A fashion historian analyzes the historical accuracy of Rose DeWitt Bukater's costumes in the 1997 film Titanic. The film's costume designer, Deborah Lynn Scott, won an Oscar for her work, which was meticulously researched using extant garments, museum collections, and fashion publications from the time period.
The historian praises the accuracy of Rose's outfits, including her afternoon suit, day dress, and evening wear. The film's attention to detail is evident in the costumes, which reflect the fashion trends of 1912, including the use of taxidermied birds on hats and the popularity of hobble skirts.
However, the historian notes that Rose's makeup is not historically accurate, as women during this time period wore very little visible makeup. The film's use of darkened eyebrows, eyeliner, and lipstick is more characteristic of 1990s makeup trends.
Overall, the historian concludes that Titanic is one of the most historically accurate period films, with the exception of the makeup. The film's attention to detail and commitment to historical accuracy are a testament to the costume designer's research and dedication.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The movie Titanic is based on actual historical events that took place in April 1912.
2. The film's costume designer, Deborah Lynn Scott, won the Oscar for best costume design.
3. To research the film, Scott looked at extant garments, museum collections, and fashion publications from the time period.
4. Rose's iconic suit in the movie is almost identical to a suit that appeared in a French magazine in 1912.
5. Women in 1912 wore chemises, drawers, and stockings as underwear.
6. The chemise of 1912 had delicate lace and a ruffled edge at the neckline.
7. Drawers were less voluminous in 1912 due to changing silhouettes.
8. Stockings were made of knitted cotton or silk and were usually light-colored for day.
9. Women wore corsets in 1912, but some modern women were starting to abandon them.
10. The year 1912 was a time of transition for women's corsets, with a shift towards a more straightened silhouette.
11. The straightened silhouette would become more popular in the 1920s.
12. Women wore camisoles and petticoats over their corsets.
13. Petticoats in 1912 were narrower than in previous years.
14. Women's shirts in 1912 were derived from men's buttoned and collared shirts.
15. The shirtwaist was a modern garment that was worn by both upper and lower classes.
16. Men's fashions started to influence women's wear in the late 19th century.
17. Rose's suit in the movie is an example of a tailor-made suit, which was a type of women's walking suit.
18. Women wore gloves in public, but could remove them when dining.
19. Women's hair was typically worn up in 1912, except for young girls and adolescents.
20. Women's hats in 1912 were heavily stiffened and often decorated with feathers, flowers, or other adornments.
21. The Merry Widow hat was a popular style of hat in 1910, characterized by a wide brim that extended past the shoulders.
22. Taxidermied birds were sometimes used as hat decorations, which led to the depletion of some bird species.
23. Long hat pins were used to secure hats and could be used as a defensive weapon.
24. The "hat pin peril" was a phenomenon in which women used long hat pins to fend off predatory men.
25. Rose's evening wear in the movie is based on real designs from 1912.
26. Women's evening dresses in 1912 often featured layers of sheer fabric and beading.
27. The fashionable silhouette of 1912 was characterized by a high waistline and a narrow skirt.
28. Parisian designers were leaders in fashion design in 1912.
29. Lady Duff-Gordon, also known as Lucile, was a pioneering fashion designer who introduced the practice of draping fabric on a model.
30. Women's shoes in 1912 were often made of satin and dyed to match the color of their dresses.
31. Jewelry in 1912 often featured matching sets, such as necklaces and earrings.
32. The "Heart of the Ocean" necklace in the movie was designed by James Cameron and based on the Hope Diamond.
33. Women's makeup in 1912 was minimal, as wearing visible makeup was associated with "painted ladies" who were not considered respectable.
34. The use of cosmetics did not become socially acceptable until the following decade.
35. The historical accuracy of the film Titanic is due to the meticulous research done by the costume designer and other crew members.