Tag Archives: party

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S PARTY-WEAR – GREAT BOHO BLOUSE A’LA JANE RUSSELL

Original True Vintage Party Dressing (or cafe' boho garb?)

Great black velveteen top from the 40s or, maybe, early 50s. It’s a vintage size 16 (can you imagine! Size 4 me can wear it, though it’s very Jane Russell w/o all the decolletage). Just goes to show how sizes have changed.

The back neckline is a wide scoop. There is a short metal zipper at the waist on left. Imagine this worn with a long sweeping skirt, a pencil skirt or cigarette pants with a wide belt – all black or imaginative color combos. This style can easily go elegant or boho/beatnik.

The style is really flattering & dramatic. The neckline is beautiful left alone or showcasing a necklace or long dangling earrings (not both, please).

Another fabulous example of original true vintage elegance, found unexpectedly. You just never know . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER ‘NEW’ FIND – A 1960’S LACE OVERLAY JUNIORS PARTY DRESS

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

 

 

 

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY BLING – EISENBERG ICE, ETC. . .

IMG_0957     When it comes to making an impression, these pins and earrings may be the “blingiest” with their diamonds-and-platinum looks.  All costume here, but with pedigrees.  Some are signed.

Again, the pins are fairly heavy and, while not as big as the things shown over the past two days, not for wear with filmy materials unless suspended on a chain.  Some of these pins have loops soldered on the back for just that purpose.  The dangle and smaller earrings on the right can, of course, go with anything.

I’m always impressed with the creativity of true vintage designs – often with features that allow conversions or multi-purposing – always done elegantly. . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER 1960’S FIND – A PRETTY DANCE DRESS

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Not terribly “different” or “vintage-looking” until you examine the details.  This is a typical dance party frock from the time when Barbie was Homecoming Queen . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LET’S “UP” THE TRUE VINTAGE BLING – RHINESTONE NECKLACES FROM MID-CENTURY AND BEFORE

IMG_0958Here’s my main collection of true vintage white rhinestone collars.  From simple and sweet to sassy and sophisticated.  These were made between 1940 and 1960, I’d say.  Some might be older, or slightly newer.

To be worn alone, or almost alone.  Unless you’re doing a period costume from a time when overkill was the usual fashion and everything was worn as a set, these lovelies shine most brilliantly when standing alone.

Just my opinion, for what it’s worth . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ELEGANT AND STUNNING – TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S CUSTOM-TAILORED DINNER DRESS

IMG_0999 IMG_1000Stella stuns in this slim sheath with a draped neckline in back.  I know the woman who made this dress back while John F. Kennedy was president and it is exquisitely tailored in charcoal cotton velvet, with a fabric-covered belt.

The style is simple, but dramatic.  The cowl neckline in back is what makes the dress.  It’s perfect for a necklace that is long enough and simple enough to be draped front to back with a beautiful clasp at the neck, or hidden under a high neckline in front while making a statement on your bare shoulders behind.

But, it doesn’t need much adornment and best to keep it simple . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A SWEET SET – A FORMAL OR DRESSY EVENING IN TRUE VINTAGE RHINESTONES AND “PEARLS”

IMG_0956      This is one of my favorite little necklaces, from the 1950’s or early Sixties.  Very sweet – love the rhinestone bow and the faux pearl drop.  The chain, also, is studded with rhinestones all the way.

The earrings are a bit later – late Sixties or Seventies, but they coordinate nicely.  A parure like this would have been perfect with a formal pouf dress – depending on the age of the wearer and the occasion.

Definitely costume jewelry, but so pretty . . . .. . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S DRESSY SHAWLS & TOPS TO MAKE AT HOME

IMG_1021IMG_1022     It’s the time of year when we start thinking about dressy events, dances and holidays again.  I’ll be showing more true vintage formal, semi-formal and dressy looks.

These tops would look great with the velveteen skirt from yesterday.  And, I’ve got some formal and dressy frocks that need a special wrap to go with them.  Often what you already have in the closet just doesn’t work.  That’s the time when our grandmothers would get out their knitting needles and crochet hooks . . . .

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MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

GORGEOUS TRUE VINTAGE ART DECO RHINESTONE BRACELET

IMG_0959How about this little DECOration with that cocktail dress from yesterday?  You wouldn’t want to get too much bling going with the rhinestones on the dress, but an addition like this one could be just perfect.

Though certainly not from the same era (about 30 – 40 years apart!), mixing time is not a bad thing.  In fact, that’s one of the attractions of true vintage fashion for me, because I like to live different times, places and characters. I just love this piece, in its original box from Peacock Jewelers.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE FINDS! HERE WE GO . .. . . . ..

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TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S FROCK FOR A HOLIDAY GALA IN VELVET & BROCADE

Isn’t this one a pretty thing?  A perfect 10 – vintage size 10, that is.  Of course, it’s got the classic styling of the early Sixties but with a fun touch of beaded fringe at the midriff.  All the required tailoring touches make it a well-made garment – full lining, hanging loops, hooks and eyes and a deep hem, however . . . . . . .

the nicest thing, to me, is the beautiful fabric.  Plush, sumptuous red velvet on top and a lovely brocaded material in the skirt.  I can just imagine Jacqueline Kennedy hosting a Christmas party at the White House 55 years ago, dressed in a style like this.  So glad that someone else loved it enough to keep it preserved in such wonderful condition for this sleuth to uncover today.  The investigation continues – stay tuned .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM