Tag Archives: Spring

1960’s HAYMAKER BLAZER – PREPPY GOES LEISURE

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Yes, even the elegant Haymaker label which used to make better-quality sportswear in the Fifties got into the boxy leisure-suit styling by the mid-Sixties.  This one’s a tiny size 10 (unbelievable!) and you can see that it’s still very well-made.

So, that’s why it is collectible – for the label and the company’s history.  Otherwise, it’s just a good example of fashion trends gone wrong and the slow demise of high-quality and elegant clothing construction which was beginning about the time this jacket was made.

Sigh.   However, that situation does make my adventures all the more fun . .. . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A FUN 1960’S FIND TODAY

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Not a big day on the treasure hunt, but still a time for FUN.  This custom-tailored Sixties blouse is all that these separates used to be!

Made from textured poly flower-power print fabric in the blue-green color combo that was really popular for a while during that decade.  It has a scalloped hem in front (look carefully and you can see) and an almost full-length metal zipper in back.

Although a lot of the mid-century garments are fairly plain in their design and, especially some that were made at home – there are almost always little design touches or tailoring details that betray their well-bred and elegant background.  Most clothing made during this time still reflected the superior tailoring that was the norm in previous decades.

So, we see a bit of this evidence in the example of this blouse.  Sometimes (often) I have to give respect to the simplest true vintage clothing because of the care with which it was constructed.  Wonder what I’ll find the next time I go hunting . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE TRUE VINTAGE 1960 FINDS IN NAUTICAL COLORS

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Here are 3 of my finds from yesterday.  Remember the blouse from a few days ago and how I was talking about the traditional popularity of nautical colors for Spring?  Well, here they are again!

The navy and white items were commercially-made and the red polka dot blouse was custom-tailored.  Vintage zipper and buttons are fun.  The fit is always superior.

Fortunately, I can wear them all and, though they need to be cleaned, that’s no big deal.  At the prices I pay in the odd places I find these treasures, any laundering or repair costs are nothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SMART EVERYDAY 1960’S BLOUSE BY RHODA LEE

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Nothing way special about this shirt, but the mid-century cut and fit are very nice.  I picked it up because of that, and the true navy/white stripes – perfect for Spring!  I love separates with a nautical feel for February – April and nothing could be more classic.  That style and color combo shows up decade after decade.

With a pair of sailor pants or a pleated skirt, it’s a very cute look.  Lots of versatility for this elegant style, with nice tailoring.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS RETRO ’20’S,’30’S,’40’S ERA DRESS RE-MAKE – S0000 SEXY!

IMG_1058     Here’s a lovely retro frock from my collection.

It’s a beautiful re-creation of an early 1900’s up-scale day dress style.  Wonderful rayon-type fabric, cut on the bias with all the figure-following qualities that has and very well-tailored.  Designers from those early decades really knew how to enhance the figure and the designer of this one (no tag or label) – probably from 1980 – 2000 – did a wonderful job of imitating their style.

I prefer true vintage and don’t usually wear a lot of retro, but this frock was too good to pass by. It’s a sheer dress with it’s own rayon slip underneath.  The long necktie that wraps around as a belt is perfect.  Of course, it’s also my size . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS CIRCA 1930s TO 1940s

ANOTHER TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS CIRCA 1930s TO 1940s

This dress is very intriguing to me.

I strongly suspect that this frock was custom tailored; very well done. Putting in all the lace edging is not easily accomplished by someone who is not a good seamstress..

The buttons are also very interesting. They are delicate, lacy and iridescent, though I feel sure that they are not made of mother of pearl. They seem to be a plastic of some kind – or possibly celluloid. The belt was made to have a slide-through buckle, which is missing. I have 2 or 3 that could replace it beautifully – another reason to collect these things when you can.

The material is a floral print and has a feel which makes me question exactly what it is made of. It doesn’t swing like the rayon dress shown yesterday, but it’s not a plain old cotton either. Hmmm . . . . . . . . .

These are some of the mystifying clues that make finding true vintage fashion so much fun. Plus, it’s a wonderful dress!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

1950s WESTERN-WEAR LADIES’ SUEDE LEATHER JACKET

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This jacket was a great find! It wasn’t  really high-end in it’s time, but it is nicely made and in excellent vintage condition.

Western-wear is classic and always comes back into fashion, but . . . .  the true vintage pieces are, I find, the best when it comes to styling and workmanship.

I was so fortunate to discover this one, which even had some additional matching fringe with it – just in case.  Although it is intact as is, having extra original fabric or buttons, etc. is such a blessing, and rare!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

1940’s WESTERN-MADE PIG SUEDE JACKET

1940s Western-made Pig Suede Jacket

I love this one so much!  Beautiful, soft suede in a luscious red.  As always, wonderfully tailored – great buttons, lovely lining, nifty, elegant style.  Forties shoulders are always a favorite of mine.

This one was originally purchased at the Holiday House in Estes Park, Colorado (also in Scottsdale, Arizona).  I have found many more wonderful leather and suede jackets in my vintage-hunting expeditions, and always at great prices.

It pays to be a magicvintagespy!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S WESTERN-WEAR LEATHER JACKET FOR FALL

True Vintage Leatherwear

Beautiful true vintage western-wear jacket from the 1950s/early ’60s. Notice the superb workmanship and tailoring (even though it would look best on a size 4 model rather than size 6).

I LOVE the older leather items made in the American west, or in Mexico and Europe.  So beautiful!  Forgive me if your country has made wonderful leather items, too, and I have not mentioned you here.

The materials are of high quality and have enabled it to last for 50 years with very little sign of wear.  Find a jacket of this type and enjoy it for life!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LADY-LIKE & ELEGANT – TRUE VINTAGE DAY DRESS FROM THE 1960’S

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Back in the mid to late Sixties, while all the Mod stuff was going on, women with more traditional tastes wore beautiful frocks like this one.  Many day dresses were still true to the history of elegant styling, lovely fabrics and excellent tailoring.  This one is by ALGO, a mid- to higher-priced line of dresses that originated in the U.S. and also became popular in Canada.

For example, this fabric is some kind of  a rayon blend with alternating shadow stripes of nubby weave and satiny sheen.  The color is not for me and it’s also too large, but I couldn’t pass it up because it’s such a lovely example of the timeless side of 1960’s style. Probably next Spring it will go on eBay, but I do have other dresses I love from that era.

I’ve still got more to catch you up on, and the next ones are a little more seasonal . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM