Movie Wardrobes: Emma (2009)

3 blog posts in on week - no I have not gone on a crazy blogging spree! But I had this post in the works and the theme fits so well with Naomi's Jane Austen Week that I thought: "Why not get it up early?"

 But enough chitchat - on to the post.

Emma Woodhouse's wardrobe in the 2009 series is my favourite period drama wardrobe ever. Besides, studying Emma's outfits in depth also gives a good lesson in how to get a versatile wardrobe with some good key items. Don't believe me? Then look at all the evidence collected below.

(As this post is gonna contain every dress worn by Emma in a 4 episode series, it will be quite lengthy. Consider yourself warned)

I think Emma is supposed to be around 16 when she wears this dress, and the simplicity of the dress beautifully underlines the youthfulness and innocence of a girl not quite out in society yet. I love the little details in the embroidery on the fabric, it really gives the dress a little something.

I love the pattern and colour scheme of this dress that Emma wears to Miss Taylor and Mr Weston's wedding. Very festive and elegant. And is it just me or does it not just signal autumn?

This is one of my absolute favourite dresses. It's just so summery with the pale yellow and the flowery pattern. Also notice how it can easily change between a dress worn in summer and in winter by simply wearing long sleeves underneath it. 

Here's a lovely everyday dress, Emma often wears around the house. It seems quite simple but when you look closely the fabric actually has a beautiful golden shimmer in it. And it has a little bit of puff in the sleeves, what's not to like?

I really love this dress. It might have something to do with my love of anything blue at the moment, but I also really like all the little details in the neckline, and how you can change the appearance by wearing different ribbons/sashes.

This dress is a beautiful example of an autumn/winter dress. I just love the colour contrast the sash gives. And again, it can be dressed down for everyday use by wearing a shirt underneath.

Emma sadly only wears this dress once, at the Westons' Christmas party, but I would have enjoyed to see it more. It's a really lovely green shade and isn't the little bow on the back adorable? On another note I also just love the red ribbons she has weaved into her hairstyle.

Who says you can't be elegant just because it's cold outside? I love the details on the front, for some reason it makes me think of a military jacket of some kind. And look how it billows!! I've always dreamt of having a long coat that billows dramatically in the wind as I walk.

Another gorgeous winter coat! The cut is completely timeless, I for one, have been looking for a coat exactly like that for winter. I also love the way the colours coordinate.

Apparently those little detail at the front was a general fashion thing at the time- Emma sure has it on a lot of her clothes. I really like the colour and simplicity of this dress. Perfect for those cold winter months.

I know, this is technically not a dress, merely a shawl, but look at it! It's so gorgeous. The pattern is so pretty. Emma wears it a lot over her party dresses when going outside, making it double as a coat, I imagine, on those tricky nights where it's too warm for an actual coat yet too cold to go without.

Another pretty party dress. The miniature checkers pattern is really pretty and gives the colour a little more life. And I love the way the belt/sash accentuates the waist.

Is it too much to dedicate 2 pictures to a spencer? Not if it's this one. For one it's the only black thing Emma wears, we could really use that advice today - only have a few black items in your wardrobe and focus on pastels instead. Did I mention the fastenings? I love the fastenings.

Finally, the ball gown! It's just so beautiful and dreamy and shimmery that I don't think I can find words to do it justice. Let's just agree that it's amazing.

Ahh..another one of my favourite dresses. The colour, the red ribbon, the little details at the front - it's just gorgeous! And again, take notice how it is easily transformed into something to wear in the colder months.

Here's a light little summer dress. It's relatively simple but still pretty and very suitable for a picnic or just sitting in the garden. Also, that hat she wears! Isn't it pretty?

Again, one of Emma's more simple dresses. I like the little details in the neckline, but otherwise it is not very noteworthy among all the other dresses in her wardrobe.

And here's Emma's dress for the Box Hill party. Again - love the colour, and the gold at the waist and neckline - so beautiful. It's also a really pretty little spencer she has, it changes the look of the dress completely.

