Sound of Music Style - yea or nay?

Friends, yesterday MPB reader Eli commented on the similarity between dress pattern Butterick 8975 and something Julie Andrews might have worn in The Sound of Music.

Which got me thinking: why do so many of the costumes from this beloved 1965 film (Costumes by Dorothy Jeakins) look like they were torn out of a mid-Sixties Simplicity pattern book, as opposed to accurately representing the styles of late-Thirties Austria, or the decidedly unglamorous Von Trapp singers themselves? 



First, though, a self test.  There are four levels of Sound of Music obsession.  For example, if I say:

The first three notes just happen to be...

You respond ________________.

This would categorize you as LEVEL 1.  Casual interest, no cause for alarm.

More serious would be if I say...

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu --

And you respond _________________.

We would diagnose this as LEVEL 2.  Serious, but not incurable. 

More worrisome is if I say....

I'd like to say a word in her behalf:

And you respond ______________. 

or ...

Do Mi Mi, Mi So So...

And you respond _____________. 

Definitely LEVEL 3.

Things get scary when we move into post-intermission reprise territory:

If I say... 

You may think this kind of adventure

Never will come to you...

You respond _______________.

In which case you are at LEVEL 4, and I can offer no hope.

But let's get back to fashion! I nearly fell off my zafu cushion when I stumbled upon this Sound of Music pattern original!

I mean, I would make those outfits today -- and for myself.  Wouldn't you?

Cathy and I both love a skin tight princess-seamed bodice over just about anything.  Longtime readers may remember my purchase of this pattern last year:

Even before 1965, similar looking one-piece jumper styles were very popular and perfect for a Do-Re-Mi sing-along.

Remember when Maria returns to the Von Trapps' after her brief retreat back to the abbey?

Isn't that basically View C in this Butterick pattern?

Remember Maria's fetchingly virginal leandler dance dress (the one the baron is so fond of)?

 

So very reminiscent of this...



The most fashionable character in The Sound of Music is Baroness Von Schraeder --  gorgeous in every historically inaccurate outfit she wears.

Lovely, but 1938?  I don't think so!

Her stunning evening gown is essentially a mid-Sixties sheath dress with some tulle.

How about this timeless hostess ensemble?  So cocktails at the club.

And then there's Liesl.  

Except for a little Tyrolean ruching in the bodice, is there anything about her dress that wouldn't work for a mid-Sixties sweet sixteen or Barbie and Ken soda fountain date?

The Von Trapp girls are always boasting little bows, headbands, and kerchiefs that scream early-to-mid Sixties tween.

 

We all remember the navy uniforms they wear early in the film...

Try these:

In closing, friends, what do you think of The Sound of Music style?  Are you eager to sew up a wool jumper, silk-blouse-and-midi-skirt cocktail ensemble, or heavy brocade play clothes?  Do you dream of wearing a poofy pastel dance dress and dancing around a gazebo with a man in uniform -- any uniform?  Are you shocked or charmed at the mid-Sixties-ness of it all?

Finally, if you could wear one outfit from the film, which would it be?  (Are you more Maria or the Baroness or someone else?)

Any Level 4's out there?  

Sound of Music style -- yea or nay?

P.S. - Traveling this weekend.  See you on Monday!