Here’s Looking At You, Kid! Ingrid Bergman’s Sensational 1940’s Fashion in Casablanca
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Casablanca Classic Movie Recap and Ingrid Bergman’s 1940s Fashion
Ingrid Bergman Casablanca is a fashionable romantic drama where a beautiful woman (Ingrid Bergman) is torn between her husband, a charismatic resistance hero (Paul Henreid) and her former lover, Rick (Humphrey Bogart.) Peter Lorre, Conrad Veidt, and Madeleine Lebeau co-star in this classic romantic drama from director Michael Curtiz.
The setting is in French Morocco, North Africa, during World War II.
Ingrid Bergman’s character, Ilsa Lund, is a perfect source of classic 1940s fashion inspiration. Her timeless style of understated elegance is fabulous inspo for those who love the Old Hollywood and Old Money aesthetic.
This post is all about Ingrid Bergman Casablanca Clothes and her sensational 1940’s fashion
What did Ingrid Bergman wear in Casablanca?
Ingrid Bergman’s wardrobe in Casablanca was loaded with classic 1940s fashion basics. These included simple day dresses and fitted suits, which were accessorized with hats, gloves, and brooches.
Early 1940s fashion was practical and utility-inspired.
This was before the late 1940s when Dior’s New Look changed fashion from slim and practical, to lavish and extravagant after the end of the war.
In par with early 1940s fashion, Ingrid Bergman’s character Ilsa is perfectly dressed for a day of shopping at the French bazaar in the old city, when she bumps into her ex-lover, Rick played by Humphrey Bogart. (You’ll recognize this iconic outfit below.)
No wonder Rick couldn’t keep his eyes off of her.
His famous line throughout the movie is: “Here’s to Looking At You, Kid!”
Casablanca Costume Designer
The costume designer for Casablanca was Orry-Kelly, who was a prolific costume designer for Old Hollywood, and famous for his innovative designs.
The wardrobe that he designed for Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca remains iconic and inspirational to this day.
Although he didn’t win a best costume award for Casablanca, he did win three academy awards for costumes he designed for other films.
Casablanca 1942 Plot
“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks in to mine.” — Rick (Humprey Bogart) in Casablanca
Ingrid Bergman’s character Ilsa Lund arrives in war torn French Morocco during World War II. She is traveling with her fugitive husband Victor Laszlo (played by the striking Paul Henreid), who is on the run from the Nazis.
The couple is trying to get a safe passage (exit visas), so they may escape to the United States.
Unbeknownst to Ilsa, her former lover, Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) now lives in Casablanca. And he runs the bustling nightclub.
He is rumored to have the all important safe passage tickets.
Rick is torn between forgiving his ex for leaving him, or falling in love all over again.
Ilsa is torn between staying with her husband, the war hero, or returning to her lost love, Rick.
Casablanca feels a lot like a Hitchcock movie, with a love triangle, sharp humor, and web of intrigue and mystery. Plus it is flawlessly directed and has sensational 1940s fashion.
It’s reminiscent to Hitchcock’s Notorious movie, which also starred both Ingrid Bergman and Claude Rains. This romantic suspense also centers on Nazis and spies in World War II, and exemplifies stunning 1940s fashion.
Other posts you might like:
Ingrid Bergman Notorious – Her Classy 1940s Fashion
How old was Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca?
The beautiful Swedish actress, Ingrid Bergman, was 27 years old when she played the character Ilsa Lund in Casablanca.
Fun facts!
Ingrid Bergman at 5’9” (with low heeled shoes) was almost two inches taller than Humphrey Bogart.
Since having the leading lady taller than her love interest was a “no-no” in the 1940’s, the director had Humphrey Bogart stand on blocks or sit on cushions to appear taller!
Although Casablanca is one of Ingrid Bergman’s most famous movies, she had other favorites!
“I made so many films which were more important, but the only one people ever want to talk about is that one with Bogart.” — Ingrid Bergman
Are we sensing a little sass here? Ohhhh….
Ingrid Bergman Casablanca Costume: 1940’s Outfit #1 – White Evening Dress With Casablanca Brooch
Casablanca 1942 is set in the exotic French Morocco during World War II.
As the Nazis were expanding across Europe, people were fleeing to this bustling port city, desperately hoping to escape to America.
Humphrey Bogart’s character, Rick, runs a thriving nightclub. It is very popular with the locals and ex-pats displaced by the war.
The Gestapo arrive in Casablanca hot on the tail of a famous leader of the underground resistance, who just escaped their concentration camp.
Although Morocco is part of unoccupied France, the Nazis still hold influence over it.
The French Official in charge, the slightly corrupt and sharp-witted Captain Louis Renault (played by Claude Rains) tells Humphry Bogart the purpose for the Nazis visit. He adds that he must ensure the resistance leader does not leave Casablanca.
