Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Style Wednesday: Glamour Puss, or: I want to be Carole Lombard



Blame it on the blizzard that arrived Sunday morning, and stayed right through till this morning...

Out the back door (we used to have a gazebo)
 
The walkway out front - that's 5 feet of snow folks, and you can see the levels of old storms, like midden in a archaeological dig...

But I am ready for spring.  And though I am dressing in a markedly utilitarian fashion these days, I am starting to long for some glamour.  I need an invite to a fancy soiree, I need to be lounging around not in woollies, but in something more exotic, something Carole Lombard would wear around the house.

My eyes are sad like that too, Carole..

Carole Lombard is one of my favourite actresses.  She was funny, dramatic, heartbreaking.  And her personal life was as glamorous as her movies, what with first husband William Powell and then Clark Gable, to whom she was married when she tragically died in a plane crash during World War II.

But the style!

If my modern day muse is Miss Sofia, I would do well to add a dash of Miss Lombard into the mix as well, methinks:

I need wide leg trousers for my brogues...

Carol lombard 5_1347262450.jpg
A little tweed for the jaunts around the park...I love the cut of this jacket!


Carole Lombard (1908 - 1942)
If there's a more perfect coat, well I'd like to see it!


I'd wear this in a heartbeat!

Carole Lombard 10 by ajax1946
How's this for an early fall/early spring colour story?


Carole Lombard 8 by ajax1946
This screams early "borrowed from the boys" in a very classy way!

Carole's style was timeless and remains fresh and cool:









I knew I had it bad when I ordered the following Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti black silk skirt from ebay:





I just needed a little glamour for Spring.  I think Carole would approve!

Anyone else out there a Carole Lombard fan?  What's your favourite Carole movie?  Mine has to be My Man Godfrey.  I adore it.  




Anyone else feeling any glamorous urges?  Really, all I'm asking is to take the flannel sheets off the bed!
Have a great day and stay safe out there!

42 comments:

  1. And that's not too much to ask!
    Well I'm with you. I'm really in the mood for wearing a nice silk blouse, a proper outfit. I tried today but then I was too cold.
    Really the amount of snow you have is staggering. Don't go out there alone Wendy!

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  2. Whoa- that is some snow! I've been complaining about winter but girl, you deserve all the silk pyjamas and glamour you desire! Oh and I love my man Godfrey. I haven't seen it it years. Maybe i'll throw on some silk and give ot a spin in the DVD player (so old school)...

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  3. Wow,i can not believe all that snow. I can totally understand that you are annoyed by it.
    Finally spring(or it might be summer already) is here to stay and we hit the 80's today!

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  4. Holy cow, and I thought it was remarkable that we got flurries (here in DC) on Sunday! I was sort of with you with yes, enough already!, until you mentioned the flannel sheets. There is nothing I love more than flannel sheets! (Maybe because I grew up in Hawaii, with no air conditioning (those ocean breezes), and never had even heard of flannel until I moved out east...)

    As for Carole, I used to try to will myself towards the classic sorts of clothing (esp. as I "grow up" -- I am now mid-40s!), but always find myself reaching for my funkier prints and decidedly unserious clothes. This decade has finally been the decade of self acceptance, and I now just admire this beautiful style on others... (Dani?)

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    1. Audrey - I hear you! The older I get the more I realize I have no single defined style - eclectic should be my middle name - and so I like to dip in all of the pools and it shows in my wardrobe! Even the smaller version has a few different styles!

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  5. Wow, I cannot believe how much snow you have, and here I have been complaining about how miserable it's been in Toronto - I will stop now! That photo of Carole Lombard in the old school aviator glasses always reminds me of Kristin Scott Thomas. I have been feeling pretty grumpy towards clothes in general. I am sick of wearing winter stuff but it's still a bit too cold to wear proper spring clothing.

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    1. Louise - I made the same connection with Kristen in The English Patient! I wonder if the costume designer had seen this photo! I put away all the heavy cashmere regardless and am not muscling my way through!

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    2. I love Kristin Scott Thomas' style in the English Patient! Louise, I totally see that look on Carole Lombard, good observation!

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  6. Sorry about all that snow. We got that storm as heavy rain that washed the last traces of snow off of our grass. The grocery store parking lots still have the last dirty vestiges though. I hope some warmth will melt yours soon. It did make my heart rejoice when our last speck had gone. We need to start a chant "No more snow for Wendy"! Maybe if we all collectively raise our voices.......Keep your spirits up as spring must come.

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  7. Oh wow! Look at that snow! J is very, very jealous! I'm sure that you would gladly swap with us, though! Perhaps you could head over here and J could whizz over to you?
    Love those very glam/ chic styles. I'm sick of my summer duds. I want autumn!

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  8. Oh Wendy! Winter is still at your place! We have had Spring here for the past two weeks. Mornings could be a bit chilly, but most afternoons are just brilliant... So I am sending a bit of it over to you...
    What a glamorous woman, what a style... I love it, because I find it just right. Not too much, not too little, just right...

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    1. She looks like she's modelling Brora! I'm glad it's spring somewhere!

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  9. Poor you...tell me why you live there again? Spring has sprung but not enough to get my wide leg linen pants and tees on. Just enough for jeans and long sleeve tee with sandals. It's coming your way. Soon.

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    1. BB - you keep promising, but I've decided to come to you instead!

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  10. Wendy - you do teach me things about past pop culture bc while I know of her she isn't really somone in my radar and have never seen her movies so I am not really "getting" this post if that makes sense. She is very attractive and wouldn't look out of place in a top restaurant at present. I am still so frazzled that I am lucky if I don't wear spandex...

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    1. Naomi - Carole was the IT girl in Hollywood in the 1930s - glamorous and golden and then she died tragically, which put her in icon status!

      Love the spandex comment!

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  11. That much snow is getting ridiculous. Hang in there. I've always loved menswear style as worn by Hepburn and Bacall. I thought Diane Keaton in her tuxedo was the best dressed in the recent Golden Globes. Do model that black silk skirt for us, please.

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    1. Hi Marie! I am hoping that it fits well, but since I paid a very cheap price for it in my bid, I feel comfortable either way! Will keep you posted on that! I love the menswear style as well, as evidenced by my recent brogue purchase! I am looking for wide-legged trousers for spring to go with them, even as we speak!

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  12. I got home last night-- nearly melted here! This is going to melt quickly for you, I hope.

    That Carole in that pencil skirt-- whoa!

    I have lots of catching up to do-- really couldn't read blogs on the road as I was icing my knee at night--haven't even done book club yet.

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    1. Oh god bless your knee! was it worth it in the end to drive it?

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  13. I don't know any Carole Lombard movies, but I like her style. So sorry about that snow, 5 feet is just ridiculous. I really hope it melts soon.

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  14. Your snow is outrageous!
    I know who she is but I don't think I've ever see any of her films, she has incredible style and as you say, it wouldn't look out of place today - I cringe at things I wore three years ago.

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    1. Tabs - I so hear you! That is why I keep heading for simple silhouettes - I can't afford the trendy!

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  15. I'm with Tabitha, i don't really know here. But, consistently, Alberta Ferretti designs some of my favorite runway collections. Great find!

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    1. Hi KNityarns! I hope it works cause it was only $39!

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  16. Yes, but do youconsciously admire Carole Lombard?

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    1. Fred - I do, I do! I consciously admire her! What would we do without Gwynnie?

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  17. Great post Wendy! I love the Carole Lombard style you have assembled here and make me want to see My Man Godfrey and Mr & Mrs. Smith again. It's been a long time...too long.

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    1. YOu know I have never seen Mr. and Mrs. Smith! Have added it to the list!

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  18. Oh Wendy I was so hoping this was a late April Fools' Day post. All that snow needs to go pronto. Our weather is getting better that spring is far behind normal schedule. The garden looks worse for wear. I fear some of my perennials may not have made it through the winter. I'm loving your classic Lombard looks. Timeless and elegant. Thinking warm thoughts for you today.

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    1. SC - I have the same fear for my garden, though maybe the snow has protected them? Am especially worried for the lavender...

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  19. I long for a little glamor as well, and I'm not enduring your brutal winter!! I loved Carole's style. She wore the slinky charmeuse gowns as easily as she did her tweeds. She was a terrific screwball comedian. I would love to have had her husbands for just one hour. William Powell is a favorite. Well maybe two hours:-)). Clark was no slouch, although I did read he had wooden dentures and appalling breath! So sorry to hear about your snow dumping...just not fair. Plan a little excursion west perhaps? I'll put you up here. xo

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    1. Jennifer - I'd heard that about Clark's breath, but Carole didn't seem to mind at all! I wish I could go west! How wonderful that would be! I would put William Powell in my top five golden Hollywood actors for sure!

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  20. The flannel sheets came off here on the weekend. We may have to keep the flannel pyjamas may have to stay but I was sick sick of the sheets. Carol Lombard's clothes are so simple and "full" for the most part. I could use more of that kind of style and less of the tight clothing we are supposed to wear now.

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    1. you are braver than I re: flannel sheets!

      I am only buying body skimming things now and I can breathe!!!!!

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  21. Love the Philosophy skirt. I think we are all grabbing up the last ADF pieces before the label changed hands. I cannot believe how much snow you had. We are finally having spring here and I can see my lawn. I hope you have a warm spell soon as you can't channel Carole in a parka!

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Kindness is a virtue...