3 TRUE VINTAGE NATIVE AMERICAN/HAWAIIAN COSTUMES FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

It is always appropriate to show my great Native American and Hawaiian dresses in Summertime, even though they are not always the most cool garments to wear.  Ocean breezes and high mountain altitudes can help with that!  The two on the right are from Arizona, sold by a company called Thunderbird Fashions which made lots of Western-wear dresses, blouses and skirts back in the day.  The dress on the left was made in Hawaii.  In most cases, women bought these outfits while on vacation in the American West or Hawaiian islands but sometimes a woman living there would include these in her day-to-day wardrobe.

Like a couple of the other items I’ve shown before, they are of heavy cotton with loads of braid trim, ric-rac and color! The Western-wear blouses have a side zipper at the waist.

The Hawaiian outfit on the left was made about the same time as those from Arizona.  It is interesting that there are so many similarities in the style although no zipper in this blouse, and the contrast is in the fabric panel on the bodice.

Both styles have a flattering fit, with a wasp waist and free hips.  I love wearing them on cooler days in the Summer and Fall and sometimes wear the skirts with another top.  Each of these ensembles is different and they are from a time when  Western and Hawaiian fashion were all the rage – probably in the 1950’s.  Women loved wearing them and vacationers loved bringing them home.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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A MID-CENTURY TURQUOISE NAVAJO DRESS

Just what I was looking for – in this color and size!! Isn’t it wonderful how things just turn up?

My mother had a similar one years ago, but it went by the wayside before I could speak up for it. Was just wishing, the other day, that she had kept it. Now here this one is, perfect for me, and with the same great styling and construction.Originally made in Arizona, it’s got a matching color metal side zipper in the blouse and lots of lovely silver trim. Can’t wait to wear it!

This was the first thing I found, but it just kept coming. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WOWEE AGAIN!!! MORE GREAT FINDS TODAY

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-1-11111211111112111Today, on a more-or-less routine survey, I had wonderful good fortune.  I’m just about to re-examine and photograph my newest acquisitions and get them ready to post on the blog.  Because I have already scheduled postings for the next three days, expect to begin seeing these on Sunday, Nov. 13.

Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

CAN’T BELIEVE IT!! 1970’S WHITE LEATHER FRINGED MOCCASIN BOOTIES

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This is so bizarre – more true vintage white leather shoes with magnificently clean uppers.  Moccasin booties are especially rare and fun to find.

A BIG fad for women in the 1950’s, they were often brought back from vacation as Southwestern U.S. souvenirs.  People have been fascinated with the American West and the Native American culture for decades.

Just the thing to wear with jeans and they were perfect with Native American-made circle skirts and dresses, which were also very popular among more adventurous white American housewives in the Fifties and Sixties.  These were probably made a decade later, but the style is classic.  Also, with the Thunderbird – my personal totem . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE NATIVE AMERICAN JEWELRY IN SILVER AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES

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Although handcrafted jewelry is still being made by indigenous artists in the U.S. and elsewhere, nothing compares to these older pieces.  Those that are truly antique by now are even more wonderful.

I have other, larger things, too, but don’t wear them as often.  These pieces are a combination of family heirlooms and some that I have found.  The design and heavier weight of older pieces makes them extra-special and the quality of the turquoise is superior, also.

Nothing more classic and unique,  any time of the year.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WONDERFUL TRUE VINTAGE CIRCLE SKIRT FROM THE FIFTIES

IMG_1685This beautiful skirt is a full circle, decorated in the style of some Native American costumes that was very popular in the 1950’s.  It seems like these beautiful clothes were “discovered” by tourists and movie-goers during the Forties and it became a real trend to buy them as souvenirs of travel and to wear to casual parties (in the eastern U.S.) and for everyday out West.

Made of a substantial cotton, and always colorful with braid trim or ric-rac.  Some were made by Western-wear companies and some were made at home.  I love these for summer, but they are really 3-season skirts that look nice with sweaters, too.

Always makes me happy to find one!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

3 TRUE VINTAGE NATIVE AMERICAN/HAWAIIAN COSTUMES FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE TRADITIONAL” WESTERN-WEAR” DRESSES – EARLY MID-CENTURY CASUAL CLASSICS

Magicvintagespy

3 TRUE VINTAGE NATIVE AMERICAN/HAWAIIAN COSTUMES FROM THE 1940'S - 1950'S

I’ll be heading out West again in early September, so it is appropriate to show my great Native American/Hawaiian 2-piece dresses. The two on the right are from Arizona, made by a company called Thunderbird Fashions which made lots of Western-wear dresses, blouses and skirts back in the day.

Like a couple of the other items I’ve shown before, they are of heavy cotton with loads of braid trim, ric-rac and color! The blouses have a side zipper at the waist.

The outfit on the left was made in Hawaii, about the same time. It is interesting that there are so many similarities in the style. No zipper in this blouse, and the contrast is in the fabric panel on the bodice.

Both styles have a flattering fit, with a wasp waist and free hips. I love wearing them on cooler days in the Summer and Fall and sometimes wear…

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3 TRUE VINTAGE NATIVE AMERICAN/HAWAIIAN COSTUMES FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

3 TRUE VINTAGE NATIVE AMERICAN/HAWAIIAN COSTUMES FROM THE 1940'S – 1950'S.

TRUE VINTAGE SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN – INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950’S

From the time when Roy Rogers & Dale Evans were TV celebrities, Happy Trails to you . . . . . .

Magicvintagespy

SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN - INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950'S

These two dresses are examples of fashions made and sold in the U.S. Southwestern states (Arizona, New Mexico mostly). They are inspired by traditional Native American designs and may have been made by Native Americans.  My warm-weather wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without them.

Outfits like this were especially popular in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Some from the 1940’s have been seen. Tourists often returned from vacations with one and non-Native people who lived in the region wore them a lot.  It was a real craze for a while.

Ric-rac and braid trim on bright cotton material was popular. The skirts are big and swingy – usually full circle. I have more to show – some have interesting tailoring details on the blouses. Love ’em!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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TRUE VINTAGE NATIVE AMERICAN JEWELRY IN SILVER AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES

TRUE VINTAGE NATIVE AMERICAN JEWELRY IN SILVER AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES.