FLOWER POWER! Staying in the Sixties, I love this style! Half caftan/half gown; it accents the waist but hangs free behind and is almost like a cape or a kimono, with a little Nehru collar. Fun!
Haven’t found a piece of lounge-wear quite like this in a while, so I’m thrilled. The fabric, the print and the design are so iconic from about 1965 – about 1970. Fondue Party to Patio Party, here I come!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Another “new” Australian discovery! Although they’ve been making lots of look-a-like retro fakes for a while now, this one is undeniably true vintage, right down to its label.
I just LOVE this print. Again, not my own best colors but I can’t help enjoying it so much anyway. Even the true vintage labels are delights in themselves – often so artistic and interesting. Sometimes they’re funny!
In your standard poly/synthetic blend fabric of that day, it’ll be easy-care as long as treated gently. . . .
MORGANA MARTIN,THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
A Mod knit shift dress from the 1960’s or early ’70’s by Mynette – a company which, I think, always specialized in larger size “Plus” clothing for women. The original owner safety-pinned in some little strips that were sold as strap-holders back in the day. Lots of women put them in dresses that didn’t already have them – very useful, like detachable dress shields. Very frequently used during the mid-century.
I’ve put a belt on, but it’s cute just straight, too. It’s the second time I’ve run into this familiar label recently. Fun!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Isn’t this pretty? It’s another iconic early to mid-Sixties style that I’ve seen before – a party/dance/special occasion frock made for junior sizes. Empire styling and cute bows. These are almost always manufactured by some smaller maker – sometimes they have a department store name.
That’s how some of the best middle-priced dresses were marketed – sold in small stores around the country or well-known department stores. More popularly-priced clothing was available through the Sears, Montgomery Ward and Penney’s stores and catalogs – catalog shopping was huge.
I think it’s so cool that our grandmothers could buy a moderately-priced dress like this and find hand-stitched details inside. That disappeared not long after this one was made . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I love these! They’re so typical of the day-dresses from the early to mid-Sixties that said “Fall is Here”, mostly for professional women. Anyone who wanted to look nicely tailored, but casual, wore styles like these.
So, I’ve seen lots of them on TV but not in person. It’s great fun to find this blast from the past that probably belonged to the same woman. Wonder what her everyday story was about . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
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
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
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
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
OK, all you aspiring debutantes out there – here are a pair just for you! So sweet, and proper, and ladylike (but, they’re RED!). VERY 1960’s.
Also quite elegant – wearable with almost everything almost anytime. Shoes like this have always advertised the wearer’s good taste and sophisticated fashion sense.
But, hey, they’re also pretty cute! Imagine finding a 50-year-old pair of shoes in this condition – Fabulous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Magicvintagespy 