What better way to celebrate this All Hallows Eve than to cosy up on the sofa and hide behind the cushions with a good old vintage horror film marathon?
This Halloween we’re honouring two of our favourite vintage horror films that are not only spooky and enduring but have stood out as making a significant contribution to the marriage between horror and fashion.
An undeniable dark romance intertwines horror films and the fashion world thus creating iconic looks. See our staff recommendations at the end to celebrate the union of horror films and vintage fashion by getting your very own inspired outfit!
Carrie (Brian De Palma, 1976)
Based on the Stephen King book, Brian De Palma’s 1976 film, Carrie is the ultimate twisted tale of an awkward, inexperienced teenage girl's struggle with the stresses of high school, a religious fanatic mother and her own emerging sensuality. Her clothing and appearance throughout tell us that Carrie is nothing like her confident contemporaries who strut their stuff in tight t-shirts and eye-catching red varsity shorts, accentuating their blossoming figures.
Instead, Carrie hides herself away in loose fitting wool cardigans and long, plaid skirts. At home she faces disturbingly immense and unreasonable pressure from her unhinged puritanical mother, to remain pure before God and as such can be found in childlike, white, virginal nightdresses.
Carrie discovers her burgeoning telekinetic powers after several demeaning experiences at the hands of the people around her which ultimately will spell the demise of her enemies. She is invited to attend the prom by Tommy, whose classic 70's prom attire, a wide lapelled pale blue suit with a gloriously ruffled shirt, perfectly compliments Carrie's home-made elegant, pink, fitting slip-dress. A cruel trick performed by her nemesis Nancy, sees her soaked in blood, transforming the garment into arguably the most disturbing and iconic fashion item in the history of horror.
If you’ve not seen it, we highly recommend it this Halloween weekend.
Stepford Wives (Bryan Forbes, 1975)
This iconic film coined the term 'Stepford Wife’, still widely used today but more crucially in fashion circles. It refers to a look which emulates the floaty florals and chiffon designs favoured by the immaculate New England country housewives in the U.S.
The film tells the tale of aspiring photographer Joanna whose lawyer husband convinces her to move to sleepy, suburban Stepford, populated by eerily demure 'perfect' housewives, resplendent in their '50's inspired pastel gowns. She can only find companionship with fellow newcomer, sassy Bobbie. These two outsiders dress in a much more liberated way, Bobbie favoring cropped tie tops and dungaree dresses whilst Joanna likes simple 70's style shirts and straight trousers.
Over the course of the film, it is revealed that the men in the town have been murdering their wives and replacing them with robots styled as soulless domestic goddesses and it isn't long before both Bobbie and Joanna fall foul to their plans. The last few scenes see a dead-eyed Joanna gliding through the supermarket amongst the other Stepford Wives, wearing a white wide brimmed hat and the quintessential flowing chiffon skirt.