TRUE VINTAGE ’40’S & ’50’S STRAW HATS IN FALL PASTELS

TRUE VINTAGE '40'S & '50'S STRAW HATS IN FALL PASTELS.

TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER FORMAL DRESS FROM THE 1970’S OR 1980’S

TRUE VINTAGE SUMMER FORMAL DRESS FROM THE 1970'S OR 1980'S.

A LOVELY SUMMER FROCK FROM THE 1950’S, REMODELED A BIT BY MOI

A LOVELY SUMMER FROCK FROM THE 1950'S, REMODELED A BIT BY MOI.

A LOVELY SUMMER FROCK FROM THE 1950’S, REMODELED A BIT BY MOI

A LOVELY SUMMER FROCK FROM THE 1950'S, REMODELED  A BIT BY MOI

This beautiful polished cotton frock – Kay Whitney by Huntington – is absolutely gorgeous. The fabric and the tailoring are top notch.

Naturally, it’s got a fabric-covered belt, the full skirt and a generous hem allowance. It’s not a one-off design, I found, when I saw another identical to it on eBay – but it’s wonderful anyway.

However, this one is one-off now!  As beautiful as it was in its original design, it was a bit too conservative a style to be flattering on me. The shoulder straps were wider and it had a fabric tie sewn completely around the neckline which you would tie in a bow in front. Pretty, but not me.

I removed the tie, making the shoulders skinnier and the neckline wider. I used some of the leftover tie material to make little flat bows at the shoulders. Of course, if you are a purist, you would never have changed it. That’s something I rarely do, but I liked it so much and wanted it to suit me.

So, I now have an original – and without sacrificing quality or elegance. The best of both worlds.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A TRUE VINTAGE KNITTED SWEATER CAPE BY BANFF, FROM THE 1960’S OR EARLY ’70’S

A TRUE VINTAGE KNITTED SWEATER CAPE BY BANFF, FROM THE 1960'S OR EARLY '70'S.

A FUN POLISHED COTTON PSYCHEDELIC PRINT TUNIC AND PANTS FROM THE LATE 1960’S

A FUN POLISHED COTTON PSYCHEDELIC PRINT TUNIC AND PANTS FROM THE LATE 1960'S.

TRUE VINTAGE SWING DRESS FROM THE 1940’S

TRUE VINTAGE SWING DRESS FROM THE 1940'S.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S CAPRI PANTS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S – EARLY 1960'S CAPRI PANTS.

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S CAPRI PANTS

TRUE VINTAGE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S CAPRI PANTS

A rare find, though many are made today that look similar – true vintage capri pants in a fall-color plaid. They have little slits at the ankle, a high waist, and metal side zipper than actually slants into one of the hip pockets. The maker is Shipmates.

These were kind of like our nicer jeans are now – they were common as casual wear and in the ’60’s they started to venture more beyond picnics and recreational activities.

What makes them different than the ones today? The fabric, the color combos, the zippers, the labels, the fit.

The original owner hardly wore these, if at all. That shows how much skirts and dresses still held the traditional place for women’s daily wear. I wonder how long these were in hiding? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Googl+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

CUTE LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE HAT FROM THE 40’S OR 50’S

CUTE LITTLE TRUE VINTAGE HAT FROM THE 40'S OR 50'S

This one doesn’t exactly match the suit, but you might be able to get by with it – it’s so close. It’s also from the same time period.

Whatever label it had is gone now, which is a shame because hat labels are very interesting. I might have shown it on a model but Daphne, Celia and Marlene are on their holiday.

Speaking of which, please enjoy your 4th of July if you’re from the U.S. and I’ll be back from the latest mission in a day or two. Caio!

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Google+, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com