HILDY JOHNSON: HIS GIRL FRIDAY

 

About the Film:

His Girl Friday is considered one of the most iconic screwball comedies of the '40s. Released in 1940 starring Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant as divorcees working for a top newspaper attempting to crack open a murder mystery case. Hildy Johnson (Russell) is introduced at the top of the film as the paper's top reporter preparing to leave the industry to get remarried to an insurance salesman Bruce Baldwin until her sly ex-husband Walter Burns reintroduces her to the thrill of the pursuit for information. And here's a fun fact: The film is an adaptation of a stage play called "The Front Page" where Hildy's character is actually a male role. The film producers changed the character to female to add an element to romance to the plot.

 Dresses As Work Wear

1. H&M, 2. Modcloth, 3. RomWe, 4. Modcloth, 5. Modcloth, 6. Dress Rail, 7. Urban Outfitters

Typical Features:

 -Cinched waist

-Muted color palette

-Shirtwaist inspired construction (collars, button-down, pockets etc)

Textured Blazers

1. Wet Seal, 2. River Island, 3. Bank Fashion, 4. Witchery, 5. H&M, 6. River Island

Typical Features:

 -Menswear inspired fabrics (plaids, tweed, suiting textiles)

-Bold pattern

-Fitted waist to flatter female figure

Simple Midi Skirts

1. Miss Selfridge, 2. Peacocks, 3. Whistles, 4. Warehouse, 5. House of Frasser

Typical Features:

 -Knee to mid-calf hem

-Structured, opaque fabrics

-Highwaisted

Putting it Together:

 Blazer: River Island, Blouse: Vero Moda, Skirt: House of Frasser, Hat: Topshop, Heels: Payless

Hildy's costumes do a fantastic job of flattering the woman's body while incorporating 1940s menswear influences. Pairing a feminine blouse under a fitted blazer in a menswear inspired fabric is a great way to achieve this look. Classic accessories like simple suede wedges and an updated felt fedora pull the whole look together.

Some favorite accessories of Hildy include:

-Statement making hats

-Wrist length gloves

- Low to mid height heels, often simple and in dark colors

What did you think of this post? Thoughts on the new format?  Have a suggestion for a show or movie you'd like me to cover? Is there anything else you'd like to see in the posts? Let me know by leaving a comment!