Vintage high-top ladies’ roller skates, complete with pom-poms and original carry-case. (I can even wear them!) How cool is this!!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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1940’S SLEEVE TREATMENTS – WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1940’S POUFY SLEEVES – ALMOST EDWARDIAN
1980’S DOES 1940’S PIRATE SLEEVES AND TRUE VINTAGE FORTIES LADY
This post was inspired by the fabulous Theodora Brack and her post of a few weeks ago on the blog, Paris: People, Places and Bling. Shirt sleeve styles are, again. doing some very interesting things with pleats, gathers and puffs. Here are a few from my own true vintage collection which show how these styles cycle through the decades.
Pictured here are 1930’s and 1940’s blouses excepting, in photos #1 and #3, the right-hand and left-hand examples are retro Forties, which were made in the early 1980’s. Cotton, silk, rayon and poly. Kimono, pirate, Western-inspired and prissy designs all had their day in the 1940’s and have wound their way up and down runways every decade or two since then. Of course, some decades were known for their beautiful craftsmanship, gorgeous fabrics and special tailoring details so these aspects will always be showcased in true vintage garments from those times.
Modern blouses which follow these style trends will not be nearly as beautiful or as well-made but, I love my finds. Thanks for the opportunity to put them in the spotlight again.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
ANOTHER FUN MID-CENTURY FIND
This maxi dress from the ’60’s to ’70’s is a popular style of that time. In this case, the Hostess Gown has elements of the Asian Cheongsam style dress that is classic and very flattering. A Mandarin collar, frog closures, a shadow design of fans and flowers and walking slits in the hem hold true to traditional Asian dress design.
In this case, the dress is handmade and has a vintage Talon zipper. Although it may have been made in some U.S. woman’s home rather than a Chinese tailor’s, the mid-century handiwork of that time adds to the value of a dress made then. So, another garment a bit large for me, but worth collecting. Things tend to get more exciting from here on, so –
Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
MY 1st NEW FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S CLASSIC GIRLY BLOUSE
I’ll start off with this conservative but very of-the-time ladies’ blouse. Not my style (or size), but oh-so-vintage and worth collecting. In this case, it’s a well-made version from Montreal, where style has always been ascendant – so it has a good pedigree. That French influence is always a plus!
“Whipped cream”, Georgette fabric finish was popular in modern synthetics of that time. Along with the lace and embroidered trim, it adds a pretty, feminine element to the style of this shirt. I also always love little pearlized buttons wherever they turn up on vintage clothing – usually blouses and sleepwear.
Don’t know much about the history of this clothing company – sometimes the background on Canadian makers is less available. However, it’s well-made and stands up well against any American maker’s products of that time. I always love to see examples like this, no matter where they come from. Keep on bringin’ ’em on – and I do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
STELLA (FINALLY!) MODELS THIS 1950’S HAND-TAILORED WIGGLE DRESS
Now that Stella’s on the modeling circuit, this dress can be displayed as it should be. Several years ago I found this beauty – wish the photos did it justice. Gorgeous atomic/abstract/art swirl fabric in glossy and soft rayon. All hand-tailored. FAB!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
SUPER PHOTOS OF A RECENT FIND – KENNEDY ERA DRESS AND COAT ENSEMBLE
Isn’t this a beautiful set? Made by a Toronto dressmaker. I knew you’d want to see these improved pictures. More to come . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SPRING – SUMMER PLATFORM PUMPS
Navy leather pumps with a little bit of nautical-style trim, and modest platform soles. Chunky heels. 100% leather construction (of course!). Classic, classic, classic and built like a brick house. No wonder they’re still skipping the streets 70 years later!
Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
THIS WAS A SURPRISE 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
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 BRAND DOES THE ” ’80’S DOES ’40’S ” THING
Imagine my surprise (this is always SO much fun!) – I came across a true vintage label, Lady Carol, but in one of their 1980’s incarnations, before the company was sold for good. I have one of their 1950’s/early 1960’s frocks, which I love, but had never run across any of their later items before. Classic ’40’s style, but with ’80’s fabric and tailoring – they got in on the retro trend of that decade.
There are several old companies that are still in business, but they are just “modern” manufacturers now making modern styles in a modern way – I don’t pay attention to what they are doing. In this case, a true vintage dress by a true vintage maker (now gone) doing a specific true vintage fashion trend (Forties retro) was worth picking up.
It’s a bit too big for Madge (and moi), but in a style that is easy to alter. Just another example of the truth that when you’re on a sleuthing mission, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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