Tag Archives: Seventies does Forties

GREAT NEW FIND TODAY! BUT, IN THE MEANTIME, A BIG CONTRAST TO THE JUMPSUIT IN MY LAST POST –

This one couldn’t be more different than the Boho outfit I posted two days ago! Looks like it might have been worn to a 4th of July country club event. Very prissy and proper. It’s from the 1970’s and was made by a well-known women’s clothing company – possibly Jonathan Logan. I can’t remember the label because I sold it on eBay right away – NOT my style. However, it was a good example of the jumpsuit evolution and worth collecting.

Aside from the utilitarian work uniform that Rosie the Riveter wore in the 1940’s, jumpsuits (cute as they are) are not in the least bit practical. One nice thing is that the fit can be sleek and slim – no need to tuck in a shirt or top – but anyone who’s worn one knows that they are very inconvenient. There were some cute ones in the early 1970’s when Seventies did Forties but after a couple of evenings bar-hopping, gals often decided to leave them in the drawer and go for their Chic jeans instead. But, we didn’t learn our lesson because they showed up again in the early 1980’s when the Forties were revisited. Then I was horrified to find that, especially for dress-up nights, some designers came up with truly ugly ones in knits and velvets in the 1990’s#@*!! Can you imagine going to an event and wrestling with that in the washroom all evening with the hem dragging on the floor? Forget it! This is a style that I hope we don’t see again.

So, the tide turned today when I discovered a lovely mid-century piece that I can’t wait to show you. Not going to give it away now, but I will be posting it tomorrow. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A VERY UNUSUAL TRUE VINTAGE STATEMENT DRESS!

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I have dresses and a couple of coats trimmed with fur on the sleeves and a a couple of coats with fur around the hems but this is my first find of a dressy dress with this kind of trim.  Made in a 1950’s style, but I think it is from the 1970’s (maybe the 1960’s).  How unusual!

Very much of-the-season in perfect plush velvet for all the holiday party activities that about to crowd our calendars.  What an entrance I’d make to an evening Thanksgiving dinner.   Hmmm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FUN FIND TODAY! 2 MID-CENTURY HOUSE-DRESSES

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I always love finding dresses like this from back in the day.  Many women wore these at home on a daily basis, and didn’t worry too much if they had to run out for an errand – a little freshening-up:  a combing and touch of hairspray, powder & lipstick and off they went to the supermarket.

Other women, who worked in the garment unions, made these dresses in large quantities.  Most of them found their way to the rubbish bin after being worn for years of cooking and housecleaning, but a few of them made it out alive.  Love the lines of the slightly older style on the right.

So, here we have two of those gals who were well looked-after and might have lived a more leisurely life.  They were half-sizes (plus) in their time but now would be lucky to qualify as large size.  However, their styles are forgiving and may serve me very well just as they did their first owners.  Fun!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS FUN FALL FIND TODAY – TRUE VINTAGE 1970’S JUMPSUIT!

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Another nod to the 1940’s, 1970’s style.  Cool!  I’ll have so much fun wearing this one, right away!  Lovely knit with covered buttons on the cuffs – although it was a mid-priced item, it’s still been well-made by the fabulous Ladies Garment Workers Union.

Just the right weight for the transitional weather that we’re about to step into and perfect Autumn colors.  I’m looking forward to a Labor Day weekend music & beer party in a few days but, I think I’ll wear one of my mid-century Mexican skirts this time – just because.  These fabulous jumpsuits only have one little drawback . . . . . . . . . . . .  In spite of the similarities with cat burglar leotards, not good for sleuthing in, either . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MORE DRESSES! 1: FABULOUS ’70’S OR ’80’S DOES 1940’S HALTER NECKLINE SUNDRESS

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What a pretty frock!  Although it was retro when it was made 30 – 45 years ago, it’s true vintage now and gorgeous.  So glad that summer is far from over – I’ll really enjoy wearing it.

