Tag Archives: vintage jacket

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’s COCKTAIL DRESS IN MOCHA

BUT, RED AND PINK ARE JUST NOT MY COLORS!

 

Beiges are always a smart alternative when you don’t want to go the black route for some dressy or special occasion..  This frock is a beautiful, glowing mocha that flatters like crazy.  With a big crinoline underneath, it might even have gone to the Prom!  It’s rockabilly – swing done elegantly.

The fabric is unusual – some kind of rayon or blend with a nice drape and gorgeous sheen. Wide scoop necklines and nipped waists are favorites of mine and I absolutely adore this dress.  Perfect for cocktails, dinner, a dance party, etc., etc..

Although not a set, I might combine this little lace-overlay bolero jacket with it for some venues when it’s going to be chilly inside or out.  The color is a perfect go-with.  A simple cashmere cardigan, beautiful shawl or a true vintage fur would all work nicely, too.

 

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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LIKE THE LAST 1940’S JACKET AND SKIRT? HERE’S ANOTHER!

LIKE THE LAST JACKET AND SKIRT? HERE'S ANOTHER!

This is one of my very favorite jackets – a lighter-weight rayon/synthetic number with an abstract print in brown on ivory, with black velveteen collar, cuffs & buttons. I wear it with a modern (80’s or 90’s) black silk skirt, at present.

Somewhere between the late Forties and the mid-Fifties this garment with an atomic print made a very stylish statement. It is utterly unique and I LOVE it!!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S/1970’S MEN’S LEISURE SLACKS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

ANOTHER NEW FIND.  SOME OF THOSE AWFUL MID-CENTURY SLACKS, IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION.  THESE ARE SO FUNNY, I COULDN’T RESIST!

With a sports shirt and maybe a dark brown poly sports jacket, you’d be right there in 1970’s style.  Put on a different top and jacket and you could go late Sixties.  Well, I guess they were cool then, and they’re cool now – for a different reason.

This pair was made by the Haggar company, which did make decent slacks, and they’re in great shape.  The fabric feels very nice to touch and I’d wear them, too, if they were in a suitable size.

And the checked pattern – so iconic – much better than similar ones in a plain color.  One thing about the poly knits, they did last pretty well if they were taken care of BUT it’s still not common to find men’s garments this well-preserved.  So, it’s another treasure for the archives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ONE OF MY FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SWING JACKETS – ELEGANT AND STRIKING

ONE OF MY FAVORITE TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S JACKETS - ELEGANT AND STRIKING

Couldn’t believe it when I spotted this one – an ivory crepe swing jacket with lovely shoulders and fabulous drape. It closes with a single covered button at the neck.  It’s a great silhouette, very elegant with lots of presence!

Over skirt, dress or slacks it’s so elegant and moves wonderfully. One of my best examples of what made Forties
fashions fabulous . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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RUFFLED 1950’S JACKET TO WEAR OVER YOUR LITTLE BLACK DRESS

RUFFLED 1950'S JACKET TO WEAR OVER YOUR LITTLE BLACK DRESS

This little cutie turned up in a surprising place (which often happens, so it’s no surprise to me!). So dainty and feminine, yet super practical.

Have you ever wanted to wear a smashing sleeveless LBD and needed some warmth, but didn’t like the idea of a fur,shawl or a cardigan sweater? This wrap is very subtle and light, but may provide the extra coverage that makes the difference between comfort and shivers.

Of very fine black mesh with ruffles sewn all around and hook & eye closures, I’m guessing that this garment was made in the ’50’s, but it could be earlier or slightly later. At any rate, it’s unmistakably true vintage and unique!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A TRUE VINTAGE SUCCESS STORY FROM THE 1940’S AND A CAUTIONARY TALE

WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT WHAT I GOT!! A SUCCESS STORY AND A CAUTIONARY TALE

I absolutely adore this jacket. AND, it’s got a real story – The silk pants are not original, but the greenish bronze is a good match to the trim and I wear them with the jacket as loungewear.

When I first bought this jacket, it was a light lemon yellow, with emerald green embroidered trim, in a very large size.  From the  1940’s, the fabric was  a mystery – probably acetate or some blend.

It had been sold by a well-known (back in the day) Denver department store and carried their label.  I enjoyed wearing it as a wrap over strappy dresses or with skirts and light blouses. Yellow is not my best color, but it still worked.

After several years, I wondered how it might be to dye it a more flattering color – so, out came the scarlet dye and into the washing machine it went.  I’ve done this a number of times and have a system that USUALLY works – it’s ALWAYS a gamble.

So, what I got was a beautiful orange-red jacket with bronze embroidery (love it!) and in a size that fits me perfectly. Surprise!!

Could have been a disaster if I was not somewhat experienced and prepared.  Colors can turn out blotchy, seams can rip, fabrics can pucker and shrink beyond belief!!  Just a heads – up – the possibilities for success are endless, but so are the hazards, so here’s a word to the wise . . . . . . . . . … . . . . . . . . . learn your stuff well, then you can be adventurous!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE CLASSIC NAVY & WHITE CAPE JACKET – 1950’S – ’60’S TRUE VINTAGE

BEAUTIFUL CLASSIC NAVY & WHITE CAPE JACKET - 1950'S - '60'S TRUE VINTAGE

When Spring is springing (or almost) I really like to get into the true navy blue and white and nautical themes that have been classic styles of this season for decades and decades. In this case, the classic double-breasted jacket with a twist – cape styling(!) and a little military feel.

A cute little sailor-style hat would look so great with this (true vintage, of course). Imagine it with skirts, sheath dresses, slacks, jeans, leggings – a true vintage classic can go with all of them, ups the style quotient and lasts for decades because of its high quality.

In this case, there’s wool warmth, too. Much appreciated this year!  I’ve loved my  vintage military pea jacket for winter, but now it’s time for a change.  Perfect outerwear to bridge the seasons from cold to cool in fashionable elegance, with a lighter, brighter feel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGSPY

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WINTER TO SPRING COLORFUL TRUE VINTAGE LADIES’ SKIRT SUITS

WINTER TO SPRING COLORFUL TRUE VINTAGE LADIES' SKIRT SUITS

Here are three lovely wool skirt suits in pastels and sunny red. Back in the day, “winter white” would be “out” by now – worn only till the end of January. The pastels would traditionally have shown up in the first half of February, when resort vacation clothing also would make an appearance.  This is the time of year that many people took their annual beach vacation.

The holidays are behind us, it’s a new year and I’m sure you’re ready for a change!  These are just about the last of my wool suits for this winter . . . . . . . . . .

From the early 1960’s, in true Jackie O (sorry, Jacqueline) style, these lady-like but perky ensembles make us think of sunnier skies. The blue and pink are of boucle’ and the red is a smoother weave.

Boxy jackets and straight skirts, the sleeves (at least on the pink and red) are bracelet length which looks great with gloves and also lets you show off your charm bracelet to best effect.

Of course, if the weather remains very cool where you are, these beauties will be gorgeous at Easter, so don’t get tired of wearing them too soon . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL SUIT FROM AROUND 1960

A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL SUIT FROM AROUND 1960

This skirt suit has the shorter Chanel – style jacket and a straight skirt that hits near the knee. Also 3/4 sleeves so characteristic of that time.  The jacket is the stand-out piece here and every woman was wearing this style in 1962 – including Jacqueline Kennedy.

Made by Puritan’s Forever Young line, which the actress Gloria Swanson was affiliated with at one time – the things that make it most different from others in my closet are the HUGE, gorgeous buttons made of braided cord and the loose weave of the fabric.  It’s a style made to wear with only a simple, shell-type blouse, or no blouse at all.  You would need to wear one of your lovely slips underneath.

A perfect transitional ensemble for Fall or Spring – when I don’t want something too heavy, but still want to be warm. As always, these separate pieces can do double duty in many different ways and the style is perfectly classic.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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BRIGHTLY COLORED MID-CENTURY (’40’S & ’50’S) SUITS WITH LOTS OF DETAIL

BRIGHTLY COLORED MID-CENTURY ('40'S & '50'S) SUITS WITH LOTS OF DETAIL

Showing some reds here together – always a favorite color! The most amazing things about these are the pocket details and, of course, the overall quality cut and styling.

I can always depend on a true vintage suit of my correct size to fit beautifully. Even off-the-rack garments were made to such a higher standard that the things made today can’t compare.

I have hemmed the red skirt on the right (folded up, NOT cut off!) but otherwise haven’t had to do a thing. These babies were well-looked-after by their first owners and I continue by storing them properly, since they are wool.

That’s another topic – SO much vintage clothing was made of wool back in the day. Even lightweight weaves and knits that we could mistake for synthetics are actually wool. The important thing about this is to learn what the fabric is when you buy a vintage garment so that you don’t make mistakes when caring for it.

It’s no fun to throw something in the wash and have it come out as doll clothing or horribly misshapen. Nor do we want to find little moth holes in our favorite blouse, sweater or pants. LOVE delightful surprises, but not those!

Just another little tip from . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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