What a fun and versatile dress! I’ll enjoy wearing this one lots of places. It’s another pretty faithful re-creation that made it worth picking up. Lovely floral print rayon, a flouncy neckline ruffle, side zip, midi hem and, of course, shoulder pads.
Most retro fashions are not worth much more than for the rubbish heap, but a few makers paid some attention to quality and authentic design. Well done!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Believe it or not, it IS a maternity dress! From the Forties or early Fifties!! The brand name is Lady in Waiting (how cute). What a fun, fun find!
Nothing could be more practical or economical than this baby (pun intended). The fabric is cotton, rayon or a blend in a colorful print. Perfect for a summer pregnancy. The dress is simple and was not expensive, but so ingeniously designed and convenient!
The easy, breezy shirtwaist style is always in fashion and the flowing fabric is very forgiving. Underneath that wrap-around wasp waist sash is extra material and a set of 3 snaps near each side seam which allow the dress to be let out up to about 10 inches. So, no matter the stage she’s at, this mama could wear the dress from start to finish and beyond.
Good old American ingenuity (not to imply that we’re the only ones). I love clever fashion ideas like this one.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
What a neat discovery! I have 2 or 3 lingerie bed jackets from this era already, but haven’t found another for a long time. Rare, rare, rare. This one may have been part of some woman’s trousseau, which she stored away lovingly for decades. Some were made of silk. This one is glossy rayon.
Pretty bed jackets from the post-war 1950’s are also fabulous, but much different from the older wartime ones. Notice in the detail close-up the embroidered mesh decoration. Remember that from the nightgown I showed just a few days ago?
Oh, I’m over the moon again and will also store this garment away lovingly, probably for decades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
When I don’t find the real 1940’s thing, this will do. When a dress is as nicely done as this one, I collect it and wear it with no worries.
In a pretty true-to-Forties style, of 100% rayon with an abstract leaf print, this frock wraps in front and ties to one side. Well-fitting with some smocked elastic in the waistband behind and well-placed buttons and snaps inside to prevent gaps. This is a design that rivals the best vintage styles with attention to tailoring detail and makes any garment a pleasure to wear.
Modest-sized shoulder pads and a midi-hemline add to the figure-enhancing final result. Easy, worry-free wear and flattering style never came any better. Although it’s only baby vintage, just about 35 years old, I’m pleased and will wear it a lot!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
In lustrous black nylon and lace, this is one of those wonderful slips that feel like heaven to touch. What you can’t see well in this photo, is that the bodice and hemline ruffle are in tiny accordion pleats.
The original label was removed, which I’m always sorry to see, but for a seventy-year-old she’s in marvelous shape. I have reinforced some places in the stitching that had become weak and re-set one of the straps. That’s all. I suspect that the “brown” lace was originally black and that it’s fabric has faded with age. I kind of like it this way, but may also dye it back to the original – easy to do with most slips because nylon stands up well to hot water.
I love it that we can now wear wonderful lingerie as dresses in the summer, for evening or as sleepwear. It’s also perfect under midi-length dresses from the late ’30’s to the early ’50’s, of course, (and 1980’s – wait till tomorrow).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Fun and interesting mid-century and antique table and bed linens often show up during my investigations. The prints are humorous, colorful and pretty. Modern copycats can’t come close! If there is handwork like embroidery or lace, it’s beautiful. I collect them, too. The mending and stain removal that is sometimes required is no big deal and anything with too much damage can be made into pillow covers and cloth napkins. I love using these things at home in my kitchen and bedroom, but there’s more . . . . . . . . . . .
Big pieces of fabric are also wonderful made into clothing and accessories. Trim can sometimes be added to other garments or a big piece of crocheted or tatted lace makes a beautiful dress or blouse. Can’t you just imagine this cloth made into a summer dress, skirt or blouse, maybe with a matching handbag? Can’t wait to use this cute tablecloth!
Potential vintage fashion treasures abound everywhere! Use your imagination and you never know what you may uncover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Interesting! I’ve come up, in the past 3 or 4 years, with three dresses in this basic style – crossover bodice, wasp waist, poufy sleeves and shoulder augmentation – all in formal styles.
The first find was true 1940’s, the second was ’40’s to early ’50’s and this last is 1980’s doing the Forties thing. This frock’s styling is a real dog’s breakfast. It gives a nod to the bubble skirts of the Eighties in spite of the mid-calf length and in a ’50’s-style bright pastel – which to me is kind of an awkward trendy marketing ploy that fails in the final analysis.
No matter. It’s fun to see what happened with the same style over the years and this one will go to the university theater due to some un-fixable damage. It’s a hoot to explore the back alleys of fashion history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
The first thing I uncovered on a recent sleuthing adventure! This dress is made of a glorious glossy fabric which may be a polished cotton. I just love the finishes put on many of the old textiles that far excel anything that is sold today in the mainstream market.
With cap sleeve styling, wasp waist, full skirt and, of course, excellent tailoring which includes a hem width of several inches, some lucky girl looked stunning. The ladies garment workers union label testifies to the care and expertise of these tailors half a century ago.
When I spied this one, I could hardly wait to see what else the day’s expedition might uncover. The treasure hunt continued, and you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I just loved the mid-century post-war vibe of this shirt as soon as I saw it. The cotton fabric is in a print very faithful to that time-frame, and some of the design details are, too. But, there’s evidence of a label which doesn’t look like it was an old one (?). All I have to go by is the remnant left when it was cut out. I’m not often stumped – but it gets trickier . . . . . . . . .
Somewhere along the line this shirt was altered and re-styled, probably to make it smaller. I love the piping accents that may have been added. The front probably used to button, but was closed to make a pull-over style. At the end of the day, I can’t definitely say what the true age of this garment is or be really clear be clear about it’s history.
However, it’s very fun and fits me! What could be better? I’ll choose to believe that it’s 55 years old and enjoy. You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
With this photo, I’ve shown most of my true vintage bed jacket collection. But, as always, you just never know . . . . . . . .
The one on the left is obviously the most unusual, and the oldest (probably 1940’s), but look at the gorgeous lace, ribbons and embroidery, the feminine styles, the soft and flattering blues of the 1950’s versions. And, even quilting, for a morning that’s colder. No wonder I love them and do a happy dance when I find another.
All of these were probably owned by women from middle-income families and were part of an average wardrobe – frequently used. Oh, the charm of it all . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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