Bonnie and Clyde: The Fashion Story

The Birth Of Power Suits

It's 1967, and Hollywood rouges, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow have just broken the mould as two glamourous, tough, desperados trying to make a living for themselves from hit and run crime, in the melancholy years of the American Great Desperation. 

With the stunning yet rough and ready, powerful clothing designed by costume designer Theodora Van Runkle, she successfully created visual masterpiece on the screen, that acted as a rich juxtaposition to the dusty backdrop of 1930's America, and one that made it's mark on the fashion industry in the 1960's.   

Throughout Arthur Penn's iconic film, Runkle created a very powerful, yet soft and feminine aesthetic through her use of costumes that all took inspiration from 1960's fashion, however with a grittier edge to fit the time period of the film. During her criminal runs with Clyde, Bonnie wears an array of power suits, patterned neck scarves, crooked berets, and bias cut knitted skirts and jumpers.   

The costumes help to add an air of feminine grace and sophistication to an otherwise powerful and headstrong female character, while still looking lived in and practical for quick get - always and sleeping in cars. Runkle, also cast aside submissive 1950's styles of petticoats and girdles, and in some ways, was able to show the 1960's audience that a female film character can still look confident, glamorous and attractive, without being oversexualised or restricted in clothing. This costume choice may therefore have helped to carve the first waves of feminist views towards women on the screen, while still creating a lasting mark on the twenty first century fashion industry.    

An original sketch of the black blazer and flowing skirt

Until next time

Anna xx

Image references:

https://girlsdofilm.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/1967-in-film-bonnie-and-clyde/

https://girlsdofilm.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/1967-in-film-bonnie-and-clyde/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/188588303118277332/