Comments on: Go Gothic with Northanger Abbey: Guest Blogger Kali Pappas Chats about Movie Fashions

By: Kali

Kali — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 21:05:27 +0000

Definitely! :D

I don’t know who originally came up with this rule of thumb, but it is often paraphrased:

“When it comes to the movies, sets and furnishings are often, if not usually, period-correct. Costumes are *sometimes* period-correct. Hairstyles are occasionally period-correct. Makeup is almost NEVER period-correct.”

By: Kristin

Kristin — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:19:50 +0000

I love learning more about the costumes in movies. Thanks!

By: I. Miller

I. Miller — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:48:59 +0000

Brilliant post! I especially liked the note about Catherine being a mini-Mrs. Morland.

One thing I wondered – is it possible that the 1986 version played to 1980s fashion taste, perhaps in hairstyles? The very high, curly hair in the adaptation combined with the synthesized and electronic guitar soundtrack really screamed “80s movie” to me.

By: Austen Tattler: News and Gossip on the Blogosphere « Austenprose

Austen Tattler: News and Gossip on the Blogosphere « Austenprose — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:38:07 +0000

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By: Dina

Dina — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:59:04 +0000

Those costumes are gorgeous.

By: Janeen

Janeen — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:22:52 +0000

Loved all the comparison photographs! Thank you so much for the labor of work it takes to post for our pleasure! Have a great day!

By: Emma

Emma — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:52:05 +0000

I LOVE the costumes on the (newer) film versions of JA’s books! They truly reflect character, personality, etc. They are BEAUTIFUL, too, even the simple stuff.

By: Kali

Kali — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:50:42 +0000

* make that “in mid-decade, long, poofy-capped sleeves”

Forgot to edit before I pressed “submit.” xD

PS – I was talking with somebody about 86 Isabella’s purple “open pelisse” ensemble, and learned that according to _Patterns of Fashion_ and Jessamyn at Regency Costume Companion, this style is probably more properly categorized as an early-19th century robe than a pelisse. The open front is definitely anachronistic for the mid-late 1810s, and very likely would have been a general “evening” look rather than a ball style.

Here’s a page from Cathy Decker’s Regency Fashion site featuring an open-robe style ensemble ca. 1802, from a German publication: http://hal.ucr.edu/~cathy/year/1802.html

By: Kali

Kali — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:08:56 +0000

Hi guys! Glad you enjoyed the post. Big thanks to LA for including me in this awesome event!

I love that mother/daughter screencap more and more every time I see it. C and Mrs. M look so alike and yet so very different; Mom with her Anglaise-ish, low-waisted dress and Catherine in mid-decade poofy sleeves and wacky-high waist.

By: Lucia

Lucia — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:54:31 +0000

Love the distinctions in time period to show people as fashion forward or backward. To me, that is one of the smartest things a designer can do, because it feels much more real than having everyone always at the height of period fashion trends.

By: Laurel Ann

Laurel Ann — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 05:42:27 +0000

Both of these movie costumes are not quite satisfying to me. The 1986 is closer to my vision since the designer exaggerated the styles and colors to make it campish. I like that aspect since Northanger Abbey is a parody — and they tried to make the costumes a parody of the times as well. The outrageous bonnets with feathers and the garish colors all distract too much from the story though. Each new scene brought another outrageous costume to take away from the actors or plot. On the other hand the 2007 movie is too staid and normal. The clothes are beautiful, but too real. If I could, I would meld the two designers styles and it might be just right. ;)

A big thank you to Kali, who really did her research, to our better enjoyment.

Cheers, Laurel Ann

By: ren

ren — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:10:04 +0000

very nicely done. i think that it’s always so interesting to see how current fashion influences the choices in costuming a period film. no matter how accurate the costuming is for the time, i think the 86 version certainly reflect the over the top fashion of the 80’s as well.

By: Virginia Claire

Virginia Claire — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:42:01 +0000

I this was wonderful! I really enjoyed looking at all the costumes and such!

By: Regency Fashions at Austenprose! | Strangegirl.com Blog

Regency Fashions at Austenprose! | Strangegirl.com Blog — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:00:33 +0000

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