Into this charged atmosphere Ingrid Bergman’s character Ilsa Lund and her tall husband Victor Laszlo, the famous underground resistance leader, stroll into Rick’s bustling nightclub. And they order drinks.
Ingrid Bergman’s character Ilsa Lund wears an elegant fitted white blazer with a matching floor length white skirt.
Her classic 1940’s dress suit is accessorized with a diamond brooch, known as the Casablanca Brooch. Notice the intricate design of this stunning sapphire and diamond brooch.
The French official and Nazi come over to their table, and “ask” Victor Laszlo to visit the government offices first thing the next morning.
Ilsa is frightened, afraid they will kidnap her husband.
Ilsa then recognizes the pianist, Sam. She asks where Rick is, but doesn’t get an answer.
She begs him to play “As Time Goes By” for old times sake.
The pianist initially refuses, but finally relents and sings the song that was Ilsa and Rick’s song.
Hearing the song, Rick angrily bursts into the room. He is stunned to see Ilsa.
He discovers that her husband is the famous resistance leader the Nazi are after.
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Ingrid Bergman Casablanca Costume: 1940’s Fashion Montage from the Romantic Paris Flashbacks
After Ilsa leaves the nightclub with her husband, Humphrey Bogart’s character, Rick, starts drinking heavily.
He asks the pianist to play the song again, exclaiming that if she can stand to hear it, he can too.
As Sam begins to play and sing “As Time Goes By”, Rick strolls down memory lane.
In a series of flashbacks, we discover how he and Ilsa knew each other before, in Paris.
These flashbacks showcase a stunning 1940s wardrobe that Ingrid Bergman wears with true class.
The flashback montage starts with a romantic afternoon drive through 1940’s France, from the Arc de Triomphe to the stunning French countryside. For this scene, Ingrid Bergman’s character Ilsa Lund wears a blazer, with large high fashion shoulder pads to emphasize her sharply tailored jacket.
This is paired with a light scarf for warmth and style.
In the next scene, during their boat ride near the Eiffel Tower, Ingrid Bergman wears a 1940’s matching skirt suit. This is paired with a dainty knit cap and simple bracelet.
For a date night in, Ingrid Bergman’s character wears a white button-up blouse with long sleeves and fitted a-line skirt, nipped in at the waist.
Her outfit is elegant in its simplicity, and is not accessorized with any jewelry. Again this is classic Old Hollywood or Old Money style.
During this flashback, Humphrey Bogart’s character, Rick, asks about her past.
She teasingly reminds him, “We said no questions….”
Rick salutes her with his champagne. He quips his famous one-liner, “Here’s to looking at you, Kid!”
For a romantic night out dancing, Ingrid Bergman wears a white lace floor length dress with puff sleeves.
This outfit is accessorized with a statement ring with a huge jewel.
Of course you can’t have a 1940’s movie with the leading lady wearing an elegant negligee, and we’re not disappointed with this one!
In this flashback, the two lovers are relaxing in, after a night out. Rick asks why he’s so lucky to find her.
He cannot believe there’s no other man in her life!
Ilsa replies simply “There was…he’s dead.”
Ingrid Bergman’s character Ilsa Lund is wearing a shimmering gold floor length nightgown with a train. Lace accenting the neckline of her gown and it is nipped at the waist, to show off her feminine figure.
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In the next flashback, the grim reality of World War II sets in.
The Nazis are invading France. Ilsa and Rick scan the newspaper headlines at a cozy little Parisian cafe.
For her breakfast in Paris outfit, Ingrid Bergman’s character wears a simple plaid dress suit. This is paired with a scarf and vintage French beret.
Humphrey Bogart’s character, knows he is in danger and must flee, because of his war record.
In the next flashback, as the Nazis move closer to Paris, Sam is playing the piano, and Rick is pouring champagne.
Ingrid Bergman’s character Ilsa is wearing a fitted skirt suit with statement buttons, layered over a white blouse.
They plan to flee Paris together, ahead of the Germans.
They agree to meet at the train station.
In a dramatic twist, she never shows up. Instead she sends a note saying she cannot come, and he cannot ask why, but that she loves him. And he must go on alone.
Heartbroken, Rick climbs onto the train and leaves.
Ingrid Bergman Casablanca Costume: 1940’s Evening Gown
The flashback comes to a sudden halt, and the film returns to present day, when Ingrid Bergman’s character Ilsa walks in.
She desperately tries to explain what happened that night in Paris.
Rick, drunk and angry, cuts her off.
Heartbroken, she leaves the nightclub, without having a chance to explain what happened.
