Stars from yester-year we’re STILL obsessed with

Hollywood’s Golden Age, running roughly from the 1920s to the 1970s, is a time we all look back on with varying degrees of nostalgia. It was a time of body-conscious silhouettes, bouffant hair styles, smouldering stares and impeccable styling. Of course, this great style wasn’t just restricted to the studio film stars, who fronted some of the most exciting and memorable films of the age, but to the singers and dancers who also performed and wowed the world. In a world of fast-fashion, trends that change with every season and ‘newness’ practically on-tap, this period of signature looks and perfectly pieced together ensembles should be revered for its classicism, for the effort that went into looking so polished and perfect. We’ve selected some of our favourite vintage looks from some of the world’s vintage stars whose looks we’d still like to replicate ourselves today.

Eartha Kitt

Once described by Orson Welles as ‘the most exciting woman in the world’, Eartha Kitt was a fiery woman whose talent seemed to know no bounds. Throughout the fifties and sixties, Kitt worked as an actress of Broadway theatre and film, and a commercial singer (her song is the classic Christmas hit ‘Santa Baby’). A creative and versatile artiste, her achievements in performance cannot be overlooked; but she was also famous for her staunch anti-war stance on Vietnam and was an advocate for LGBT rights. A woman with conscience and creativity, her style saw her adopt svelte bodycon dresses and two pieces, whilst her hair was always coiffed to curly perfection. Recreate her style by opting for sweetheart necklines, chandelier earrings and statement jewellery; for off-duty occasions, turtleneck sweaters and chic tapered trousers.

Rita Hayworth

Rita Hayworth’s star rose to huge heights during the 1940s, starring in popular and critically acclaimed films like Gilda and Cover Girl. She was one of the most recognisable actressesin the world, famous for her effortless charm, her singular good looks and even served as inspiration for Stephen King’s book Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. One of her most famous looks was in the aforementioned film Gilda: to perform the iconic song and dance number ‘Put the Blame on Mame’ she wore a strapless, all-black dress with a split up the leg and a pair of matching gloves. The block-colour scheme conveyed her femme-fatale status in the film; it is a colour that is powerful, sexual and entirely self-possessed. Consequently, many have found the look to be alluring and sensual, brought to life by her winning smile and her tumbling curly hair.

Betty Grable

A contemporary of Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable was another of the 1940s and 1950s’ biggest stars, only contracted to a rival film company. Alongside her string of Technicolor musicals and her starring turn in How To Marry a Millionaire alongside Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall, she was most famous for her pin-up style. In particular, a photograph of Betty wearing in a bathing suit, her curly hair piled right on top of her head and glancing cheekily over her shoulder has become one of the most iconic film photographs of the twentieth century. Unafraid to play with high hemlines, recreateBetty’s style with high waisted shorts or jeans to accentuate your waist and finish with a silken floral shirt or blouse on top.

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-A.