Vintage Inspiration for the Modern Woman

Well, it’s late on a Sunday night and I got to thinking, what’s better than a vintage movie marathon on the weekends? Nothing! For those of you thinking that every vintage movie is boring, elongated, and black and white…you’re wrong. Vintage movies are the first place I go when I’m in need of a good laugh, some classic music, and above all, amazing fashion. To save you all the trouble of fishing through poorly put together films, and anything dreadfully boring, I’ve put together a list of my favorite vintage films.

1. Mame

This one is for all of the I Love Lucy lovers. Lucille Ball is spectacular in this movie, and who knew she had such a great voice? Mame is a 1974 musical film based on the 1966 Broadway musical as well as the 1955 novel. The whole movie follows Mame Dennis (played by Ball) and her extremely extravagant lifestyle. She’s the kind of woman who always looks great, always has a drink in her hand, and always throws a good party. However, that free-and-fun lifestyle comes to an abrupt halt when Mame must take care of her deceased brother’s son, Patrick. The movie surely comes with a ton of laughs, a ton of fashion, and a ton of scotch.

2. How to Marry a Millionaire

This Hollywood comedy has to be one of my favorites for fashion inspiration. The movie takes place in New York City and stars Lauren Bacall, Betty Grable and Marilyn Monroe. The girls play three models who don’t have very much money. They’re trying to make names for themselves in the fashion industry all while finding rich husbands to buy them anything their hearts desire. Monroe’s performance definitely comes with all the laughable lines, but in the end the movie becomes more than a comedy about women digging for gold, it’s a truly romantic movie filled with great costume designs.

3. Singing in the Rain

This is a classic, and if you haven’t seen it already, GO WATCH IT. The choreography is amazing, the music is great, the scenes are hilarious, and the actors are extremely loveable. This film is one of my all time favorites because the costume design and musical performances balance each other out, both are stellar. The film takes place in Hollywood in the late 20’s. It stars Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds. All stars play performers; a showgirl, a musical sidekick, and an actor. They all get caught up in the transition from silent movies to “talkies,” or “talking pictures.” My favorite costume designs are on Jean Hagen (supporting actress) and on Debbie Reynolds as well. If you recognize Reynolds, it’s because she played Aggie in Halloweentown! Crazy, I know.

4. Mommie Dearest

While my other favorite vintage movies are comedies, this one is clearly a drama. Though I wouldn’t recommend watching this movie alone in the middle of the night, I still recommend you watch it. If you watch this film with a few friends, it will in fact come off as a comedy. Regardless, it is an in depth look at one of the most well known female stars, Joan Crawford. The movie exposes her glamorous life, her obsession with perfection, and her obvious mental disorder. While the fashion in this movie is extremely beautiful and “Old Hollywood,” the lesson of this movie speaks for a great cause. Raising awareness of the abusive and traumatic upbringing of children. Crawford abused her children back in the 1940’s but parents continue to abuse their children to this very day.

5. Bye Bye Birdie

Though I know that this movie isn’t for everyone, it’s still a great watch. This movie is undoubtedly for anyone who loves Grease or anything Elvis Presley-esque. The movie is extremely cheesy and cute, and I would describe it as a vintage High School Musical. The musical comedy was made in 1963 and stars Ann-Margret, Bobby Rydell, Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh, and Jesse Pearson. Margret who plays Kim MacAfee is your typical teenage girl, she’s boy crazy, and is head-over-heels for Hugo Peabody (Rydell). However, when she gets the opportunity to kiss the guy of her dreams, singer Conrad Birdie (Pearson) she doesn’t waste any time. The film is super sweet and funny, and the fashion is extremely mod.

6. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

This film has to be one of my favorites because this is one of Marylin Monroe’s best performances. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was Monroe’s break out movie, and while Jane Russell was the star at the time, and the star of the film, Monroe really turned heads on the big screen. This is a musical for those who aren’t crazy about musicals! There are about five short musical numbers in the entire movie. Russell and Monroe play best gal pals, and while Russell plays a more down-two-earth girl, it’s Monroe’s character as a gold-digging woman with a love for diamonds in which the movie is most clearly remembered. This movie is truly iconic and Monroe’s rendition of the song “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” has inspired numerous up to date celebrities such as Madonna, Christina Aguilera, and Nicole Kidman. The costume design in this film includes beaded gowns, kitten heels, fur shawls, and lots of lace.

Well, that’s all I have for now, if you have any suggestions I’ll add them to the list!

Stay fashionable you frauds!