Tag Archives: vintage

JUST FOUND! BEAUTIFULLY – TAILORED 1960’S GOWN WITH GORGEOUS DETAIL

What a stunning dress in linen white with old ivory lace sleeves and applique’ decoration.   A little bit Mod and a little bit ethnic.  LOVE the hourglass fit and the button and loop closures all the way down the back.  It looks summery, but the weight of the fabric and full lining lets you do 3 seasons with it.  Extremely well-tailored by Alfred Angelo.   Could go to a formal dance or a wedding.

True, I’ve not been on the prowl as much lately – been involved in other business and maintaining my inconspicuous profile.  However, this time I just couldn’t resist.  So keep an eye out, because you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

GORGEOUS POST-WAR 1940’S OR EARLY 1950’S WEDDING GOWN

GORGEOUS POST-WAR 1940’S OR EARLY 1950’S WEDDING GOWN

What a surprise! I wasn’t expecting this one, but that’s how it goes for the Magicvintagespy. Beautiful, heavy ivory satin fabric, with covered-button and loop front closure, fitted waist and full skirt. Custom-tailoring with hand-finishing on the seams as well as the bead decoration around the wide collar. Vintage metal side zipper.

Though I see many gorgeous wedding gowns in my sleuthing investigations, it’s rare that I will pick one up. In this case, the pristine condition (just a little soil around the hem) and the period-perfect styling made my decision. It will fit in well with my half-dozen other elegant bridal gowns dating from the 1930’s to the Kennedy era early 1960’s.

Can’t wait to see it on Stella (my 1950’s mannequin, for those who are not regular followers). What next – can hardly wait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY SIXTIES FORMAL OR SEMI-FORMAL DRESSES IN PASTELS WITH LACE OR EMBROIDERED OVERLAY

EARLY SIXTIES SPRING SEMI-FORMAL DRESSES IN PASTELS WITH LACE OVERLAY

A hallmark of early Sixties fashion was lace or embroidered organza overlay, which we see again and again every decade or two! These very pretty frocks were meant for semi-formal occasions – dinners, parties, dances and ceremonies. A professional cleaning will refresh the full-length ones in time for a wedding!  The bride would look gorgeous in the white and the blue is perfect for any of a wedding party or mother-of-the-bride.

They’re so feminine and flattering, in a variety of styles.  And, of course, beautifully-made.  I especially like the knee-length one – a little bit Mod, but also traditional.   The lace over-dress is partially open in the back, revealing the fitted sheath beneath.  Long sleeves add a little warmth for early Spring and make the design more demure BUT . . . . . . .

very sexy in an elegant and sophisticated way.  They knew how to do that back in the day.  A lost art?  I hope not  . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S SUMMER HANDBAG FROM ITALY

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S SUMMER HANDBAG FROM ITALY

IMG_0818I’m determined to stay in a Spring and Summer mood right now.  Here’s a cute little bag that just lets me do that!  Made in Italy!!

Hand-decorated with beads and constructed with the attached-coin-purse-feature that was common in many vintage bags; plus all the fashion fun that was built in.

And, you would not have been likely to run into anyone carrying the same handbag.  If you carried it today, the chance might be one in a billion or less . . . . . . How’s that for a fashion statement!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

THE SIXTIES ROLL ON – A TREASURE TROVE OF TRUE VINTAGE BLACK & WHITE HANDBAGS

THE SIXTIES ROLL ON – A TREASURE TROVE OF TRUE VINTAGE BLACK & WHITE HANDBAGS

IMG_1523Discovered in Canada and the United States.  Made in Italy, Hong Kong and . . . . . . . . . . ?  Leather, patent vinyl, wood and beaded fabric.  Let’s go clock-wise from 7 p.m.

A leather box bag with hand-stitched edges.  Handmade, no doubt, and almost like the gorgeous hand-tooled bags that I sometimes find, but made elegantly simple even though it’s still quite casual.   Behind, is its sophisticated sister from Italy, with a soft leather body and polished wood frame.  Fabric lining and one inside pocket, with a metal zipper.

At noon and 1 o’clock, two smart little black patent handbags.  Inexpensive and basic but, like those black ballet flats, they went with virtually everything and always looked right.  Still do.  I took them home because they’re in fabulous condition and such perfect designs.

At 5 p.m., the best white clutch purse for a summer evening.  With the quality women came to expect from garments and accessories made in British Hong Kong, this one doesn’t disappoint.  Even though it’s casual, with  plastic ornamentation, the construction is superb. It’s also a fun find for me, because I own a classic handbag style in the same beaded material which makes it the companion accessory for day.  Isn’t it cool how the clues always fall into place . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

BLACK & WHITE AND RED ALL OVER? NO, IT’S NOT A TRUE VINTAGE NEWSPAPER . . . . . . . . .

BLACK & WHITE AND RED ALL OVER? NO, IT’S NOT A TRUE VINTAGE NEWSPAPER . . . . . . . . .

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERACan I ever have too many mid-century clutch purses? No, not when they’re like this one! Carrying on the black and white theme that I’ve had going for a couple of weeks, this little bag is another lovely example of a clutch purse that was inexpensive in it’s time but is loaded with elegant design and fashion artistry.  And, can be carried with almost any outfit.

Again, here’s a stylish treatment of the frame – but my favorite feature is the red lining! I never pass up a handbag with a beautiful liner and have several in red.  They may be leather, silk, cotton or rayon as in this case, but will always give me a smile and a feeling of sophistication each time I open them up. I’m sure those 1940’s – 1960’s ladies felt the same.  Sorry the interior picture of this purse didn’t survive – somehow got deleted since first published – but, you can imagine.

Someone loved this little bag well, and used it lightly. The condition is wonderful with no stains inside or damage to the black patent outside. Thanks, Mary Lou – Peggy Sue – whoever you were .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM