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A PRETTY LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS FROM THE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S

A PRETTY LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS FROM THE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S

I see Sophia Loren wearing this dress and running down a street in Naples, Italy  (in black stilettos) – chasing Marccello Mostriani in their latest film.  Someone custom-tailored this little beauty in a style that falls low on the shoulders if you are petite.

It’s a sunny, breezy style with the 1950’s wasp waist and full skirt, in cotton print material, made for whatever casual activity is on the agenda.  However, like most dresses of the era, a little jewelry and a hat (and, maybe, gloves) made it suitable for a slightly more formal event such as a luncheon date.

I prefer to let fantasy take my imagination away with this one – a bottle of local wine, a loaf of bread, cheese and fruit on a balcony overlooking the Adriatic Sea – with a very good friend . . .. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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A CLASSIC SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS WITH A STORY

A CLASSIC SHIRTWAIST DAY DRESS WITH A STORY

This dress doesn’t shout at you, but it shouted at me and that was why I picked it up.  It is so obviously classic 1960’s and has an interesting label.

I researched the company, Carolina Made, and discovered a small clothing firm in, I believe, South Carolina, USA, which has been selling clothing for decades.  Rather than closing down, as many have done over the years, they have morphed into selling a completely different casual line of t-shirts, shorts and other sportswear that looks like the usual modern styles.

The southeastern U.S. was a clothing manufacturing center for many, many years.  This is where the garments were constructed.  So, this company – regardless of how it has changed – represents that history.

And, this dress also represents the history of classic styles in several ways.  The style has stayed good over several decades, the construction is strong and the colors are basically neutral.  It’s very versatile and useful – the way that we wear jeans today, a dress like this would serve for many activities that an average woman would do in a day in 1964.

The original belt was probably a fabric tie belt – this dress was not even swanky enough to have a buckle belt on it.  It’s a workhorse-type of dress, but with lots of possibilities.

Anyway, that’s the story that it told me and part of the enjoyment I get from hunting for true vintage.  I love stories and you just never know . . . .. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY – MID 1960’S LOUNGE-WEAR AND HOSTESS GOWNS

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY - MID 1960'S LOUNGE-WEAR AND HOSTESS GOWNS

A change of pace for the weekend – let’s slip into some fabulous-feeling vintage nylon. There’s nothing that feels like it – heavy, smooth, creamy and cool on your skin.  Well, enough of that – this is a vintage fashion blog, not a . . . . . .

These are what the fashionable woman wore at home while relaxing and/or for casual entertaining.  The one on the left is a slip-over design with roses embroidered at the neck. The right-hand style is unique with two fabric layers, a front zipper and long scarf “tails” that can be tied in a bow or crossed in front and thrown over the shoulders.  One is by ShadowLine and the other by a less well-known maker.

Those shoulder “tails” are an interesting feature.  I have a velveteen sheath dress circa about 1960 which has them and also a jacket, which I think comes from the wartime era. Not sure if this style element was something that repeated – I haven’t seen it often.  The color combo on the right has such a characteristic ’60’s look.

When I go sleuthing, or just sorting through my closets, I drift through several decades one after the other.  It’s almost as good as going to the movies . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S DAY DRESS

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S DAY DRESS

This dress was custom tailored at home, I’m sure  – though some simple items like this were commercially made then, too.  Many women who wore these day – in and day – out as house dresses and for working were accomplished seamstresses and made most all of the family’s clothing.

I love the pretty plaid cotton here, and the cute sculpted buttons at the neck and the pocket flaps.  Since the original belt was missing, I made a tie belt by taking a couple of inches off the hem, which was mid-calf length.  Easy.

Probably, this one belonged to a woman who farmed – and I imagine that a small blue stain on the skirt happened when she made a blueberry pie.  So many of these pieces tell a story, and you just never know . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1940s – 1950s SEMI-FORMAL DANCE DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1940s - 1950s SEMI-FORMAL DANCE DRESS

Here’s pretty, floaty frock of satin and chiffon for a dinner-dance or any semi-formal party.  It does have stiffening in the skirt, but doesn’t have a huge crinoline, like many made a few years later .

I just die with delight when I discover one of these!  It reminds me of the classic movies that I love, where there’s always a dance in the plot somewhere.

This one is not haute couture – just an average lovely gown that any middle-income woman might have selected.  I’m not complaining!  It makes me think of France, where I’ll be in a couple of weeks!

With the mid-calf length, this one could go to the Prom, and maybe it did, once.  You just never know . . . .. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950’s SEMI-FORMAL DANCE DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950s SEMI-FORMAL DANCE DRESS

This one is just about my favorite.  I love the camellias (or whatever flower) at the waist and the contrasting sash that flows down the front.  The length is just below the knee on me (I’m 5’6″).

