Tag Archives: resources

LATE ’60’S – EARLY ’70’S LEISURE HOSTESS GOWN

LATE '60'S - EARLY '70'S LEISURE HOSTESS GOWN

I just love this thing! It’s not way old nor of any specific style, but it’s so cool.

I’m not sure if “hostess gowns” are a thing anymore, but certainly in the 1960’s they were a BIG thing. Maybe it’s because the patio and outdoor entertaining became a big deal in the early 1960’s.

Aside from the fact that your sleeves would always be in the punch bowl, this would be a lovely outfit in which to welcome guests.

Navy blue cotton blend, with little white polka dots and a fabric flower on the bosom. Plus, those witchy Stevie Nicks sleeves. I haven’t seen things like this in a long time .. . . .. . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

SKIRT FOR THE ’40’S SWING DRESS THAT WAS REFASHIONED

SKIRT FOR THE '40'S SWING DRESS THAT WAS REFASHIONED.

FABULOUS FIND! TRUE VINTAGE FORTIES FROCK WITH PHENOMENAL FABRIC GOT REFURBISHED

FABULOUS FIND! TRUE VINTAGE FORTIES FROCK WITH PHENOMENAL FABRIC GOT REFURBISHED.

SKIRT FOR THE ’40’S SWING DRESS THAT WAS REFASHIONED

SKIRT FOR THE '40'S SWING DRESS THAT WAS REFASHIONED

Photo # 2 -The colors are truer in the photo of the blouse, You can see how this skirt would swing, sway and billow during a dance. You ain’t got a thing if you ain’t got that swing.

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy

FABULOUS FIND! TRUE VINTAGE FORTIES FROCK WITH PHENOMENAL FABRIC GOT REFURBISHED

FABULOUS FIND! TRUE VINTAGE FORTIES FROCK WITH PHENOMENAL FABRIC GOT REFURBISHED

This blouse was a dress – the skirt is shown in the next post. (Wish I could figure out how to publish multiple photos!)
It actually came to me as a gift!

There was a bit of seam damage and the waist was too small, so I turned it into a circle skirt and blouse.The greatest thing about this dress is the fabric.

Substantial woven rayon with a paisley design and metallic thread accents. I certainly couldn’t toss it aside! Just made for the jitterbug.

I love the style, but the material is what makes it really special. That’s true with almost all of the true vintage that I own. It’s a study in itself, and a feast for the senses. I hope you’ll be able to get a close-up view.

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion

1950’S TRUE VINTAGE SLINKY POLY(?) SYNTHETIC DAY DRESS

1950'S TRUE VINTAGE SLINKY POLY(?) SYNTHETIC DAY DRESS

The dresses made of this smooth, drapey, slinky synthetic (probably polyester) material were all over in the mid-to late ’50’s. The styles were usually very much the same, with a covered belt (this one doesn’t match the original), a side zipper and short sleeves.

I’ve got many versions of this. This one looks pretty plain but, on the right figure, VAVOOM! I guess that’s the way with anything if it fits right, but this fabric is one of those that just swings and sways with you and follows the body nicely. They knew how to do that in the ’30’s and ’40’s, too.

Madge shows it off nicely. This one is by a company called Tiffany.

These dresses are never lined excepting, perhaps, around the neckline. They’re usually in some kind of abstract or stylized print – sometimes in very bright colors, and generally have a plain neckline.

This is a good example of an average style that, when it is well cut and fitted on the right body, looks great! True vintage garments usually do because they have the expert construction and design that makes clothing very flattering and elegant.

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

WONDERFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1930’S – EARLY 1940’S DAY DRESS

WONDERFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1930'S – EARLY 1940'S DAY DRESS.

WONDERFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1930’S – EARLY 1940’S DAY DRESS

WONDERFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1930'S - EARLY 1940'S DAY DRESS

For those of you who have been watching since last winter, you may have seen this dress before. BUT, the photo I had with me then didn’t do it justice. Now that I have Madge, I wanted to publish another one.

This frock was a rare find! For one thing, its age and superb condition makes it remarkable and it has such wonderful details.

The fabric is unusual. It may be a 100% cotton, as we might expect from the look of it, but it doesn’t feel that way. I’m not sure if that is age (though it’s in very good shape) or if it is another material or a blend. I’d love to have a laboratory where I could analyze the content of fabrics because it’s a fascinating question.

Another thing I love are the buttons. I believe that they are real mother of pearl, rather than pearlized plastic. Some of them are broken because they are a perforated design and somewhat delicate, but at least half of them are fine.

The slide-through buckle was missing (I could tell that was the type of buckle it was because of how the belt is made) so I added a vintage mother of pearl one that I already had and it’s perfect.

It’s another Bonnie Parker dress (remember – Bonnie and Clyde) and so much fun to have discovered it! Lots of imagination in this one – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . ..

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

FUN TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S CIRCLE SKIRT

FUN TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S CIRCLE SKIRT.

FUN TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S CIRCLE SKIRT

FUN TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S CIRCLE SKIRT

I just loved it when I found this! I still have two decorated circle skirts that relatives had picked up in Mexico. They were very popular in the ’50’s as souvenir items from a trip south of the border. Also, I’ve found several Native American blouse and skirt sets from that time. My mother had one which she, sadly, gave away without thinking I’d want it(!?#+!)

These were all the rage(?) in the late ’50’s – early ’60’s and lots of women bought them during a trip out west. Those who were fortunate to live out west often made them at home. They were made and sold by the Navajo tribe primarily, I believe – decorated in bright colors with yards of ric-rac, braid and ribbon.

If this one was not from the southwest, it was a take-off on that style. Always made of cotton,- this one is, too, with silver ric-rac and braid trim.

Tons of fun to wear! Although the native costumes would have a matching blouse, a sleeveless or short-sleeved white blouse looks really good. In the ’50’s, peasant blouses with elasticized necklines that could be worn off-shoulder were a big thing.

This is really an iconic style from back in the day. I’m glad to have several of them. As I said, they originated from aboriginal peoples in various countries and the gringos fell in love with them. Can’t argue with that!

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com