Tag Archives: tea party

SO EXCITING. A RARE, ANTIQUE, HANDMADE DRESS FROM THE 1920’S – EARLY 1930’S

Sheer cotton “lawn”(?) – I don’t know.  A beige color with delicate flower and leaf embroidery on the collar and skirt.  Closes with snaps, hooks & eyes on the left and has partially-gathered sleeves and a two-tier skirt.  Such interesting design details, so different from any styles we usually see, vintage or not.

So delicate.  This will be worn with great care.  The waist isn’t right for most dresses made in the 1920’s so it could, possibly, have been an earlier style made for a teen or someone who was very petite.  But – early 1930’s could be the most accurate.  Must do some more in-depth research.

Anyway, what a treasure!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE DRESSES! 3: ’70’S – ’80’S DOES 1950’S ENGLISH GARDEN HOUR GLASS SUNDRESS

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Dark navy and white, with clear buttons all-the-way down the front.  Almost a tea dress, but very North American.  So smart not to spoil the print and pretty lines while still making it super-easy on and off.  I really appreciate the good tailoring that could still be found on  low- and mid-priced dresses in the Seventies and early Eighties.

Love the nipped-waist fit and cute pocket flaps at the hips.  It’s a simple dress, but with so much FIT and figure-enhancing detail.  It will be another go-to frock on hot days this summer.  Soon we’ll be heading into Fall and even Holiday styles – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SHEER AND VERY LADYLIKE FROCK FROM THE 1960’S?

SHEER AND VERY LADYLIKE FROCK FROM THE 1960'S?

Dark blue with a bit of smoke in it.  The front placket, cuffs and decorative bow are a dusty mauve satin.  Very elegant and mysterious – she still had the tag on, but no clue where she’s from or where she’s been . . . . . . . .. . . . . ..

This is a really pretty dress.  Suitable for any dressy occasion – dinner, dance, party,wedding.  Probably from a specialty area in some higher-end department store. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

from sometime in the mid-century.  I’ve never seen anything quite like this one and can’t precisely place it, either. Oh, well – no worries. Would you?

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE 1940s – 1950s SEMI-FORMAL DANCE DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE 1940s - 1950s SEMI-FORMAL DANCE DRESS

Here’s pretty, floaty frock of satin and chiffon for a dinner-dance or any semi-formal party.  It does have stiffening in the skirt, but doesn’t have a huge crinoline, like many made a few years later .

I just die with delight when I discover one of these!  It reminds me of the classic movies that I love, where there’s always a dance in the plot somewhere.

This one is not haute couture – just an average lovely gown that any middle-income woman might have selected.  I’m not complaining!  It makes me think of France, where I’ll be in a couple of weeks!

With the mid-calf length, this one could go to the Prom, and maybe it did, once.  You just never know . . . .. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE SEA BLUE DINNER DANCE DRESS FROM THE LATE ’60S – EARLY ’70S

TRUE VINTAGE SEA BLUE DINNER DANCE DRESS FROM THE LATE '60S - EARLY '70S

This one could have been worn to the Cotillion dinner-dance before the time of Disco. With sheer sleeves and crystal-pleated skirt, it’s a dream of a dress for dancing.  It had no belt when I found it – I think I would put on a skinny tie belt, perhaps with a little sparkle (depending on my jewelry).

Crystal pleats can be really lovely and in this case they have a superb swing, with their trumpet shape. Polyester fabric holds pleats like this really well, so that style was popular when poly was really big.  This dress is very nicely made, by a company that was based in California.

It’s always frustrating to try finding a really good dance dress.  I’ve already shown one and will be posting several more soon because I have a collection!  One thing that was really popular in decades past was social dancing, in a more formal way than we do now. Therefore, there have been mountains of fabulous dresses created to dance in.

I’m always thrilled when I find a super one like this!  Though it’s not meant for funky get-down nights, it would be perfect for most kinds of ballroom dancing (fox trot, swing, tango, waltz, rumba, samba – stuff like that).  Whenever you go to a formal wedding or dance, there’s bound to be some of that – just depends.

Stick with me and I’ll show you all the treasures that I keep uncovering all year. So much fun, because you just never know!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950s EASTER EGG OF A PARTY DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1950s EASTER EGG OF A PARTY DRESS

Okay, this one is a little longer and it could probably have gone to the Prom – but – have you ever seen anything that looks more like what to wear on a date with the Easter Bunny? These poufy frocks in sherbet pastel colors were all over the place about 50 years ago and.

Lovely coral-pink taffeta with a huge sash that ties in a bow behind.  The skirt under is stiff, but not like netting.  A crinoline could be added.  What could say Spring more than this one? Well, maybe some of the others coming up . . . . .

Every girl and woman in the ’50s loved party dresses like this.  (With apologies to your grandmother who always wore black from Chanel)  I have discovered many dresses of this type, with slight variations in the style.  Watch old movies from the late ’40s and early ’50s and you will see many similar.

When I hunt for true vintage, I sometimes feel like I’m a designer going into the costume warehouse of a huge theater, looking for just the right clothing for my characters and enjoying all the different costumes that I see.  If I want to, I can take hours just being in the fantasy of all the eras and style trends that I can find.  If I want to use my time wisely, I can zero in on the best, most wonderful things in a few minutes.

Sleuthing for true vintage is one of the most fun things I do.  It’s always an adventure, because you just never know . . . . .. . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE WWII – ERA FROCK – ANOTHER FABULOUS FIND!!

TRUE VINTAGE WWII – ERA FROCK – ANOTHER FABULOUS FIND!!.

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’s – EARLY 1950’s TEA LENGTH GOWN OR PARTY DRESS

Need something to wear for dancing around the Maypole?

Magicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940s - EARLY 1950s TEA LENGTH GOWN OR PARTY DRESS

Easter is past (for another year) but Spring isn’t over yet and tomorrow is May Day.  Although it  might not be a day for teas or luncheons or other events which call for a dressy frock, it is still celebrated in some places.  If you know about any May Day celebrations, I’d like to hear!

Shown over a slip, this dress is made of a semi-sheer cotton (maybe a blend) in a blue and violet floral print. It has a vintage nylon zipper mid-back. The skirt length is mid-calf to ankle, depending on the height of the woman wearing it.  The gathered bodice and high waist (again, depending on the wearer) are so pretty.

Not  quite semi-formal – just a pretty frock for a special occasion. I was so thrilled to find it!  Someone kept it for many years.  It’s always important to have at least one of these in…

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TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940’s – EARLY 1950’s TEA LENGTH GOWN OR PARTY DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940's – EARLY 1950's TEA LENGTH GOWN OR PARTY DRESS.

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940s – EARLY 1950s TEA LENGTH GOWN OR PARTY DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1940s – EARLY 1950s TEA LENGTH GOWN OR PARTY DRESS.