Again, something unusual that tickles my fancy! I think it tickled the original owner, too, and maybe her date . . .
I’ll show you tomorrow . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This really neat find comes out of the “I Love Lucy” era. The skirt is somewhat wider than it shows, but not a circle skirt – a bit more refined and subdued dressy shirtwaist style.
Whether it was commercially made or home-made, many of the tailoring details have been done by hand. The application of the trim in front is an intriguing conundrum – done partly by hand and partly by machine, in a mysterious manner that defies imagination.
The fabric is a rayon weave with a bit of gloss and body, rather than a fluid drape. It’s so interesting to explore the different fabric materials, weaves and finishes – especially from the era from pre- to post-WWII. Every era has it’s fabulous fabrics, but that time seems to have a lot of them.
I’ve really been on a roll here, and it continues. Keeping my spyglass on the trail . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Red, red, red! I’ve found several outstanding red items in the past little while – getting me in a Christmas mood a little early. This beautiful sweater was hand-knitted at a time when lots of women were still doing needlework on a regular basis.
In the favorite yarn of the time – mohair – maybe with some angora blended in. Every girl had to have a mohair sweater, usually knitted by herself, mom or grandmother. In this case the knitter put her own name at the neckline. I think that a few were commercially made, but I’ve rarely seen that.
The buttons are even cute – red plastic, with sailboats stamped on the front. The nautical theme has always been classic and popular for Spring and maybe says something about the person who wore this.
Anyway, I know I’ll be snuggling in it when I’m in the December holiday mood and right on through February . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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I love, love, love this one! Custom-tailored (probably at home), it’s got ’40’s design details and, of course, shoulder pads. Stella will absolutely flip!!!!!
The fabric is a kind of poly-type synthetic in a flower print. Signs are that it was made some time in the midst of WWII. Just a fun and practical frock to wear while she was carrying on with the day-to-day.
Best of all, it fits . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Another “new” find. That’s all you’ll be seeing for quite a while now!
This hat looks like a spring/summer model in pink and grey. I can’t say exactly how old it is, as the milliner may still be in business. But, it’s seen some wear (the veiling has some tears inside) and it was made to the standards of older hats with a liner, grosgrain ribbon inner band and little loops to catch pins in order to anchor the hat to your hair. The ornament would be worn in back.
The fabric feels like a rayon/poly-type blend and the veiling is very nice. My guess is that it’s “relatively new” (like within 10 – 20 – 30 years ago), but made with materials that are specially produced for “hatters” and that probably won’t make them mad unless they sniff too much adhesive.
Constructed to the traditional standards, for women who continue to prefer a hat for occasions such as church, weddings, funerals and such. I’m happy to see that, although not quite as wonderful as older, true vintage hats almost always are, it’s certainly a cut above what is usually made now. It’s only small, individually-owned shops that are run by someone who loves the art of millinery which produce hats of this caliber today.
Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween – my favorite holiday of the year . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This dress has a huge skirt that flows to mid-calf. The fabric feels like whipping cream pouring through your fingers. True vintage synthetics from the Forties are just indescribable – you have to see and feel them for yourself.
This day dress was custom-tailored at home, I would guess. The time frame is late 1940’s to early 1950’s. It will look so great on Stella.
It’s been a while since I discovered a true vintage frock from the Forties. This week I’ve found two! This is SO much fun!!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This is the most wonderful sheer flower-print blouse with big pirate sleeves!!! It’s so FLOWER POWER in the colors that were popular then.
All the telling tailoring signs of the time are there, too – the cut and the finishing details. Can’t wait to photograph it on Stella, who will give the style it’s correct shape.
But, the best shape is when I get to wear it! And, it’s just my size . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here’s a great picture of a Sixties blouse that would have been worn to a holiday party or a dance. Not my style, personally, but it’s so perfectly of that time and in such wonderful condition – how could I resist?
With buttons all the way up the back, a well-finished hem made to wear untucked over dress pants or a long skirt and that jabot-type flounce at the collar (SO ’60’s!), it’s another of those garments with British influence. Could work very well as part of a Halloween costume, too.
The maker’s label is even embroidered in gold thread. Someone took very good care of this top and kept it for special occasions. I’ve been really fortunate lately to find so many vintage blouses and shirts in outstanding condition! Often, these pieces are like slacks – they accumulate so much wear over the years with stains and tears that they’ll end up being discarded by the original owner.
But, thanks to the superior quality of true vintage clothing and the care many of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers took with their wardrobes, some of them are still out there to be discovered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Here’s a proper picture of the wonderful Fifties/Sixties blouse that I recently found in New Mexico. I’ll start getting into more seasonal items tomorrow, but this top could be worn any time of year with a jacket or sweater.
My favorite look would be to wear this with a pair of cigarette pants, and maybe a neckscarf or colorful costume necklace a’la 1950’s. Pencil skirt, pleated skirt, capris or shorts – any of those will look great. True vintage accessories are always important to spark a look like this one.
With regard to the style, I love cap sleeves, extended shoulders and bateau necklines – but the neatest thing is that it’s made to wear belted, with little loops sewn in the side seams. The original belt is, alas, missing but I think that it was a slim fabric tie. Easy to replace. For a dressier look, the buckle belt I’m showing in the photo works really well.
It’s just made for Madge’s figure, no? But, it looks pretty good on me, too . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Remember I said I’d show this one a bit later – very different from it’s fancier nylon cousins. I’m always thrilled to discover a true vintage one, because they aren’t common. Absolutely the best for wearing with summer dresses (or even as a nightgown). Some people wear them as dresses alone.
No one wants to smother in a nylon slip on hot days, no matter how gorgeous it is! But, many vintage and some modern dresses really need an undergarment like that in order to look their best. Smooth cotton will enhance the fit just as well as nylon or rayon, while being wonderfully comfortable.
This piece is short, too, compared to most of the slips of that era so that’s a plus. So pretty! I love the innocent style of the lace and embroidery decorations. So, even though it’s out of season here in North America, it’s another sleuthing success . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
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