03 June 2009

(Sort of) Embarrassing Fashion Inspiration

My knowledge of the American Girl dolls is rather limited. It’s not something I had around when I was a little girl. Perhaps they came along after I was a bit old for dolls? My experience with them consists of avoiding the hordes of squealing girls, all carrying their slightly creepy little doppelganger dolls that would gather outside of the American Girl store at The Grove when I was living in LA. So the other day when I was flipping channels on the TV and came across Julia Ormond in a beautiful 30s era floral dress, I stopped to watch, having no idea what I was getting myself into.

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Then Abigail Breslin popped onto the screen and I thought, oh, I don't know if I can watch this. From what I gathered, she plays the spunky heroine of the story - Kitt Kittredge, a depression era girl with dreams of being a reporter. So... of course I just muted the TV and decided to enjoy the costumes and set designs and avoid the inevitable morality tale. And I was not disappointed! There were lots of lovely costumes to admire on the adults as well as the girls; pretty florals, sheer sleeves, oxford style shoes and straw hats. I'm loving the little side hairbow on Kitt (though it's much too young of a look for me to pull off). I'd be thrilled if I came across any one of the pieces at a vintage store. So, if you can stomach the saccharine kid-friendly story it's actually quite nice to look at.
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22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Où trouves-tu tout tes contours d'images ?

Alice said...

Abigail Breslin's such a good little actress.
These stills are excellent.

blessings,
Alice

Lauren said...

The movie is actually super cute. I found it as you did, while flipping channels. It's a good movie for kids, due to the story, and a great one for adults due to all the cameos!

Darla: Retro Ways said...

I had an american girl doll growing up! I had..... well I think she might still be in my moms garage somewhere, Molly the one with the brown betty bangs and glasses I just adored reading her books when I was young. Her story is set during WWII with her dad off at war and all of her costumes are so darling. Gosh I feel like such a dork now, lovely post.
♥Darla

Margaux said...

I saw this film on the train and felt exactly the same way! I didn't intend to watch it but was completely sucked in by the way it looked. So pretty.

Anonymous said...

haha i must watch this then, the dresses are gorgeous

Lo said...

I used to be obsessed with American Girl dolls. I feel like I would have loved this when I was younger and love it now for very different reasons. The history of the american girls is always fascinating.

reilly said...

Wow, for being a kid movie it looks very beautiful and grown-up from the stills! Gorgeous dresses and colors, oh my!

Anonymous said...

i loved this movie! seeing these pictures makes me want to watch it again.

Mars said...

I adored this movie :)! And I agree, all of the costumes in this were FABULOUS. Kinda makes you want to go back in time, huh?

corrie said...

Haha, did you REALLY mute the TV?

I actually wouldn't mind watching this. I guess I was just young enough for American girl, although the character of Kit didn't exist then. I had Kirsten, the Swedish immigrant from Pioneer days. She was the only blonde doll (I'm blonde), before they just started making custom dolls to look exactly like you.

Ah, nostalgia.

Meghan said...

HAHAHA :0) I love the fact that you find inspiration everywhere-yes, even from an American Girl movie, which btw I adored the books when I was a child. The clothes that you featured are darling.

Amelia said...

Sure the plot lines of the movies are pretty bad, but I don't think this is embarassing inspiration at all. The costumes are perfect! The little vintage-looking doll clothes are actually pretty cute, too.

Meaghan Kelly said...

shamefully enough, i am kind of a sucker for easy to follow, moral tales. I'll be picking this up for sure based on the costumes alone, but i probably won't mute it! :P

Anonymous said...

You think these costumes are amazing?
Have you ever watched Lolita (the 1997 one)? Oh the dresses are to die for! Plus the movie is great too. :D

mice said...

So beautiful and harmonical photos! Dresses looks so adorable!

http://placeforthemoment.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

hehe, I saw this too, youre right the outfits are beautiful. seeing just the stills, it seems like an entirely different movie, the plot was pretty unbearable. so wise of you to mute!

Brooke Alexandra said...

Every time the commercial for this would come on tv, I would stare at the tv drooling over that little green dress she wears, ugh!

Leti said...

Ha I totally blogged about this movie too:
http://subtletyinexcess.blogspot.com/2009/01/kit.html

Ann said...

I never saw the movie, but I LOVED those dolls when I was little! I had Samantha and her little artist kit and fans and fun Victorian things.
:) :)

MYCLOSETGARDEN said...

Oh, no you have to watch the movie - its really good and also a great film for young girls! Unlike a lot of movies made for girls today, it features strong female roles who are intelligent, creative and interesting characters.

Anonymous said...

I watched this movie last night, and true, it was really kind of cheesy but cute. I always had American Girl Dolls (I had Kit) so this is just reliving some childhood memories. Jane Krakowski had some of my favorite costumes, they were gorgeous. And her hair, ahhh, I wish mine was like that!