A global field guide to design, (life)style and secret finds est. 2007
Frock on Friday
If you've watched the most recent series of Call the Midwife, you'll recognise this rather memorable outfit that Trixie, played by the sassy Helen George, wore on her "date" with the Rev. Isn't it glorious?
Her Jean-Seberg-esque pixe crop would have been quite progressive for 1959 Poplar in London's East End. Indeed, it wasn't until 1960 that Jean-Luc Godard's cult film Breathless (À bout de souffle) was released, sending a whole generation of young ladies to the hairdressers for the big chop.
Call the Midwife's brilliant costume designer, Ralph Wheeler-Holes, looks like he's had loads of fun evolving Trixie's wardrobe over the years, as she's the most fashion-forward of all the characters. On the topic of fashion in series three, Ralph says,
"We lose the fullness of the mid '50s full net petticoats, and lean towards a simpler, cleaner line. This has helped us edge towards the '60s - as well as having a surprisingly current flavour of dress. It enables our viewers to easily recreate the look of times past - yet maintain a contemporary feel.
"In series 4 we should start to see hemlines beginning to lift and a move towards a more liberated feel."
Ralph recommends some specific pieces from the UK high street to get Trixie's look. The following pieces are still available online - and some are on sale!
Wonderful neat cropped cardigans can be found at Brora, also online.
Circular bags can be found on Etsy or even eBay (if you can't find white, find a shape you like and spray white or a matching color using Maribou acrylic spray paints available at any good art shop).
If you've watched the most recent series of Call the Midwife, you'll recognise this rather memorable outfit that Trixie, played by the sassy Helen George, wore on her "date" with the Rev. Isn't it glorious?
Her Jean-Seberg-esque pixe crop would have been quite progressive for 1959 Poplar in London's East End. Indeed, it wasn't until 1960 that Jean-Luc Godard's cult film Breathless (À bout de souffle) was released, sending a whole generation of young ladies to the hairdressers for the big chop.
Call the Midwife's brilliant costume designer, Ralph Wheeler-Holes, looks like he's had loads of fun evolving Trixie's wardrobe over the years, as she's the most fashion-forward of all the characters. On the topic of fashion in series three, Ralph says,
"We lose the fullness of the mid '50s full net petticoats, and lean towards a simpler, cleaner line. This has helped us edge towards the '60s - as well as having a surprisingly current flavour of dress. It enables our viewers to easily recreate the look of times past - yet maintain a contemporary feel.
"In series 4 we should start to see hemlines beginning to lift and a move towards a more liberated feel."
Ralph recommends some specific pieces from the UK high street to get Trixie's look. The following pieces are still available online - and some are on sale!
1. Amol event coat, reduced to £175 (from £345) from LK Bennett.
2. Amol sleeveless dress, reduced to £150 (from £245) from LK Bennett.
3. Palmira leather belt, £75 from LK Bennett.
4. Paul & Joe full pigment lipstick refill in Silk Stockings, AU$24.51, from ASOS. (Don't miss the covetable Paul & Joe Lipstick cases in three gorgeous designs.)
5. Paul & Joe nail polish in Summer Vacances, AU$23.53 from ASOS.
6. Ganni Lotus cut-out detail peep toe heeled shoes, reduced to AU$100 (from $303.92) from ASOS.
7. Marc by Marc Jacobs striped woven circle crossbody bag, AU$223.84 from Saks Fifth Avenue.
If you'd like to get Trixie's look with original vintage clothes, I've updated my Etsy Call the Midwife: Get the Look page with a selection of original white '50s shift dresses, circle bags and coats. I love this vintage French circle woven bag, $64.24 from Le Strict Maximum's Etsy shop.
