Tag Archives: outfit

McCALLS 1963 NEEDLEWORK MAGAZINE SAYS – START KNITTING YOUR NEW YEAR’S DRESSES NOW!

IMG_1033 IMG_1029 IMG_1034Although these frocks are in pastels and the weather is often dark and gloomy now,  these are the styles and colors that used to appear as soon as the Christmas and holiday season was over.  Late winter/Spring fashions and travel clothing came out in the magazines and department stores back in the day.

For our grandmothers who were crafty, it would be time to start making your dresses like these that do take a little time to create.  Although they would almost always be knitted or crocheted in wool, they really have a Spring-like feel to them and that was what people loved when travel to warmer places during the winter was short or not possible at all.

Lightweight wool goes through 3 seasons very well.  Clothiers and fashionistas have always known this and included smart and beautiful wool garments in their wardrobes almost all year long.  Now that it’s become easier to care for them, with hand-washing and at-home dry-cleaning, I love my vintage sweaters and dresses up until May, too . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE SKIRT SUIT FROM THE 1940’S

True Vintage 1940s Jacket & Skirt Suit

This was another surprise  discovery and I was absolutely amazed!  Someone safeguarded this lovely outfit for decades in the back of her closet.  It’s hardly been worn, if at all.
Aside from the killer ’40s fit, look at the tailoring details on the jacket – the piping on cuffs and collar and the little “pocket” at each shoulder, just for fun!

There is a maker’s label on the jacket facing.  Lightweight wool material in a tattersall check of ivory, black, sky blue and cranberry.  The jacket is lined.  The skirt swings.  Love it!  I have lots of suits from the ’40s – ’60s and love to mix and match the jackets and skirts with other items from my wardrobe, as well as wearing them as a suit for certain occasions – there’s nothing more arresting and pulled-together-looking.  Great way to make an impression.

Love fun surprises! but, ah well, it’s all just in another day of sleuthing . . . . 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 HAND-KNIT FALL STYLES FROM THE FIFTIES – SO SPORTY AND ELEGANT

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It’s the details and the fit that make these things so wonderful!  That’s what I love about true vintage and hand-constructed clothing.  Check out these photos from a 1950’s needlework magazine, given to me by a woman who did this every year.

For a woman who had the skills to make these, it must have been so much fun to look through the new knitting magazines.  These weren’t runway styles that were out of her reach!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960s COAT & DRESS ENSEMBLE BY A CHICAGO DESIGNER

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Since looking at the last post, I know that you’ve been asking yourself “What could I wear to go with that black leather purse with the red lining?”  Well, here’s the answer – a belted knit dress with matching coat, with its own red lining.

Classic sleeveless, belted sheath dress and matching coat, originally sold in Chicago, Illinois.  The style is mid to late 60’s.  The black and white check fabric first gives the impression of being a wool knit, but it is a blend, likely of cotton and synthetic which provides some warmth for cool days but is easier to store than wool.  Really a gorgeous set and so flattering. It would be a perfect outfit to go with that lovely Italian handbag!

It does need to be dry cleaned in order to keep its shape but, these days if there is not a difficult stain or other problem that can be done at home.

I hardly ever see coat and dress ensembles and this is a beauty.  Love it! Keep your eyes open for something like this. You just never know when it might turn up. . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A FAVE WASP-WAIST SUIT FROM THE LATE 1940’S

A FAVE WASP-WAIST SUIT FROM THE LATE 1940'S

Here’s a wonderful post-WWII skirt suit that has that superb hour-glass shape that I love. To me, it’s an era that produced some of the most flattering clothing – like the suit from yesterday, also.

In wool, with stripes of charcoal, mid-blue and wine. Padded shoulders. Cheeky little turned-up cuffs. And, a longer skirt which is very versatile on it’s own, too.

Although thoughts of Spring are definitely in mind, we could wear these gorgeous garments for at least another month in this kind of weather and I take advantage of every chance I have!  Let’s see what else I can find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE SPECIAL-OCCASION SKIRT SUIT FROM THE LATE 1950’S / EARLY 1960’S

A BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE SPECIAL-OCCASION SKIRT SUIT FROM THE LATE 1950'S / EARLY 1960'S

Perfect for a special cold weather dinner or other holiday event or for a dressy winter wedding (as guest or bride), a semi-formal skirt suit is always astonishingly elegant.

This little lovely is of wool in a cream beige textured weave, with large ornamental buttons and a boxy cut, beautifully made, of course.  Knee or just-below length skirt and a hip-skimming jacket with bracelet-length sleeves.

The most arresting feature is the mink collar, which amps the visibility of this ensemble to a high level.   Or, you could remove the fur and replace it with a silk scarf or a pearl collar. It will make a noticeable entrance, but it’s powerful presence will only build after that.

You can decide if you’re Jackie Kennedy or Princess Grace or, or, or . . . . . . . . .. That’s the fun – you just never run out of options . . . . . . . . . ……. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

1950’S FRENCH ROOM GLAMOUR & CREATIVE SLEUTHING SUCCESS

FRENCH ROOM GLAMOUR & CREATIVE SLEUTHING SUCCESS

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this jacket! It was from the “French Room” of some department store in the 1940’s – 1950’s and has the most lovely European couture style.

French blue with royal purple cuffs and attached scarf, wicked fit and unusual tailoring details. So unusual! Near the same time, I also found a French wool hat in the same purple – PERFECT!

I looked for several years for the perfect skirt or dress to go with it and, voila’, it did appear, as I knew it would.  Perfect color and fit – a sleeveless sheath dress.  Purples are hard to match, like many other hues.

Ooh, la la! Oui, oui!  So now I have my cute little outfit with just the right sassy chic.  Ce la vie for the Magicvintagespy.  Now for the shoes – I have the most perfect pumps from France in brown leather, but I would so much like purple. . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION

TARTAN WOOL TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LADIES’ JACKET AND SKIRT SUIT

TARTAN WOOL 1950'S LADIES' JACKET AND SKIRT SUIT

Now I’m going to start moving into some earlier styles, from the Forties and Fifties.  This is so cute, and also festive!  The little jacket has those stylish features of that era like a tiny collar with cut-in detail at the back of the neck, 3/4 sleeves, pert little buttons and a nipped waist.

I also love the longish pleated skirt because it is stitched down and slim over the hips. This adds to the hourglass silhouette of this ensemble and the swing of the skirt.  Pieces like these two always make great separates, too – something I really appreciate about suits!

Made of a lightweight wool, it’s just right for the weather now. The colors are also a nice break from the blacks and dark tones that are usually seen so much.

Women and the fashion designers in the Fifties always thought about looking pretty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

CUTE CUSTOM-TAILORED DAY DRESS WITH MATCHING SCARF – TRUE VINTAGE FOR FALL

Source: CUTE CUSTOM-TAILORED DAY DRESS WITH MATCHING SCARF – TRUE VINTAGE FOR FALL

A TRUE VINTAGE 3 – PIECE 1960’s WOMEN’S SILK SUIT FROM NEW ORLEANS – PERFECT WITH YESTERDAY’S SHOES!

A TRUE VINTAGE 3 – PIECE 1960's WOMEN'S SILK SUIT FROM NEW ORLEANS – PERFECT WITH YESTERDAY'S SHOES!.