IT’S STILL WAY COLD ENOUGH FOR THESE. BOTH ARE 1950’S TRUE VINTAGE. THE ONE ON THE RIGHT WAS FROM MY FAMILY. THERE’S HARDLY A MORE BEAUTIFUL FUR, THOUGH UNLESS I FIND A TRUE VINTAGE ITEM AT LEAST 60 YEARS OLD, I PREFER TO BUY IMITATION.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s a lovely retro frock from my collection.
It’s a beautiful re-creation of an early 1900’s up-scale day dress style. Wonderful rayon-type fabric, cut on the bias with all the figure-following qualities that has and very well-tailored. Designers from those early decades really knew how to enhance the figure and the designer of this one (no tag or label) – probably from 1980 – 2000 – did a wonderful job of imitating their style.
I prefer true vintage and don’t usually wear a lot of retro, but this frock was too good to pass by. It’s a sheer dress with it’s own rayon slip underneath. The long necktie that wraps around as a belt is perfect. Of course, it’s also my size . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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Thrilled, thrilled, thrilled! One of my favorite finds, from a favorite decade. And, in beautiful condition.
Very popular post-war shirtwaist day dress with pretty, carved rhinestone buttons. This was a day-to-day item for women in the late Forties and early Fifties when nice clothing was becoming available again. The prints were so interestng.
This one was hiding in a big way, but not from the Magicvintagespy. What will show up next? You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
JUST A SAMPLING – NO MATTER HOW IT LOOKS, THERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT TODAY!
These wonderful cotton prints may have come from clothing that had worn out and had to be re-purposed. Love the pink check that’s in the apron! The quilt has many blocks that are not damaged at all, though some show wear. For being about 100 years old, it was well-looked-after and still holds together.
What I love most about a find like this is the rare materials that all have a story. The prints are so great – little anchors, fleur des lis, vines and flowers, paisley and plaid, checks and stripes. There are more, but I can only show so many photographs at once.
So, I know it’s not a piece of clothing (excepting for the apron accessory) but it’s such a wonderful trip back to fabrics and garments from the early 1900’s. This quilt was probably made between 1920 and 1950. It’s not often that we get to see these, so I jump at the opportunity! It’s one that I only come across now and then and, you just never know . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
A bit rumpled, but perfect! This was a higher-end men’s garment and an indispensable wardrobe item for men in the mid-century. A well-made bathrobe for elegant at-home time was worn by many men every day.
Lovely cotton, rayon and silk were commonly-used fabrics in mid-century and, like their street-wear brothers, these lounge-wear garments were well-tailored and elegant. I’m SO thrilled to uncover another one of these, which is a rare find (my favorite!)
I encounter a lot of rare finds, but they’re all different, so the surprises never stop! Stay tuned – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Just when the 1960’s treasures were beginning to feel a little hum-drum, up comes a beautiful men’s item that pulls me back to post-war days and some of the best old movies. Stay tuned – I’ll publish it tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I made several major discoveries when I was in New Zealand and several of them were blouses or shirts. A VERY RARE thing to find these in great condition.
This one is a heavy, glossy synthtic material from the 1940’s – 1950’s in a gorgeous mocha color. It has a finished hem with decorative slits – made to wear on the outside of a skirt.
I just love finding things of this age – you know me: I’m stuck on the beautiful classics, at least 50 years old and 70 is better! Can’t wait to see what is hiding around the next corner . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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What a surprise to find such an interesting, and USEFUL, slip to add to my collection! Never seen one like this before, but I’ve certainly been in need of one. It was made to wear with dresses like the one I showed yesterday – sheer all over. I just happen to have a black one from the Fifties that needs an undergarment just like this one.
This slip (in my size, by the way . . .) is made almost like a dress. It has a back zipper, a kick pleat in the skirt, and an opaque woven rayon skirt. But, it’s undoubtedly a lingerie item.
The bodice is of sheer lace, fitted and with adjustable straps as you would expect with any slip. Several features tell me that it is a 1950’s garment – not a modern copy-cat.
For the dress shown yesterday, in beige with a gold design, you would of course want a different color slip with no pattern – but the same features of fit and coverage would be just right. These discoveries are so much fun! This time I can really call myself an “undercover agent” . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Couldn’t wait to get this home, where Madge or Stella (my mannequin models) could show it properly – this sheer, custom-tailored frock is a great example of a popular style of the 1950’s. It’s a dressy style, with metallic gold leaves printed on beige illusion fabric. I think that Grace Kelly wore a similar dress in the movie “High Society” from the early 1950’s.
This example is a pull-over design, with no zipper or buttons. Cowl neckline in front and a dropped waist, with below-the-knee hemline.
Of course, a silky sheath or plain, tailored slip in a matching tone has to be worn underneath. Tomorrow I’ll show you ANOTHER find that is a perfect example of a lingerie garment made exactly for this purpose. The fascinating discoveries just never end . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
It seems that the Australian women really loved these beautiful lingerie items. I’ve found many in North America, but not as often as when I traveled there. These are some of the prettiest ones I’ve seen, of those made after the 1940’s. Nothing can beat the silk ones from before 1950!
Aside from the size differences between our two continents, there are some slight design features that are different, too. The Aussie versions seem to always be of two layers, or lined!
Perhaps this is because they have been imported from England (or the designs have), where cozier items would be more popular due to the dampness there. It’s a bit of a mystery, and part of what makes these investigations so fun and so interesting . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Magicvintagespy 