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MID-CENTURY FINDS ABOUND! TRUE VINTAGE MEN’S NECKTIES FROM THE 1950’S . . . . . .

IMG_1507I don’t have a huge collections of ties, nor have I been into wearing them or sewing with them (I guess I could get a lot more creative in that way).  However, I always keep an eye open for interesting ones and don’t resist when I see them.

These two are from the ’50’s or very early ’60’s.  I love the medallion motifs and interesting geometrical shapes that were common then.  Conservative and elegant but snazzy, too.  Wow, that’s a word from that time that I don’t tend to use, but it fits.

Men always seem to prefer blue, but I like the red . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

CUTE TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER DAY FROCK – ANOTHER EARLY ’60’S FIND!

CUTE TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER DAY FROCK – ANOTHER EARLY '60'S FIND!.

BACK TO THE 1950’S IN A TRUE VINTAGE BATHROBE – EVERYDAY COMFORT WITH A BIT OF GLAM

BACK TO THE 1950'S IN A TRUE VINTAGE BATHROBE – EVERYDAY COMFORT WITH A BIT OF GLAM.

BACK TO THE 1950’S IN A TRUE VINTAGE BATHROBE – EVERYDAY COMFORT WITH A BIT OF GLAM

IMG_1505As “usual” as it was in its time, here’s another leisure-wear garment that I couldn’t resist.  Every woman owned at least one, and the pretty fashion touches aimed at making at-home time a “glamorous interlude”, even for the most average gal.

Women have always been the primary target of advertisers because we do the majority of buying.  This was never more true than in the Fifties – especially when creating a home and the lifestyle to go with it was front-and-center for everyone.  And, the “feminine mystique” was almost every woman’s drug of choice.  What more could a happy homemaker want?

Quilting for warmth, patch pockets for convenience (ho hum) but, then she sees that fabulous raspberry pink in the mirror – the pretty neckline outlining her un-made-up face that needs a little help at this time of the morning – the stylish 3/4 sleeves – the sparkle of rhinestone buttons and, suddenly, it’s possible to be a famous beauty relaxing in the seclusion of her private apartment . .. . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE WORKING GIRL DRESS FROM 1960 – APPLE FOR THE TEACHER?

TRUE VINTAGE WORKING GIRL DRESS FROM 1960 – APPLE FOR THE TEACHER?.

TRUE VINTAGE WORKING GIRL DRESS FROM 1960 – APPLE FOR THE TEACHER?

IMG_1504I love it when I can date a true vintage find to the exact year!  Although this frock is not hugely distinctive, it’s a great example of a specific vintage genre.  I’ve got another to show in a couple of days.

.     This lightweight knit dress (yes, ladies, you’ll need a slip!!) is breezy and practical, with an all-over apple print. Despite the long sleeves,  it’s sheer enough to comfortable in a cool office and would be perfect in a couple of months for the first day of school.  Very professional.

The style is so classic that it’s almost invisible; that is also a basis of elegance.  Skinny self-tie belts were really popular in the early sixties, and I’ve seen them mostly on styles that are classic and streamlined.  Day-wear from that time seems to have verged away from some of the fussy, though beautiful, detailed tailoring of the Forties & Fifties.

So, think old re-runs of popular sit-coms of that year and what the female leads were wearing though, at that time, they’d be mostly housewives . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S EVERY-DAY SHIRT/BLOUSE HOME-SEWN IN ATOMIC PRINT

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S EVERY-DAY SHIRT/BLOUSE HOME-SEWN IN ATOMIC PRINT.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S EVERY-DAY SHIRT/BLOUSE HOME-SEWN IN ATOMIC PRINT

IMG_1503This shirt was very ordinary in its day and not too stylish but, for Yours Truly Magicvintagespy, it was a plum to be picked because of its perfect parking spot in the mid-1950’s era.  A garment like this has lots to say about its history.

It was home-sewn, of cheap synthetic knit material in a print that was designed with the Atomic and coming Computer Ages in mind.  Much less elaborate and artistic than the boats at harbor on yesterday’s blouse, but more characteristic of the time when it was made.

The buttons, too, are interesting (take a close-up look) and are good examples of the stemmed plastic ones that were commonly made in the mid-century.  Lots of them had novelty shapes and fun designs, even if they were very cheap.  Many buttons of that era are gorgeous works of art, but that’s another story . . . . . . . . . .

Some time maybe I’ll do a post of my true vintage button collection.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY BLOUSE WITH FANTASTIC ABSTRACT ART

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY BLOUSE WITH FANTASTIC ABSTRACT ART.

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY BLOUSE WITH FANTASTIC ABSTRACT ART

IMG_1502I just LOVE this shirt with sailboats at anchor in a novelty  abstract print.  When I spied it, I just said WOW!  Rather unusual – it looks like some of the artwork that was hanging in homes early in the 1960’s.

But, it may be from even earlier.  The collar and fabric are a bit of a mystery and the tag is gone. It appears to be a man’s shirt at first glance, but was styled for a woman.

Made to wear over pants or shorts, with little slits in the sides, this blouse is pure casual sports-wear but not as tidy or girly as most women’s things were 50 years ago.

Although I’m tops at closing cases, I do love a mystery . . .. . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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