theFASHIONbox: Inside the wardrobe of Scarlett O'Hara

Wednesday 31 August 2016

Inside the wardrobe of Scarlett O'Hara

Many would agree that Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell is the most romantic love story of all time. After reading the epic story set during the turbulent times of the American civil war, I can't agree that this is the greatest love story of all time. Yes, there are romantic moments and it's true the relationship between the hard headed Scarlett O'Hara and the dashing Rhett butler is a romance doomed to fail from the beginning, but if anything Gone with the Wind is a story of survival.

I could continue and write a whole review on the book which took me 3 months to read (over 2 holidays to be exact), but that would perhaps ruin the story for others who have yet to read the novel. I do strongly recommend it to those who have yet to explore the life of Scarlett O'Hara, the fiery, head strong, Irish heroine of the story, who I came to admire and detest as the story evolved.

And if you haven't read the book then surely you must have heard of or seen the film - the highest grossing of all time, taking into account inflation over the years. The 1939 block buster featured English actress Vivien Leigh as the beautiful Scarlett and the 'King' of Hollywood, Clark Gable as Rhett Butler. The two stars swept audiences away with their strong screen presence and wonderful chemistry, earning the film a total of 11 Oscars in total as well as the recognition of being one of the best movies ever made.

Wearing her dramatic red gown, with pride

After seeing the film I decided to read the book, but as always it's better to read the book before seeing the film. Anyway, the film is pretty impressive, especially Vivien Leigh who in my opinion was the perfect choice for Scarlett in every possible way. She had the slanting green eyes, the dark hair, the strong characteristics of Atlanta's most notorious lady and a very believable Southern accent. What I especially loved about the film where the costumes, particularly Scarlett's, designed by Hollywood costume designer Walter Plunkett. I've always enjoyed historical costume dramas not only for the stories but also for the clothes on screen, which sometimes become as iconic as the films itself. As a fashion student, I also appreciate and admire the work that goes into getting those costumes just right. And as for a character like Scarlett O'Hara who can't resist a pretty dress as much as the next girl, her wardrobe had to be magnificent. Even Anna Wintour proclaimed that Scarlett, in her opinion, was the most fashionable literary figure of all time.

From the pretty, green summer gown she wears at the start of the film to the stiff necked black mourning dress at the dramatic end of the film, Vivien Leigh carries each look with grace and elegance. After being accused of adultery she turns up at Ashley Wilkes birthday party in a red, low cut dress complete with ostrich feathers and an ice cold stare at the gossiping neighbours present. When she visits Rhett Butler in prison, she waltzes onto the screen in a dazzling, emerald dress made out of old curtains, with audiences approvingly admiring her matching bonnet, ringlet hair and huge skirt. There are moments too in the film where Scarlett's wardrobe signifies her hardships and poor state of affairs. As she escapes from Atlanta under Yankee rule, she wears a bartered and torn dark pink dress which gets dirtier and dirtier as her only dress gets more ripped over the next months working on the land at her plantation, Tara.

As her wealth grows, so does the extravagance of Scarlett's gowns, hats and gloves. Bonnets have more feathers, the rich fabrics of satin and velvet become more prominent and the decadent jewellery, notably her wedding ring from Rhett Butler, shine just as brightly as Scarlett's ever increasing ego. Walter Plunkett, who also designed all the costumes for Singin in the Rain, Flying Down to Rio and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, really outdid himself with all the costumes throughout Gone with the Wind. My favourite dress has to be the red gown covered in feathers and netting, but then there really are so many to choose from.

Putting aside Scarlett's fine costumes, the rest of the characters fit their parts perfectly in clothes which match their appearance described so well in the book. Clark Gable always looks dapper and groomed in the finest suits as Mr Rhett Butler, Olivia de Haviland wears simple, soft dresses to match her character of Melanie Wilkes, the generous, loving wife of Ashley and the other ladies of the story all slot in perfectly as their appointed characters as described by Margaret Mitchell.

I've chosen a few of my favourite dresses of the fashionable Scarlett O'Hara below. Nobody but Vivien Leigh could have worn them better, making Gone with the Wind one of the best dressed films of all time.