Channeling Your Inner Bette Davis – Mr. Skeffington

The premiere post for my newest series, Channeling Your Inner Bette Davis! This will be interesting as I've never really looked into Bette’s ensembles until I started writing this blog.

The film, Mr. Skeffington, is about a young and beautiful socialite, (Bette Davis as) Fanny Trellis, who marries an old banker, by the name of Job Skeffington, in hope of saving her brother from an embezzlement charge.

Day Wear

It was so difficult to find an outfit of hers that was noticeably (more ‘casual’) day wear. Here she wars a very wide brim hat, with a fitted blazer and draped maxi skirt. Out of her blazer peeks some ruffled tulle – I’m going to turn my cheek here, because that’s not a good look.

GUESS by Marciano spread collar shirt, $270 / Strenesse Blue cotton jacket, $405 / Viktor & Rolf pencil skirt, $970 / Nude high heel shoes, $95 / Friis & Company leather crossbody handbag, $67 / Rare London wide brim hat, $22 / New York City Buildings Laser Die Cut

An office-friendly look, here I've teamed the fitted blazer with a sleeveless white blouse and a draped back skirt in a much shorter style to make the look fresher. Patent open-toe pumps and bag are both back, as they need to compliment the contrast colour of the blazer. The hat can be left in or out of the ensemble depending on how daring you are. Instead of straw, a black hat is used for a more subtle look.

Evening Wear

Bette is meeting suitors in a very extravagant ensemble. She wears an evening gown which features lace over the bodice and acting as a cape, giving the impression of a shawl.  Decorated with large plumes, this outfit (while admirable) is quite over-the-top. She has accessorized with pearls (favourite) so I’ll definitely include that.

Cream lace dress, $40 / Gabriele Frantzen pearl necklace, $395 / Chain jewelry, $375 / Maiden-Art pearl bracelet / Ziba vintage earrings, $32 / Jane Tran bohemian hair accessory /Small Stick Tree - Silver / John Lewis Silk Flowers, Pack of 12, White, $3.96

I've attempted to capture the extravagance, the essence of Fanny’s costume in a modern cocktail-like look. I think that the ivory colour gives it more of a casual tone as well. A lace dress substitutes for the shawl, and feather jewellery and a hair piece for all of her plumes. There's a a few accessories on offer here, which I think any or all could be used depending on what level of extravagance you want your outfit to be.

So I hope you liked my post today. This one was pretty difficult as my DVD broke, which left me to search for the outfits over the web. My next post will be a nail art tutorial, so you should come back to read that!

Vintage Fashion, Modern Approach.

Love Claire, xo.