gingham | Clothes on Film

The 1945 cinematic adaptation of Mildred Pierce, directed by Michael Curtiz and starring, of course, Joan Crawford, is a very different beast to the 2011 HBO mini-series starring Kate Winslet. In all honestly it is not as good, but more significantly it is very different in terms of costume. Interestingly enough the mini-series, which is evidently a period piece, is closer in terms of historical accuracy than the near contemporary set Crawford version. This is not the be all and end all, because while Winslet’s Pierce may feel more real in terms of costume and setting, Crawford’s is arguably more fun. If for no other reason than to exemplify how…

Oz is here and as far as fantasy costume is concerned, you are in for some surprises.

The displaced sex appeal of uniforms in Mildred Pierce.

A prevalent theme in the first episode of Mildred Pierce starring is how domestic costume can be read as a signal for sexual availability.

The Debbie Reynolds costume collection is up for sale. Darn you, worldwide recession!

It is impossible to wear stripes, contrast collars and cuffs nowadays without ‘doing a Gekko’.

She may start out in fisherman’s knitwear but by the end of Rocky, Talia Shire could not look more feminine.