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SWEET TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – ’50’S COTTON DAY DRESS – END OF SUMMER COLORS

SWEET 1940'S - '50'S COTTON DAY DRESS - END OF SUMMER COLORS

This cute little dress is just so back-to-school in it’s looks!  It’s a little small on Madge, so I’m guessing it was a girl’s, but the average woman was tiny by today’s standards.  Almost every woman  wore something similar on a daily basis back in the day.

It’s a lovely cotton with woven-in plaid – maybe made at home.  The style is typical shirtwaist, excepting for a ruffle that goes all the way around at hip level. Maybe this was someone’s idea of adding something original to their creation.  It’s not a peplum, so . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

maybe the piece of fabric was too short and the tailor wanted to dress up the seam that had to go there.  I have found many home-sewn garments that tell stories about shortage of materials or mistakes, especially from the times when the Depression or World War was changing everyone’s lives .

Such a treat to find pretty vintage fashion that  also tells something about  history . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION

1950’S – EARLY 1960’S RETRO FROCK – A MODERN EXCEPTION TO THE RULE (SORT OF – a little rant about tailoring and quality)

IMG_1271 IMG_1272Here’s a modern dress by Kim Rogers brand, made in Vietnam.  For several reasons, I must point it out as an example of a rare exception to the rule that true vintage clothing is always superior to recently-made fashions.  I was drawn to it immediately because of the nicely designed retro style and the almost-vintage look and feel of the fabric.  The construction is very good, too.

Note the photo of little keepers at the shoulders for bra or slip straps – it’s a wonderful feature that I treasure in my true vintage pieces.  These haven’t been common in dresses for decades!   Also, it’s fully lined.   Asian dressmakers have done superb couture for ages, so it doesn’t surprise me that the workmanship on this garment is excellent.

What might also be considered a plus by modern women is that the fabric is 100% polyester. ” Ick!”  you say, “sleazy and hot”;  but it can be washed in a machine, with care, and drip-dried. (preferably a modern machine that has a hand-wash cycle and doesn’t agitate back and forth).  It’s also amazing what sorts of finishes can be made with polyester – sometimes it’s a really good appearance mimic for real silk, rayon or  even linen.  But, of course, not in terms of their other qualities – looks aren’t everything . . . . .

So, that gets us down to the real nitty-gritty.  Do you really want to wear a summer sundress made of polyester, when you’re trying to stay cool and looking your very best at an event or on a date?  Do you want the zipper on your dress to very obviously announce to anyone who has any fashion savvy that  “No, this is NOT a true vintage dress – just a retro fake”.  And, horror of all horrors, do you want to walk into the party and see another woman dressed just like you?

Thus, a very respectful nod to this clothing company for their care and attention to detail and  style, at least where this dress is concerned.  When I’m traveling and wouldn’t want to subject any of my authentic vintage treasures to threats of loss or damage, I’ll certainly take it and wear it inside or when the weather is mild.  It’s nice to see a manufacturer that cares about some of the finer points of good quality any time – especially in this age of cheaper-is-better.

BUT, all things considered, give me a quality true vintage garment over a modern one no matter what . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

SUNNY YELLOW TRUE VINTAGE 1960’s SUMMER SUNDRESS

SUNNY YELLOW SIXTIES SUMMER SUNDRESS

Classic cotton summer sundress in lemonade yellow – this is a Sixties frock with the cute bodice detail that is so common on vintage dresses. . . . . as well as the belted wasp waist.

Yellow and white are so Summery.  It’s wonderful to be out and about again!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS FIND!!! 1940’S – 1950’S COTTON CIRCLE SKIRT DRESS

A dream find for any vintage-hunter!  Love this pretty day-dress so much.  It needed some TLC with stains from storage, but I was up to the challenge.  Beautiful decoration and comfy cotton; it’s the perfect summer frock.

Imagine this kind of intricate stitchery on an everyday dress today – even similar-looking examples are only cheap imitations of what used to be the standard of quality back in the day.  More newly-discovered treasures are coming – we’ve only just begun . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

IT’S SO MUCH FUN!! HOME-SEWN DAY DRESSES FROM THE 1960’S

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More custom-tailored stories coming my way – this cute cotton summer frock practically lets me follow the seamstress’s journey as she made this dress for herself.  It’s so fun to think of a girl or woman, way back in the day, going to the fabric store and finding a pattern she loves – picking the material she wants and using her sewing skills learned in Home Ec class and the dreams in her imagination to create a dress that she’ll love to wear.

