Tag Archives: sweater-girl

TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SWEATER – BLOUSE IN LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL

A 1940'S SWEATER - BLOUSE IN LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL

Very feminine, very versatile.  I photographed it on Madge and it fits her “VA –  VOOM” like a Fifties sweater-girl but I think I’d like to see it on more petite Stella, instead.

This little blouse is a fine sweater-knit.  Looks great with pants or skirts.  Although it doesn’t show well in the photo, the small collar is decorated with delicate applique and beads.  I haven’t tried it yet with the ’40’s slacks shown yesterday but the color is close so it might be perfect!  What a fabulous find.

This blouse is a cross between sportswear and dress-wear.  In the Forties, daily outfits were usually more finely tailored and sophisticated than what is worn now, no matter how “cute”.  If you really want to be well-dressed, take a lesson from true vintage fashion . . . . . . . . . .. ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

UNUSUAL FIND!!! YES, IT’S A TRUE VINTAGE STRAPLESS BULLET BRA

UNUSUAL FIND!!! YES, IT'S A TRUE VINTAGE STRAPLESS BULLET BRA

One of the most bizarre silhouettes in fashion was the “bullet bra”, which made women’s breasts look like torpedoes under their sweaters.  Quite unnatural-looking and strange, but it was definitely the thing for a while.

It’s hard to ID in this photo and it’s not right for Madge to model, but the surest way to recognize these brassieres is from the pointy shape of their cups.  Also, the construction of older bras is characteristic, too.   Maybe it will suit Stella better . .. . . .

1950’s and early 1960’s bras often have heavier elastic and lots of stitching on the cups, with a more definite shape, even if they aren’t of this particular style.  A “foundation garment” really was that – like building a brick house.

Thank goodness, now we prefer more subtly-tailored lingerie, physical strength and fitness to give us the body shape we prefer.  But, many ’50’s and early ’60’s garments require a firm girdle and bra underneath to support their characteristic lines – looks great and its FUN!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HERE WE GO WITH MY NEWEST FINDS: A MID-CENTURY SWEATER DRESS – RARE AND WONDERFUL – I LOVE THIS!!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Back in the ’60’s and early ’70’s (even in the 1950’s!) some really flattering and pretty sweater dresses were popular.  Some were two-piece and some, like this one, were body-hugging sheaths.  They were of a high quality in terms of the construction and styling and they are SOOO comfortable to wear!

I love finding knits that have the pattern on both sides – not just in the front; rib-knit cuffs that fit well and hold their shape; a matching belt; a well-done hemline; a soft yarn that is easy-care and holds up it’s appearance over time.

I haven’t found one of these in a long time – they’re that rare.  And, with the original belt in fabulous overall condition and one of my favorite colors – Whooeeeeeeeee!  Didn’t expect this, but, the craft just continues to show me that – you just never know . . … . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1950’S/EARLY 1960’S DRESSY BLOUSE & THE PERFECT SWEATER-GIRL SLIP FOR MARILYN

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This blouse is a good example of dressy styles that were popular right around the time of the Kennedy era. It’s a large size and, without a model, it’s hard to get the best pictures of each of these, but I’m sure that your discerning eyes can pick out the important details.

The blouse is made in two layers – one more opaque covers the torso and an illusion layer floats on top and creates the sheer sleeves. They are my favorite feature of this garment – it’s otherwise too fussy for me, but this kind of blouse was very much in vogue with average women.

The hem is finished with a band, intended to wear untucked over dressy slacks or a long skirt. As with many blouses made then, it buttons up the back and has a fold-over collar. The ruffle in front is just feminine decoration. . . . .

NOW FOR THE SLIP – this is an OLD one that I couldn’t resist. The fabric is heavy rayon-type and it has very interesting seaming. Of course, the hardware is made of metal. It’s an everyday piece of lingerie, without much decoration. This feature is one of it’s best – makes it perfect to wear under this blouse because there’s no issue of trimmings showing through.

Although it’s so practical in this way, this slip is really the perfect undergarment for a sweater-girl. You can see in the photo that the bodice is sewn as cups that are seamed to a point. Just right to wear over your bullet-bra! It’s also seamed front and back to fit very closely to the waist and hips. No unsightly folds or creases under your cashmere.

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

A FUN TRUE VINTAGE SOUVENIR SWEATER FROM 1960’S LAS VEGAS

A FUN SOUVENIR SWEATER FROM LAS VEGAS - 1960'S - 1970'S.

Someone was tempted to remember their mid-century trip-of-a-lifetime to Las Vegas with a splashy embroidered sweater, before the time of T-shirts being worn every day and taking over as souvenirs of our vacations. Same idea, different era.  What happened in Vegas didn’t always stay there.

The most fun fashions have usually fallen somewhere along the spectrum of bad taste, and this one is no exception – how could you not love it?!  Like almost all souvenir items, it’s not of exceptional quality – but it still has lasted 50 years in good condition.  You won’t find anything exactly like it now.

Knit of acrylic yarn, for purely casual wear – our adventurous gambler maybe wore it to her weekly card games or just to advertise her trip to an “exotic” destination. Going to Vegas used to be a much bigger deal than it is today.  After all, it was Mafia territory, full of high rollers and shady ladies.  Some things never change  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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