently be purchased without lenses for your own prescription. This pair probably has prescription lenses which are absolutely in perfect condition but, unfortunately, aren’t suitable for me. So, the decision to keep or not is up in the air, but they’re still a worthy find and good to share. Very unexpected, but you just never know . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Classic rectangular frames in heavy black plastic (but not Bakelite), with the metal screw details expected on many true vintage eyeglass frames but rarely seen now. I also love the carved detail on the temples.
The brand name NIGHTHAWK is stamped inside along with another unusual stamp: FOREIGN. I suspect that this indicates that the frames, at least, were imported. I can find no other explanation. Some similar glasses from that time were made in West Germany and these may be knock-offs, assembled in North America.
I’ll keep these forever – love the styling but they’re also very practical. There’s only minor to moderate wear on the frames and the lenses are almost perfect, even though they are made of a plastic material. So interesting to wonder about the origin details. If anyone has specialized knowledge on this topic, I’d love to hear from you. I’ll post the second pair of eyeglasses tomorrow, so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Although I have discovered several of these iconic soft handbags from the 1960’s and early 1970’s, this one is probably the nicest I’ve ever found. As often happens, I was just shopping for some everyday items when this beauty came into view. You just never know, though this powerful Summer Solstice surely didn’t hurt the good vibes today. Happy First Day Of Summer.
Why is this such a wonderful true vintage example? One, it’s in absolutely pristine condition. I doubt it was ever used. Second, I love the style. The bag is mid-sized so it’s roomy without being awkward. The tortoiseshell Lucite handles are cleverly shaped so that they snap closed at the top. It’s easy to carry in hand or over your arm. The full lining has a brown paisley pattern and the loose-weave “hopsacking” cover fabric is sturdy enough to last. These are materials that are very identified with the 1960’s.
Two unusual features really caught my eye: Unlike many purses in this style, this bag has a rigid base that gives it form and stability and makes items inside easier to find. The final touch is just a hoot! Remember all the mid-century purses that had little coin purses attached to the inside by a cord or chain? This bag has a chain with a clear vinyl envelope containing a plastic rain hat! Take my word for it – mid-century women almost always had one of these rain hats in their purses. They were often given away by businesses like key chains and pens still are. It was always a lurking fear in the backs of the minds of my grandmother’s generation that a sudden rain shower might catch them when they had their hairdo “just so”! Cute!!
Another sweet and oh-so-Sixties characteristic of this handbag is that I suspect it was homemade from a kit. Purse kits of this type were popular then, just like other needlework projects, and there is no brand label inside. All of the pieces and instructions would have been supplied. The maker did an excellent job.
So, another useful accessory for my closet. The navy blue color is perfect for my wardrobe and I’ll love it for years!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
When the weather got cool, this was casual street-wear the way that hoodies are now. Of course, hooded sweatshirts were also around but they were seen mostly at athletic events or other outdoor activities. A jacket like this had just a little more panache and could be worn over jeans or slacks.
Also perfectly classic and unisex in style. Sportswear separates tended to have more decorative trim in the Fifties and Sixties, in my experience. The heavy metal zippers don’t tend to fail. Bulky acrylic knits with knitted cuffs keep you nice and toasty. Lots to love here!
I’ve never heard of the brand name, Abbey, and couldn’t find it online but that makes this jacket even more special. Another keeper in a small size – whoo-hoo!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This one IS my favorite. Although, as always, I’ve really missed having the modeling assistance of Stella, Madge and Giselle when I’m not at Headquarters, this blouse displays well on its own. Peasant blouses have had fad appeal at various times in the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s so it was no surprise that the fad surfaced again in the ‘Seventies. We’ve seen Mexican style, Prairie style and other knock-off ethnic designs over the years and the Mexican style seemed to be prominent in the early ’70’s. Usually these ethnic fads are linked to some historical or social event/trend such as a war, politics or increased leisure travel.
In the early 1970’s, we were between the Hippie/Vietnam war and Prairie/Back to the Land movements and people were also traveling a lot more. The style of the blouses was Mexican peasant or Prairie pioneer with some Asian and African prints thrown in. So, this one presents as mostly Mexican peasant in the cut, placement of the embroidery and heavy cotton muslin fabric. However, the floral design and colors are more traditional Prairie than Mexican and that tells me that the blouse was probably home-sewn rather than a commercial product or travel souvenir. But, with so much variation and many blouses produced by hand in Mexico without labels, this is just a guess based on my experience.
Anyway, I love it! Bell sleeves are always a hit with me, as well as hand-done embroidery. The brighter Mexican colors are preferred, but this one is more versatile with a Fall wardrobe. I’m not a prairie-style gal but hippie/traveler resonates. Another keeper!
The blouses found in hidden storage are all covered now. Since my first post at the beginning of this series, another jacket turned up – maybe older than the first. I’ll be showing and discussing them over the coming week but maybe not on a daily basis as a short road trip is on the schedule. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . .. . . … . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Faithful Western-wear style with a front and back yoke, chest pockets and pearlized snap closures (2 on each cuff). Compared to authentic western-wear this fabric is really lightweight, so better as a casual fashion shirt. Look at that tag – what convenience! Super easy-care. This garment has survived the decades almost intact, with just a little fabric wear and tear. Might make a good gardening shirt.
Good old “Monkey Ward” followed fashion trends well, just like Sears & Roebuck and J.C. Penney always did. Women around the U.S. waited impatiently for the new Spring catalogs to come out each year. After the 1970’s all these stores upped the offerings in their store locations and gradually phased out catalog sales. Maybe some still existed, but it was less important. Now these chains are closing down most of their outlets.
I’ll show you my favorite of these blouse finds tomorrow. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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