Stylish Movies: The Mummy
Recently I did a brief series on Evie’s outfits in The Mummy (1999) on Instagram, but I decided Evie's style deserved a whole blog post dedicated to it! Many people seemed to connect with her character and style as well and a blog post always gives one the opportunity to wax a bit eloquent in a way brief IG stories can't. I consider her a female version of Indiana Jones; a book-lover and history expert ready for adventure. Perhaps a bit less ripe for adventure than Indiana who runs away at a young age, but still when adventure presents itself to her Evie grabs it with both hands. Her outfits are definitely vintage inspired and great inspiration heading into spring and summer. It's also fun to follow her style progress through the film.
The Mummy is a loose remake of the film by the same moniker from 1932, so this film also takes its inspiration from that era in terms of style and costuming. However, it’s not about silken 1930s glamour; Evie’s outfits are practical and smart. Most notably though, Evie’s wardrobe features a number of masculine inspired elements—in fact in the first few scenes her outfits mirror her brother's almost perfectly. Matching striped tops, khaki bottoms, dark tie, and spectator shoes? Check. Just look at how identical they are! Given the fact that Evie is one of the only female characters in the movie (she is the only woman in the film who speaks) and perhaps the "world" of archaeology she is trying to edge into, her masculine-inspired wardrobe is no surprise. She is a woman in a man’s world. Indeed other characters even note “They are led by a woman. What does a woman know?” Fortunately, while Evie might be used to this nonsense, she isn’t overly affected by it. Evie knows her worth and knows she just how much more she knows about history and Egyptology than the rest of them combined. She might want to be taken seriously by the boys and blend in, but she's still very a strong, opinionated lady ready to march into a prison and save a man!
When we start the film Evie is a decidedly uptight librarian. Her brother quips that he’s a missionary and Evie isn’t far from looking the part (think Katharine Hepburn in The African Queen), but as the film progresses and Evie embraces the adventure and her feelings for a certain uncouth American, her style loosens up as well. It also gets darker, literally. In the first half of the film all of her outfits are composed of white and tan layers, even down to her feminine nightgown she is wearing when unceremoniously thrown into the river in the middle of the night. All of her clothes are literally lost as the ship burns and sinks, so Evie buys or borrows a dress from Bedouin women. As she first emerges from their tents in a little sheer veil and dark dress the transformation is startling. In a sea of sandy beige, she's a sudden explanation point of black. As Evie embraces this outfit though we find her more assertive than ever. She's not trying to be part of the boy's club anymore, she's a woman and she's in charge of this expedition. In a moment we'll see how even after she comes back home, she brings some of this style back with her...
When they return to the city and O’Connell is trying to convince her to run away, Evie has access to her own closet again, but her style has changed. Before her clothes were always fully buttoned and layered with multiple elements—a masculine tie, a belted jacket, etc. In the Giza port scene she and her brother’s outfits are nearly interchangeable, but now she’s wearing a new dark coat on top of her neutrals (before the trip she never wore anything so boldly dark or declarative). Now her blouse is barely buttoned and her layers are minimal (side note: I'm also convinced she is literally wearing one of O'Connell's shirts in the scene where he's trying to make her pack). She’s let down her shields and is a changed woman. Even her nightgown has gone from innocent and white to darkly sultry while mirroring the first nightgown. Both are gently v-necked with pleated detailing on the bodice and trimmed in lace; she's embraced her "dark" side but unlike the borrowed Bedouin clothes, this is Evie. What’s so great is we see she has returned to the elements she wore in the beginning, men’s shirts, khaki skirts, lace-trimmed nightgowns, but she has relaxed (no mistaking her for a missionary now) and embraced her femininity and isn't afraid of getting attention. In this style evolution we can see her growth, but also the fact that she’s never going to stop being that librarian-weirdo-historian that we fell in love with at the start. She’s more outgoing and confident, but all those bookish elements that made her so charming and unique, aren’t going anywhere. And there's no mistaking her as her brother now!
