MovieChat Forums > The Awful Truth (1937) Discussion > Beautiful Clothes; Awful Hats

Beautiful Clothes; Awful Hats

posted 17 years ago by hehasthekeys
21 replies | jump to latest

This was the era of lovely clothes but the hats are so hideous. That one she's wearing in the courtroom is atrocious. And the ones that follow aren't much better. It's not that big of a deal but it's kind of funny and strange to see the combination of delicate, feminine clothes teamed with unflattering, almost mannish hats. Rosalind Russell wears something equally disturbing in His Girl Friday. It's like some kind of disproportionately small cone or something that's perched on top of head. It's been awhile since I've seen the movie but it seems like it just didn't look right. Has anyone else wondered about this pretty clothes/ugly hats era paradox or phenomenon or whatever it was?

[–] redmama13 17 years ago

Not really. But I agree, the hats were horrible, but then again, every generation has a fashion no-no or two that unfortunately and surprising catches on. But initially, my main focus were on the clothes. Sparkles were big in that era, and it amazed me how some of Irene's dresses were so sparkley you could SEE it sparkling! But that outfit she wore, the day she broke it off with Daniel, that outfit is to die for! I only wish I knew where it was.

[–] hehasthekeys 17 years ago

That's such a good point about the fashion no-no's that surprisingly catch on. There have been some weird/ugly ones that I've noticed at first and then they became so commonplace that I found myself thinking they were cool. Docksiders (in the 80's) come to mind. Now, those were some ugly shoes! And yet, I had to have a pair after a year or two of seeing them everywhere. I think the 30's hats stand out to me because we don't wear hats anymore on a daily basis. Someday people will point out our fashion no-nos and I wonder what will look bizarre to them?

[–] joanmcgittigan 17 years ago

hehas, you have pretty much hit the nail on the head with your observations. Irene Dunne looked fantastic in those gorgeous clothes. She did a lot for the ugly hats too with that perfect glamorous face!
There is a new youtube, Irene Dunne appearing with a weird hat,still glamorous and beautiful! enjoy...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNUVqLqVeUM
So glad to see om many posts on Irene Dunne keep requesting her movies on TCM so we may one day have the films that are so badly in need of restoration done!

[–] Beardos_Film_Watcher 17 years ago

I always notice the great gloves the actresses wear during this period (and all the way up till the '50s). I think it's a shame you don't see those kind of gloves anymore.

I agree with the crazy hat designs though. Guess that's just the way it was, and everyone pretty much wore hats till the '60s.

http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=35080015

[–] redmama13 17 years ago

Yeah. I especially loved the elbow length ones. They went beautifully with almost everything.

[–] jackboot 16 years ago

I have to disagree! I thought the hats - and especially the hat she wore to the courtroom scene - were terrific! That hat in particular was so smart and fanciful. I loved it!

[–] film-collector 16 years ago

I think hats are ridiculous. Very few catch my eye. As for the clothes, did anyone catch the silly, extended length, slacks Dunne is wearing when she's telling her aunt about Grants antics at her recital? It's a wonder she didnt trip and break her neck.

[–] lindalinn28 16 years ago

I just finished watching this wonderful movie too. I noticed that her slacks were so long that I had to keep watching to see if I was seeing the length correctly. I love this movie because I have seen it many times but each time I notice something different--like the slacks this time. Also, have you noticed how similar the ending is to another Dunne-Grant movie--My Favorite Wife?

[–] ignorant 14 years ago

...As for the clothes, did anyone catch the silly, extended length, slacks Dunne is wearing when she's telling her aunt about Grants antics at her recital?...

Come on! precisely that outfit is gorgeous. Magnifique! Incredible cut and fabric.
I wish I could see it on a colour still.
By the way, I am just a normal guy, not fashionist or fetishist of any kind. I just enjoy beauty/life in a lot of ways. Clothing is one of them. As languajes, sex or art books.

Hats are so-so but... well, I prefer some other models.

Funny little comedy by the way. Not my favourite type of films, 2many rich people in the same room!

_______________-enJOY____The_CATalonian______________Sense__________of__________HUMour-________________

[–] triso 16 years ago

"I always notice the great gloves the actresses wear during this period (and all the way up till the '50s). I think it's a shame you don't see those kind of gloves anymore."

Queen Elizabeth has bought all the remaining stock of fashionable gloves.

[–] joegerardi-1 13 years ago

I still occasionally see women wearing white gloves and large hats in sundresses here in Savannah (and I've been here only 13 years) but it's getting more and more rare.

Which is a shame: it's a layer of elegance that elevates a young girl *or* an older woman to a higher level of attractiveness.

..Joe

[–] mikeoak840 16 years ago

Hideous in your opinion. They were quite fashionable in their time. Looking back comparing fashions of 70 years ago with what you're probably used to today is probably not going to be favorable to your eye. People used to dress and groom properly before going outside. They had respect for themselves and those they'd be associating with and a since of decorum and propriety. Women wore gloves, men wore hats...and I mean hats, as in fedoras and bowlers and the like, and not the stupid backward baseball caps you see everywhere now. These days, in the finest restaurants, you'll find twits in slip-flop thongs (and I mean men & women) and ratty shorts and deplorable t-shirts. Look at today's celebrities - do the men know how to use razors or combs? Do the women shampoo? And of course, if you're Brittany Spears, if you forget to wear underwear, you have to spread 'em far & wide to make sure there's photographic proof all over the Internet within minutes. I'll take Irene Dunne in what you might call a crazy hat any day of the week.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] hehasthekeys 16 years ago

- mikeoak840 --

I agree with what you're saying about dressing with decorum and propriety. I guess the hats of that time are hideous to me compared to hats from the Edwardian period. Those wouldn't go with the fashions from the 30's, of course, but they were feminine and not so angled and I don't know, awkward looking. The one that I was talking about from His Girl Friday was pointy and much smaller than the top of her head. It didn't look proportioned. Someone who doesn't like the beautiful hats shown in the Titanic movie might say that those were too big and seemed to swallow the head.

[–] joes119 16 years ago

The hats were unusual and much cheaper than a new outfit. I suppose they also deflected attention from outfits that must have been difficult to keep presentable through the day or evening given the narrow range of fabrics available then.

I like them. They aren't tattoo's and they're not piercings. They aren't decorated with provocative slogans or brand logos. They are simply whimsical and a reminder of why men love women. Bring 'em back!

[–] justaudrey 15 years ago

I rather liked the hats in this movie (most of them), but I know what you're talking about when you refer to the one in His Girl Friday. I dislike the elongated cowboy hat/witch's hat look.

[–] Demelz 14 years ago

for hundreds of years people would not leave the house without a hat. Then sometime around 1958, or thereabouts it all changed. Must have been quite traumatic for hatters.

Women in the thirties were really into unusual hats, hats that did not immediately say "hat" when you looked at them. It was the fashion.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] dolly_the_ye-ye_bird 13 years ago

I adore the hats. They're gorgeous. But then, I'm a vintage stylist so I'm used to the styles as I use and wear them almost daily. I can see why, if you're not used to seeing stylish, avant-garde (funny, my spell check doesn't even recognize the word, imagine that!), classy accessories and clothing on a daily basis, they might seem a bit outlandish.
Others can stick to their beanies and backward baseball caps. Just leaves more of these lovely couture vintage lids for me! ;)

The bee hunts in pairs....and other fruits...

[–] nutsberryfarm 10 years ago

the hats are great! 

🎄Season's Greetings!🎁🎅🎄

[–] fanaticita 9 years ago

I've noticed that in several of the "screwball" comedies, hats worn by the women are strange. In this film the black hat with the pointy top was just ugly. I can't believe this was popular at the time.