Tag Archives: women’s

NEAT, NEAT FIND! A 1970’S – 1980’S MIDI-BLOUSE

Another true vintage retro-style discovery. I love, love, love finding super vintage separates!! This rayon blouse by Esprit will be great with my white 1940’s – style sailor pants, my 1970’s white suit, and, and, and, etc. The style era is about 1935 – 1955. It’s in beautiful condition and fits. The only thing I plan on doing is adding some modest – size shoulder pads to perfect the fit on my body. This also may help the keep the collar in line under jackets. And, I might turn up the cuffs on the sleeves. They are perfectly finished to do this without any additional sewing.

A little style tweak here and there is always fun, as well as making sure that the fit is just right for you, which can make all the difference in the world. With well-made garments, as so many true vintage ones are, alterations are often easier. When a piece is cut well, changing the size a bit doesn’t throw the lines off in a wonky way or require a lot of restyling. It’s harder to do with clothing made for imprecise sizes and without attention to detail.

So, there. A little snooty? But, so true . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1970’S HIGH-WAIST PANTS COMPLETE AN ENSEMBLE!

When it rains it pours. I’d been snooping for some well-fitting, stylish true vintage pants and the Universe delivered. Another pair of tailored slacks made very similarly to the ones shown from my last expedition but these set the bar a notch higher. In linen, with a full lining and beautifully-made.

Though the color is gorgeous, it can be a bit dodgy to coordinate effectively with anything but black or white. However . . . . . . . . . . . last year I had uncovered this lovely silk blouse with 1980’s – early 1990’s styling. Loved the color combo but also didn’t have just the right things to wear it with. Well, you see what happens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hang on. There’s more to come ——-

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A BEAUTIFUL 1970’S LONG VEST BY BUTTE KNIT

Another beautiful knit garment by a famous vintage label. Some knits from the early 1970’s were still among the best ever made and Butte Knits could always be depended upon. This example is iconic with it’s heavy weight, elegant design and excellent tailoring. Although the label carried on during more recent decades, older items are still the best.

With a simple center back Talon zipper, well-finished seams, decorative covered button trim and deep slits on each side, this vest is very versatile and also a statement piece. And, obviously it was valued by it’s original owner because the condition is near-perfect. I will wear it forever.

This latest expedition continued to center on the 1970’s to 1980’s era, so wait to see what else turned up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A MAD MOD PUCCI SWEATER?! WHAT FUN!!!

It isn’t signed, though I’m not sure a fabric of this weight would be . . . . . . . ? The semi-glossy material and construction have the hallmarks of a fine Italian knit with full-fashioning, carefully finished seams and signs that the missing label had been hand-sewn in place.

Could be true vintage, or not. But, anyway, it’s a quality piece and I’m so happy to have found it! 1960’s all over again in beautiful colors. Next time I’m in a Jetsons mood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Don’t know what I was thinking a few days ago when I said “found something else that I’ll be showing you soon” – I found 4 more somethings! So, stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

A REAL VINTAGE -SLEUTHING MIRACLE!

Must report this major success – I believe it’s a first for me. Two weeks ago I was doing an investigation and discovered, in a very disorganized and jumbled collection, an old plaid cotton robe from way back that was missing it’s tie belt. Ho, hum – that’s the usual case, unfortunately. This item was posted on the blog on June 20.

Today I was able to get back into the field again and a thought in the back of mind was that perhaps somewhere, sometime soon I might run across a black or burgundy belt that would work as a substitute. Well, one of the first things I spied in the motley mess was: THE ACTUAL MISSING BELT!! If these belts have not been preserved along with the garment, it’s virtually unheard of to see them again. It will need some mending since it’s very old, but can be rehabbed with no problem.

Found something else very neat today which I’ll be showing soon, but this was my little victory dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TAILORED BLOUSE THAT IS BOTH TRUE VINTAGE AND RETRO . . . . . . . . . .

1940’s styling from the early 1970’s, when a Forties wave was happening in fashion. Under the Shirt Accent label, this blouse has Dolman sleeves, a ’40’s style wing collar and side seam vents at the waistline.

As is often seen with vintage tailoring, the blouse is purposed to be very versatile. It can be worn casually, un-tucked with jeans, pants or shorts. However, dressed up a bit with skirts and high-waist slacks it will tuck in nicely.

No doubt, this garment had been someone’s staple for 45 – 50 years with only one tiny seam repair needed. Now it will be mine for another 50?

Tomorrow we’ll be traveling back in time to a much earlier era . . . . . . . .. . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Fab High-waist Slacks from the 1960’s

Drat! Clear channels are blocked so I won’t be able to send the entire inventory in one product. So, each acquisition will be covered in a separate communique.

These slacks could possibly be from the 1950’s, but I’m going to bet that they’re a few years younger than that. Pants like these have been on my discover list for some time. They have a slim, but not tight, fit. The pleats in front are not bunchy and the hip pockets lie flat!! Plus, there are little notches in the side seams at the ankles. Nice summer-weight fabric in basic bright colors. Perfect condition, fabulous vintage tailoring and THEY FIT!!!

After several months off the streets, it’s nice to venture into circulation again but – as always until further notice – sleuth cautiously and with protection.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

REPORT FROM TEMPORARY SUBSTATION: Investigations resuming cautiously

Some local avenues re-opening. Surreptitious reconnaissance resuming at a modest pace. Marketing activity still hampered by global events. Recent capture of various goods transported undercover. Report to follow, with documented inventory.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

KENNEDY-ERA SHEATH DINNER DRESS IN FABULOUS CONDITION

A gold rayon satin sheath, perfect for cocktails and dinner out in 1960. The over-dress with high slits and frog decoration is very much a style of that time. The white embroidered design is a little showy, but understated fashion wasn’t a big thing then. However, this dress still manages to be elegant.

Sadly, there is no label remaining and I doubt that it was home-sewn. Could have been custom-tailored by an expert dressmaker, which was a favorite thing to have done back then. Of course, I miss my mannequin models big-time when showing off this frock. A fitted sheath looks best on hourglass figures and was really cut to fit that way when it was new.

I’m discovering things from the late ’50’s and early ’60’s a little more often in the last year or two and it’s obviously a sign of the times. Not sure how many 80- and 90-year-olds might still be hanging on to a favorite Mod designer outfit. I guess I’ll find out later, but we’re still going in that direction tomorrow. Hang on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

RARE FIND. 1950’S TEX-MEX STYLE COTTON CIRCLE SKIRT

Haven’t run across one of these in a while, so I’m thrilled. They were so popular in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Travelers to Mexico and the southwest U.S. loved to buy them at stores carrying souvenirs, Western-wear and Native American goods and bring them home. The women living there wore them every day(especially if they were transplants from up north)-so comfortable and flattering.

Casual ones like this were often worn with white peasant blouses with puffy sleeves – see Kim Novak wearing one in Picnic(1955) with William Holden. Native American versions with LOTS of ric-rac usually had matching blouses. Pretty sure this one was home-sewn, but nicely done. The hem had been taken up from it’s below-knee original length but it was easy to take those stitches out. It’s fun to see clothing that has been altered over the years to go along with changing fashions. There is one old mend and some wear near the waistband closure that will require a little rehab, but that’s A-OK. I love vintage garments with a history and it testifies to the authenticity.

So, this one’s probably the oldest, but not by much. We’ll got forward in fashion history tomorrow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM