Thursday, September 27, 2012

Cinema Connection--Lauren Bacall Inspires 1940s Peplums and Houndstooth for Fall


It seems I am forever pronouncing the influence of classic cinema on today's fashion.  Two trends for Fall/Winter 2012 offer further evidence of this--the peplum and houndstooth pattern.  The peplum--a short overskirt or ruffle attached at the waist--made a real resurgence this season.  It is such a strong trend that it also appeared on the runways for Spring/Summer 2013, and I suspect it will still be in fashion beyond that.  It is surprisingly figure-flattering when done right...its length can conceal a few flaws and it adds curves for more slender girls.  I find that the peplum is at its best when it simply skims the body and its volume is under control.

Houndstooth is another look that's on trend now...the pattern has been seen in everything from coats and dresses to clutches and pumps.  Along with the peplum, houndstooth originally found tremendous popularity in the 1940s.  Film led fashion at that time, and both of today's trends can be traced to a couple iconic moments from the great Lauren Bacall.  In her very first film To Have and Have Not (1944), costume designer Milo Anderson created a fitted checked suit with a peplum jacket to serve as her primary outfit in the movie.  And Anderson's Warner Brothers colleague Leah Rhodes then took and tweaked the suit years later for Bacall in The Big Sleep (1947) by updating the costume in a houndstooth wool.  These looks are now seen all over fashion runways, red carpets, and celebrity street style.  Take a look at just some of the cinema connection and fashion influence of Lauren Bacall.

ABOVE: Runways from Fall/Winter 2012 thanks to Shefinds.com


Lauren Bacall's original fitted checked suit from Milo Anderson in 1944's To Have and Have Not



Modern peplum suiting on Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Hudson, Victoria Beckham, Blake Lively, and Elle Macpherson (above)
and the peplum is popular on dresses, too, as seen on Rihanna, Scarlett Johansson, Emma Stone, and Blake Lively again

Thanks to BetweentheDitches.com (above) and SodaHead.com for use of the images



Houndstooth is also huge for Fall and a trend inspired by Bacall in Leah Rhodes for 1947's The Big Sleep



Modern interpretation from Stop Staring (right down to the black beret, above)
and on Selena Gomez, Gwenyth Paltrow, Gwen Stefani, and Evan Rachel Wood

6 comments:

KC said...

Kate M's hair is so lovely in the back. Those loose curls must have taken a long time to get right.

Silver Screenings said...

I adore houndstooth and am really happy to see it back in a big way. Bacall certainly was influential!

Kimberly Truhler said...

Thanks KC! Yes, I definitely covet Kate Middleton's hair (and hairdresser). Perfect hair all the time!

Kimberly Truhler said...

Thanks Silver Screenings! Houndstooth was big in the 1980s and I think they're doing it sooooo much better today. I love all the ways the pattern is being incorporated into fashion, from clothes to all the accessories. And also the variations in the sizes of the houndstooth makes a big difference. So many options!

Anonymous said...

Wear is kim Kardashians black peplum from? Do u have any suggestions for a similar hight st brand??

Kimberly Truhler said...

Unfortunately, I don't know where Kim K.'s peplum is from. But peplums are everywhere now, so I know you'll be able to find one that's either high or low fashion. Thanks!

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