A FABULOUS EARLY 1950’S JUNE WEDDING – IN HANDMADE LACE

IMG_1479     Count on the McCall’s magazine to come up with everything! – including patterns for hand-crocheted or knitted dresses for all the women in your wedding party.  Unbelievable!!

Well, it would certainly have kept the cost down.  Many women did make their wedding gowns and attendants’ dresses in the past, or have them made, but usually the designs weren’t so labor-intensive as something like this.  Can you imagine, with everything else there is to do to prepare for a wedding?

So, that was life in the early 1950’s.   A lot simpler in some ways, a lot more tedious in others – but we’ve lost most of the elegance along the way.  We’ll keep stepping back in time with my latest finds . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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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

MORE RARE FINDS – PINK KENNEDY ERA SPRING COAT

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This has been a week of more and more unusual and rare discoveries.  No, I have not found a pink lab coat – it is a lower-end Easter coat made of faux linen or shantung material that pretends to be a more elegant item with the up-scale-looking fabric and decorative tabs at the waist.  Better buttons would certainly transform it.

I have NEVER seen one like this!  Lightweight, but fully lined.  It’s very well-designed and the tailoring is nice for a less-expensive garment.  I can’t imagine wearing it, but even today it would be just the thing for some girly girl to wear over her pretty Spring frock.

Some early – 1960’s lady did enjoy it and took exceptional care.  This coat was obviously kept for special occasions only.  Very out-of-season right now, but I just had to show you. Can only imagine what’s around the corner – stay tuned. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LATE 1960’S 1970’S PRAIRIE STYLE DRESS FIND – THIS ONE CAN HAVE MANY LIVES

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Could be a Prom – party, wedding or casual summer day dress according to your wish!  Love well-made frocks like this one, which has pretty fabric and trim as well as a liner that prevents see-through (excepting for a bit at the midriff and on the sleeves).  Just right!

I’m always super-happy to find a gown or long dress of this genre and era.  And, in perfect condition.  Things just keep getting better . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PERFECT! TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S KENNEDY ERA COAT AND DRESS ENSEMBLE

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Although it looks beige in the photo, this outfit is actually a lovely pink color, in a dressy fabric with matte and silvery metallic shine finishes together.  The dress is an elegant sleeveless sheath with an ornamental notched neckline.  Both the dress and coat are fully lined.

The best of dressy styles from that era – beautifully-tailored and in virtually perfect condition.  What a find!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER CUSTODIAL DUTY – A 1950’S PARTY GOWN FROM THE FAMILY

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When post-war era women finally have to/decide to move out of their homes, it’s not unusual that they have saved some of their most precious, favorite dresses over the decades.  Of course, it then becomes DECISION TIME.  Well, lucky me!

I was elected as most suited to look after this pink princess, left over from the early 1950’s.  With sequins and netting, it’s got the requisite poufy skirt and strappy top.  I may, with permission, enter it in a show this fall but I’ll probably be looking for the best new owner sometime next year.  I’ll be sorry to part with her, but she is an honored guest until then . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGSPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1940’s -1950’s ROCKABILLY PROM DRESS

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It’s pretty gaudy, but somebody loved it back in the day!  It can be worn off the shoulder, peasant-style, too.  There’s nothing expensive about it, with simple workmanship and “cheap” fabrics so it makes me wonder if this was a wartime frock.  If not, it was post-war early Fifties.

Anyway, it’s fun and the second dress I’ve come across in the past couple of years in this style.  Must have been at the back of someone’s closet or basement for a long, long time – just safeguarding those special memories of a dance or party date.  Hmmm, you just never know. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

WOWEE AGAIN!!! MORE GREAT FINDS TODAY

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-1-11111211111112111Today, on a more-or-less routine survey, I had wonderful good fortune.  I’m just about to re-examine and photograph my newest acquisitions and get them ready to post on the blog.  Because I have already scheduled postings for the next three days, expect to begin seeing these on Sunday, Nov. 13.

Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

LET’S “UP” THE TRUE VINTAGE BLING – RHINESTONE NECKLACES FROM MID-CENTURY AND BEFORE

IMG_0958Here’s my main collection of true vintage white rhinestone collars.  From simple and sweet to sassy and sophisticated.  These were made between 1940 and 1960, I’d say.  Some might be older, or slightly newer.

To be worn alone, or almost alone.  Unless you’re doing a period costume from a time when overkill was the usual fashion and everything was worn as a set, these lovelies shine most brilliantly when standing alone.

Just my opinion, for what it’s worth . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A SWEET SET – A FORMAL OR DRESSY EVENING IN TRUE VINTAGE RHINESTONES AND “PEARLS”

IMG_0956      This is one of my favorite little necklaces, from the 1950’s or early Sixties.  Very sweet – love the rhinestone bow and the faux pearl drop.  The chain, also, is studded with rhinestones all the way.

The earrings are a bit later – late Sixties or Seventies, but they coordinate nicely.  A parure like this would have been perfect with a formal pouf dress – depending on the age of the wearer and the occasion.

Definitely costume jewelry, but so pretty . . . .. . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM