1963-some questions

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antiqueladyvintage

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I am designing a play set in 1963. I need to dress a 60ish woman for an evening out. Any thoughts? If you have photos to share, that would be great. The character is going on a blind date with her daughter's neighbor. The actress is petite with red hair. The character is wealthy. I have two coat and dress ensembles but I was hoping for something different. I am drawing a blank on ideas.

I also need men's suits. The character is a recent Harvard law graduate and a stuffed shirt.

If you have things for sale, just direct me to your site and I will take a look.

Thanks ever so much!
 
THIS is very Ivy league/Harvardy. This might be from 1961/63 but men certainly don't necessarily stop wearing a jacket after one year. It would be worn with different pants as it is a true sportcoat....

I will check for more suits

You could go two different ways with the lady character depending on the personality, if she is old or new money etc.
She could be dressed more up to date and more Jackie Kennedy style, but a more conservative, age apropriate style in luxe fabric. Or you could put her in something that is a few years older (as she didn't get wealthy blowing her money every day. she bought once and bought good). If she is old money and has inherited heirlooms...make her coat be from the 40s, or earlier etc. or something like that or even older but very luxe. Especially if she hasn't been "dating" in awhile
 
I just thought of another angle. If she hasn't dated in awhile, even though it might be against her better judgement she may try to dress or incorpirate aspects of fashion like she did when she was first dating - which might have been in the 1920s. But like i say it totally depends on the mindset of the character.

What play is it btw,? something we would know or a new work?
 
I picture this woman in a sex-kitten type sheath (very big in the early 60s) or fitted-bodice dress with a slightly flared skirt--both in simple but elegant lines & styling, sexy but in an upscale, wealthy way. Maybe not quite suitable for her age? But she has too much class to be "over the top." And with her red hair in an upsweep or French twist. I see her appearing as if she is comfortable in this garb, but in reality is perhaps quite nervous about it all, so maybe the dress is subtle, but still gets its message across. (I do have a number of 60's dresses right now, but not listed....)

I'm probably all wet here!!!!! Too much imagination, I guess....

Is this a kind of divorced Mrs. Robinson meets Ben?
 
I would think in the early 60s, you would want the Jackie O look. Let me see what I can find.
 
It kind of depends on her character. Is she new to dating again or does she do it a lot? Is she reluctant or desperate... Also it depends on the evening. Is she going to dinner, theatre, opera?

I would be inclined to go with a sheath dress, probably black. brown, maybe green to work with her hair colour, nothing bright or beaded. Simple jewellery -- you can never go wrong with pearls. Clutch purse and lowish heeled shoes, nothing too sexy. Probably a fur wrap, in something like an autumn haze mink, nothing cheap like rabbit. That sounds classy, wealthy, but not over the top or desperately trying to look younger than she is.
 
Silly me! I forgot to list the play. It's Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park" first produced on Broadway in 1963. It was made into a movie with Jane Fonda and Robert Redford in 1967. The character is Ethel Banks, Corie's mother. The actress is petite. I thought sheath dress, too, but I like the idea of going a bit older because the character has not dated in a long, long time. Part of the running gag is Ethel is so stuffy and goes on a blind date with Victor, Corie's and Paul's Bohemian, slightly crazy neighbor. Thanks, everyone, for your input! I will post photos when I get everyone dressed. :)
 
OH, Barefoot in the park... yes, she is a reluctant type and old fashioned. I think a suit is a better choice, but I would stick with the pearls and fur, but go with a handbag over a clutch.
 
Oh, I just saw that on TV not too long ago. I love that movie.

I think she wore a matronly looking dress with pearls, maybe a short jacket with it. Definitely, a handbag! I think she had that handbag across her arm when they were climbing up on the roof to visit the neighbor.
 
Gail: I am watching the auction for your green tweed suit. The lines are classic so with accessories it may work. I need to know the director's color palette before I do my costume plot. I love the black chiffon dress with gold bodice! I may buy that for myself. The theater is a small black box so I avoid black because it does not read well -- even under theater lights.

The movie was four years after the play and the fashions were later than the original production. The actress in this production is a cute, petite blonde. I'm thinking a Laura Petrie look for her.

Definitely a handbag! The running gag in the show is that the apartment is five flights up (six if you count the stoop that climbs like a flight :)). The actress playing Ethel is petite with red hair, pale skin and green eyes. Her take on the character is wealthy "we weekend in the Hamptons" so I want to dress her as such. I love the idea of going a bit earlier in fashions to show that "old money" look. My other idea is to make this suit:
<img src=http://members.cox.net/antiqueladyvintage/vogueparis1434>


Once I know the color palette and get the actors' sizes, I can begin shopping in earnest. :) I will probably be clicking to everyone's stores.
 
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