Wish Stella were here to model it for me, but if you know anything about sewing, all the details of this dress make it crystal clear.  Although I love finding gorgeous designer frocks from the 1940’s, Fifties and before, a simple homemade garment is one of the sweetest surprises. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A VERY PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE DRESS, HOME-SEWN IN THE 1950’S

A VERY PRETTY TRUE VINTAGE DRESS, HOME-SEWN IN THE 1950'S

Another favorite, the ’50s styles with nipped waists.  Love ’em! – who doesn’t – they’ve remained a fashion favorite for many years and a style that keeps on repeating itself.  The bateau neckline is also a favorite – SO flattering.  I call it a summer dress, but the cotton material is heavy, so it’s perfect to wear almost all year.

The skirt on this one has a bell shape, too – an unusual feature that is somewhat unique.  This dress was custom-tailored and the construction is very unusual. I’ve never seen anything like it.  Although it zips up the back, there is also an inner bodice that hooks together.  It may have been the design of the woman who sewed it – in place of a bra(?)

Sometimes you’ll find a garment like this that is as interesting on the inside as it is on the outside.  The tailoring details can sometimes be elaborate, even on commercially-made items.  Not to mention what seamstresses can come up with on their own when they’re being creative –

I actually bought this at a shop, which is unusual for me.  There are lots of great ones that I have visited and included in my book references – no better place to see a collection of wonderful things in one spot and get the wisdom of the owner’s knowledge.  It pays to know all the different types of places where true vintage likes to hide – because you just never know .. . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

FLORIDA FEET!

FLORIDA FEET!

Gotta have for summer!  Original vintage low-heeled pumps found in the Miami area. From the late Sixties – early Seventies. One pair more casual, one pair a bit dressy.
Both a little bit mod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1960s – 1970s PATIO HOSTESS GOWN

TRUE VINTAGE 1960s - 1970s PATIO HOSTESS GOWN

Now that the weather hotter and sunnier we’re all thinking (or dreaming), of outdoor activities.  The idea of giving or going to casual parties (and what to wear) is all part of it.

In the early 1960’s patios and “patio parties” became the big rage.  People built patios onto their houses like crazy and all kinds of decorative lighting, furniture and dinnerware were sold especially for hosting these gatherings of neighbors and friends.

Hostess gowns in very casual styles and materials were all part of this wave, and they persisted into the mid-1970s.  Of course, long casual dresses have been around for a long time and still are, but the “hostess gown” is kind of a separate breed.

This one is typical.  Most of the earlier ones had a defined waist and, often, a belt.  They are a floor-length style that would also look good as a knee-length dress (hint-hint: if you find one you like but don’t want a gown, think about shortening it to a day dress).

I just love finding these dresses.  They really say summer fun in a very true vintage way. Get out the Tiki lanterns and the barbecue grill and have a blast!  If your patio is big enough, don’t forget the cha-cha and bossa nova records.  The girl from Ipanema might show up – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

“NEW” FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – 1970’S HALTER SUNDRESS BY PARADE – NEW YORK

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This little beauty has such a wonderful fit, because it’s adjustable!  The neckline and waist closures are so unique – wrapping straps that hook like a belt, with several holes to choose from.  Never seen one like this before!

I just love discovering these interesting and unusual tailoring and design details.  In this example, it’s so ingenious yet so simple.  A bit confusing at first look, but makes perfect sense and works beautifully.

The fabric and the fit are ultra-flattering and so cool and carefree for summer.  It’s a high-quality construction by a well-known, if smallish, vintage clothing maker and in perfect condition.  Sweet!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST FOUND – 1960’s MOD PLUS SIZE SUMMER DRESS BY MYNETTE

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This is also a true vintage brand that I already own – so fun to find things by names that I know.  It’s a vintage 16, which was a plus size at that time, but still looks pretty cute on Stella.

Plain and everyday, but still worth picking up, to me.  All part of the vintage sleuthing craft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM