It was just a vinyl bargain bag at the time, but oh-so-sweet novelty for carrying with summer dresses. This one may have come from the “five and dime”, but some girl loved it and it held up well over the years. Plain zipper opening on top with a bit of bead chain to hold a key. I’m off to the carnival!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Love this frock! They had such fun print designs then. This one’s a bit atomic – hope they’re not supposed to be bombs. The wide collar, sleeve cuffs, fabric-covered buttons and bronze color give unusual touches to this example. The original belt would probably have been covered with the same material as the dress.
It’s got some stain damage down near the hem from bleach or a storage spill, but I don’t care. Those kinds of accidents were so common in mid-century laundry rooms and have, unhappily, occurred also to many garments that were stored in basements along with chemicals and cans of paint. As much as I love finding items that are in pristine condition, sometimes the little dings and dirt add a certain je ne sais quoi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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This hat is made of the most wonderful fabric that feels almost like fine suede leather! It’s so hard, sometimes, to photograph black items – I hope that you can see the two bows under the brim in the first photo. The hat is almost a beret, but has stitched decoration on top and a kind of souffle’ construction so that it can puff up or lay flat on the head.
I suspect that it would be worn more like the first photo, in order to expose the bows above the hairline. Tricky to do with any kind of hairdo and probably would require hatpins. What women used to go through to get the “right” look!
So, maybe it was designed to be worn with a sleek head and hair coiled up underneath or massed beneath at the nape of the neck. It’s fun to wonder what the milliner who designed this beauty had in mind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Spring, Summer, Fall? Who cares?! This unusual ladies hat will make any simple outfit a stand-out. Suede leather is a unique combination with the woven straw.
The odd UFO platter shape makes me lean toward dating it in the Forties, but who knows for sure. During the decades of millinery-mania, there were many innovative and even bizarre styles.
It’s so fun to find an example of that hat madness that is not a run-of-the-mill, frequently-seen design. More on the way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. ..
Garay, made in Hong Kong, Lumured – famous names from the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s. Classic as they come, and in wonderful condition. I’ll be keeping these for a while.
Never can have too many – especially in navy (not as many around as in black) and white (not as many in pristine condition). The woven wicker bags are sturdier and more abundant, but finding one that’s undamaged and has great Lucite trim is another plus. The vinyl interior is very plain, but is a great foundation for a beautiful cloth lining, which I’ll probably make and attach myself (pretty simple). Remnant pieces of vintage fabric or old scarves and hankies are perfect for the job!
I’m still working through the most recent finds, but I’m sure there will be more. Maybe tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Flygirls by Black Flys – love that Eighties vibe that zoomed back to the 1940’s again. It seems like the early 1970’s does Forties thing was early Forties puffed shoulders, cute collars, jumpsuits, platform shoes and, maybe, little shoulder pads. The early – mid 1980’s does Forties was WWII and post-war BIG shoulders, peplum waists, shirt-dresses, platform shoes, pencil skirts in longer lengths and some accessories like large paste and rhinestone brooches.
So, these New Wave glasses remind me of that time when sunglasses were first being worn by regular folks and considered fashionable. Usually they were made from one of the first plastics that were being invented around the time of the two World Wars and becoming more and more popular.
Of course, the case is pure 1960’s – early Seventies flower-power retro that I found. It’s great for these glasses because it is hard (very protective), coordinates color-wise and fits the glasses well. It’s so important to protect your true vintage items from damage – they’re irreplaceable pieces of fashion history and such wonderful parts of a wardrobe!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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Just picked these up as curiosity items, in the case of the boots, and fashion finds in the case of the wedgie sandals. Great additions to my collection!
Let’s start with the boots. They look like Sixties style(?) and have old metal Robin zippers up the side. Made for super-practicality, as most fashion rain-wear was back in the day, they are one-piece rubber construction. Not meant to wear in your garden like English Wellies, these were street-wear for very wet (or snowy) days. Waterproof below the zippers. I just love these everyday examples of true vintage products’ sensible value. Nothing frivolous or impractical here, but with a nod to fashion, as well.
Next we go on to a 1980’s brand that I collect whenever I find them – Penaljo made some wonderful 1940’s – 1950’s retro sandals and I show my latest find (the grey ones) along with some I already had (the green and cork pair). Just love these for summer – so wartime/I Love Lucy. ADORE wedge heels – very cute with shirtwaist and sun-dresses, capri’ pants or skirts. Leather construction with good attention to detail. Worth picking up. So, we’re on a roll. Stay tuned . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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From the 1960’s back to, maybe the 1920’s, these three are my oldest vintage examples of Hawaiian gowns. From the farthest left, to right –
Psychedelic hues and patterns on the far left – not hard to see the late Sixties here. The center dress is from the 1950’s and is fashioned in the traditional Hawaiian style, with a panel on the back that is almost like a train, without the dragging hem.
On the far right is a mystery dress with a metal side zipper. It has images in the print that are not your standard Hawaiian shirt variety and the fabric is very different –
instead of being the heavy cotton that I’d usually expect, it is a fluid material that I’d guess is rayon. If the label did not indicate that it was made in Hawaii, I’d say it had come from Japan. The toggle closure at the neck is also something often seen on Chinese and Japanese garments. It’s also got a very 1930’s cut – close to the body.
Hmmm . . . . . . . . . this is REALLY Mata Hari undercover espionage stuff. I wonder how she wound her way to the place where I discovered her . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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I just love, love, love the look of round-toed pumps! These are sweet and sassy at the same time, and oh, so of-the-period. When I really want to be back-in-the-day, these are some that I’ll wear.
Black suede, 100% leather construction with elegant bows on the vamps – this pair is made by Air Step. Another fabulous discovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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These gorgeous lingerie gowns were another surprise find – always so much fun! The shoulder detail is what really makes them stand out – the way the straps are joined in the front. They just don’t make ’em like this anymore.
The sheer panels and the gathers are also lovely, as well as the cloud-soft feel of the nylon fabric.
Sigh – to die for . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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