Your Favorite Film Costumes

Inky · 08-08-2009, 08:36 PM

I was watching the witty 1942 comedy "The Man Who Came to Dinner" this evening and between some very hearty laughing, I was astounded by this Orry-Kelly dress worn by Ann Sheridan as Lorraine Sheldon - just look at these insane hand buttons/clasps that hold the bodice shut. Oh what I would not give to see this gown in color! Large image of full gown here. Some of my other favorites Orry-Kelly costumes were for Auntie Mame and Gypsy because when I was a little girl I wanted to grow up to be a grand old broad like Mame or Mama Rose!

This crazy but beautiful gown got me thinking - what are you favorite film gowns/costumes, who designed them and why do you love them so?

Feathers · 08-08-2009, 09:53 PM

I love the striped gown that Myrna Loy wears in the Thin Man. (You know, the one she wears during the cocktail party at their plush apartment? It's long and chiffon-flowy and she looks absolutely gorgeous in it; in fact, she looks great in anything she has on in that whole series! (Huge pic, sorry!)

Le sigh. I have more of course but that's the first that comes to mind.

Feathers · 08-08-2009, 09:57 PM

Oh p.s I just watched The Man Who Came to Dinner too! The letter is next...gotta love Bette Davis-thons!

hailey greenhat · 08-08-2009, 10:08 PM

i have no clue where this is from really but if someone else does.....

not an old film but i consistently love the costumes

and this is just a blatant excuse to post jimmy

SayCici · 08-08-2009, 10:33 PM

Simple, but one of Marilyn's suits from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes -

I'm crazy over that neckline, and the big collar. I'd rather look at the 'simpler' everyday outfits than the glamorous ones any day!

lolly_loisides · 08-08-2009, 10:40 PM

My must have dress from the movies is the Jean Harlow evening gown that she wears in "Dinner at Eight". So elegant, so sexy, just perfect!
Any discussion of fashion designers for the movies has to include Adrian. His gowns were in literally hundreds of movies.

miserabelle · 08-09-2009, 03:01 AM

I can't find a picture of it, but I love the nightgown that Roxie wears in Chicago in the movie - both nightgowns actually, the 'real' and fantasy one. The costumes in that movie are gorgeous!

I also really love the dress that Satine wears in the end of Moulin Rouge!

xx

December · 08-09-2009, 05:51 AM

I dream of owning a dress like Ginger Rogers in Top Hat during Cheek to Cheek.

I'm toying with the idea of getting a similar one made for my wedding.

maisie · 08-09-2009, 05:56 AM

I was just watching the film The Women the other day and I don't thik there was a costume I didn't like! Espcially in the segment of the film that is in colour and show a 'fashion show'! Any excuse to get more beautiful costumes in to the film

.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ukorwomen4.jpg

Lorena B · 08-09-2009, 07:05 AM

Oh Inky, what a great idea for a thread!!
Please, lets keep it growing!!

Amy Jeanne · 08-09-2009, 08:54 AM

I like any costume ever filmed in the 1930s.

Here are just a few faves:

Anything worn in Three On A Match (1932). They are all so simple and I would certainly wear every single one on a daily basis.

All those crazy costumes worn by Thelma Todd. I really do love the 30s for it's use of pointyness and OTT ruffles and large, exaggerated bows and sleeves. Nothing makes me gasp more.

And this is my favourite gown of all time. I just love pink!

Feathers · 08-09-2009, 09:38 AM

Speaking of Dinner at Eight, I love this one:

Those ridiculous feathered sleeves! I wish I had a gown like that in every color!

Lusti Weather · 08-09-2009, 09:55 AM

I have to second the nominations for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes; the outfits in that movie are to die for! (So are the ones in How to Marry a Millionaire. The fashion show part makes me drool.)

I am slightly obsessed with the "phantom hat" in Phantom Lady. All of the hats in that movie are incredible, actually!

LizzieMaine · 08-09-2009, 09:55 AM

There's a 1934 British musical called "Evergreen" in which Jessie Matthews wears an astonishing skin-tight black-and-white gown -- black on one side, white on the other, with the two sections demarcated by a zig-zag pattern down the dead center of the dress. She accents this with one black glove and one white glove.

I can't find a picture of this dress, but I first saw the film on TV when I was about thirteen, and never forgot it. When I finally saw the film again last year, I had remembered every detail of the gown.

C-dot · 08-09-2009, 12:45 PM

Oh boy oh boy oh boy!

Gene's dress in Laura:

Bette scandalizing the town in Jezebel:

Marilyn in How to Marry a Millionaire:

Everybody in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers:

Adrian's gowns for The Women:

And everything Jean Harlow ever wore:

C-dot · 08-09-2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by December

I dream of owning a dress like Ginger Rogers in Top Hat during Cheek to Cheek.