Another pretty dress in pastels. I especially like it with the red toned sash, but it is also pretty in its own right.

At last, Emma's honeymoon dress. It's a much deeper colour than her other dresses - maybe to signal a new chapter in her life has started. Nevertheless it is a lovely dress, with the sleeves and the trimmings - I really love it.

And that my dears, was the last dress Emma wore. I never realised just how many different dresses she owned until I started this post. But they are all just gorgeous.
And because this post just isn't long enough, let's take a moment to appreciate all Emma's hats:

I really wish people still wore hats today for what an amazing accessory it would be.  And they are so versatile - just switch the ribbons and you have a brand new hat all at once.  My favourites are the ones with the wide brim, especially the one down to the left.

I actually had also planned to look at some of the dresses worn by the secondary characters, but that surely needs a post of its own.

Which dress is your favourite?

Movie Wardrobes: State Fair

State Fair is one of my new favourite movies for many reasons: the plot, the setting, the music and not to forget; the costumes! It is an enjoyable collection of 40's outfits from the beginning to the end!

I personally think the main character, Margy Frake, has one of the most enviable movie wardrobes of all time, so let's take a closer look on each of her outfits.

When we first meet her she wears this lovely outfit that's practically screaming farm girl and femininity. Just look at the details on her skirt - it has pockets! Who doesn't love a skirt with pockets? It combines the pretty with the practical, and must be very handy when going about your daily work.
And don't get me started on that lovely peasant blouse - the ruffles, the ribbons...I don't even have words.

When they arrive at the State Fair we see her wearing this gorgeous pinafore dress/apron (I am not entirely sure what it was called). Again; practical and pretty at the same time.

This!! This is my favourite dress in the movie!
The pale pastels that compliment each other so well, the flattering cut of the skirts, the discreet puff sleeves, the flower details - everything just works together to create perfection.

The dress she wears the first evening has me rather torn; on one hand I think the cut of it a bit strange, but on the other I love the pale purple hues.

Here's another lovely daydress/set. Notice the matching hat in the right corner, how well thought through is that? I wish we could have seen her wearing the hat as well! I really like the colour of the top (red is my favourite after all) and the trimming. The skirt is very simple and therefore works very well to balance out the adorned top.

Margy's second evening dress is very dreamy and billowy. What I love the most is the detail in the fabric - it is hard to see in the photo, but the fabric of the sleeves and collar is transparent and adorned with little bows as part of the pattern (hard to describe precisely, but it's so pretty).

And another pinafore/apron (because one work outfit is just not enough for a three day holiday). I just adore the gingham pattern in this one and the trimming at the front. If I could sow I would make a dress just like this one (and wear it whenever I'm having a stay at home day).

Here's one of Margy's more downplayed outfits - mostly for everyday wear I think. Not my favourite but I like the versatility it has, you can wear any shirt/blouse underneath that dress and get a completely new look out of it.

The dress Margy wears the final evening is really lovely. The placement of the coloured fabric gives a great focus on the waist, and as always I love the cut of the skirt. She just wears so many beautiful dresses. I truly wish I had a wardrobe like that.

That was the final outfit she wore and thus the end of this in depth costume listing. But Margy is not the only one to wear amazing outfits in this movie, so let's end this post with a few honorable mentions: 

This gingham dress worn by Margy's mother is just a plain daydress, but I love the pattern and the details around the collar. Shows that you can look good even if you're dressed for housework.

We actually only see this girl in 2 little scenes, but each time she completely steals the screen with her delightful outfits. Just look at the wonderful hue of pink, the contrast the white buttons make and the little peter pan collar - I want her in more scenes just to see more outfits in that style.

There actually isn't that many hats in this movie (wouldn't want to hide all the curly hairstyles), but this one is certainly a prime specimen. Relatively simple, but the big bow gives it a splash of colour that makes it festive (and you can make the bow match your dress if you like).

So...that's all for this time!
Have you seen State Fair? If so, how did you like it?