Inspired Times

The sore throat I had earlier in the week has turned into full-blown nastiness. Yuck! Most of it has settled in my throat and chest, but I can't take decongestents because they dry my throat out too much and that's worse than the original ickiness. I guess I'll just have to wait this one out. I hope I feel better tomorrow, because this is supposed to be the nicest, warmest weekend we've had yet this year. So tonight, I'm relaxing under a blanket and watching Harry Potter movies. I loved the books, but I haven't seen most of the movies. It seems like a good time to catch up!

This being the case, I'm doing an inspiration post rather than an outfit post today. I really love period films, both for the stories and for the costumes! When I was in high school, I did a lot of acting with the drama club. My senior year, I got to play Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and I absolutely adored wearing the costumes. I still have my dresses from it! Of course, some of the dresses from way-back-when look downright uncomfortable. But the fashions of those times have so much intricate detail work, and amounts of fabric seem to be no object.

Here are some favorites:

 

I think Renee Zellweger's costumes from Miss Potter could easily be adapted into modern outfits. I love the mix of masculine and feminine in this one.

  

This character from the series Cranford was ahead of her time with the belted scarf trend! 

  

OK, I love Zoe Deschanel and Kirsten Dunst, both of whom are incredibly popular in the world of fashion blogging, but Kate Winslet is also near the top in my book. She's so classy, and she has a body type that I can relate to-- she's not teeny-tiny in weight or frame, and she's on the the taller side. Her styles in film and real life are classy and sophisticated. Definitely a role model of mine.

  

It's difficult to see this costume from the movie Amadeus in this photo, but it's such a great design! This is one of those movies that you have to see for the costume and set design, even if you don't care for classical music. 

  

And how can you talk about period films without mentioning the brilliant Marie Antoinette?  I wish women still used beautiful fans like this. I think part of my love for florals comes from this movie.

  

Vanity Fair is another great one to watch for the costumes and set. Also, Reese Witherspoon is excellent as Becky Sharp.

  

Sure, the Tudor-era clothing borders on the uncomfortable, but you can't deny the spare-no-expense luxuriousness of the designs. (Is "luxuriousness" a word? Maybe my cold medicine is messing with me...)

What about you? Do you love period film costumes as well? What eras do you take inspiration from?

films & series, in order: Miss Potter, Cranford, Sense & Sensibility, 

Amadeus,  Marie Antoinette, Vanity Fair, The Tudors