Rebecca Movie Recap and 1930s Fashion
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The Rebecca 2020 movie recap and the 1930s fashion throughout the film worn by Lily James
This post is all about the Rebecca movie and the 1930s fashion worn by Lily James
Rebecca is the 1938 Gothic Novel written by the English author Daphne du Maurier.
This tale of secrets and hidden pasts opens in Monte Carlo, where the shy heroine falls head over heels for the wealthy widower, Maxim de Winter.
After a whirlwind romance, the heroine is swept away as a new bride to her husband’s formidable estate. The honeymoon is short lived, as the ghost of the first wife, Rebecca, seems haunt everyone and everything—most notably, the husband.
Question began to arise as she settles into her new life.
How did Rebecca really die? Why does her husband avoid talking about her?
We love the Rebecca 2020 rendition of this haunting classic whose fabulous storyline is only rivaled by the sensational 1930s Old Hollywood Glamour fashion.
What 1930s fashion did Lily James’ character, Mrs. de Winter, wear in Rebecca?
In the movie Rebecca, Lily James’ Old Hollywood fashion wardrobe ranges from retro pajamas, to simple day dresses, to skirt suits, to pant outfits.
She also has a wonderful collection of 1930s inspired coats and jackets, from basic button up jackets, to long wool coats in greens and plaids
She rarely wears jewelry, but often accessorizes her outfits with retro hats. Her standbys being floppy straw hats and vintage beret caps.
Her favorite shoes include simple white flat sandals, practical oxford style shoes, and low heeled flapper t-strap style pumps.
Now let’s jump into the story, so you can get today’s fill of fabulous 1930s fashion inspiration.
Fun Fact!
In the story, you’ll notice how the heroine’s first name is never mentioned. Only after she is married, is she then referred to as Maxim de Winter’s wife or “Mrs. de Winter”. The famous author Daphne du Maurier deliberately did this to highlight how the heroine continues to live in the shadow of the late Rebecca.
1930s Fashion: Vintage Skirt Suit
In the opening scenes of the film, the heroine is a lady’s companion to a wealthier, cranky older lady, they are traveling abroad in Europe.
She wears a classic 1930s skirt suit, with a semifitted jacket with a matching skirt.
Notice the classic 30s masculine blazer structure that is tailored to flatter the feminine figure.
Also, in true 1930s fashion her skirt is high waisted, and slim fitting in the waist and hip, with the skirt flaring slightly out the knee to the hem.
Her shoes are classic retro oxfords.
Fun fact!
Coming out of the Great Depression, cheaper “rough” fabrics were popular. Given her status as a lady’s companion, notice how textured the fabric of her skirt suit is. Not only is this true to style of the era, but it gives it quite a unique vintage charm.
For more on 1920s vs 1930s fashion:
Flappers to Vintage Glam – 1920s and 1930s Fashion
1930s Fashion Women: Vintage Suit & Hat
That evening for dinner, she accompanies her mistress downstairs to their table.
Her mistress pretends to be surprised to see the handsome Maxim de Winter. She insists they dine together.
Maxim de Winter doesn’t let on that he’s already met the young lady’s companion.
He addresses her by the old lady’s last name, as if they’re related.
The wealthy older lady makes a nasty snide remark that the girl is only staff. And then she promptly sends her on an errand.
We adore her vintage hat that she pulls on while dashing about for her mistress.
1930s Fashion: Retro Pajamas
That evening in bed, the young lady’s companion tosses and turns as she listens to the nasty gossip from her mistress about her and the rumours around Maxim de Winter.
We love the retro pajama out that she is wearing. It has a cute peter pan collar and its fabric is a delicate pink floral.
This vintage pajama outfit is so cute and comfy that would still look great today.
1930s Women’s Fashion: Skirt Suit with Tie Blouse
The next morning, her assistant heads down the hotel terrace for breakfast alone, since her mistress feels sick.
The head server condescendingly tells her that she cannot eat there, without her mistress. It is for guests, not staff.
Maxim de Winter is having breakfast nearby and overhears. He announces that she is his guest, and invites her to dine with him.
They get to know each other over breakfast.
Her outfit is a variation of the one she wore the previous day. She pairs the same fashionable 1930s two piece skirt suit with a different shirt. This time she selects a flowy white polka dot tie blouse for under the blazer.
