Category: Swimwear
To Catch a Thief: Cary Grant’s Casual Riviera Style
Cary Grant and Grace Kelly on location for To Catch a Thief (1955)
Vitals
Cary Grant as John Robie, retired cat burglar and jewel thief
French Riviera, Summer 1954
Film: To Catch a Thief
Release Date: August 5, 1955
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Costume Designer: Edith Head
Background
In commemoration of Alfred Hitchcock’s 120th birthday on August 13, this week continues with a look at one of the Master of Suspense’s most stylish movies, the 1955 romantic caper To Catch a Thief.
Bonjour Tristesse: David Niven’s Chambray Shirt and Swim Trunks
David Niven and Jean Seberg as Raymond and Cécile in Bonjour Tristesse (1958)
Vitals
David Niven as Raymond, bon vivant single father
French Riviera, Summer 1957
Film: Bonjour Tristesse
Release Date: January 15, 1958
Director: Otto Preminger
Costume Coordinator: Hope Bryce
Background
Thanks to Otto Preminger’s direction and Georges Périnal’s lush color cinematography that captures the richness of the French Riviera, the visual delights of Bonjour Tristesse secure its place among the great “summer movies” of Hollywood’s celebrated golden era.
Based on Françoise Sagan’s 1954 novel, Bonjour Tristesse—which translates to “Hello, Sadness” in English—tells the story of the precocious but undisciplined teenager Cécile’s (Jean Seberg) summer holiday in the Côte d’Azur with her libertine father Raymond (David Niven) and his bevy of mistresses, often barely older than Cécile herself. Continue reading
The Talented Mr. Ripley: Dickie’s Yellow Mesh-Knit Shirt
Jude Law as Dickie Greenleaf in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Vitals
Jude Law as Dickie Greenleaf, narcissistic profligate playboy
Italy, Summer 1959
Film: The Talented Mr. Ripley
Release Date: December 25, 1999
Director: Anthony Minghella
Costume Design: Ann Roth & Gary Jones
WARNING! Spoilers ahead!
Background
My last post focused on one of the unlucky Mr. Greenleaf’s unique summer shirts that fell into the hands of an envious Tom Ripley in Purple Noon (Plein Soleil), the 1960 French adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s psychological thriller novel The Talented Mr. Ripley. Highsmith’s novel was adapted under its original title by writer and director Anthony Minghella in 1999, starring Jude Law as the expatriate playboy Dickie Greenleaf and Matt Damon as the obsessive Ripley.
Revolutionary Road: Frank Wheeler’s Linen Beachwear
Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Wheeler in Revolutionary Road (2008)
Vitals
Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Wheeler, disillusioned businessman and suburban dad
Sasco Beach, CT, Summer 1955
Film: Revolutionary Road
Release Date: December 15, 2008
Director: Sam Mendes
Costume Designer: Albert Wolsky
Background
While my week at the beach progresses, I’m hoping to channel my sun-soaked energy to my BAMF Style friends and readers with another post featuring classic summer style for a day in the sand and sun.
The film adaptation of Revolutionary Road, Richard Yates’ 1961 tribute to suburban disillusionment, reunited Titanic stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as the semi-happily married Frank and April Wheeler who find themselves increasingly disgusted with their lives in the Connecticut suburbs.
Alain Delon’s Toweling Blazer and Swimwear in Purple Noon
Alain Delon as Tom Ripley and Marie Laforêt as Marge Duval in Purple Noon (1960)
Vitals
Alain Delon as Tom Ripley, charming American con artist and sophisticated sociopath
Maronti Beach, Italy, September 1959
Film: Purple Noon
(French title: Plein soleil)
Release Date: March 10, 1960
Director: René Clément
Costume Designer: Bella Clément
WARNING! Spoilers ahead!
Background
As I’m currently out of town on my annual beach vacation, I wanted to get into the spirit of the summer holidays by looking at swimwear from the movies, beginning with Alain Delon’s classic toweling blazer and swim trunks in Plein soleil, known to English-speaking audiences as Purple Noon.
When Patricia Highsmith’s psychological thriller The Talented Mr. Ripley was first adapted for the big screen in 1960, the author praised the visually appealing cinematography and Alain Delon’s performance as the charismatic sociopath Tom Ripley. Continue reading
James Bond’s Beach Suitcase – Sean Connery Edition
Sean Connery with Claudine Auger in the fourth James Bond film, Thunderball (1965), which was set in the Bahamas.
Vitals
Sean Connery as James Bond, British secret agent
Nassau, Summer 1965
Film: Thunderball
Release Date: December 29, 1965
Director: Terence Young
Background
Bond: Sir, I respectfully suggest that you assign me to Nassau.
M: Is there a reason besides your enthusiasm for water sports?
You really can’t blame James Bond for eagerly volunteering to take on MI6’s post in the Bahamas. Of all of Sean Connery’s early 007 adventures, Thunderball always struck me as the most aspirational, perfectly blending adventure, danger, style, and wit with the necessary Bond elements of exotic surroundings, clever gadgets, and a bevy of international beauties. Lurking threat of nuclear disaster aside, Thunderball presents the ideal summer holiday.
To celebrate the summer solstice, I’m somewhat departing from the usual BAMF Style format for a feature that highlights the best of Bond’s warm-weather duds… and where you can find them today to pack for your own beach vacation. Continue reading
John Wayne’s White Camp Shirt in Donovan’s Reef
John Wayne as Michael “Guns” Donovan in Donovan’s Reef (1963)
Vitals
John Wayne as Michael “Guns” Donovan, island saloon owner and U.S. Navy veteran
French Polynesia, December 1963
Film: Donovan’s Reef
Release Date: June 12, 1963
Director: John Ford
Costume Designer: Edith Head
Background
Who better than John Wayne to feature on the day before that most American of holidays, the fourth of July?
Donovan’s Reef takes John Wayne from his familiar settings of the wild west or a world war and places him in French Polynesia (though actually filmed in Hawaii) as the grizzled manager of the titular island tavern.
John Wayne is hardly a name that comes to mind when thinking of classic beachgoers, but photographs like this from Duke’s Acapulco resort in the 1940s taken by Phil Stern prove that Wayne (and fellow macho pal Gary Cooper) could be quite natty when the time came to relaxing under the sun. Continue reading
From Russia With Love – Bond’s Gingham Shirt and Swim Trunks
Eunice Gayson and Sean Connery as Sylvia Trench and James Bond, respectively, in From Russia With Love (1963).
Vitals
Sean Connery as James Bond, British suave government agent and lothario
Berkshire, England, Spring 1963
Film: From Russia With Love
Release Date: October 10, 1963
Director: Terence Young
Costume Designer: Jocelyn Rickards
Tailor: Anthony Sinclair
Background
I’m spending this week with family for a beach vacation, so I wanted to take a look at what James Bond would wear for his own seaside holiday outing.
The first appearance of 007—the real 007—in From Russia With Love finds Bond “reviewing an old case” in Berkshire in the form of Sylvia Trench, a casual fling that he first encountered while gambling at Le Cercle in Dr. No.
Punting man: It’s great sport, this punting!
Bond: (making out with Sylvia) I couldn’t agree with him more.
Sylvia: I may even give up golf for it.
Limitless – Eddie’s Beach Attire and Maserati
Bradley Cooper as Eddie Morra, behind the wheel of a Maserati GranTurismo while filming Limitless (2011).
Vitals
Bradley Cooper as Eddie Morra, performance-enhanced investor and former struggling author
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Spring 2010
Film: Limitless
Release Date: March 18, 2011
Director: Neil Burger
Costume Designer: Jenny Gering
Background
This final installment for this Car Week aims to get everyone geared up for any upcoming beach vacations and possible drug-induced professional success.
A brief sequence in Limitless portrays NZT’s effects as glamorous, and few things would be more glamorous than speeding around a tropical coast behind in a new Maserati. Eddie Morra, in addition to the unexplained circumstances that lead to his taking the wheel of this Italian sports car, finds himself hobnobbing with fellow bon vivants at Casa China Blanca, a stunning villa in Puerto Vallarta. Continue reading
The Wolf of Wall Street: Leo’s Floral Swimwear
I’m off to the beach for my annual vacation! I’ll have my phone, but I eschew technology when surrounded by sun, sand, water, and books, so I’ll be less responsive to comments and e-mails than usual (and I know I already need some improvement in that area!)
There’ll be a few posts planned for the course of this week, but here’s a quick snippet of a BAMF in relaxation mode that we should all try and emulate.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie as Jordan and Naomi Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013).
Vitals
Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, swaggering stockbroker
New York City, Summer 1993
Film: The Wolf of Wall Street
Release Date: December 25, 2013
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Designer: Sandy Powell
How to Get the Look
The Wolf of Wall Street gives us a quick look at Jordan and Naomi relaxing on his yacht. He doesn’t have a care in the world as he lays next to his beautiful wife and wears:
- Navy blue short-sleeve linen shirt with six white buttons down plain front and straight-hemmed bottom
- Light blue “Hawaiian printed” polyester swimming trunks with a palm tree and orange floral print
The on-screen shorts have been positively identified as a pair of Breakwater polyester board shorts in the “Hawaiian Vibe” tropical pattern with a white drawstring waist. You can still find the same pair on eBay. (Thanks to reader Thawm for the ID!)
Belfort himself mentions a pair of “blue nylon” swimming trunks in his follow-up book, Catching the Wolf of Wall Street.
His Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses with black acetate frames, a fine choice for a successful young fella on holiday, sit on the back on his head against the pillow.
If you’ve got a special lady friend with you who also would like some shades, Margot Robbie is wearing a pair of brown plastic-framed Versace 477/B 915 sunglasses with gold Greek key temple logos.
Do Yourself a Favor and…
Buy the movie
