A dream find for any vintage-hunter! Love this pretty day-dress so much. It needed some TLC with stains from storage, but I was up to the challenge. Beautiful decoration and comfy cotton; it’s the perfect summer frock.
Imagine this kind of intricate stitchery on an everyday dress today – even similar-looking examples are only cheap imitations of what used to be the standard of quality back in the day. More newly-discovered treasures are coming – we’ve only just begun . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This frock is another of my stupendous finds in Australia! Made somewhere between the 1940’s and 1950’s, it’s a gorgeous dress and I suspect that it really is from the Forties.
Looks like it’s hand-tailored, but by someone who was REALLY good. The collar is reinforced with hidden wire that is soft to wear, but holds the shape and lets you reshape the neckline as needed – an unusual tailoring feature that emphasizes the irreplaceable value and uniqueness of true vintage clothing and accessories.
It’s a demure style, despite the neckline plunge, and could be full-length on a petite figure. I wonder if it was made as a wedding gown? Although some were very fancy, many of that time did not have a lot of frill and fuss and were actually very tailored styles.
No matter what, I’m sure that this gown has at least one fabulous story to tell! I wonder . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
What a surprise! I wasn’t expecting this one, but that’s how it goes for the Magicvintagespy. Beautiful, heavy ivory satin fabric, with covered-button and loop front closure, fitted waist and full skirt. Custom-tailoring with hand-finishing on the seams as well as the bead decoration around the wide collar. Vintage metal side zipper.
Though I see many gorgeous wedding gowns in my sleuthing investigations, it’s rare that I will pick one up. In this case, the pristine condition (just a little soil around the hem) and the period-perfect styling made my decision. It will fit in well with my half-dozen other elegant bridal gowns dating from the 1930’s to the Kennedy era early 1960’s.
Can’t wait to see it on Stella (my 1950’s mannequin, for those who are not regular followers). What next – can hardly wait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I’m usually pretty “ho – hum” on 1980’s does 1940’s dresses, but this one is a stand-out. Made by the Lady Carol brand, which produced ladies’ fashions from the 1950’s through 2000 or the late 1990’s. I have one 1950’s knit dress by this maker and have seen a few of their 1980’s versions but never liked them as much as this. Here’s why:
For one thing, the print is probably the most authentic-looking Forties-type design. I’ve seen one or two florals that were pretty good imitations, but this is much more interesting. I also like the monochrome blue. Seems like a lot of the prints from the ’80’s on dresses like these were a dog’s breakfast of colors, shapes and ugly patterns. Not even New Wave and looked more like some of the icky bargain-priced ones from the 1970’s.
The styling and tailoring are very good. Although the nemesis of a missing belt is going on here, there is enough length to use a strip of fabric from the hem to make another, if I’d like. The original was obviously a buckle belt type because a small loop at the waist indicates good tailoring to anchor the belt in front. Since there are also larger belt loops at each side, I could make a sash tie instead, which was also used in the 1940’s but usually on more casual styles. A plain navy or bone color belt would work fine, too. The buttons are classic but boring, so maybe I’ll replace them from my stock of true vintage notions.
Given where I was shopping today, I hadn’t expected either of these discoveries. Just goes to show, that you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 