Completely different from yesterday’s cardigan but so much fun! It’s another must-have vintage sweater to wear with cigarette pants. A pretty open-weave Orlon sweater knit with metallic thread design to be worn with a black skirt or slacks at some mid-century party event. It is absolutely amazing that it’s survived for 60 years in almost unworn condition!
Just like the women of the 1940’s onward, I’m grateful for these lovely acrylic yarns that can be washed in a machine (with care) and don’t have to be stored in a moth-proof container. Orlon was a revelation and major time-saving blessing to wartime and post-war ladies who still did most of their housework by hand.
Although we’re so used to acrylic fibers now, these early ones were really special in terms of their quality or, perhaps, it is the garment itself that is made so well that the fabric looks great after more than half a century. I’m sure that I also, again, have to thank the first owner of this elegant top for taking such good care of it.
I’m over the full moon again, and wondering what will turn up next . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s a beautiful decorated sweater meant, mostly, for evening wear. It is fully lined in silk with black beads and spangles decorating front and back. Many mid-century women had one of these – it was a classic standard.
Made in Hong Kong, the quality is a cut above many garments made elsewhere. This seems to have been the case for many decades. It’s another one of those iconic garments that is a must-have for any vintage wardrobe and, maybe, more than one since the colors and decorative patterns were varied and unique.
Though high-quality tailoring was particularly true for vintage garments made several decades ago, I still take special note when I find modern clothing that has been made in Hong Kong. The materials and tailoring are still almost always excellent in garments made there..
There is no wrap more elegant, excepting perhaps a wonderful vintage fur, than a beautifully-made hand-decorated fine wool cardigan thrown over your shoulders. It can be worn in many ways and will never let you down.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I’m always so happy to find one of these in almost perfect condition! So different from the others I’ve just shown. The front metal zip is unusual, rather than buttons, and the (probably) acrylic fiber is a plus over wool because of the ease of storage and care. I DO love old wool sweaters, however.
This example was made in Hong Kong (always pointing to quality construction and workmanship, at least in true vintage garments) and has the classic styling of patch pockets and striped trim. The zipper is as sturdy as they come.
A wonderful and infrequent discovery. My favorites!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Here’s a very special woven wool jumper dress with big shell buttons. I have it pinned since it’s a little too teeny for Madge, you see how much difference a little change in one’s figure could make in the fit!
It’s really cut for a petite woman, maybe slightly under average height. But, a couple more inches here and there and VAVOOM! Unfortunately, a shade too much on the petite side for me and no Vavoom, so I sold it before Stella joined me and it would have fitted her well!
Dresses like this were super popular right around 1960 and might have been worn with a turtleneck, but a blouse would have been more likely. I show it with this sweater just because the color matches so well.
The most outstanding feature of this design is the big abalone shell buttons asymmetrically closing the front. And, the hem-line is fairly long, especially on a shorter person. A sign of the times.
Definitely a sophisticated back-to-school or a career dress for some aspiring young woman!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Here’s the other suede-trimmed sweater I mentioned a few days ago. Traditional design and construction in this handsome, high-quality cardigan have let it last for 50+ years with very little sign of wear. Nice, soft virgin wool and buttery suede, plus knotted leather buttons made this a favorite, iconic style for decades.
I’m always so glad to find garments like this one in such wonderful condition. Big for me, but I know someone who might find it to be just the thing .. . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY
What a wiggle dress this is! Marilyn Monroe – move over!! What a rare find – couldn’t believe it when it appeared (no, I fib. Of course I could). It’s hand-knitted, as was the one given to me several years ago by my friend Rosalie, who had made it herself in 1952. Likely, many women who were competent needle-workers did so when this style was popular.
This example is made of the same glossy yarn I wrote about several days ago. My other garments made from it are casual sweaters, so I was floored to find this lovely dress of the same material! Just perfect for a sophisticated occasion. I’m keeping it for wearing at just the right vintage venues (local museum events come to mind) or theme cocktail parties, Halloween . . . . . . . . ..
Anyway, I’ll be having LOTS of fun with it. That’s what it’s all about!!! Too much enthusiasm? Never . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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