1940’s inspired Winter outfit

I noticed the Miu Miu 15/16 Winter campaign was a mix of Fortie’s and Sixtie’s. The victory rolls, big shoulders and lapels and the costume jewellery were from the Forties’s, while the mini skirts and shifts, and the make-up were Sixtie’s. It’s been too cold for short hemlines with nude tights, so I used the Fortie’s inspiration for a cold winters day.

The more I look the more I find how many different styles of shoe were around in the past, so although I normally wear these shoes with 20’s style dresses, I think they go well with the pale colours. The jewellery is from H&M and everything else from La Redoute.

The fashion of the early Forties while generally simpler in shapes because of the war, focused on the details of the collar and shoulders, and interesting notions like pockets and buttons and contrasting fabric patterns.

This navy dress with a pink petal pattern is a find of my Mum’s, and fits the Forties with its drapes and gathers, natural waistline and below the knee length. I love the bow tie shoes. Mum’s sunglasses are form Glasses Direct.

This coat was passed on to us by a friend who knows we love vintage. I don’t know how old it is, but it fits well with looks from the Thirties to the Fifties. Clothes can often be dated by the hemline and waist. A camel coat is a basic essential too. The fax fur hat is my ‘Doctor Zhivago’ Lara hat. I usually go for a Russian look, but fur accessories were popular in the Forties and it was cold outside!

 

 

Gilda dress

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Rita Hayworth wears this simply stunning black floor length evening dress in the film noir Gilda. Gilda wears this dress to the nightclub to make her old flame jealous and provoke a reaction, since they keep falling out. During the scene she sings ‘Put the Blame on Mame’ and removes one glove, burlesque style.

As seen in the photo, the dress is accessorised with long black satin gloves and peep toe shoes. In the film Gilda also wears a diamond necklace close to the collar bone.Some shots show her with a fur stole or coat.

I envy the amazing fit of clothes on film, especially from the 30’s to the 50’s.While the original appears to have been black, I think she would have looked amazing in emerald green, especially with her famous red hair.

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This is my dress rehearsal for a dance I was going to, and below, the photos with my hair and make-up done.

I am wearing a vintage diamanté necklace from my Nanna, sheer gloves from What Katie Did, peep toe heels with a slight platform. The girls in the Forties did platforms first! 

I found this dress on http://www.thecelebritydresses.com. I can recommend their ASOS collection, as this dress proves. They offer made to measure and ready to wear sizes as well as a choice of colours.

Her hair has had the curls brushed out to give more volume, and lots of pomade or hairspray must have been used to keep the smoothness. While Gila sings, you can see her hair get more curls.

The Forties glamorous make-up focused on a bold lip and more natural looking eyes. This was Hollywood, so false eyelashes were used to lengthen the lashes, but not to thicken them.

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Gilda dress

Now for the party!