I was browsing through a few OLD family yearbooks at my parent’s home and look what I found. This photo is fabulous evidence of the classic and enduring style of the spectator pump – couldn’t get better proof than this! Love it when that happens.
And, the rest of her outfit is pretty spectacular, too – reminds me of lots of things in my closet . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
A classic! These are just a run-of-the-mill example, probably made in the Sixties or Seventies, but they just go to show how enduring this style is. Spectators have been showing up in fashion since the early 1900’s, at least.
Although black/white and brown/white are the most common, true vintage styles have been made in all the basic colors, including red, tan,, navy and, probably, grey. If you’re looking for a good city shoe, a pair of spectator pumps is an excellent choice. A true vintage pair is a fabulous one!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Love the lines of this heel, and the leather construction. Heel caps are nailed on and materials all quality. When true vintage (at least 30 years old) and retro are combined in one piece, it’s all about style and quality to decide whether they’re a good choice or not.
Apparently made by a higher-end line of a popular brand from Brazil, which has done a lot of good vintage/retro styles. I’m guessing these are late ’70’s, ’80’s or maybe early ’90’s. It’s a skill to find old retro items now, that still have some of the good quality.
Rivaling the real 1950’s thing enough to be worth picking up. Such fun!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Now that Stella is part of my modeling crew, I can show more of my gorgeous dresses on more than just a hanger. Madge (bless her heart, she’s beautiful) just can’t get into many of them. These temperatures recently have kept 3-seasons garments in the spotlight!
Lots to tell about these. The sheath on the left is pure mid-sixties mod. The waistline is open, held together with a row of plastic circles that show your midriff. In order to make it a little more versatile, I sewed a silk scarf into the waistline. Easy to remove, but it takes the dress from pure casual to dressy, if necessary. It’s lined and very nicely made.
The printed shirtwaist is 1940’s in rayon – so fabulous to the touch and drapes like a dream! One of my absolute favorite dresses.
The shoes are my choice, today, of what I’d put with them. Johansen pumps from the 1960’s are great with the sheath and some ’80’s does ’40’s slingback peep-toes by NINA are perfect with the shirtwaist. Both leather, of course.
And, for the final touch, anything from this 1940’s – 1950’s assortment of neckaces, bracelets, earrings and pins would be a great addition.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
These lovely sandals are very fine, in beautiful kid suede. They have tiny peep-toes – a favorite feature of mine – and sling-back heels.
What a fabulous addition to any 3-season dress or perky pants outfit!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Aren’t these the sweetest things! Just love them. Nothing much is cuter than 1960’s shoes. Very Audrey Hepburn.
The Joyce company made nice sportswear during the 1960’s – worth a pick-up if you find anything true vintage by that label. As always, be wary of cheaper latecomers . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Navy leather pumps with a little bit of nautical-style trim, and modest platform soles. Chunky heels. 100% leather construction (of course!). Classic, classic, classic and built like a brick house. No wonder they’re still skipping the streets 70 years later!
Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Just as classic as the Little Black Dress, little black pumps are obviously just as iconic. Perfect style and durability for about 70 years. This is a dressier pair, of suede leather, which probably saved them the more frequent wear of an everyday shoe and preserved them for me.
I’m so glad! This heel height couldn’t be more comfortable – elegant and flattering, too.
Great for dancing.
And, sometimes, for making a quick get-away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
The original price is still visible on the soles, written in grease pencil. $14.99. Looks like they may have been tried on and that was it!
Dark coffee brown leather, with pert little bows on a v-shaped vamp – this pair comes from the late Forties to early Fifties. The Naturalizer brand was a closet staple for well-dressed women. It was the flagship brand for the Brown shoe company of St. Louis, MO since 1927.
It’s always important to do a background check . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG; MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I absolutely LOVE discovering fashion finds with original documentation – what fabulous clues to many things about them! Original packaging, tags, sales slips – heaven!! And, fortunately, I’m there many times a year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Here we have pumps about 60 years old (and very well preserved) in their original box and tissue paper with a small card from the Brown Shoe Company telling about their business and the quality of their merchandise. The price of $14.99 is even hand-written on the box!
Black calf-skin leather mid-heels with crisp grosgrain bows on the vamps – insoles very neat and clean. Notice how many exclamation points I’ve used as I write about this. So great to have such beautiful, well-cared-for items with all of these original pieces of the puzzle . . . . . . . . . . . . All the long hours, vague directions, dark alley’s, dusty corners and encounters with shady characters are worth it!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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