Ginger designed that gown herself - It was ice blue and made out of ostrich feathers. When you watch the dance segment (if you can become un-mesmerized by the dancing) you can see pieces flying off all over the place. Fred hated that dress, because it got all over his suit. He nicknamed her "Feathers" after that

MissAmelina · 08-09-2009, 01:44 PM

I know these are not very obscure

but they are the dresses that first caught my eye and made me appreciate the Golden Age.

The dress is Gilda still slays me everytime I see it. The contrast makes her skin look like milk, and I can imagine how substantial and soft the satin would feel to touch.

And Claudette Colbert's wedding gown in IHON (Also in satin....and I based my own wedding dress on it):

Lily Powers · 08-09-2009, 02:04 PM

So many to choose from, but one that I've found particularly mesmerizing, is the Orry-Kelly jumper dress Ingrid Bergman wore in Casablanca. Oh, I love the flowy, flirty dresses of the early 1930's films, especially the ones with Kay Francis, but there is something so wearable about this outfit.

December · 08-09-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-dot

Ginger designed that gown herself - It was ice blue and made out of ostrich feathers. When you watch the dance segment (if you can become un-mesmerized by the dancing) you can see pieces flying off all over the place. Fred hated that dress, because it got all over his suit. He nicknamed her "Feathers" after that

I didn't know that! Wow- she really was a talented woman!

Inky · 08-09-2009, 04:50 PM

yippee! I am really enjoying the photos and descriptions of the gowns and designers you all love in the movies! Keep them coming!

I too love Adrian's gowns, especially in The Women. I tried to find a photo of my favorite outfit that Rosalind Russell wears early on in the film - it has EYES on it! Those crazy details are soooo fabulous!

08-08-2009, 08:36 PM	#1
Inky One Too Many Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: State of Confusion AKA California Posts: 1,423	Your Favorite Film Costumes I was watching the witty 1942 comedy "The Man Who Came to Dinner" this evening and between some very hearty laughing, I was astounded by this Orry-Kelly dress worn by Ann Sheridan as Lorraine Sheldon - just look at these insane hand buttons/clasps that hold the bodice shut. Oh what I would not give to see this gown in color! Large image of full gown here. Some of my other favorites Orry-Kelly costumes were for Auntie Mame and Gypsy because when I was a little girl I wanted to grow up to be a grand old broad like Mame or Mama Rose! This crazy but beautiful gown got me thinking - what are you favorite film gowns/costumes, who designed them and why do you love them so? __________________ Inky http://inkyknits.blogspot.com

08-08-2009, 09:53 PM	#2
Feathers Familiar Face Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 80	I love the striped gown that Myrna Loy wears in the Thin Man. (You know, the one she wears during the cocktail party at their plush apartment? It's long and chiffon-flowy and she looks absolutely gorgeous in it; in fact, she looks great in anything she has on in that whole series! (Huge pic, sorry!) Le sigh. I have more of course but that's the first that comes to mind. __________________ “This place certainly reeks of hospitality and good cheer...or maybe it's this cheese.” Last edited by Feathers : 08-09-2009 at 09:26 AM.

08-08-2009, 09:57 PM	#3
Feathers Familiar Face Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 80	Oh p.s I just watched The Man Who Came to Dinner too! The letter is next...gotta love Bette Davis-thons! __________________ “This place certainly reeks of hospitality and good cheer...or maybe it's this cheese.”

08-08-2009, 10:08 PM	#4
hailey greenhat One of the Regulars Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Redondo Beach California Posts: 141	i have no clue where this is from really but if someone else does..... not an old film but i consistently love the costumes and this is just a blatant excuse to post jimmy __________________ Just walk on by, wait on the corner I love you but we're strangers when we meet

08-08-2009, 10:33 PM	#5
SayCici Practically Family Join Date: May 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 606	Simple, but one of Marilyn's suits from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - I'm crazy over that neckline, and the big collar. I'd rather look at the 'simpler' everyday outfits than the glamorous ones any day! __________________ Lucy Muir: Thank you, Mr. Coombe! I've always wanted to be considered obstinate...

08-08-2009, 10:40 PM	#6
lolly_loisides "A" List Customer Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Blue Mountains, Australia Posts: 303	Adrian My must have dress from the movies is the Jean Harlow evening gown that she wears in "Dinner at Eight". So elegant, so sexy, just perfect! Any discussion of fashion designers for the movies has to include Adrian. His gowns were in literally hundreds of movies. Last edited by lolly_loisides : 08-09-2009 at 06:30 AM.

08-09-2009, 03:01 AM	#7
miserabelle One of the Regulars Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: england Posts: 170	I can't find a picture of it, but I love the nightgown that Roxie wears in Chicago in the movie - both nightgowns actually, the 'real' and fantasy one. The costumes in that movie are gorgeous! I also really love the dress that Satine wears in the end of Moulin Rouge! xx

08-09-2009, 05:51 AM	#8
December One of the Regulars Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surrey, England. Posts: 135	I dream of owning a dress like Ginger Rogers in Top Hat during Cheek to Cheek. I'm toying with the idea of getting a similar one made for my wedding. __________________ "Fashion is a form of ugliness so evil that we have to alter it every six months"- Oscar Wilde.

