Tag Archives: sexy

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S COCKTAIL SHEATH DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S COCKTAIL SHEATH DRESS

While we’re in a New Year mood, here’s a really special dress from, I believe, the 1950’s. It’s more or less a cocktail style, but could go to dinner and dancing, too.

Originally, it had nude netting on the front bodice and upper back, with skinny binding around the armhole area and the neckline.  The purpose is to give a bare look, without the bare.

Very elegant but, unfortunately, the material had some small holes which could not be repaired. I could not locate material of the same type for a replacement, so I reluctantly removed it and restyled things a bit to make skinny straps instead. It works! Being versatile is an indispensable skill.

I love this dramatic pointy accent on the front! The fabric is also very elegant – probably a rayon that looks for all the world like silk shantung. And the hourglass shape!

Worthy of Peggy Lee any day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MIXING IT UP A BIT – HERE’S A NEW FIND THAT WOULD GO WONDERFULLY UNDER THE RED DRESS OF A FEW DAYS AGO . . . .

A gorgeous 1950’s nylon full slip by Dorsay.  Such beautiful lingerie!  The workmanship and materials can’t be rivaled by modern versions.

Just look at the tiny pleats on the bodice and embroidery at the hem – plus lace, etc. and wider straps.  the heavy fee of the nylon fabric is a delight, too.  I’m sad that it’s too big for me, but I have many lovely others and, I’m sure, more on the way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

PRETTY, PRETTY WARTIME – POST-WAR NYLON BED JACKET BY ROGERS

OK, head back 10 to 20 years for another frilly, girly piece of boudoir lingerie – a beautiful bed jacket, the likes of which has disappeared from our modern wardrobes.  This was another of the lingerie luxuries that women enjoyed until the 1970’s.

Delicate and beautiful, items like this were common in average women’s closets.  They seem a bit over-the-top for everyday wear today, but in mid-century life were (and are) very practical for before bed and early morning activities while women were wearing their nightgowns, without sacrificing feminine mystery.

Gotta tell ya’ – it beats throwing a hoodie or sweater over your pj’s in a cool house. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SURPRISE FIND TODAY – SHIMMY SHAKE FLAPPER STYLE FROCK FROM THE SIXTIES

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If you can shimmy like your sister Sue, this is the dress for you!  It’s my size, but I have to learn how to do it justice on the dance floor.  However, it’ll probably make a statement with any kind of dance, excepting ballroom.

Someone made this frock or costume by hand in the 1960’s or 1970’s.  Definitely styled to make an impression.  If you’ve ever seen someone who can shimmy well, you know what I mean.

What fun!  I found another 1960’s version earlier this year – a trend?  Who knows.  They say that things come in threes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THIS WAS A SURPRISE FIND! LEMON YELLOW TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LINGERIE NYLON HALF-SLIP

NEW FIND! LEMON YELLOW TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S LINGERIE NYLON HALF-SLIP

You know I have SO much lovely true vintage lingerie and a ton of 1950’s slips, but I still go giddy when I find another one.  They’re just so beautiful with their lace, applique, ribbons, sumptuous fabric and elegant tailoring.

This one is by Warner’s in a lemon ice color.  Just the right length for a bottom-of-the-knee dress or skirt, or a midi.

I’m so glad that we are not locked into a certain hem length for months (or years) like women were in the past.  No more dread of appearing unfashionable or out-of-step.

Ha!  Can hardly imagine it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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A PAIR OF TRUE VINTAGE JOHANSEN LOVELIES FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

ANOTHER PAIR OF JOHANSEN LOVELIES FROM THE 1940'S - 1950'S

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S PEEP-TOE GOLD LEATHER & CLEAR VINYL EVENING SANDALS FROM A SPECIALTY STORE

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S PEEP-TOE GOLD LEATHER & CLEAR VINYL EVENING SANDALS FROM A SPECIALTY STORE

I think we’ve got a good show-off of the clear vinyl and gold leather that was so popular in dressy sandals from the Fifties.  These came from a private store in Chicago that had shoes specially made under their own label.

There are so many photographs of women in the ’50’s wearing gold dress sandals and sandals with clear vinyl vamps that it’s iconic of that time.  Makes me think of Peggy Lee and Cotillion dinner – dances that were such popular social events then.

Off to the Country Club, anyone? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE DRESSES! 3: ’70’S – ’80’S DOES 1950’S ENGLISH GARDEN HOUR GLASS SUNDRESS

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Dark navy and white, with clear buttons all-the-way down the front.  Almost a tea dress, but very North American.  So smart not to spoil the print and pretty lines while still making it super-easy on and off.  I really appreciate the good tailoring that could still be found on  low- and mid-priced dresses in the Seventies and early Eighties.

Love the nipped-waist fit and cute pocket flaps at the hips.  It’s a simple dress, but with so much FIT and figure-enhancing detail.  It will be another go-to frock on hot days this summer.  Soon we’ll be heading into Fall and even Holiday styles – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE DRESSES! 2: CUSTOM-TAILORED MID-CENTURY SLINKY SHEATH

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This one’s a sexy day dress with ruching at the waistline to give it a bit of curvy shape, while still staying very proper.  Love the abstract atomic print in subtle shades that could go to work, or dinner, or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hand-tailored frocks are so much fun to discover because they always tell a story about the designer.  This style is so versatile – I’ll enjoy it, too.  More on the way . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE BOBBIE BROOKS MINI – SHORTS FROM THE 1950’S: “We wear short shorts”

TRUE VINTAGE BOBBIE BROOKS MINI - SHORTS FROM THE 1950'S

Here’s the tell-tale zipper in the back waistline. VERY rare find!  One of my wonderfulest discoveries.

The tailoring is impeccable and they’re in almost perfect condition.

Be careful – modern copy-cats just don’t measure up . . . . . . . … . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM