60's women's fashion help needed
August 6, 2010 9:18 AM Subscribe
Stylin' in the swinging 60's
Please point me to sites or images representing what a successful female Broadway agent in her 30's would have worn in 1963 and then again in 1967, a few years older?
She's meeting clients, going to shows, parties, attenting castings, basically all the same things agents do today. Back then, would that milieu lend itself to the more mannish suited/professional side of things, or would she be a tad more cutting edge in terms of fashion? Would hats be a must?
I really need a couple of specific prototype looks- a "businessy" one and a "social" one. Think formal on-camera interview for the first and opening-hight party in NYC for the second. Thanks!
Please point me to sites or images representing what a successful female Broadway agent in her 30's would have worn in 1963 and then again in 1967, a few years older?
She's meeting clients, going to shows, parties, attenting castings, basically all the same things agents do today. Back then, would that milieu lend itself to the more mannish suited/professional side of things, or would she be a tad more cutting edge in terms of fashion? Would hats be a must?
I really need a couple of specific prototype looks- a "businessy" one and a "social" one. Think formal on-camera interview for the first and opening-hight party in NYC for the second. Thanks!
I was also going to suggest Bobbie Barret, and the second and third seasons of Mad Men in general (especially watch Peggy's transformation from dowdy post-teenager secretary to professional-tracked grownup lady).
posted by Sara C. at 9:49 AM on August 6, 2010
posted by Sara C. at 9:49 AM on August 6, 2010
Here's a blog post analyzing Bobbie Barrett's outfits.
posted by zsazsa at 9:51 AM on August 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by zsazsa at 9:51 AM on August 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
I have almost an exact copy of the red fur-trimmed coat Bobbie Barrett is wearing in the first set of images from that blog entry. It cost like $20 at a thrift store. This should be very easy to costume (I'm assuming this is a costume you are putting together).
posted by Sara C. at 9:56 AM on August 6, 2010
posted by Sara C. at 9:56 AM on August 6, 2010
Response by poster: Yes- costumes, one for each year. The party is the 63 and the other for the 67. I thought of Mad Men and Bobbie, Joan etc. but wondered about TV vs theatre.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 10:03 AM on August 6, 2010
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 10:03 AM on August 6, 2010
You mean Bobbie's TV background vs. your character's theatre background? I wouldn't worry too much about that, as she makes a good blueprint for a successful, ambitious career woman of the period, in general - honestly, if I were costuming an attorney or a corporate CEO of the period, I'd probably still refer to Bobbie and go from there.
I would, however, keep in mind that Bobbie's husband is a successful comedian. They come off as wealthy, and her clothes look to be up-to-the-minute couture. A theatrical agent probably wouldn't be dressed quite as posh. You could make her a little dowdier, or a little more bohemian, or maybe just less excessive (smaller jewelry, less fur, etc).
Rachel, the department store manager from Season 1, is also probably a good source for a professional woman pre-1970's. Seriously, you should just rent the first three seasons of Mad Men, buy Snapz Pro or the equivalent, and start taking notes and screenshots of ANY character you see who seems similar to what you're going for.
posted by Sara C. at 10:29 AM on August 6, 2010
I would, however, keep in mind that Bobbie's husband is a successful comedian. They come off as wealthy, and her clothes look to be up-to-the-minute couture. A theatrical agent probably wouldn't be dressed quite as posh. You could make her a little dowdier, or a little more bohemian, or maybe just less excessive (smaller jewelry, less fur, etc).
Rachel, the department store manager from Season 1, is also probably a good source for a professional woman pre-1970's. Seriously, you should just rent the first three seasons of Mad Men, buy Snapz Pro or the equivalent, and start taking notes and screenshots of ANY character you see who seems similar to what you're going for.
posted by Sara C. at 10:29 AM on August 6, 2010
For the 1967 stuff, I would look for old photos of people like Betty Friedan, Bella Abzug, and other women who were Doin It For Themselves in the second wave feminist era. Maybe look to Gloria Steinem if she's still supposed to be relatively young in that time period (rather than middle aged a la the former two).
posted by Sara C. at 10:32 AM on August 6, 2010
posted by Sara C. at 10:32 AM on August 6, 2010
Also, for the 60's location is probably key. Broadway to me implies New York, which is what makes Mad Men such a great source for you. If your Broadway agent is actually based in Los Angeles or Alabama or London or Kenya, the look is going to be very different.
posted by Sara C. at 10:34 AM on August 6, 2010
posted by Sara C. at 10:34 AM on August 6, 2010
Here's the same blog linked above's entry on Rachel Menken.
posted by Sara C. at 10:45 AM on August 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Sara C. at 10:45 AM on August 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
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