Pretty lingerie doesn’t get much better than this – at least not in the mid-priced range. Back in the day, almost any woman could afford to dress herself in this one. No, it’s not silk or designer-wear, but it’s lovely – by the MOVIE STAR company.
Pretty soon it’ll be time to wear nighties like this, whether you’re a bride or not. Can’t wait!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Always right any time of year – an exquisite little number from a famous designer of the time. Wasp-waisted and embellished with rhinestones and netting.
Love halter necklines – this rayon dress is so lovely. The pinkish net in the decolletage keeps things relatively modest, but it’s certainly not a conservative choice!
I treated myself to this one when I won a raffle! It was still, as always, a bargain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This is a real pure silk, fully-lined knock-your-socks-off wiggle dress. I’ve been encountering a lot of those lately. Naturally, the fit is a bit snug behind.
In addition, it’s beautifully-tailored, with all the elegant and sophisticated touches that would be expected in a higher-end well-made garment. However, I don’t think that this was clothing only for the elite. Many of our mothers and grandmothers might have had one like it hanging at the back of their closets.
So, it’s just been one delight after another, as usual. I’m still not done showing things that were found during the past few months when my models were nowhere in sight so, stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Love this fit! So Marilyn Monroe in the movies . . . . . . .
The fabric is really pretty, even though this is just a very average dress for the time. It’s probably a woven rayon blend but has nubby black thread going through the plaid and the beige has a real pinkish tone – one of those unusual materials that make true vintage clothing so interesting and attractive. On the fold-over collar there’s a little buttonhole thing that you can see and there’s a big button in the middle of it – but not in the picture. I had taken it off to do a little stitching. I love the large button touches on so many dresses of that time.
Anyway, it’s a very fun fashion in a lot of ways and I’m so glad that it was waiting for me! And, it wasn’t the only one. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
To wear with a pretty brassiere or camisole, these were the underpants of the ’20’s, ’30’s and ’40’s. In the 1970’s they also came back for a while, though not as sumptuous or luxurious as the originals.
Clockwise, 12, 3 and 6 o’clock are the older ones, made of silk with hand-done embroidery and lace. They also close with buttons on the left side. At 9 o’clock, the newer pair from the ’70’s is of nylon and has nice lace, with an elastic waistband. It also has a matching camisole.
Look at those luscious colors! And, the silk is so smooth and comfy. In most cases, a garter belt and hose would also be worn with these, since women were usually wearing skirts or dresses, and those were often loose-fitting. Nothing there to cramp your Charleston, Lindy or Jitterbug style.
You know what I’d rather wear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Conjures thoughts of Spring, in spite of the winter storms – this, too, shall pass . . . . . . . ..
Spring IS just around the corner. Especially once we get past March, it’s the time that Spring and Summer fashion traditionally is brought out in force and warm weather clothing appears on the store racks. The way the weather has been changing, it can be different tomorrow!
Before the weather does get hot, beautiful lingerie is a must under Spring clothing when the colors get lighter and the fabrics do, too. Nothing modern compares well to the heavy nylon and artistic, high-quality decoration of slips made before the early 1960’s.
So, whether you’re into pastel dresses or not, wearing one of these can make you think of sunny skies and keep a secret smile in your heart. . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
For some woman, before the popularity of pantyhose, these nylons would have paired nicely with the panty-girdle I showed a couple of days ago. They could be from a few years earlier, too.
These beige beauties are a real keepsake. I love the look of stockings with seams, but will probably never wear this pair. They’re too precious!
Imagine when keeping your seams straight throughout the day was another thing to have on your mind! Well, you wouldn’t have had to check email . .. . . . . . . . …
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
One of the most bizarre silhouettes in fashion was the “bullet bra”, which made women’s breasts look like torpedoes under their sweaters. Quite unnatural-looking and strange, but it was definitely the thing for a while.
It’s hard to ID in this photo and it’s not right for Madge to model, but the surest way to recognize these brassieres is from the pointy shape of their cups. Also, the construction of older bras is characteristic, too. Maybe it will suit Stella better . .. . . .
1950’s and early 1960’s bras often have heavier elastic and lots of stitching on the cups, with a more definite shape, even if they aren’t of this particular style. A “foundation garment” really was that – like building a brick house.
Thank goodness, now we prefer more subtly-tailored lingerie, physical strength and fitness to give us the body shape we prefer. But, many ’50’s and early ’60’s garments require a firm girdle and bra underneath to support their characteristic lines – looks great and its FUN!!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This is a really nice little nightwear combo. The early ’60’s is just about the last time we’ll find the truly beautiful things. With the exception of some exclusive designer or handmade item, the trims are not nearly as lovely as during the ’50’s and before and the quality of the nylon or silk is noticeably inferior when you get into the mid ’60s and ’70’s.
As I’ve said before, in my opinion you can’t improve much on 1930’s, 1940’s and 1950’s lingerie/sleepwear when it comes to overall quality and luxurious beauty. The fabrics from that time and the craftsmanship of the trimming detail is the best!
This is not a va-va-va-voom ensemble, but it is lovely and, if you wish it to be, very sexy in its own way. The embroidery trim is done well and the buttons are the nice, sturdy and well-formed little pearlized ones that I always love on true vintage nightwear and sweaters.
Sorry I can’t tell you the maker as I write this, that is, if the tag is still in – since many of the similar items I find no longer have theirs. Sometimes it’s easy to trace their identity despite that – when you’ve been in this racket for a while you know ’em by sight . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here we have examples of the better nylon and trim quality from the mid – 60’s. These were not high-end items by the standards of that time, but their quality makes them like high-end now.
Learn the look and feel of these, and you’ll never want to go back to modern fabric again unless, possibly, an excellent silk. There’s just no comparison.
We all deserve good quality AND value. Our grandparents and great-grandparents managed to create goods of that type in a much less “modern” and “prosperous” era. Don’t believe for a moment that it couldn’t be done now.
But, I’m still not sure that I’d like them any better than true vintage. The superb cuts and design would be challenging to match. The fascination and intrigue that accompany these styles can’t be re-manufactured . . . . . .
. . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 