Tag Archives: New Wave

GOOD-BYE TO EUROPE WITH A TRUE VINTAGE 1980’S NEW WAVE BLOUSE

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1980’S NEW WAVE BLOUSE

This is the last of the blouses that I picked up in Dublin, for two reasons.  First is the New Wave design, which was a fun and rather avante garde style element of the early 1980’s, even in some mainstream clothing.  Second is the brand name – Shapely.  That company made some nice pieces in the 1980’s, so I often pick them up when I find them.

Otherwise, it’s not a remarkable garment, as most things made from that time on have not been.  Tomorrow we’ll head back to the 1960’s, 1950’s and 1940’s again – much more interesting territory for a true vintage hunter . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER “NEW” SPRING DRESS – ’80’S DOES ’40’S FLORAL SHIRTWAIST

ANOTHER "NEW" SPRING DRESS – '80'S DOES '40'S FLORAL SHIRTWAIST.

TRUE VINTAGE (?) 1980’S (?) TIGER PRINT SHIRT JACKET BY ABS

TRUE VINTAGE (?) 1980'S (?) TIGER PRINT SHIRT JACKET BY ABS.

TRUE VINTAGE (?) 1980’S (?) TIGER PRINT SHIRT JACKET BY ABS

GO ON THE WILD SIDE TONIGHT – OVER A BLACK SKIRT, PANTS OR SHEATH DRESS. HEAR ME ROAR . . . . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE (?) 1980'S (?) TIGER PRINT SHIRT JACKET BY ABS

This shirt/jacket is an unusual one for me to include in my collection – is it true vintage or not? The A B S clothing company was started in 1982, so it might be 30 years old and animal prints were iconic at that time (again!). If it was made in 1982 or 1983, I’d be willing to call it true vintage and I’ll explain why.

Animal prints have been a significant fashion trend at one time in the 1940’s, mid/late 1950’s, late 1960’s and again in the New Wave early 1980’s, as far as I know. They show up at other times, too, but were a bigger deal in the fashion world at these specific times.

When I saw this item, I immediately thought of the early ’80’s and was also impressed with the quality of the garment. I have since learned that the A B S company is…

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AUSTRALIAN CONTACTS IN THE TRUE VINTAGE WORLD

AUSTRALIAN CONTACTS IN THE TRUE VINTAGE WORLD.

MORE SHOES! HOW DO YOU LIKE THESE LOVELIES FROM THE LATE ’50’S – EARLY ’60’S?

MORE SHOES! HOW DO YOU LIKE THEE LOVELIES FROM THE LATE '50'S - EARLY '60'S?

I just HAD to have these when I found them! It’s interesting how they look so much like the fashion that became really popular in the early 1980’s “New Wave” era. The Fifties did some really fun, dramatic styling when they were coming out of their conservative period – think about fins on cars that were made then.

These pumps escape looking trashy by the fact that they are quality footwear, well-made of leather and not over-the-top in terms of the design. Their elegance makes them wearable with almost any type of outfit. In my opinion, that’s the way to make dramatic looks really effective, rather than just faddish or cheap and easy to forget (along with the person wearing them!)  Vintage-era designers knew this.

A follower asked me yesterday how I date clothing, etc. and it’s not an easy thing to answer in a few words. Mostly, I just “know”. There are lots of little bits and pieces of information and know-how, like with any type of experience.  The evidence is out there . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE (?) 1980’S (?) TIGER PRINT SHIRT JACKET BY ABS

TRUE VINTAGE (?) 1980'S (?) TIGER PRINT SHIRT JACKET BY ABS.

TRUE VINTAGE (BARELY) VS. RETRO – WHY DOES IT MATTER?

TRUE VINTAGE (BARELY) VS. RETRO - WHY DOES IT MATTER?

i was prepared to pitch this photo and the one that I will post next, but then I changed my mind. This little outfit is from 1981. It looks just like things being sold today at first glance. So why would I say that there is anything special about it? It is just barely true vintage – 33 years old. But, it’s still a favorite outfit of mine and I still wear it.

The pants are by Stuart Lee. I bought them from the Spiegel catalog, which was a favorite of mine. They are a lightweight denim and fit really nicely. Love the color!

The blouse is silk in an animal print that was very popular then (also in the late ’60s and came back a bit in the late ’70s. Not to mention, of course, the ’50s and the ’40s!)
At that time, silk clothing was usually only high-end and was expensive. The company that produced this, Royal Silk, was one of the first to make popularly priced silk shirts and blouses. I had several and will show another one of a completely different style later.

So, ordinary fabrics and ordinary style – but they have held up well and are completely current fashion NOW. The pants, especially, fit better than what I can find at retail today.

What’s the point? 1. If you find things that you love, take care of them and keep them. 2. The clothing made since the mid-seventies (excepting some disco-wear and some designer things) are very similar to what can be found now. They differ from modern clothing only in the quality of the materials and workmanship. If you’re very good at spotting the difference, you can snag some wonderful things. Otherwise, it all looks the same. Take a look at my next post, from the ’70s, for another example.

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