This is my contribution to the Hollywood Revue's Fashion in Film Blogathon. For the complete line-up, click here. I can't wait to to get glamoured-up!
Up until the most recent decades (and the advent of the dreaded "casual Friday"), women in the workplace had very few role models. This was particularly true regarding fashion in the workplace. So, when real life fails, we girls have to resort to reel life for our "dos" and "don'ts".
Depending on your job category and type of employment, here are some handy film fashion "dos" and "don'ts" to help you complete your working day and night ensemble.
Factory Worker
These ladies work hard for their money (no reason not to look good doing it!).
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| Shelly Winters in "A Place in the Sun" - very drab - a definite "don't." |
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Sally Field as "Norma Rae" - a "do" only if you can
carry off the tight jeans and the sweat. |
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| Maria from "Metropolis" - a definite "do" - very chic |
Domestic
It is important to look good while cleaning up.
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Angela Lansbury in "Gaslight" - a traditional "do"
made better by a cheeky attitude. |
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Merry Clayton, Ally Sheedy &
Begona Plaza - 3 "do"s from movie "Maid To Order" |
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| Jennifer Lopez - a drab "don't" in "Maid in Manhattan." |
Teacher
Always on display and always a topic of conversation (and sometimes a crush or two).
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| Doris Day is a "do" as the teacher in "Teacher's Pet." |
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Jennifer Jones in a "don't" in "Good Morning Miss Dove".
She needn't be so sedate! |
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Cameron Diaz - a "do" and a "don't" in "Bad Teacher" -
it all depends on your statement! |
Nun
A lifelong career for these ladies. The Lord likes a good habit.
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| Audrey Hepburn in "A Nun's Story" - a "do" for summer months. |
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Deborah Kerr in "Black Narcissus" - a big "do" - very coordinated
look under difficult circumstances. |
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Another "do" from Deborah Kerr in "Heaven Knows Mr. Allison" -
proving the versatility of the habit: dignified, but sporty. |
Shop Girl
Selling is difficult; looking well groomed helps.
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A definite "do" for Clara Bow in "It" that does double duty
behind the counter and on the boss's desk. |
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| Joan Crawford in "The Women" - a saleswoman dressed for success - "do!" |
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| Another "do" - Clare Danes in "Shopgirl" - classic. |
The Waitress
Working hard for tips - what would we do without her?
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Ellen Burstyn in "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" -
she's a winner, but the outfit is a "don't." |
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Another "do" from Joan as "Mildred Pierce" -
good fit, good detail makes it special. |
The Executive and the Professional
Making it in a man's world isn't easy.
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Leatrice Joy in "The Clinging Vine" - making it in man's world
does not mean you have to look like a man - a big "don't." |
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| Joan Crawford gets a "do" as business woman "Mildred Pierce." |
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A "do" from Katharine Hepburn as a lawyer in "Adam's Rib."
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| A big "do" from Diane Keaton as the business woman of "Baby Boom." |
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Reese Witherspoon as a lawyer in "Legally Blonde 2" -
a big "do" - elegant but individual. |
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| Demi Moore in "Disclosure" - "don't" unless you want to get fired. |
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| As an exec, Melanie Griffith in "Working Girl" became a "do." |
Administrative Assistant (fka: Secretary)
Keeping that professional distance can be difficult; dressing right can help.
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Jean Harlow in "Red-Headed Woman" - a "don't"
unless you want to sleep with the boss. |
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| Joan Crawford in "Grand Hotel" - first class "do." |
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Barbara Stanwyck in "Baby Face" -
a "don't", but the dress doesn't stay on long. |
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Hope Lange in "The Best of Everything" - a "do" , especially when
applyingfor a position. A hat and gloves are always a safe bet! |
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The "don't"s Secretary Pool from "The Best of Everything"
eyes chic Hope Lange - a "do" dressed for success. |
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| The "9 to 5" ladies - "don'ts" on so many levels! |
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As secretaries, "Working Girl"s Melanie Griffith
and Joan Cusak were big-hair "don't"s. |
The Newspaper Gals
Writers and go-getters who always get the scoop!
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"Do"! - Roz Russell knocks it out of the park in
"His Girl Friday" in all ways - suits, hats, and smarts! |
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Katharine Hepburn in "Woman of the Year" is a
total "do" - let the boss know what you've got! |
The Artistic and Fashion Women
These ladies are my favorite, combining fashion, function and flair!
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Gene Tierney in "Laura" - the accessory queen and a big "do" -
even if the gloves do have to come off at the office. |
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| "Laura" again with another "do" - the lunch time hat. Go for it, ladies! |
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| Meryl Streep a total "do" in "The Devil Wears Prada." |
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| Grace Kelly in "Rear Window" - her business was fashion, so a big "do." |
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Barbara Bel Geddes in "Vertigo" - sorry, Babs, but you
come up a "don't here. You design brassieres for heaven's sake -
sex it up a bit and Jimmy won't go stalking Kim! |
The Doris Day Working Woman Hall of Fame
Doris was not the professional virgin of movie legend. Instead, she almost always played a working woman of strength and integrity. Plus, she really knew how to dress. In "Pillow Talk" and "Lover Come Back" she played an interior decorator and a Madison Avenue Ad Exec. Here are just a few of the "dos" from Doris!
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| "Lover Come Back" |
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| "Lover Come Back" |
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| "Pillow Talk" |
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| "Lover Come Back" |
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| "Pillow Talk" |
The Working Woman After Dark
Sometimes, the working day spills into the night and a gal has to attend functions of a business nature. These ladies show us there is no reason not to look chic and glamorous for a client.
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| Gene Tierney as "Laura" - always a "do." |
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| Grace Kelly in "Rear Window" - impossibly chic and elegant "do." |
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| One more Doris "do" - from "Lover Come Back." |
Now that I have all of my "dos" and "don'ts" listed and memorized, I am off to Target to see if I can conjure up a good budget wardrobe for the work-week ahead! I wonder if they carry white gloves and veils?
