Graceful Grace Kelly and Inspired Patterns

I recently watched Rear Window by Alfred Hitchcock and To Catch a Thief featuring the beautiful Grace Kelly. Both movies are not only intrigueing and fabulous cinematography, but the fashion is so iconic of the time. Grace has the ability to wear anything and look amazing. She even makes a swim at the beach look graceful and sophisticated...how is that achievable? She is a rare occurance !



Grace Kelly - Rear Window 1954



 Floor length nightdress and gown. Grace pulls this from her overnight bag and the fabric looks like satin / silk. It's cream in colour, although the film is coloured by Technicolor, so its hard to know its true representation.



Grace Kelly & James Stuart - Rear Window.



The movie is made in 1954, but I found patterns that were in a similar vein to Grace's nightdress are 1940's. 

McCalls 7929.



"So Easy"  pattern Number 159.



Grace enters the room asking JS what he thinks of her nightdress and he hardly notices as he is literally looking out the rear window LOL



So easy pattern # 159



Simplicity 3508.



Butterick 4652.

This 1950's full skirted dress with simple top with a low V back. Tulle skirting with underskirt elegantly completed with white gloves and black clutch purse.



McCalls 4045 - Galanos.



I beleive this pattern is extremely rare. I could only find it as a stock photo.



Suit in green worn in Rear Window.



McCalls 3790



Designer sketch of the suit worn on set by Edith head.





To Catch a Thief is so beautiful to watch both geographically and of course the wardrobe fashion of Grace Kelly.

Grace takes a day at the beach with Cary Grant and is waiting in the hotel lobby wearing her sophisticated swim wear. Overskirt to her swim suit with wide brimmed hat. She looks truly stunning.





Design sketch of the swimsuit and over skirt - Edith Head.



I saw the overskirt on this pattern and it reminded me of the swimsuit and overskirt Grace wore on her way to the beach with Cary Grant. Oh so elegant for a day at the beach.

Simplicity 2602.



Lets Party like it's 1950's !!!

It's New Year so lets start it off with some 1950's Party time fashion.

Feminine, timeless classics, beauty & elegance.

Butterick 7285

Five section dress, with bias front yoke, has short sleeves cut in one with dress front and set in at back. Dress is lined, has pockets of dress fabric and lining fabric in front seams and zipper in center back seam. Dress neck is faced & interfaced. Yoke is lined and sewn to dress front. Top is bound and turned under and yoke is included in shoulder seams 



Vogue Special Design 1951

A Vogue Special Design one piece dress with a gathered skirt with applied lace skirt which is optional joins the bodice at wasit line. Underbodice included in pattern. Low square neckline in front, round in back. Sectional shaped collar. Above elbow-length sleeves gathered in seam.



McCalls 4008

Shirred Empire waist 1957 pattern. Beautiful full skirt with sleeveless bateu neck.
Silk, cotton, taffeta, or crepe.




Simplicity 2812.

The dart fitted bodice has a decollete V neckline and extended shoulders. The softly flared skirt is cut in four sections and is topped with a purchased or self belt. Style 1 has a collar split at the sides. Style 2 has a jacket with three-quarter length cuffed raglan sleeves. It may be lined to match the dress



Butterick 6988

Butterick 6988 Evening Dress: Short or Floor Length: Planned for gayer evenings--bare shoulders, full skirt. Widem scooped neckline has a deep band that forms the sleeves, is contrasted in View (C). Whirlwind skirt swings a full circle. (A) & (C) Short length. (B) Floor length.

Vogue Special Design 4007.

Misses' One-Piece Dress: Four piece circular skirt, more fullness in back, joins bare-topped bodice at waistline. Bias fold finishes top of bodice.

Vogue Special Design

A Vogue Special Design sewing patterns with a four piece flared skirt pleated at center-front and joins the bodice at wasitline. Low neckline and soft draped collar dropped to a pointed line in back. Elbow lenth kimono sleeves with cuffs.