'now, voyager sail thou forth to seek and find'

 

On my sister Fiona’s (anything I may appear to know about film is really because of her...what she doesn’t know about film, isn’t worth knowing!) recommendation I watched Bette Davis in ‘Now, Voyager’ last night. If you haven’t seen a Bette Davis picture before, you really must! In truth I find black and white films tough going but Bette is utterly compelling. Fiona particularly knew I would like this because of the wardrobe, and how right she was! The film is in itself a rather great story, but boy, are the clothes something else; honestly, some of the most glamorous and incredible costumes I have seen.

Bette wears beautiful ensemble after beautiful ensemble. Neat skirt suits with oversized clutch bags, a frilled blouse with a spectacular diamond brooch, a casual day shirt with angular sunglasses, a black round necked evening gown with a Camilla pin, a cream blouse, buttoned with a patterned floor – sweeping skirt, a floaty, crystal encrusted long sleeved dress, a simply breath – taking sparkling cape... Most note worthy, are Bette’s hats - numerous veiled hair pieces, a glittering flower and tulle creation and a white, wide brimmed hat half covering her face as her love interest lights her cigarette. ‘Now Voyager’: just another reminder why the 1940s just happens to be one of my favourite fashion decades.