IT’S STILL WAY COLD ENOUGH FOR THESE. BOTH ARE 1950’S TRUE VINTAGE. THE ONE ON THE RIGHT WAS FROM MY FAMILY. THERE’S HARDLY A MORE BEAUTIFUL FUR, THOUGH UNLESS I FIND A TRUE VINTAGE ITEM AT LEAST 60 YEARS OLD, I PREFER TO BUY IMITATION.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This is a really interesting find! A plain belted sheath dress with removable peplum. I encountered a photo several years ago that told me the year it was designed and the designer. I can’t remember the designer’s name – can anyone help out? It was a famous name that we all know.
This one was styled by Nellie Don, a company which made very reasonably-priced clothing items for women in America – not couture. Usually a year or two after styles came out in Paris they found their way into the U.S. one way or another. So, this dress would probably have hit the store racks in 1952 or 1953.
It’s made of an unremarkable heavy-ish fabric – some kind of cotton blend in an abstract print – with a center back metal zipper. But, it is an unusual length for that time – just a bit below the knee. The Paris trends would have told us when hems wer going up again!
I was quite surprised when I discovered it, hiding in an odd little shop, and it was a revelation when I noticed that photo! You really just never know . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This frock is sooo iconic late Sixties and in perfect condition! It’s Flower Power, British influence and Edwardian style. I’ll bet it was made for a Prom or Spring Fling dance. What a Blast from the Past!!!
Look at the sequence of iridescent buttons at the sleeves and the ruffled flounces. Sheer flocked flower design over a pink liner. Back in the day, it was usual to hire a seamstress to make these types of dresses or to make them at home unless the high school was in an expensive neighborhood.
It’s just so cute and tells such a typical story. It’s fun to know something about those times so that I can read the book very easily! Not sure what I’m going to do with this, but it was just too fun to pass up. It would make a really sweet short dress . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Even though it’s way too prissy for me, yes, I do love it. There’s a certain genre from that time that this frock fits right into; and, what could be better than a bright hollyberry-red dressy dress right about now? Below-the-knee length and just right for dancing.
Some women love the bow ties, ruffles and flouncy skirts, and why not? Sometimes I do, too. The long, sheer sleeves are pretty. Just depends . . . . . . But, regardless, this dress was just too perfect to pass up. It has many of the nice construction details that I appreciate in a quality garment and that are so characteristic of true vintage fashions.
So, Ho Ho Ho and all that. This one’s going to party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here is a collection of several vintage handbags for parties and semi-formal to formal occasions. The significant features of these are pave’ rhinestones on clasps, faux pearls, plush velvet, gold-finished leather, double-sided box construction and a telescoping convertible handle.
Though tons of retro-style purses are made now, a true vintage one will have features that put it above the crowd. Anyone who knows, will realize that you are carrying something special.
These purses are from the Fifties and Sixties. They are simple, but of quality design and construction. A keen eye can spot the difference in materials and style elements.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This dress is regal and majestic. The material is a heavy rayon with sheen – almost satin. It has black beaded designs around the neckline and each sleeve.
It’s an example of the design introduced by Christian Dior in 1947, I believe, called the “New Look” because it was so different from the severe, short and relatively plain clothing that women wore during WWII in order to conserve resources. Tiny waists, long skirts, luxurious material and extravagant decoration were “in” again.
Enough history lesson! It’s just a beautiful, feminine and stunning dress. The original owner had shortened it by 2 – 3 inches, so it was definitely mid-calf length when new. Fortunately, she didn’t cut off any material, so it could be let down again.
This is certainly something that you might wear to see the Queen, or the King, or the President or just your favorite prince . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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This frock is in black crepe, with sheer netting on the bodice to give the illusion of a bare neckline. I have seen this feature on one other dress of mine – demure, yet stunning. Where the decoration begins, it is also lined. The shape skims the body and the whole effect is very flattering.
These dresses have side zippers or unusual back zippers which open only about a foot in the middle of the back, but don’t come to the top of the neck. I’ve seen this on ’40’s dresses only. It allows you to wiggle into the dress over your head but no hope if it’s too small for you! There’s no way that Madge could get into it, so I’ll have to re-photograph it on Stella some time.
Anyway, it’s beautiful and you can probably picture it. Perfect for dining and dancing, or even a dressy movie date. Put this beauty on and you just never know . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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This is a timeless, year-round-wearable black crepe dress with a full rayon acetate lining. The decorative band at the bottom is of alternating iridescent and black sequins. It has a vintage nylon zipper in back..
By Carol Craig, a popular maker of the ’50s and ’60s, this dress in classic black crepe can be worn all year long. The simple A-line style suits almost any figure and is form-fitting enough to be very attractive while not overly tight. So, anywhere that sleeveless dresses are considered acceptable, so would this dress be. Pretty versatile!
What sets this apart from the tons of black crepe dresses from the 80s, 90s and 2000s that are out there? 1. the fabric (a little heavier) 2. the lining (full – nice material) 3. the workmanship (zipper put in very well, no loose threads everywhere, small hooks and eyes in the right places) 4. the design (the sequin band at bottom is different and nicer than glitzy trims on most things now)
A dress of this quality today (and a lot of them not nearly as nice) would cost an arm and a leg, but my purse is full of songs! I never know what I’ll find or exactly where, but that’s half the fun!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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A relatively rare find, early ’60s pumps a lot like the ones my grandmother wore in 1963. I was surprised to see the metallic finish, but these are definitely true vintage. I’m not sure if they are patent leather or not – the soles are man-made but the insoles are part leather. Just enough of the markings are left, as well as the appearance overall, to show that they are at least 50 years old, though in excellent condition!
They are almost a perfect color match for the dress which I just posted, and would look very good with it. They were another surprise find, which completely delighted me.
As always, you just never know . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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Isn’t this an absolutely stunning color? Combine that with the sophisticated tailoring, elegant simplicity and gorgeous fit and we have an incomparable dress that rivals anything available today. In my opinion, it wins hands-down on quality and unique design.
Heavy taffeta like this almost has a presence of its own when the wearer walks into a room. In spite of the color, this is not a flashy dress but it will draw many eyes to it.
Although it has no maker’s label inside, I am sure that it was made by a clothing company rather than by an individual seamstress. The tailoring details are complex in the bodice and achieves the excellent and eye-catching fit.
Where would you wear this? – a party, dance, dinner, special event – it would even make a great part of a bridal group. Jewelry? – rhinestones, pearls, the real thing. Nothing too flashy or “too much”, but this dress can support something outstanding!
Shoes? I favor a pair in the same color, with your jewelry accents taking the attention. At another time, in another place I found a pair from the same era that coordinates perfectly – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
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