There is a size tag inside, so it was commercially made.  Seems to be of rayon chiffon over a rayon/acetate liner.  There is no stiffening in the skirt. It’s such a pretty pale peach color, and an easy-to-wear style.  Perfect for dancing and very graceful.

I noticed recently that J.Crew made a very similar dress in silk chiffon.  Of course, it is nice, but not “original” – 1. there is no ornamentation (you could add your own)  2. the dress is available in several different colors, but no contrasting sash which, to me, adds so much to this original vintage one  3. since it’s mass-produced, you could see your dress on lots of other women.  However, for $250.00 you can have the modern version.

I’ll take true vintage any time. True, it had some spots on it when I found it, but I was able to make them disappear – POOF!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

 

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950s SILK DINNER – DANCE – COCKTAIL DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950s SILK DINNER - DANCE - COCKTAIL DRESS

Here’s a lovely mid-century silk dress in a classic style, perfect for a dressy date, a dance, dinner or cocktails.  It’s too sophisticated for afternoon shopping, though it could be dressed down for a day on Fifth Avenue – just don’t take the dog to the vet. (even the Yorkie, with their sharp little claws)

In printed silk, with a full skirt (but no attached crinoline), wasp waist, center back vintage nylon zipper and a sweet little bow right at the bottom of the bust-line.  Mid-calf length.

I found this one in a little out-of-the-way place where several things were hiding. It always pays to look, because you just never know … . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE SLEEPWEAR & LOUNGEWEAR

A COLLECTION OF TRUE VINTAGE SLEEPWEAR & LOUNGEWEAR

It seems that in the past women, and men, made a real art of wearing at-home fashion. They didn’t bop around the house in sweats or nothing (nothing is lovely, but not very mysterious).

No, there were smoking jackets, bed jackets, peignoirs, robes, caftans, gowns, pajamas and many variations of each. I will show more in the future, but for now . . . . . .

Left to right: a quilted lounging or bed jacket from the 1950s or 1940s, a boys’ size 18 lounging jacket from the 1950s or 1960s (just right for a small woman, too), a babydoll gown and peignoir set from the 1960s or 1970s, and two 1950s bed jackets.

One should not neglect one’s fashion presence just because (maybe) no one else is around. Much more important if someone is.
I love finding these beautiful old high-quality items.  Everyone deserves the luxury.

There’s nothing like receiving casual guests in a smart caftan or reading in bed in a lovely gown with matching robe because if the doorbell rings . . . . . . . .well, you just never know . . . .. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’s COTTON PRINT HOUSECOAT

TRUE VINTAGE 1940s COTTON PRINT HOUSECOAT

Not as elegant as the item posted yesterday, but wonderful in its own way.  This sturdy cotton housecoat with a cheery floral print was just an everyday item, it has survived all these years primarily due to it’s quality fabric and solid construction.

In one way, it was a mess when I found it – covered with brownish spots that had undoubtedly been there for years.  But, I know a gem in the rough when I see it and said “I can fix that!”  And, with confidence and experience, I did.

It was well worth the gamble.  Often this is true – sometimes it’s not and it is better to walk away.  Knowing when to walk away is one of the skills I have picked up over the years and has saved me a lot of trouble and expense.

This one, because of its age, was a rare find – but not so awfully rare for the Magicvintagespy .. . . . . . . .poof!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1940s CREPE DAY TO DINNER DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1940s CREPE DAY TO DINNER DRESS

Since the weather is still cool some days,  we can wear some slightly heavier fabrics.  The substantial crepe material from which this dress is made would be too heavy for warm weather but is just right when it’s moderate outside.  This simple sheath styling also can easily be paired with a sweater or short jacket

A short back zipper at the neck and shoulder pads are notable details.  The belt is cloth – covered near the buckle and beaded around the other half.  Whether you wear the buckle in front or back is up to you.  This fancy belt “ups” the sophistication of the dress and would let it go from day to dinner without a pause.  That was a real plus during wartime when a woman’s wardrobe may have been very limited.  The style and cut are so simple that it would also show off any piece of jewelry that you wanted to wear with it to dress it up.

The ’40’s is probably my favorite fashion decade, although there are beautiful clothes from every era.  The styles from this decade seem very self-confident, with imaginative and fun details.  They also look good on my figure, which is an important consideration!

This dress, and several others from the ’40s, were a surprise find that really lit up my day. In fact, it was a totally unexpected treasure trove that just opened itself to me because of being in the right place at the right time.  You just never know . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM