Tag Archives: shoppng tips

BEAUTIFUL SCOTTISH WORSTED WOOL POST-WAR SKIRT SUIT

This is a magnificent find, with all the beautiful tailoring details that I love on post-war suits and dresses.  Notice the notched cuffs, fabric-covered buttons, interesting pocket treatment, back belt, button trim, interesting collar lapels with little embroidered detail and, of course, the fabulous fitted shape.

It’s worth every minute I’ll spend on altering the size to fit me (a simple job, in spite of the professional tailoring).  No need to hire this job out, which is an extra bonus.  Someone loved it very much over the years.  Just one little, tiny moth nibble on the back of a sleeve and, otherwise, no damage or noticeable wear.  Another mother-lode treasure!  And, as always, for a mere pittance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ELEGANT 1980’s DOES 1940’s BLACK DINNER DRESS

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Although I’d much rather wear one of my real 1940’s crepe dresses, this one has some nice styling touches.  It’s one of the better ’80’s does ’40’s designs I’ve seen.  Please forgive that it is a couple sizes too large for Stella.

The augmented shoulders are done well and the whole dress drapes nicely.  The back neckline has a keyhole opening that does away with the need for an ugly back zipper.      I like the sheer sleeves, too, and the sheer overlay on the skirt.  These features were frequently seen on similar dresses made in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Though you can’t see them because of the blouson, there are tabs at each side of the waist that add a nice touch to the design and allow the wearer to adjust the fit – another plus, as far as I’m concerned.

So, rather than being an obviously hop-on-the-fashion-bandwagon retro dress, this frock is simply a well-designed garment with some classic styling elements that make it elegant in any decade.  That’s always the best of the best, no matter when it was made.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HERE’S A BETTER FIND – A 1950’S -’60’S SLINKY KNIT HOUSEDRESS IN A FABULOUS PRINT

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Love, love, love the graphics here!  Although this dress was never more than a lower-end bargain fashion, the style and construction testify to the superior quality and value of  garments made several decades ago.  I’ll enjoy wearing this one, but I’ll take special care of it, too.

The label is no longer legible, so I’m not sure of the exact fabric content or the brand name.  Also, the original belt is missing, which was probably a tie belt.  Like many of the knits back in the day, it has a really nice feel and hangs and drapes beautifully.  I like this shiny buckle belt now – dresses it up a bit.

Keep on watching, because it only gets better . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

THREE PRETTY MID-CENTURY HOUSE DRESSES

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Two of these were handmade and the third is a simple style from a bargain shop, sometime in the Sixties or Seventies.  I can never get enough of these cute cotton frocks because they are so practical – from housework to a grocery run they’re just right for the job.

It’s fun to put out a vintage vibe while doing the everyday this and that with no worries about special caution for your outfit.  Dresses like this can serve me well and eventually be retired with no tears.

So, although not a hugely exciting find it’s one that always makes me happy and keeps my everyday closet well-stocked.  I’d much rather wear one of these dresses on an average day than a same old same old jeans and Tee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

I’M OFF TO OLD CHINATOWN

Finding this dress was a real sleuthing success!  I’d been hunting for a vintage silk Cheongsam  style in my size for years, then uncovered this one at a teeny, teeny price.  The original color was a yellowy beige and there were several brown stains and a little rip near the hem.  But –

The Magicvintagespy knows what to do.  So, I mixed a couple of dye colors that I had leftover from another job and expected to have a soft, neutral brown.  Instead, I got this WONDERFUL lavender/bronze color!  LOVE IT!!!  The stains are history and the hem needed raising anyway et voila’.

The moral :  Put out the vibes and never give up.  KNOW YOUR STUFF, and the perfect find will materialize in your wardrobe.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FUN, FUN SUMMER FINDS TODAY!

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Just found a trove of custom-tailored summer fashions, plus some accessory goodies.  Wow, posts are going to be up to mid-December now so, stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS FUN FALL FIND TODAY – TRUE VINTAGE 1970’S JUMPSUIT!

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Another nod to the 1940’s, 1970’s style.  Cool!  I’ll have so much fun wearing this one, right away!  Lovely knit with covered buttons on the cuffs – although it was a mid-priced item, it’s still been well-made by the fabulous Ladies Garment Workers Union.

Just the right weight for the transitional weather that we’re about to step into and perfect Autumn colors.  I’m looking forward to a Labor Day weekend music & beer party in a few days but, I think I’ll wear one of my mid-century Mexican skirts this time – just because.  These fabulous jumpsuits only have one little drawback . . . . . . . . . . . .  In spite of the similarities with cat burglar leotards, not good for sleuthing in, either . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

LATEST FIND – A LOVELY LACE BEADED DRESS FROM THE EARLY 1960’S . . . . . . .

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About 4 – 5 sizes too big for Stella, but it has to be shown on a model because of the swishy skirt and the way it drapes.  Lace overlay was very popular in the Kennedy era and much more nicely-done than the cheap versions we’ve seen lately.  The fabric is glossy substantial, and there are pearl bead accents sewn all over.

Another great part of the design is the way that the back swoops toward the waist.  So, it’s not a drop-your-champagne-glass-when-you-see-it type of frock but it’s a lovely, classicaly-tailored garment that was worth collecting (and a design that is easy to alter!). .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LOVE IT! CUTE TAILORED 2 PIECE DRESS FROM THE SIXTIES – SEVENTIES

Lovely late-mid-century tailoring.  Picture this dress on a shorter model – it’s not supposed to be midriff-baring.  I love this nautical flair in dark navy and white, with asymetrical back and side buttons on the top.  Such an unusual design!

It’s cute and sassy while also being elegant.  That’s the best type of vintage design in smart casual wear.  They used to do it so well . . . . . . . . . . . .

I was super-happy to encounter this set.  Unusual pieces always give me a thrill.  So, wait till you see what I discovered next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HERE’S MY LATEST RETRO 1940’S JUMPSUIT

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1980’s true-to-the-Forties retro New Wave styling.  Fun club and party-wear.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM