Fashion In Film Volume 12: What A Way To Go

This week I’d like to discuss the fashion from one of my favorite classic films, What a Way to Go! The movie is a 1964 American comedy starring Shirley MacLaine and a string of men (Paul Newman, Dean Martin, Gene Kelly, Dick Van Dyke). This black comedy opens with Louisa Foster (played by MacLaine) donating a multimillion-dollar check to the IRS. The tax department thinks she’s crazy and sends her to a psychiatrist. She then discusses her four marriages, in which all of her husbands became incredibly rich and died prematurely because of their drive to be rich. It’s basically a really cute story line of a woman who’s desperate to marry for love and not money.

Each of her romances are depicted in a different film style: black and white silent, french new wave, classic musical, etc. Her wardrobe directly reflects the men she becomes involved in and since all of her men are vastly different from each other she experiments with a whole gamut of looks. The movie is filled with gorgeous furs, extravagant hats, cat eye glasses, and adorable mod dresses. I’m going gaga over 60s vintage! While the film is definitely a lot of laughs to watch, I find myself more fixated on what she’ll wear next. It was rightfully nominated for an Academy Award for Best Costumes by Edith Head and Moss Mabry. This film is truly amazing…so, watch, enjoy, and get inspired. It’s pure eye candy!

Make sure to check out this awesome photo gallery detailing some of my personal favorite looks from the movie. And while you’re at it, check out last weeks Fashion In Film segment for the movie ‘This Is England’ here!