If there's one film to watch this year to reflect the biggest fashion trends right now it's 1975's Picnic at Hanging Rock. Hair bows? Check! Long white dresses? Check! Basket bags and boater hats? Check! It's a perennial favorite of mine (and the rest of the fashion world) for summer inspiration, even though the film is set on Valentine's Day. I won't begin to give a synopsis of the plot, but it's well worth a viewing if you like mysterious and unsettling films with amazing fashion (a remake of the film is also coming out soon!). But even without viewing the film a quick Google or Pinterest search of "Picnic at Hanging Rock" will yield hundreds of inspiring results from the film itself to the numerous editorials and lookbooks it has inspired. The key elements to take away for channeling this look are long white dresses, preferably with a vaguely Edwardian inspired or with lace detailing, romantic, wavy hair topped with a straw hat, and delicate satin ribbons to be tied in the hair or around the waist. There's this tension in the film between restrictive looks and more relaxed ones; uniform/conformity and breaking free. This tension is partly what captives in the style; high collar blouses and tousled undone hair; feminine bows juxtaposed with more rugged elements or a setting. Details to finish off the look--vintage jewelry (perhaps a heart locket as a nod to Valentine's Day) or a butterfly motif to echo Miranda's butterfly buckle on her belt. It was an intentional symbol of the ephemeral nature of Miranda, a delicate beauty like a butterfly that flutters briefly into sight to add a moment of wonder, but is gone in the blink of an eye. 
Some movies are good. Some movies have good style. Seriously, there's a load of films I watch only for the fashion while inwardly cringing at the dialogue and obvious plot holes. For fun I thought I'd start a new series on this blog focusing on some fashion films--not recommendations on the quality of a film or whether you might enjoy watching it, but films filled with scenes of beautiful clothes and outfits that can't help but inspire you. Some films are good and have good style, like today's film: The Man From U.N.C.L.E. I originally saw it on a plane with only a cursory interest, but have since re-watched it half a dozen times, half dissecting every interaction between Gaby and Kuryakin, half obsessing over everything Gaby wears. Villainess Victoria Vinciguerra also has some notable outfits, but style-wise petite Gaby is more my muse and the focus of this post. She only wears a few outfits on screen (I didn't include her pajamas look or mechanic outfit) and none of them get enough screen time. But her style is very declarative and consistent; bold colors for a bold personality focusing on a white, orange, and green palette. Character-wise it's interesting as well that this is the wardrobe Kuryakin has curated for Gaby as his "fiance" and yet in the final scene where she no longer has to continue that masquerade her outfit is consistent with the previous looks--a white shift with bold accessories, signature ponytail, and metallic sandals. It's easily a look Kuryakin would have chosen for her, but now one she has chosen for herself (an indication of her feelings for Kuryakin as she is dressed bride-like in the style he likes, or perhaps a nod to how well he guessed her preferences and how well suited they are for each other?). Mod style is one I don't often wear myself, but if there's one film to convince me to scrap my entire wardrobe and invest in all the '60s shift dresses and statement earrings--it's this one. Thankfully we don't live in an either or world, we can keep our usual style and inflect a bit of Gaby sass with boxy bags, retro sandals, and those all important earrings--a cocktail ring and some round sunglasses wouldn't go amiss either. 
Leave Her To Heaven (1947): While perhaps less Halloween-y in tone than the other two films on this list (not a witch or ghost in sight) this film has decidedly the most unsettling tone, whereas my other favorites are comedies. Leave Her to Heaven stars Gene Tierney as an insanely jealous and possessive woman who steadily sinks further into obsession and madness committing various crimes and framing another woman. Tierney gives an amazing performance that earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress and the film was Fox's highest-grossing picture of the 1940s. While some films weren't successful at the time of their debut but are considered classics now, this is one box office success that lives up to the hype decades later (also watch for the amazing wardrobe).
