A BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE HAND-MADE VEILED HAT

IMG_1721Another “new” find.  That’s all you’ll be seeing for quite a while now!

This hat looks like a spring/summer model in pink and grey.  I can’t say exactly how old it is, as the milliner may still be in business.  But, it’s seen some wear (the veiling has some tears inside) and it was made to the standards of older hats with a liner, grosgrain ribbon inner band and little loops to catch pins in order to anchor the hat to your hair.  The ornament would be worn in back.

The fabric feels like a rayon/poly-type blend and the veiling is very nice.  My guess is that it’s “relatively new” (like within 10 – 20 – 30 years ago), but made with materials that are specially produced for “hatters” and that probably won’t make them mad unless they sniff too much adhesive.

Constructed to the traditional standards, for women who continue to prefer a hat for occasions such as church, weddings, funerals and such.  I’m happy to see that, although not quite as wonderful as older, true vintage hats almost always are, it’s certainly a cut above what is usually made now.  It’s only small, individually-owned shops that are run by someone who loves the art of millinery which produce hats of this caliber today.

Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween – my favorite holiday of the year . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ALL KINDS OF TRUE VINTAGE DRESS FINDS! THIS ONE’S A PREPPY DAY DRESS FROM THE SIXTIES

IMG_1709Pretty in pink again.  This beautiful summer dress is in virtually perfect condition – its owner was very meticulous about caring for her clothing, like so many women of two or more generations ago.  It’s a great example of the preppy styles that were very popular during the Sixties and early 1970’s.

Floral applique’s in front and a belted waist.  Traditional and lady-like in design, classic in tailoring with all the touches of a well-made garment.  This was the favorite every-day style of the country-club set back in the day (maybe still is – traditional tastes don’t seem to change much).

So, for a proper and buttoned-down look this frock is just right.  It’s so classic and subtle, you could get by with it anywhere and always look well-dressed – like, maybe, for dinner with the future in-laws . .. .. . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN,THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

RARE FIND! TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S MEN’S COTTON PAJAMAS – JUST WHAT I’D BEEN DREAMING OF . . . . . .

Source: RARE FIND! TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S MEN’S COTTON PAJAMAS – JUST WHAT I’D BEEN DREAMING OF . . . . . .

FRENCH MEN’S LEATHER & WOODEN CLOGS – SMALL ENOUGH FOR ME!

WHAT A FABULOUS FIND THIS WAS! HANDMADE SHOES FROM FRANCE!!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

FRENCH MEN'S LEATHER &WOODEN CLOGS - SMALL ENOUGH FOR ME!

Just to keep the fare varied, here’s another pair of shoes – but men’s from France. I am not sure how old these are. They are a size 7B, which is a smallish and narrow men’s size. That works for my 8narrowB feet.

The uppers are leather with laces, black or dark navy. They look like an oxford, but have the full wooden sole, made like the wonderful Scandinavian clogs. Undoubtedly, they are hand-made.

I’m not sure if these are true vintage or not – they appear to be, but European shoes and garments have different labeling and so many are hand-done that it is hard to be sure.  They are a very traditional French design.

Regardless, I love them.  Such quality and style. They were a surprise find and I think they are delightful! Love clogs, anyway – it’s a very early ’70’s thing in the U.S.  I wonder…

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FRENCH MEN’S LEATHER & WOODEN CLOGS – SMALL ENOUGH FOR ME!

FRENCH MEN'S LEATHER & WOODEN CLOGS – SMALL ENOUGH FOR ME!.

3 TRUE VINTAGE NATIVE AMERICAN/HAWAIIAN COSTUMES FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

3 TRUE VINTAGE NATIVE AMERICAN/HAWAIIAN COSTUMES FROM THE 1940'S – 1950'S.

TRUE VINTAGE SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN – INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950’S

From the time when Roy Rogers & Dale Evans were TV celebrities, Happy Trails to you . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN - INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950'S

These two dresses are examples of fashions made and sold in the U.S. Southwestern states (Arizona, New Mexico mostly). They are inspired by traditional Native American designs and may have been made by Native Americans.  My warm-weather wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without them.

Outfits like this were especially popular in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Some from the 1940’s have been seen. Tourists often returned from vacations with one and non-Native people who lived in the region wore them a lot.  It was a real craze for a while.

Ric-rac and braid trim on bright cotton material was popular. The skirts are big and swingy – usually full circle. I have more to show – some have interesting tailoring details on the blouses. Love ’em!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

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TRUE VINTAGE SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN – INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE SOUTHWESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN – INSPIRED DRESSES FROM THE 1950'S.

TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY HAWAIIAN SHIRTS FROM BACK IN THE DAY . . .

CLASSIC TRAVEL SOUVENIRS AT THEIR BEST!!!

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy's avatarMagicvintagespy

TRUE VINTAGE HAWAIIAN SHIRTS FROM BACK IN THE DAY . . .

These shirts are authentic from Hawaii when they were very well-made and always a vacation souvenir. The shirt on the left, especially, is from the 1940’s or ’50’s – made of cotton with a bark cloth print. It’s also got buttons made from, I think, coconut shell.

The shirt on the right is newer – 1950’s to ’70’s. It is also cotton and is from the shop at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. That is (or was) a famous hotel on Waikiki Beach which had their own line of clothing with their label. The buttons are also distinctively theirs.

What’s so great about these shirts? The lovely cottons, the great prints and the “exotic” origin. I don’t have any of the fabulous rayon shirts from the ’40’s that were made there – maybe someday – noting better to wear during a tropical investigation on a hot summer night . . …

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A CUTE LITTLE ’70’S NUMBER – ONE THAT’S ALMOST TOO SWEET

Traditional, classic lines keep coming back, decade after decade.

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A CUTE LITTLE '70'S NUMBER - ANOTHER ONE THAT'S ALMOST TOO SWEET

I guess it’s just the high neckline. Lots of dresses from the early ’70’s (except the hippy/prairie/boho styles that were popular then) have a very innocent, girlish look about them. Have you seen the Prom dresses from that time? Watch the movie Footloose.

This one is unremarkable in its tailoring, but it was just that ’70’s cache’ that made me bring it home. I must admit, it is a very classic style and can be done beautifully if it’s with quality materials and exceptional workmanship. But this one just takes us on a daydream journey back 40 years.

It’s fun to watch old movies from that time (or That ’70s Show, I guess), just to see how awful some of the clothing was. Uh, oh – I’m going to get myself into some big trouble here.

But seriously, the dance scene from Footloose is a good tutorial on ’70’s Prom dresses…

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