Tag Archives: Sixties

McCALL’S NEEDLEWORK SPRING CARDIGANS FROM 1961

IMG_1086IMG_1087IMG_1088IMG_1089     Dig the hairstyles, too.  Now that Christmas and New Year’s celebrations were over, women in 1961 turned their attention to Spring and travel styles, as well as Prom & Easter.

With the crazy weather, we’re also thinking of flowers and sunny colors.  Although our grandmothers and great-grandmothers thought about new needlework projects  in their spare time, it’s still FASHION, and we continue to think about it now, but in different ways (what’s on my favorite Internet site?).

in 1961, the subscribers to McCall’s Needlework and Crafts magazine looked forward to these styles.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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NEW FIND! KENNEDY ERA MIDRIFF BLOUSE BY MISS VOGUE CALIFORNIA

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So rare!  A blouse from sixty years back, in exceptional condition.  I just love these mid-century blouses that are basically proper, but show just a little bit of waistline when you bend or reach up.  With a sporty skirt, cigarette pants, capri’s or shorts it’s a classic sexy look for summer.

Hard to see in the photo, but there’s a V cut in the front neckline which is a great little design feature.  Buttons up the back.  Clothing from California makers has always been trend-setting and attractive in a sporty way.   Such a thrill to find it – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

MOD TRUE VINTAGE SHEATH DRESS IN TRAFFIC – SIGN COLORS

IMG_1052     Sticking with up-scale day frocks and moving forward a couple of decades,  look at this fabulous late Sixties frock!  These were iconic color combinations from that time.

This size 10 dress on x-small Stella is a good clue to it’s era.  The fabric is a glossy rayon & linen blend – a bit dressy, with a nice drape.  A pretty day-time sheath with a bit of attitude.

No matter the time of year, the hunt continues and you just never know. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

RARE ONCE AGAIN – 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S MEN’S KNIT POLO SHIRT

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Just LOVE finding these knitwear items that have been so well-preserved for 50 – 60 years!!  Unusual finds are always tons of fun.

This shirt was made by a Sears, Roebuck & Co. brand that quit producing in the early 1960’s.  Very nicely tailored, with a longer tail (prevents embarrassing views that are all too common today).  Hard-to-see in this photo, but the sleeves are a ribbed knit contrast to the flat knit of the body.

These older things all have features and stories to tell that keep revealing themselves.  The star item of my recent adventures is coming up tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE DISCOVERIES – MEN’S 1960’S MOD COTTON SHIRT

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Going backward in time – Heavy cotton, “designer” style Sixties shirt for the Mad Men Mod Man.  Nicely tailored.  Unworn perfect condition – what could be better?

This is a very unusual fabric, with an embroidered stripe design, made to wear un-tucked, with large pearlized buttons.  Just the kind of “dandy-ish” garb that was popular for men in the mid-to-late 1960’s.  Perfect with a pair of white bell-bottoms.

More men’s tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

RARE 1960’s CATALINA WOMEN’S CLASSIC GOLF CARDIGAN

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It’s unusual to find a woman’s golf sweater – very mid-century sporty.  Love the turquoise color.  I’m not sure yet whether this knit is of acrylic or wool – there are no tags for content or care.  Regardless, I’ll get a lot of use from this one!

It’s got classic design features like the little front pockets (that are still stitched closed!) and 2-button trim on each side seam at the waist.  Of course, an embroidered cloth label giving the size in inches.

Fun, fun, fun!  I’ve got some men’s clothing to show you, too . . . . . . . . …  . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEW FIND!! MID-CENTURY LINGERIE WRAPPER FROM WOOLWORTH’S

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This mid-century wrapper, robe, housecoat, house dress was originally sold at Woolworths dime-store chain, probably in the 1960’s, in Great Britain or Australia – though I wasn’t in any of those places when I found it.  FUN!!!  I love, love, love housecoats and this one’s story was intriguing to sort out.

In a long wrap style, it’s definitely not for wearing into town but is very flattering and comfy.  The large size is somewhat forgiving due to the design, so I’ll enjoy it.  The tiny wallpaper print is similar to some of the fabrics shown from the antique quilt I just found and showed a couple of days ago.  However, this material is a cotton/poly blend, so made at a later time when easy-care fabrics were more common than pure cotton.

An interesting find, and one that I’ll wear a lot.  Tomorrow we’ll move ahead in time by another 15 – 20 years to more fun finds that I’ll love wearing . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LATEST DISCOVERY: MID-CENTURY LADIES BLOUSE – SO RARE!

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I just LOVE classic mid-century blouses with roll-up sleeves and wing collars!  It’s so unusual to find one in good condition.  This one even has pretty sculpted buttons with a star in the center.  Although it’s barely visible in the photo, there’s even a line of fine embroidery in a contrasting green on the seams in the front placket.

The fabric is also do die for – not sure whether it’s a cotton or rayon because the hand is very smooth.  This shirt is very finely tailored, with all kinds of extra-quality touches on a simple, everyday garment.  Well, that’s just how it goes with true vintage clothing – there’s nothing better.

Almost missed it – but when you’ve got the eye for the subtleties, things turn up.  What will be next? –  you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG;  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LATEST NEW FIND! MAD MOD 1960’S DAY DRESS IN A FUN, FLIPPY STYLE

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Another home-sewn frock, this time for school or work.  The spots are just from the camera and a little water at the hem – the condition is WONDERFUL!   Thanks for bearing with me in the less-than-ideal publishing conditions.  Can’t wait to put it on Stella or Giselle for a really good presentation.

Soft knit fabric with embroidered ribbon – such a popular trimming at that mid-century time.  Dolman sleeves and a flared hem – pretty style!  It all screams late 1960’s and was another at-home creation that captured some girl’s imagination back in the day.  Most of us get a thrill from shopping, but can you imagine the step-by-step anticipation and excitement of watching a custom-designed frock come together?  Back in the Sixties and before, that’s what a lot of women experienced.

So, I’ve been from classy designers’ elegant designs to stitching on the dining room table in less than two weeks.  What’s coming next?  You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

UPTOWN MOD GIRL FROM THE 1960’S – TRUE VINTAGE IN THE CITY

IMG_0287UPTOWN MOD GIRL FROM THE 1960'S - TRUE VINTAGE IN THE CITY

Here’s something THAT GIRL Marlo Thomas might have worn in her city life. Cute and sophisticated – that’s the feel lots of fashions had at that time. We were breaking away from the traditional.

This one is of a beautiful glossy woven rayon, but not at all like those luscious crepey ones from the 1940’s. It’s perky and substantial.

Classic style, with a mandarin collar, which were very popular then. The rhinestone buttons at the waist let you know that this is a garment with some status.

The tailoring is more or less what you would encounter today, though the hem is done more nicely – with hem tape – and is about 2″ deep. We hardly see that anymore, nor a hem that is nicely finished.

This is, overall, just a really well-made dress that a woman with very good taste might wear to a swanky party or out to dinner. But, don’t try to go incognito in this one . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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