Too amazing. This time, it’s a Kennedy era cocktail sweater. After 60 years, who would think?
You’ll see it tomorrow, and then come wonderful frocks, etc. for St. Valentine’s Day. Stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Fabulous condition, too! It needs a button, but I can do that. I may even have a matching one in my stash. So fun to find one of these in great shape.
This type of sweater was such a common and vital part of a man’s wardrobe before 1965. After that, styles changed and these weren’t seen as often. The classic golf sweater carried on the design, but is of a completely different genre.
College boys, Dad and Grandpa used to sport around in these cardigans during Happy Days and Mad Men times. Sometimes they’d be worn with a casual shirt and tie. Great- and great-great granddads had their versions, too. I don’t find one very often but, when you’re sleuthing, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Dig the hairstyles, too. Now that Christmas and New Year’s celebrations were over, women in 1961 turned their attention to Spring and travel styles, as well as Prom & Easter.
With the crazy weather, we’re also thinking of flowers and sunny colors. Although our grandmothers and great-grandmothers thought about new needlework projects in their spare time, it’s still FASHION, and we continue to think about it now, but in different ways (what’s on my favorite Internet site?).
in 1961, the subscribers to McCall’s Needlework and Crafts magazine looked forward to these styles.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Just LOVE finding these knitwear items that have been so well-preserved for 50 – 60 years!! Unusual finds are always tons of fun.
This shirt was made by a Sears, Roebuck & Co. brand that quit producing in the early 1960’s. Very nicely tailored, with a longer tail (prevents embarrassing views that are all too common today). Hard-to-see in this photo, but the sleeves are a ribbed knit contrast to the flat knit of the body.
These older things all have features and stories to tell that keep revealing themselves. The star item of my recent adventures is coming up tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
It’s unusual to find a woman’s golf sweater – very mid-century sporty. Love the turquoise color. I’m not sure yet whether this knit is of acrylic or wool – there are no tags for content or care. Regardless, I’ll get a lot of use from this one!
It’s got classic design features like the little front pockets (that are still stitched closed!) and 2-button trim on each side seam at the waist. Of course, an embroidered cloth label giving the size in inches.
Fun, fun, fun! I’ve got some men’s clothing to show you, too . . . . . . . . … . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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
Although these frocks are in pastels and the weather is often dark and gloomy now, these are the styles and colors that used to appear as soon as the Christmas and holiday season was over. Late winter/Spring fashions and travel clothing came out in the magazines and department stores back in the day.
For our grandmothers who were crafty, it would be time to start making your dresses like these that do take a little time to create. Although they would almost always be knitted or crocheted in wool, they really have a Spring-like feel to them and that was what people loved when travel to warmer places during the winter was short or not possible at all.
Lightweight wool goes through 3 seasons very well. Clothiers and fashionistas have always known this and included smart and beautiful wool garments in their wardrobes almost all year long. Now that it’s become easier to care for them, with hand-washing and at-home dry-cleaning, I love my vintage sweaters and dresses up until May, too . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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I always love finding true vintage sweaters in good condition, because they’re rare and a lot of fun to wear. The weather is certainly right for them now!
The 1960’s top on the right looks very plain but it’s knitted of a yarn with sparkle, even though it is not a dressy design. Just a cute, everyday item with Happy Days style (and looks much better on my mannequin, “Madge”, than on the hanger – couldn’t wait to get it home).
The cardigan on the left is the star of this post. Of soft wool, it is hand-embroidered and the body is lined. Full-fashioned with hand-tailored details, as was usually the case with good-quality garments made before 1965 or so. Though there is no tag saying so, it may have been made in British Hong Kong, as many of them were.
Wait till you see the next things I’ve come up with . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
“My gosh – look at the time! It’s coming up Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and I must think about winter sweaters – many of them may be Christmas gifts.” Our grandmothers were likely saying things like this to themselves right about now, if they hadn’t been knitting since last July!
Such cute and sophisticated handmade beauties – no comparison to what’s in the stores (especially now). Even if your family didn’t take an annual ski-trip to Vail, Colorado or the Swiss Alps, sweaters like these were popular wardrobe items.
If you love old movies and sit-coms, like I do, you’ll see plenty of them along with “stretch pants” and stirrup pants for everyday as well as being ski-wear. If you can do this kind of needlework, Bravo! I just have to keep my antennae alert for the real thing . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Today, on a more-or-less routine survey, I had wonderful good fortune. I’m just about to re-examine and photograph my newest acquisitions and get them ready to post on the blog. Because I have already scheduled postings for the next three days, expect to begin seeing these on Sunday, Nov. 13.
Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 