Costumes

Some of the costumes are stunning, but like the rest of the film they're sort of an otherworldly confection rather than a careful evocation of the period.

I think EUTS takes place in the spring or summer of 1939. (The insurance papers Poirot reviews in bed are dated November, 1938, and refer to events he describes as happening "some months ago." Since the story could hardly take place after September 1, 1939, the setting seems to be quite specific.) The skirts are too long for so late in the decade, and the clinging, bias-cut silhouette had been out of fashion for a couple of years by then. But, as I said, it's all done for effect rather than accuracy (like the gorgeous but OTT hats).

I couldn't stop noticing all of the Bakealite (spelling)jewelry, whether authentic or not, worn by all of the women throughout this film. Gaudy necklaces, bracelets and earrings, worn by the wealthy women and the ones not so wealthy, and mixed in with their diamonds and other jewels. I believe this costume jewelry was a huge trend during the period depicted. Some of this "plastic" jewelry is now worth hundreds or thousands of dollars in today's antique/vintage market. It was such a noticeable and interesting contrast to the overall theme of this film, to discover a stolen diamond. I loved it along with the rest of this movie.