We love the how the delicate and feminine blouse contrasts with her more masculine styled suit for an overall classy and feminine style.
1930s Fashion: Skirt Suit with Tie Blouse
Back in her mistress’ sick room, the bellboy arrives with a note for the assistant.
It simply says. “Come for a drive.”
She dashes out, using tennis lessons as an excuse to leave.
We love her adorable and chic 1930s pants outfit!
She pairs a feminine blouse with a fitted waist with wide classic wide legged 30s trousers. Her trousers embody the iconic sailor styles of the 1930s with the deep blue color, high waist, and wide leg.
They head out, and it’s a magical afternoon, although he mentions his previous wife, Rebecca once.
1930s Dresses: Day Dress
The next morning, she dashes to the terrace to look for Maxim de Winter.
She is wearing an adorable 30s style bias cut day dress. This is paired with a retro floppy straw hat and white sandals.
The head waiter hands her a note to meet him.
In rapid succession the week races by.
As her mistress lies in bed recovering, each day she receives a note inviting her out.
We adore the quick glimpses into her fabulous 1930s wardrobe as she falls in love with dashing and mysterious Maxim de Winter.
For more on 1930s style dresses:
1930s Pants: Retro Tennis Outfit
For the day’s exploring and tennis, she pairs a semi fitted white polo shirt with classic wide legged 30s trousers.
Notice the classic detailing of her pants, from the cinched waist, to the pleating, to the subtle striped texture.
1930s Dresses: Vintage Afternoon Dress
For her sight seeing date, she pairs a beautiful vintage dress with her floppy straw hat, and matching white sandals.
Notice a few of the iconic 1930s style elements in her dress.
These include her ruffled “capelet” style sleeves which create the effect of wider shoulders (to slenderize the 30s female figure), as well as the longer length of her gown, which hits at mid calf.
She is on cloud nine, with her handsome and sarcastic Maxim de Winter.
1930s Pants: Vintage Casual Outfit
For the next day’s exploring adventure, she pairs a patterned button up blouse with her white pleated 30s style trousers.
This is paired with her white flat sandals and sporty striped cardigan.
Maxim de Winter laughs and tosses her tennis racket in the back of the car as they leave.
1930s Fashion: 30s Beach Pajamas
For their romantic afternoon at the sparkling beach, she pairs a striped halter top with her blue wide legged beach pajama bottoms.
We love her classic 1930s beach pajamas style, a favorite of Old Hollywood.
The comfy wide legged beach pants looked a lot like palazzo pants when paired with sleeveless tops.
It’s no wonder the beach pajamas were such a popular beachside and lounging attire in the 30s! They were so comfy…cute… and also provide practical SPF for the beach.
Maxim de Winter comments about how great it would be if it would be easy to erase terrible memories as he stares off into the sea.
1930s Swimsuit: Skirted One Piece
The next day at the beach, the weather is so perfect for a swim.
We adore her feminine 1930s style swimsuit. Notice its textured stretchy fabric, strappy back and skirted bottom.
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1930s Fashion: Summer Coat & Beret Hat Outfit
When she returns from her romantic afternoon at the beach, her mistress announces that they’re returning to New York.
She a snide remark that everyone is talking about her going out with the wealthy English landowner of the Manderley Estate. She adds that he’s just using her, because he wouldn’t be interested in a “nobody” like her.
She adds, “Everybody knows he nearly lost his mind after her lost her….it was all too sudden and tragic. Do you honestly think he is in love you? It was a distraction dear. That’s it.”
In tears, she dashes upstairs and bursts into Maxim de Winter’s room, telling him that they are leaving that afternoon and sailing home.
He tells her to stop crying and let him think. He then asks her to come to Manderley as his wife.
Their honeymoon is short, and soon they thread their way up his long green drive to the massive Manderley Estate.
She is wearing a double breasted gray wool coat and bright blue beret cap.
Her outfit is very chic, and perfect for the dreary England weather!
Her new husband insists that everything must be done properly and carries her inside as it starts to rain.
1930s Dresses: Vintage Day Dress
Arriving inside, Maxim de Winter, is quickly whisked away for work.
The head housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, starts to give the new bride a tour.
The new Mrs. de Winter is wearing a lovely retro day dress with a v neck and flutter sleeves.
Her dress cascades gently across her figure, falling to the popular 1930s mid calf. This is paired with vintage strap heels.
