One of the movies of the century! I must admit, I don't really like this movie (I know, I know). I find all the characters despicable and it's hard for me to sit through the 3+ hours of abusive and manipulative relationships. BUT I do love the scenery and costumes and I love seeing how this movie influenced fashion in both 1939 but also into 1940.
The fashion? It's all about the hips:
You can see where McCall 3558 and 3559 got their inspiration (more hips!):
McCall 3559: This evening dress has a corset-like bodice and an extended hipline. Sewn inside are "hip-rounders," pieces of crinoline, doubled and pleated. They, plus the gathers, plus the bows, do much to make the waistline seem smaller.
McCall 3558: The ultra fashionables are making their hips swell out in order to make their waistlines cave in. So they are wearing hip pads. (Of course the dress can be worn without them.) The fulness at the bosom helps on this hour-glass effect.
Here's the back of the dresses which are very 1939/1940:
While I don't think I'll be breaking out the hip pads anytime soon, I do LOVE ruffled and peasant blouse necklines and sleeves:
And these dresses from the 1940 Sears Catalogue (as pictured in Everyday Fashions of the Forties):
I also LOVE the high neckline, victiorian-esque dresses:
This dress reminds me a bit of McCall 3567 (the one on the right). I also love the sweetheart neckline of McCall 3568 on the left:
In the description it says McCall 3567 has hip pads as well but they seem much more subtle (at least from the drawing above).
Last, but not least, we can't look at the influence of this movie on fashion without talking about hats!! I love this wide brimmed hat:
And there are these lovelies:
And they are for sale in the sears catalogue:
So much fun! What do you think? Did you like the movie? Would you wear one of these bonnets? What about the hip pads?