I Married A Witch (1942): Veronica Lake seems believable in the role of a witch come back to life bent on revenge in this classic comedy since she is a woman who looks dangerous. Despite being quite the petite beauty at 4'11" there's a reason she was often cast as the femme fatale; if looks could cut a man she'd leave quite the trail of wreckage after her. As it stands in this film she has the rare opportunity of showcasing her comedic chops and comes off incredibly charming. Her initial plot for revenge goes awry when she mistakenly drinks a love potion intended for her victim and falls head-over-heels for the man she is bent on destroying. Hijinks ensue!
The Ghost & Mrs Muir (1947): Set in the early 1900s this film follows the story of a young widow who moves with her daughter to a seaside village. Little does she know the cottage she has rented is haunted by a crotchety old sea captain. While they initially have their disagreements the two come to form a unique friendship and business partnership that promises to take the young widow down roads she never dreamed of.
Rebecca (1940): While not a haunting in the traditional sense, this film does revolve around a dead character, namely Rebecca. It is a Gothic-style tale in which a young wife to a widower finds her new life being overshadowed by her husband's first love. A domineering housekeeper makes her feel unwelcome, a close confidant can't resist remarking repeatedly on Rebecca's beauty and grace, making the new Mrs. de Winter feel inadequate, and Rebecca's initials seem monogrammed on every corner of the grand house the young woman tries to feel at home in. Will the new Mrs. de Winter be completely dominated by the deceased Rebecca and will the mystery surrounding her death undo all her hopes of a happy marriage?
Austenland (2013): This film is truly one for the Austen fanatics, since it stars an Austen fanatic who would rather daydream about Mr. Darcy than date and books a vacation at a Jane Austen theme park hoping for storybook romance. What she doesn't realize is that she booked the poor, orphaned relation package and instead of getting to play Elizabeth Bennet for the holiday she's more Charlotte Lucas. But she's determined to not to let her situation in life get her down and fights to be the heroine of her own story. It's hilarious and endearing and full of little moments of "oh my goodness that's me" many an Austen fan can relate to. (It's also the movie that inspired me to hunt down 
Love & Friendship (2016): This comedic period piece is based on one of Jane Austen's less known works, namely her novella "Lady Susan" which Austen never submitted for publication. Her title character is a unique figure in 19th century literature--she is unscrupulous, selfish, scheming and brilliantly brought to life by Kate Beckinsale in the film. Throughout the movie she flirts, insults, plots and acts like no Jane Austen lead you have ever seen before. The character Lady Susan might have been based off of Jane Austen's neighbor; a beautiful woman who treated her daughters rather heartlessly and on-screen Susan is very cold to her daughter Frederica. As an American it was quite funny to hear an Austen character throw some verbal shade at my homeland with lines such as "Americans really have shown themselves to be a nation of ingrates, only by having children can I begin to understand such a dynamic..."
Northanger Abbey (2007): Northanger Abbey was the first novel Jane Austen completed, but one of the last to be published. Reading the novel or film you can almost feel her youth in the writing through her protagonist--a young girl who spends too much time reading novels and daydreaming that she is a heroine in a Gothic novel. It's a light-hearted comedy that also seems to tackle what could be some of Austen's own early hopes and fears as a would-be novel writer given the social prejudices of the time; are novels just silly works of fiction suitable only for the entertainment of young girls without much sense? The film adaptation stars a young Felicity Jones who has never looked more wide-eyed and naive than as young Catherine setting off for her first season "out" in society.
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies (2016): This movie (and book) asks the eternal question, what if the Bennet sisters had to battle zombies and social pressures? The film didn't do well in theaters, but it's actually quite a hilarious blend of zombie lore and the Regency Period; a dinner party is ruined by a zombie attack and a walk to Netherfield is wrought with more dangers than muddy hems. Far, far from a classic interpretation, it's fun to see some of the most well-known lines thrown about through a knife fight and brings some of the liveliness of Austen's novels to the screen in a very fresh way. Elizabeth was always a feisty protagonist, now she has the added bonus of a sword in her hands.
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (2012-2014): This isn't actually a movie, but 
Welcome to my little blog that blends a bit of nature, fashion, wanderings, and books in this dusty corner of the Internet. I hope you find it a moment of quiet in the wild today.