08-09-2009, 05:56 AM	#9
maisie "A" List Customer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: England Posts: 451	I was just watching the film The Women the other day and I don't thik there was a costume I didn't like! Espcially in the segment of the film that is in colour and show a 'fashion show'! Any excuse to get more beautiful costumes in to the film . http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ukorwomen4.jpg

08-09-2009, 07:05 AM	#10
Lorena B Practically Family Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: UK, Spain & NL Posts: 545	Oh Inky, what a great idea for a thread!! Please, lets keep it growing!! __________________ Life is like a dream!!! www.myspace.com/lorena54

08-09-2009, 08:54 AM	#11
Amy Jeanne One Too Many Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,334	I like any costume ever filmed in the 1930s. Here are just a few faves: Anything worn in Three On A Match (1932). They are all so simple and I would certainly wear every single one on a daily basis. All those crazy costumes worn by Thelma Todd. I really do love the 30s for it's use of pointyness and OTT ruffles and large, exaggerated bows and sleeves. Nothing makes me gasp more. And this is my favourite gown of all time. I just love pink! __________________ It'll Take The Snap Out Of Your Garters! Lots of Vintage Scans from 1912 to 1963 Last edited by Amy Jeanne : 08-09-2009 at 08:59 AM.

08-09-2009, 09:38 AM	#12
Feathers Familiar Face Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 80	Speaking of Dinner at Eight, I love this one: Those ridiculous feathered sleeves! I wish I had a gown like that in every color! __________________ “This place certainly reeks of hospitality and good cheer...or maybe it's this cheese.”

08-09-2009, 09:55 AM	#13
Lusti Weather One of the Regulars Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 117	I have to second the nominations for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes; the outfits in that movie are to die for! (So are the ones in How to Marry a Millionaire. The fashion show part makes me drool.) I am slightly obsessed with the "phantom hat" in Phantom Lady. All of the hats in that movie are incredible, actually!

08-09-2009, 09:55 AM	#14
LizzieMaine Bartender Join Date: May 2006 Location: The "Second-Coolest Small Town In America" Posts: 5,092	There's a 1934 British musical called "Evergreen" in which Jessie Matthews wears an astonishing skin-tight black-and-white gown -- black on one side, white on the other, with the two sections demarcated by a zig-zag pattern down the dead center of the dress. She accents this with one black glove and one white glove. I can't find a picture of this dress, but I first saw the film on TV when I was about thirteen, and never forgot it. When I finally saw the film again last year, I had remembered every detail of the gown. __________________ Let's have another cup of coffee -- and let's have another piece of pie!

08-09-2009, 12:45 PM	#15
C-dot Practically Family Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 949	Oh boy oh boy oh boy! Gene's dress in Laura: Bette scandalizing the town in Jezebel: Marilyn in How to Marry a Millionaire: Everybody in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers: Adrian's gowns for The Women: And everything Jean Harlow ever wore: __________________ *"There are no ugly women, only lazy ones." -Helena Rubenstein* http://laurathecdot.blogspot.com/ Last edited by C-dot : 08-09-2009 at 12:53 PM.

08-09-2009, 01:44 PM	#17
MissAmelina "A" List Customer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: W. Twin Peaks, WA Posts: 403	I know these are not very obscure but they are the dresses that first caught my eye and made me appreciate the Golden Age. The dress is Gilda still slays me everytime I see it. The contrast makes her skin look like milk, and I can imagine how substantial and soft the satin would feel to touch. And Claudette Colbert's wedding gown in IHON (Also in satin....and I based my own wedding dress on it): __________________ Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.... MaMieS mUsiNgs

08-09-2009, 02:04 PM	#18
Lily Powers "A" List Customer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Not too north, not too south; just right, in CA. Posts: 373	So many to choose from, but one that I've found particularly mesmerizing, is the Orry-Kelly jumper dress Ingrid Bergman wore in Casablanca. Oh, I love the flowy, flirty dresses of the early 1930's films, especially the ones with Kay Francis, but there is something so wearable about this outfit. __________________ "Waiter, will you serve the nuts? I mean, will you serve the guests the nuts?"

08-09-2009, 04:50 PM	#20
Inky One Too Many Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: State of Confusion AKA California Posts: 1,423	yippee! I am really enjoying the photos and descriptions of the gowns and designers you all love in the movies! Keep them coming! I too love Adrian's gowns, especially in The Women. I tried to find a photo of my favorite outfit that Rosalind Russell wears early on in the film - it has EYES on it! Those crazy details are soooo fabulous! __________________ Inky http://inkyknits.blogspot.com

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