On the house tour she notices a mysteriously locked door, and piles of hand written invitations from Rebecca, the previous wife. It’s as if she had just stepped out for the day rather than being dead.
It is all rather haunting.
1930s Fashion: Retro Pajamas
Later that night, she awakes suddenly and realizes her husband is gone.
She follows him, as he sleepwalks, to the door of Rebecca’s bedroom.
As she is about about to wake him, the Mrs. Danvers steps out of the shadows and tells her to leave him be.
1930s Skirts: Blouse & Skirt Outfit
The next morning the new Mrs. de Winter comes down to breakfast.
She is wearing a feminine button up blouse that is paired with a classic 1930s skirt. It is high waisted and fitted through the waist and thighs and then flares at the knees. This is paired with matching 30s low heeled flapper t-strap pumps.
We love this stylish retro outfit!
That day she explores the house on her own.
She finds Rebecca’s room, furnished exactly as though she’s still living there.
1930s Pants: Gray Suit Outfit
A few days later Mrs. de Winter and her husband are out walking on the beautiful grounds surrounding the old mansion.
For her day’s adventure, Lily James’ character (Mrs. de Winter) is wearing a classic matching 1930s suit outfit.
She pairs a semi fitted gray blazer with high waisted wide legged trousers. This is layered on top of a burgundy blouse and paired with sensible blown shoes.
Her hat is a simple black beret cap.
We love this classy feminine menswear inspired look, which was also a favorite look in the 1930s of other iconic Old Hollywood stars, like Marlene Dietrich and Katharine Hepburn.
As they near the shore, she chases the dog to a dilapidated brick cottage sitting above the cliffs.
She follows the dog inside and discovers a crazed groundskeeper sleeping inside.
He tells her that this was Rebecca’s spot. And that she is no more after going into the water.
As she stares at the choppy sea below, she realizes that Rebecca drowned.
For more on 1930s casual fashion:
1930s Fashion: Afternoon Dress
A few days later, Mr. de Winter’s sister and grandmother arrive.
As the new bride shares pictures from the honeymoon, the elderly grandmother asks who she is.
When they remind her again that she’s Maxim’s wife, the granny laughs and says that she is not, making an awkward situation.
She is wearing a charming 1930s day dress. It is made in a fun vintage floral pattern, with a v neck, and flowy oversized collar.
1930s Style: Vintage Pant Outfit
The next morning the young Mrs. de Winter wakes up alone.
She pulls on a knitted sweater, black trousers, and her favorite gray coat and brown oxfords.
She rushes to Rebecca’s haunting stone cottage on the cliff.
The groundskeeper arrives, and is surprised to see her.
He announces that he is locking it up, per her husband’s orders.
As they step outside, she asks what happened.
He is shocked that she doesn’t know. He says that she went sailing one night and never came back.
1930s Fashion: Vintage Negligee
That night the young Mrs. de Winter has a nightmare.
In her dream, she is trying to follow her husband, as he sleepwalks to Rebecca’s room. But she cannot catch up….
She wakes in a start.
She is wearing a dainty white lace negligee … definitely inspired by some clips she found in Rebecca’s desk.
1930s Fashion: Riding Outfit
Rebecca’s cousin arrives the next day and offers to teach her how to ride.
The young bride is wearing her favorite black slacks, paired with her fitted knit sweater. This time she layers her sweater on top of a white button up, as we see the collar peeping out.
Her patterned retro coat, tan vintage cap, and dark brown flats complete her stylish outfit.
A few hours later, the cousin announces that he needs to sneak out before her husband arrives.
Her husband is furious that evening that she spent the afternoon with Rebeca’s cousin.
1930s Fashion: Dress & Skirt Outfit
Mrs. Danvers pretends to be helpful, as the plans for the Manderley Ball and masquerade kickoff, a large party that Rebecca used to throw.
The new bride desperately tries to think of a costume, sketching out various outfit ideas.
As she rushes about the estate grounds prepping for the big event, we catch glimpses into her fabulous vintage outfits. The first day she she pairs a blue floral blouse with a fitted 30s style skirt, and her matching flapper t-strap pumps.
1930s Fashion: Trousers and Blouse
The next morning as she rushes around the grounds with the staff overseeing preparations for the ball, she is wearing fabulous high waisted wide legged blue trousers, paired with a simple patterned blouse.
She looks very feminine in this very practical and comfy retro outfit!
1930s Fashion: Trousers and Striped Blouse
In another quick glimpse at the rapid preparations for the big ball, we see her charming sailor inspired outfit.
These were very popular for ladies in the 1930s! She pairs a white striped blouse with her favorite 30s styled trousers, for an overall stylish look.
1930s Style: Dressing Robe
On the night of the Manderley Ball, she is giddy with anticipation.
In her bedroom, she is wearing a light pink silk dressing robe over her negligee. She makes her husband leave so that he can’t see her costume ahead of time.
1930s Dresses: Period Ballgown
As the young Mrs. de Winter comes down the stairs, everyone at the ball stares with breathless anticipation.
She stops at the head of the stairs, directly under the dress in the portrait that she recreated.
She is wearing a brown curly wig and her period ballgown is fashioned in red velvet with a deep cut sweetheart bodice, puff sleeves, and full ballgown skirts and long train.
Her husband is absolutely furious.
She has to go upstairs to change and realizes that Rebecca had worn the same gown to her last ball.
1930s Dresses: Simple Evening Dress
Maxim’s sister follows her upstairs. She tells her to put on a stiff upper lip, and picks a dress for her to wear.
The young Mrs. de Winter pulls on a beautiful simple dress and her favorite flapper t-strap pumps in blue.
The rest of the party is a nightmare, and the young bridge keeps imagining that she sees the ghost of Rebecca just out of reach.
She makes her way back to Rebecca’s room. And then Mrs. Danvers walks in.
As if it can’t get any worse, she starts ranting “He can’t love you, because you’re not her…you’re not worthy of him, or this house….”
1930s Dresses: Winter Coat & Evening Dress
Later on, the young Mrs. de Winter pulls a long vintage herringbone style coat with statement buttons as they find Rebecca’s boat and her body.
Finally, Maxim tells her the whole story.
He found out on his wedding night to Rebecca that she had a string of lovers she insisted on keeping.
He’d been too full of pride to divorce her. He hated her.
The situation culminated one night when she returned from London and laughed in his face saying that she was having a baby and no one would ever know it wasn’t his.
She wasn’t satisfied to simply take his life, but she wanted to also steal his inheritance, Manderley from him.
She’d handed him a gun and dared him to use it.
1930s Fashion: Skirt Suit
They travel to town for the an inquest, as now the death of Rebecca is suspicious, as they know now she died of a gunshot wound rather than drowning.
The young Mrs. de Winter looks fabulous. She is wearing an elegant yellow tweed skirt suit. This is paired smartly with a chic tan hat and flapper t-strap pumps.
The inquest is suspended pending a criminal investigation
Her husband is imprisoned under suspicion as she searches for evidence to help her husband’s case.
She discovers that Rebecca made a secret visit to a London doctor for cancer. The doctor confirmed that she was very far long, not treatable, and in extreme pain.
This frees her husband, as there is now a motive for suicide.
They arrive home to find the Manderley mansion in flames. Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper, had doused Rebecca’s room with gasoline and lit the house on fire. She heads toward the cliff, overlooking the ocean, next to Rebecca’s stone cottage.
She is crushed that Maxim de Winter wasn’t imprisoned. She says, “He killed the only person I loved… I can’t let you have Mandeley… it was ours, you see….”
The housekeeper than looks sorrowfully into the watery depths below. And then she jumps off the cliff.
And she sinks into her watery and shadowy grave, just like Rebecca…..
1930s Fashion: Vintage Pajama Nightshirt
A few days later, the young Mrs. de Winter awakes gasping from a nightmare.
She had been dreaming of Mandeley and Rebecca.
As she stumbles sleepily to her dressing room, we catch a glimpse of her vintage nightgown.
She is wearing a simple striped pajama that looks both comfy and chic.
With Manderley burning down to the ground, she and her husband have the opportunity to start over.
1930s Fashion: Blouse & Skirt
In the closing scenes, the young Mrs. de Winters is sitting at her dressing table flipping through her pictures of their wedding and smiling.
She is wearing a vintage red patterned shirt and and her hair is pulled back into a simple updo.
She and Maxim are traveling and shopping for a new house, starting their life over together.
This post was all about the 1930s fashion in the Rebecca 2020 movie
What did you think of the 1930s fashion in the 2020 Rebecca movie?
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