Tag Archives: suit
STELLA’S TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S 2-PIECE WEDDING SUIT
This is the ensemble that Stella was wearing when I met her and I’m glad she didn’t want to give it up. I’ll be showing some white satin 1940’s wedding pumps tomorrow. Although they didn’t come with this outfit, they’d be just perfect with it!
During wartime, this was a relatively modest choice for her wedding and the bride probably had this suit custom-tailored. Naturally, it has many of the 1940’s styling details which were popular then – shoulder pads, nipped peplum waist, a handkerchief hem and a rare coil metal zipper in the skirt.
Also, some of the favorite classic features of a wedding gown are also present – rows of tiny, covered buttons and medieval-style points on the sleeve hems. The fabric is a substantial brocade/jacquard floral – not a high-end textile, but nice. Clearly, this wedding took place in a formal setting.
I wonder about her hair . . . . bridesmaids? Wouldn’t it be fun to go back as a guest? . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
A LITTLE FORTIES SPRING JACKET AND SKIRT
A FAVORITE 1960’S 2-PC. DRESS
TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S GREEN AND WHITE SEERSUCKER SKIRT & TOP SET – JUST THE CUTEST THING!
Another way to pay homage to the St. P’s holiday, I love this little suit! The skirt is shorter now than it was when the outfit was sold in the early to mid-1960’s, but the skirt lengths did change just a couple of years later when the mini came out. No one back then would trash an outfit just because of that! Shortening a hem was a really easy thing to do and many women did much more complex alterations on their clothing to keep them for years.
It looks like a jacket and skirt, but the top is almost like a shirt. I guess it could be worn either way – would be really cute with a little white shirt underneath.
Notice the detail at the waistline – those little tabs are things that we don’t see anymore. Just for decoration! The brand is an inexpensive one that one of the catalog stores sold, I think, but even they did nice little tailoring things.
Seersucker has always been such a classic warm-weather fabric; it’s always fun to see it again. Olive green and white is a little different, too . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY CUSTOM-TAILORED CLASSIC SUIT
The style is so un-fussy and classic that it could be worn casually like a day-dress or dressed up. It could have been made anywhere from the late 1940’s to early 1960’s, but I lean toward the ’60’s because of the cotton velveteen-type fabric, which was popular then. Hard to be sure, in this case.
I am certain that the suit was custom tailored. It might even have been done at home. It’s amazing that many women were able to do this. Tailoring requires a lot of skill!
Look at all the covered buttons. And, the buttonholes are also bound. Amazing! Not to mention the lining, interfacing and padding required to make a garment like this fit properly.
Although it looks very elegant as pictured, imagine all the ways it could be worn and accessorized. As separates, the jacket and skirt add more possibilities. Simple suits like this can be great additions to any vintage wardrobe, making a variety of quick-changes possible . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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
A TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’S – EARLY 1950’S SKIRT SUIT – JUST RIGHT FOR SHOULDER SEASON
Here’s another ensemble in that lovely salmon pink that keeps coming back every decade or so – more to come! This suit was such a fun find – look, it still has the original store tags hanging on!
Although it was an ordinary item when it was originally sold – more or less a generic garment with no specific brand label – notice the nice design and cute tailoring details. Even in lower-priced vintage clothing the attention to smart and careful tailoring was almost always there.
Wouldn’t this be a nice outfit to wear this season to a dressy occasion that calls for something a bit conservative? Even though I rarely go to events like that, I always keep one or two things ready to go . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
MID – CENTURY TRUE VINTAGE ELEGANCE: WHAT REALLY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
In these few photos 
from an early – 1960’s needlework magazine, the styles are very plain and, in some cases, they are so generic that they’re very boring! BUT, every woman pictured looks smart, elegant, fashionable and attractive.
Obviously, it’s not mostly about their clothing. Sure, they’re all slim and attractive people but that’s not the main thing, either. Take away the good fit and quality of what they are wearing (super-important as a base for everything else) and what is left that REALLY does it?
It’s their grooming, posture and ACCESSORIES. None of those ensembles would look half as good without the accessorizing touches – imagine each of them without the necklace, bracelet, gloves or handsome handbag. Makes a big difference, doesn’t it?
So, as much as I love fabulous true vintage style and details I also know that I can easily stand out in a room dressed in a plain ’50’s skirt and sweater, or even a pair of jeans with a great true vintage shirt. Our grandmothers understood that perfectly. And today, it’s VERY easy NOT to stand out . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BACK TO THE EARLY 1950’S – JUST FOUND A BEAUTIFUL WOOL SKIRT SUIT
Made of the finest Scottish wool and specially tailored for a specific brand name. Very nice detail on the jacket front, and in back it’s got a little belt with a center button that matches the silver ones on the pockets. The skirt is straight style with a back kick pleat.
A little big on me, but it might be worth having it altered to fit. I can’t get enough of the gorgeous jackets from that time and a pencil skirt is always wonderful. Classic mid-grey, also, is great to have on hand in mix-able pieces. I’m thrilled! One of the handbags I’ll show you tomorrow would look just lovely with this . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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