AUTHENTIC LATE 1960’S CUSTOM-TAILORED HOUSE-DRESS

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Very simple, but with the 1960’s bona-fides.  This fabric can’t be found today, no matter that some modern materials may be lookalikes at a glance.  Maybe some girl made this as a first project for Home-Ec class, though whoever it was did a pretty good job.  Not fancy; no bells and whistles, but sturdy, useful and very cute.

The elastic neckline is still stretchy and there are no stains, so someone stored this for a long time and didn’t use the heck out of it.  It’s our good fortune that many great true vintage garments were cared for this way by our moms and grandmothers, let alone the generations before.  Our current throw-away culture has played havoc with the quality of items that we can buy as well as any encouragement to keep things.  However, prices just keep going up and up out of all proportion.

Well, la-dee-da  –  not so much of a problem for the Magicvintagespy.  Wonder what’s next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

 

MYSTERY PATIO HOSTESS GOWN WITH SUCH INTERESTING BACKGROUND . . . .

Long, sweeping gown in a beautiful, heavy cotton(?) – the photo on left shows the cut while the photo on right gives the true color and close-up of the interesting print.  This dress has many construction contradictions; some point to 1940’s and some to 1960’s.  Undoubtedly, it was custom-tailored.

Maybe our mid-century tailor was very experienced and knew how to use various methods to achieve exactly the slinky, hourglass fit she wanted.  The bell sleeves and commercial braid trim say 1960’s but the mid-back zipper placement, dip in the front waistline and fabulous art print fabric say 1940’s.  Looks like a film noir hostess gown.    I love a mystery!

Anyway, it’s an absolute beauty and fits me like a glove.  Dresses with the zipper placed mid-back are always a trick to get into and out of – pays to understand the method.  However, when the fit is right and the construction good, it’s a snap.  Tomorrow I’ll show you a cute shift with a clear Sixties pedigree.  Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A CACHE OF TRUE VINTAGE LINGERIE FINDS: TREASURE WORTH SAFE-KEEPING

I came across a whole bunch of classic nylon sleepwear pieces that are ALWAYS worth adding to your collection – even if you already have several.  My rationale? :

1. if you’ve never slept in mid-century nylon pj’s or gowns (just about 1950’s to very early 1970’s), you don’t know what you’re missing!  There is nothing (including silk) that is more comfortable as well as practical in bed and for lounging.  They add warmth and are also cool, plus luxuriously smooth and soft.  The fit is forgiving.  2.  well-made and classically stylish, you won’t find anything equal in modern garments.  3.  often you may find single pieces – these are great for matching later, with an identical or similar mate, or as an accessory, such as the black sleeveless cape pictured above.  I plan to wear it over a black nightgown.

Not to forget, photo 3 is of a satin storage bag I discovered.  These have been staple pieces in women’s undie drawers and storage chests for decades.  Not sure if they are still being made to the same standard, but this one is great.  Pretty peachy pink and brown in the classic style with inner pocket and fold-over styling, plus ribbon closure ties.  Nothing is better for keeping hosiery and delicate garments safe from snags and dust.  Grab these, too, whenever you see one.  A girl can never have too many . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

BEAUTIFULLY-TAILORED MID-CENTURY JACKET – A GORGEOUS PIECE FOR MY BASIC VINTAGE WARDROBE

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What a smart and well-made garment!  If it weren’t for the Ladies Garment Workers label, I might have wondered if it had been made in Paris.  Classic true navy/white check with a full rayon lining, little pockets and heavy sculpted buttons.  A tailor”s snap holds the front in place below the neckline.  Close fit, with a high hip hemline that will be perfect with a shell blouse and pencil skirt or slim pants – or even over a fitted sheath dress.

Yes, it needs a professional steaming to re-block the shape and re-align the lining and a little seam repair inside.  No big deal!  I can probably do that myself, but it would be a minor expense to have it done for me.   Sigh.  LOVE beautiful jackets.  What’s next? . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

AN ELEGANTLY-TAILORED BOHO FORMAL FROM THE LATE 1960’S (IS THAT AN OXYMORON?)

via AN ELEGANTLY-TAILORED BOHO FORMAL FROM THE LATE 1960’S (IS THAT AN OXYMORON?)

FABULOUS MID-CENTURY COCKTAIL OUTFIT

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No, it’s not a dress for Siamese elephants – this is a first-ever-seen hostess/cocktail one-piece “thing” with embroidered and sequined mesh over lined satin pants and bodice.  Not exactly a jumpsuit, though it has those elements.  I’m going to say early 1960’s, but it could be earlier.

This is a well-tailored garment with long panels front and back which are completely open at the sides.  The upper part of the bodice is lined with flesh-tone mesh, also.  Extremely well-made, with two labels – the brand and the store which sold it.

To be worn with a pair of black sandals or mules and, of course, diamonds . . . . . . . . . . . . .

More to come.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

PRETTY MID-CENTURY LINGERIE FINDS

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I know, I know, I know.  I’ve collected a ton of vintage slips, etc., but these are beautiful and to some degree unusual.  The full slips are really old ones (early 1950’s or before) and are delicious to wear under dresses but they both are opaque enough and styled right to be worn as little dresses themselves.  As long as your bra and panties are correct for the look, they can be flirty sundresses or club-wear.

I NEVER get tired of these . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A VERY UNUSUAL TRUE VINTAGE STATEMENT DRESS!

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I have dresses and a couple of coats trimmed with fur on the sleeves and a a couple of coats with fur around the hems but this is my first find of a dressy dress with this kind of trim.  Made in a 1950’s style, but I think it is from the 1970’s (maybe the 1960’s).  How unusual!

Very much of-the-season in perfect plush velvet for all the holiday party activities that about to crowd our calendars.  What an entrance I’d make to an evening Thanksgiving dinner.   Hmmm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WHAT A FUN LITTLE 1950’S – EARLY ’60’S COTTON DAY DRESS

I always love these frocks, but what makes this one so extra-wonderful? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Take a close-up look at the print – the little illustrations are all characters from the Alice in Wonderland tale.  How cool!

More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MADE FOR A BOND GIRL? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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The most interesting dress – by Lawrence Kazar  New York and it looks like a “daring” mid-’60’s design to me, but may be 1980’s as I can’t find any earlier history on this designer.  The fit is slinky and small but the armholes are cut very low and it’s styled to wear without a bra.  That’s a trick to do effectively but this design succeeds.  If your dimensions are right, it’s a knockout!!

Besides the bra-less top, the most distinctive feature is the peek-a-boo waistline which was sometimes seen around 1965 or so.  It’s very nicely tailored and such a gorgeous color.  So, Mod or Dynasty, I really couldn’t care less.  Oh, James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM