Sewing Hollywood History: What Lucy Wore in The Long, Long Trailer

Watching old movies is one of my favorite places to get sewing inspiration. I thought I'd start a new series matching patterns with looks from some great old films. Maybe it will inspire you to create something great!

The Long, Long Trailer 

The Long, Long Trailer is a 1954 film staring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. They play Nicky and Tracy, newlyweds who decide to buy a very large motor home to begin their life together. What follows is a serious of unfortunate disasters that will send you reeling in giggles. My personal favorite involves the keepsake rocks Tracy is determined to keep from each stop they make. 

The Proposal

In the very beginning of the movie, just as Nicky is about to propose, Tracy (Lucille Ball) is wearing a fabulous dress with a  plunging neckline, shawl collar, and buttons down the front. 

Here are some vintage patterns in a similar style.

1. Simplicity 3931, 2. Vogue 6791

Did you know that you can buy a tape with loops for all those buttons in a row? They're called "bridal loops" and what a time saver! Susan Khalje sells it in her store. 

Bridal loops for the buttons.

Going Away

Tracy's going away dress from the wedding is a fun polka-dot suit. The skirt looks to be a circle skirt (maybe I am just seeing these everywhere now) made out a few panels sewn together. 

The jacket is referred to as a "weskit" in the patterns below, which was a new term to me! Apparently it's just an informal term for a waistcoat. It's a phonetic spelling dating from the 1850s and usually refers to a vest. 

Here are some vintage patterns in a similar style. Apparently Advance was really into the weskit!

1. Advance 5496, 2. Advance 5749, 3. Advance 6072, 4. Simplicity 4533

Have you seen this fun film? I'm a sucker for anything with Lucille Ball.