I’ve discovered a treasure trove of dresses and clutch purses lately, so stay tuned . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE FAB TRUE VINTAGE SUNGLASSES – NEW WAVE FROM THE 1980’S

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Flygirls by Black Flys – love that Eighties vibe that zoomed back to the 1940’s again.  It seems like the early 1970’s does Forties thing was early Forties puffed shoulders, cute collars, jumpsuits, platform shoes and, maybe, little shoulder pads.  The early – mid 1980’s does Forties was WWII and post-war BIG shoulders, peplum waists, shirt-dresses, platform shoes, pencil skirts in longer lengths and some accessories like large paste and rhinestone brooches.

So, these New Wave glasses remind me of that time when sunglasses were first being worn by regular folks and considered fashionable.  Usually they were made from one of the first plastics that were being invented around the time of the two World Wars and becoming more and more popular.

Of course, the case is pure 1960’s – early Seventies flower-power retro that I found.  It’s great for these glasses because it is hard (very protective), coordinates color-wise and fits the glasses well.  It’s so important to protect your true vintage items from damage – they’re irreplaceable pieces of fashion history and such wonderful parts of a wardrobe!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

JUST FOUND – NEW WAVE DOES FORTIES DAY DRESS

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A very fun side-zip-waist poly/synthetic frock that was home-sewn – much of it by hand – in the styling of wartime and postwar day dresses  This is a retro re-make from maybe the Sixties up to the Retro years with a ’60’s – early ’70’s Talon zipper.

Love the art print fabric.  If not for various signs, I might have taken it for 80 years old. Anyway, it’s a great find with lots of evidence for it’s story.  With a nice black belt cinched at the waist and some ’40’s – ’50’s pumps, I’ll enjoy it!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

MID-CENTURY FROCK IN A RETRO ’40’S STYLE – SEE WHY IT’S ANOTHER UNUSUAL FIND . . . . . . . . . ..

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From roughly the same era as yesterday’s dress, this one is a poly-cotton 1940’s throw-back with a wasp waist and puffed shoulders, plus 3/4 cuffed sleeves.  Little button trimmings, a fabric-covered belt and contrast-pleated skirt complete the design features.

The most unusual and striking element, to me, is the use of an unusual and distinctive color combo that is also characteristic of some of the older styles and what made them so interesting.  True vintage garments are full of tailoring and color surprises.

I was happy to find this piece that is faithful to that tradition, even though it was an inexpensive retro style in it’s 1960’s – early 1970’s time.  Modern retro-styled dresses hardly ever do it so well.  Can’t wait to put it on Stella and see it properly displayed!

We’ll be hovering around the 1955 – 1975 time frame for a few days.  Stay tuned for more pleasant surprises . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

 

WOWEE AGAIN!!! MORE GREAT FINDS TODAY

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-1-11111211111112111Today, on a more-or-less routine survey, I had wonderful good fortune.  I’m just about to re-examine and photograph my newest acquisitions and get them ready to post on the blog.  Because I have already scheduled postings for the next three days, expect to begin seeing these on Sunday, Nov. 13.

Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

’60’s – ’70’s RETRO 1940’s HIGH-WAIST GORED SKIRT

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NOT AS OLD AS I USUALLY LIKE, BUT WHEN I SAW THIS I SAID TO MYSELF “I’LL WEAR THIS A LOT!”  NEEDS A LITTLE CLEANING, BUT NO BIG DEAL.

SOOOO, IT’S BEEN ADDED TO MY CLOSET AND BECOMES MORE VERSATILE EVERY TIME I LOOK AT IT.  STYLES LIKE THIS WERE REALLY POPULAR IN THE LATE 1960’S AND EARLY 1970’S AND, OF COURSE, DURING THEIR FIRST(?) INCARNATION IN THE 1940’S.

STILL HAVEN’T LOOKED AT IT WITH ALL OF MY BLOUSES AND JACKETS – WHICH ONES? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM