MovieChat Forums > How to Steal a Million (1966) Discussion > Givenchy/clothes

Givenchy/clothes

posted 19 years ago by kyrat
22 replies | jump to latest

Anyone else think the clothes in this movie were hideous? Even given the context of the 60's, I really did not like Hepburn's clothes.
I can forgive the ugly puffball hair, crazy makeup, huge & hideous white bug eye sunglasses as just being a product of the time - but the clothes are not even bad simply for being of that era.
Those boring button up the back dresses or black lace dress + black lace stockings with boring slip on shoes - were uninteresting. I also thought they were too juvenile for her. I like clean, elegant and simple -- somehow this just came across as trying to be too innocent and somehow also frumpy.
but then I generally have that reaction to most clothing from the 50's as well.
(though I do like the 30's & 40's styles - so it's not just a matter of not liking older styles).

Clearly I am in the minority since everyone else is raving about the clothes/designer. Just curious if anyone else didn't like them.

[–] josta59 18 years ago

Loved 'em.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening."

[–] crazycricketfan 18 years ago

are you serious? her clothes were amazing! Givenchy did some fantastic work! fair enough, point taken about the glasses, but as usual audrey carried them off! the clothes were fairly similar throughout, but nonetheless lovely. however fashion is an individual opinion, her clothes in my fair lady were also beautiful.

Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today - James Dean

[–] usersince03 18 years ago

Anyone else think the clothes in this movie were hideous? Even given the context of the 60's, I really did not like Hepburn's clothes.
I can forgive the ugly puffball hair, crazy makeup, huge & hideous white bug eye sunglasses as just being a product of the time - but the clothes are not even bad simply for being of that era.

I loved Audrey Hepburn's clothes.

[–] bubbles079 18 years ago

I have to say that every outfit--with the exception of the yellow suit--is fabulous. Audrey Hepburn pulled off clothes like noone else could. And I felt that her hair and make-up were exceptionally stylish. But, hell, let's face it, that woman would've looked good wrapped in a paper bag.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] capricious_nature 18 years ago

Yes, but we do get 'Audrey Goes to War' in the first shot of her; later we are treated to the most bizarre mask/femme fatale costume imaginable. Sometimes even Givenchy gets it wrong.

Yours is a capricious nature. Do you always blow hot and cold like this?

[–] TheDuchessofM 18 years ago

I actually LOVED that lace get with the lace mask--very Viktor & Rolf--I'd wear it!

[–] plibby 18 years ago

I can't believe some people don't like the black lace outfit...it was so seductive looking (though the stockings were a bit much.) Honestly though, one can see outfits of a similar calibre on Chanel's runways; fashion repeats itself!

[–] stu08059 17 years ago

The black lace outfit was the one I liked the best, although her white suit was divine as well. On the other hand, considering WHO'S doing the designing, I think the clothes could have looked much better. They just weren't very...exciting. Always excepting the marvelous black lace get up. Perhaps they went for a plainer, more subdued look because she's a working girl. I do, however, object to the nightclothes. Those WERE frumpy. Not that I want her exposing flesh, but they could have been more attractive. That horrible thing she was wearing while talking to Simon after the burglary gave me shivers. Blech.

Bear in mind, we might not actually be seeing the clothes as they really looked. Color could be a bit iffy back then - at least, I certainly hope that the fushia carpet on the stairway was an accident.

And yes, Audrey makes any outfit look stunning. But a good designer shouldn't rely on that. The clothes should look stunning no matter who's in them.

[–] andrewsk8s 17 years ago

I concur. I especially liked the white outfit (with white belt) in that scene where she first visits her father via the cabinet, classic, elegant and so 60s. They chose outfits that showed off one of her best assets, I think... her elegant neck.
And of course that black lace outfit. Wow.
I thought even the "scrub woman" outfit looked cute on her because she looked, so obviously, not in her element (her social class).
One more thing... those large white framed sunglasses... I think Elton John is wearing those on the cover of his Greatest Hits Vol II.... LOL.

"Friends will stab you in the front"

[–] peaceloveandJesus 17 years ago

I thought they were lovely.

Life is music...play it louder

[–] sloshbucket-1 16 years ago

Poor, sad guy floating in the miasmic muck of the 90s: tawdry, vampy, slutty "sexiness." Go get a tattoo. Or a boob job. You don't know women and will never appreciate a real woman.

[–] justaudrey 15 years ago

I liked a lot of the clothes (though some were a bit much) but as a whole they did not "wow" me as much as previous films that she had been in. What I really detested was her hideous hairdo. I know it was "mod" and all that. But even though she was one of the most beautiful women in the world, in my opinion that style did NOTHING for her. It was ghastly. I much prefer her hair in Charade, Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffany's or Funny Face. And the eye makeup was also over done. She is so naturally lovely those intense styles merely made her look ghoulish. But, okay, I know a lot of people probably disagree with me. Maybe I just don't appreciate the look.

[–] Modchic84 14 years ago

Ugly puffball hair? I love love love her hair in this film!

You rank below all four of those service robots, even the one that's gone absolutely mad.

[–] tabari 8 years ago

In 1966, I was a teen. And I think her clothes were the height of style and elegance. She would not want to look mod, then. It would not have fit her lifestyle. Her clothes were very stylish and not until after 1970 did women old enough to know better wear their hems above their knees. And her hair was also very, very stylish. It was a variation of the Sassoon cut which had just really hit the style scene. It just was not assymetrical. The teasing was a must! It wasn't a bubble as the old women wore them, but a very stylish "in" cut for that time. Her clothes were more the elegance of a Jackie Kennedy than a Carmody St. teen. In fact, that scene had not quite arrived in full force until another year or two. So, you have to judge her clothes for that time, that year. And I thought they were wonderfully stunning. And the hose were a great fashion note, also! It made me trip down memory lane, though I never ever had clothes remotely like that. I drooled from afar.

[–] Helpfan65 13 years ago

I have to agree about the clothes. Givenchy designed some absolutely gorgeous stuff for her in Sabrina, Funny Face, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Charade, but by 1966 his style and the clothes he created in this movie are quite dull. For 1966, the outfits look terribly boring and frumpy (with the exception of the navy suit she wears towards the end).

Perhaps that is why Stanley Donen insisted she abandon Givenchy for "Two For the Road" and wear more hip clothing.

________________________________________
Get me bromide - and put some gin in it!

[–] nickrogers1969 13 years ago

The clothes were stylish on her (as usual). She even looked chic in the cleaning woman get-up (Prada anyone?).

I *loved* her mod hair and cool sixties sunglasses! Other than those the outfits were so tame for 1966.
The skirts were so long! Knee-length!!! Where were the miniskirts??? Givenchy was not a very youthful designer.

I'm going to watch "Two for the Road" again for some really mod Audrey moments!!!!

[–] snowbuddy27 12 years ago

I thought those were some of the most incredible clothes I've seen in a movie. I can't think of a modern(20-21st Century) wardrobe I've been more impressed with. The fabrics looked so sumptuous and luxe and I would be thrilled to wear any of the pieces today. That hot pink coat was my favourite piece, with the black lace spy outfit, replete with mask, coming in second. To think people thought Lady Gaga was being so futuristic with her extremely similar masks! Audrey and Givenchy did it decades prior!

I do think the clothes could be an acquired taste. What the OP found boring, I found quite thrilling, actually. I really only continued to watch the silly movie solely for the clothes.

"Are you telling me you're into artificial men?!"
"Is there any other kind?"

[–] kathy_in_wlsv 11 years ago

In general I don't care for couture, nor actually Audrey Hepburn, but I LOVE the clothes in this movie. (I'm a jeans and sweater kind of gal)

I watched it again this morning and was struck by how gorgeous and classic and elegant the clothes were.

I thought the "bug" sunglasses was just a nod to having a bit of fun while wearing GOOD clothing. One of my favorite movies since my early teens. (I had a little hat like the one she was wearing when she tried to give back the engagement ring too.

This is when I fell in crush with Peter O'Toole.

[–] fugazzi49 10 years ago

I've always taken the black lace outfit as intentionally over-the-top, a bit of Givenchy humor. What does a romantic, very fashionable young woman like Audrey's character wear when she wants to secretly plot a heist and of course, no names should be spoken, but a total Mata-Hari outfit complete with black lace mask. Of course she looks like no one else in the restaurant, just what one shouldn't do if you don't want to attract attention. A lovely spoof.

[–] Ray_BLOODY_Purchase 9 years ago

"given the context of the 60's"

Not understanding that...the 60's produced some of the most beautiful and interesting clothing looks - I'd say it was probably the last great decade of clothing, with the 70's birthing a "casual as couture" mindset that has lasted up until perhaps 10 years ago.

____
It's me....Bara...it's always bloody Bara!

[–] liscarkat (18919) 5 years ago

I have to conclude that even in the context of 1966 and an Audrey Hepburn movie, most of the clothes her character wore were intended to be a sophisticated joke.