From just about the whole decade of the ’50’s, the shoe museum in Mexico City covers it all. Just coming out of the ’40’s and almost into the ’60’s – these are THE BEST!
This showcase contains the most casual to the most dressy examples. I love them all!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Of rayon and silk, these pretties are some of my best, or most interesting. The embroidery on the two right ones is unusual and the ’40’s white dressing gown is a style that I have seen only 2 or 3 times.
From the glamour days of motion pictures and film noir –
While we’re still snuggled inside, during the transitional weather, these little indulgences are a real treat.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here’s another great collection of sling-backs & pumps.from the shoe museum in Mexico City. Look at the decoration on the vamps and the peep-toes. LOVE peep-toes!
Can you imagine owning beautiful designer styles like this, in 100% leather construction, done by hand? Heaven! Used to be, shoes like that were available in most shoe stores. Now they’re all made of ticky-tacky and they all look just the same.
’40’s shoes are some of my very favorites, and such a pleasure to see so many examples in such beautiful condition.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This one is my very favorite – in a silvery plum. I think Peggy Lee would have loved performing in this. Definitely a dance dress, maybe even for Prom. Who knows – cocktails and a fancy dinner . . . . . . . . . . .?
One thing I love so much about true vintage garments is the specialty fabrics. This one has the floral pattern embroidered on the black background, with metallic highlights. And, of course, the fabric is cut to drape beautifully.
Your regular boyfriend can escort you around in this one, but he’d better be prepared for the competition . .. . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here’s the flip-side of sweet – my favorite strapless number from the 1950’s. Rayon with beading and a killer fit.
I love to imagine where this one has or could have been. Smokey nightclubs come to mind. Maybe she was a singer.
It was a dark night in the city. The story you are about to see . . . . . . . ….. . .. . . . . … . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Slightly longer lengths for wearing with your lovely post-war and Kennedy era Spring dresses, which usually come to the knee or slightly below. These have the same beautiful quality that make them such a joy to wear!
Substantial creamy nylon in beautiful colors with gorgeous detailing – some hand-worked . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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A very favorite find, custom-tailored in the early 1950’s after one that Grace Kelly’s character, Lisa, wore in the classic Alfred Hitchcock movie, Rear Window. Lisa’s dress had a yellow printed skirt, rather than blue. I even know the woman who made this frock in 1954!
The black fabric in the bodice is stretchy and the neckline very unusual. It fits perfectly, no matter how your own curves go! The skirt is of three layers, with sheer fabric on top and netting underneath. The little black “leaves” are embroidered on the sheer overlay.
What could be more fabulous? – a costume similar to one worn by one of my all-time favorite actresses in a favorite movie by a favorite director! How intriguing . . . . . .. . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Just love this!! Sometime from the late 1950’s to the early 1960’s this little frock was someone’s favorite. It’s Peggy Lee in her early mid-century years, all over!!!!!
Glossy textured rayon – I always love sheer panels like this on the shoulders. The bodice is decorated with embroidered white flowers which have pearl centers. Nothing could be better for dinner out or a date night.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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OK. Let’s compare this frock to the dress shown yesterday. . . . . . . ..
This was a completely magical find! For the first thing, I almost missed it. I was an inexperienced sleuth at the time, years ago, and wasn’t sure what I was seeing.
Second, it was at least 3 sizes too big, with some dowdy design features that were not appealing. However, this is a 100% silk dress with a designer label.
Look at the draping and the ruching – GORGEOUS!! Another woman remarked about it and woke me up.
After a few very simple alterations, without doing anything that can’t be reversed, voila’! An absolute Mata Hari, femme fatale frock. Who knew?
From the same 1950’s era as yesterday’s dress – just as elegant but with a totally different feel. This dress is very sexy and dramatic, but not in any way sleazy or tacky. That’s the beauty of true vintage style and quality . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Leave it to the 1950’s to produce the most come-hither styles . . . .. . .. How could anyone resist this one? The inventors of the “cocktail dress” knew their stuff.
Rather than a sleeveless style, “demure” sheer sleeves add just the right touch of modesty and mystery and end up amping the “sexiness” to new levels.
One of the mistakes that so much modern fashion makes – it’s so in-your-face that after the shock and awe wear off in a few minutes, it’s pretty boring and tacky. True vintage fashion rarely, if ever, makes that goof. It’s usually has just the opposite effect. And, high quality materials and tailoring is the cherry on top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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