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Ingrid Bergman’s character Ilsa is wearing a 1940s style white dress with dramatic long sleeves and a scarf tied around her hair.
Ingrid Bergman Casablanca Costume: 1940’s Skirt Suit and Hat
The next morning Ilsa accompanies her husband Victor Laszlo to the police headquarters.
The Nazi official threaten her husband. Since he’s an escaped prisoner, they tell him that he will never leave Casablanca, unless he turns in all the resistance leaders.
Victor Laszlo staunchly refuses, and he leaves with Ilsa.
It’s rumored that there are missing Letters of Transit that can get anyone out of Casablanca to safety to America. However no one seems to know where they disappeared to, after the death of the man who stole them.
Victor Laszlo goes inside the Blue Salon to see who may have the Letters of Transit.
Ingrid Bergman’s character Ilsa stays outside to wait.
Rick sees his opportunity to speak to her alone.
He explains that he was drunk last night and asks her to tell him what happened that night in Paris.
Ilsa refuses to explain, saying that she doesn’t know him anymore.
She then drops a bombshell–she was married to Victor Laszlo, back when they met in Paris!
Ingrid Bergman’s character Ilsa Lund is wearing a tailored white vest and skirt, layered on top of a dramatic striped black and white blouse. She pairs this with white sandals.
The accessories for this perfect dress are all white. These include elegant gloves, a hat, and a small white purse.
Ingrid Bergman Casablanca Costume: 1940’s Paisley Blouse and Skirt
That evening, Ilsa and her husband Victor Laszlo return to Rick’s bustling nightclub.
Victor Laszlo goes up to Rick’s office, outlining the resistance he plans to lead from America, and begs for the letters of transit, which Rick is rumored to have.
Rick refuses to give them to him for any price, and tells him to ask his wife why.
Back at their hotel, Victor Laszlo tells Ilsa that Rick will not give the letters of transit and asks if she was lonely in Paris, while he was in the concentration camp.
Her husband then tells her that he loves her very much, and trusts her.
When Victor Laszlo leaves that evening for an underground resistance meeting, Ilsa pulls on a white fitted blazer with a matching paisley pattern, and returns to Rick’s salon.
That’s a lot of paisleys, but if anyone could pull it off, it’s Ingrid Bergman!
Ingrid Bergman’s character Ilsa Lund is wearing a ruffled paisley shirt and elegant floor length skirt, cinched at the waist with a scarf.
Her jewelry is a large ring on her pinky finger.
Ilsa pulls a gun on Rick, demanding the letters of Transit, otherwise her husband will die in Casablanca.
Rick tells her to go ahead and put him out of his misery.
Then Ilsa explains the whole story.
She’d been secretly married to Victor Laszlo for years, but had kept it a secret from everyone, as it would put them in danger if anyone else knew.
Her husband was imprisoned in a concentration camp, and she thought he was dead when she first met Rick in Paris, She found out the night they were supposed to leave together that he was still alive.
Ilsa tells Rick how much she loves him. And that she doesn’t have the strength to leave him again.
She adds, “I don’t know what’s right any longer…you have to think for both of us, for all of us…”
Humphrey Bogart responds with a classic one-liner: “Alright, I will…. Here’s to looking at you, Kid!”
Ingrid Bergman Casablanca Hat and Costume: 1940’s Stunning Skirt Suit and Hat
The French police take Victor Laszlo away and lock him up on pretext.
Rick tells his friend the Captain Louis (Claude Rains) to temporarily release Victor Laszlo, so they set him up with a real crime.
Once Victor Laszlo is free, the real plan is set in motion.
Back at the club, Humphrey Bogart’s character turns his gun on the French Captain. He orders him to call the airport to clear the way for them to leave.
The airport setting is stunning, with 1940’s planes and candlestick telephones, 1940s fashion, complete with rain pouring down.
At the airport, Rick explains to Ilsa how he did the thinking for both of them and realized how much Victor Laszlo loves her and needs her for his important resistance work, and that she belongs with her husband.
He reminds her that the two of them will always have Paris….
“Here’s looking at you, kid!”
Ingrid Bergman’s character is wearing a tailored skirt suit with a button-up white shirt. This is paired with white gloves and a hat.
Heartbroken, Ilsa boards the plane with her husband.
Hot on their trail, the Nazis arrive at the airport trying to stop the plane, as it leaves the runway.
Rick shoots the army officer, and French Officer Captain Louis Renault covers for him.
“Round up the usual suspects” — Claude Rains as the French Officer Captain Louis Renault
The movie closes with the French Officer and Rick walking into the sunset, planning to go to the French Garrison together to join the Allies’ cause, as patriots. Meanwhile Ilsa and her husband fly safely to America.
Casablanca Awards
Fashion isn’t the only element of Casablanca that was popular. Casablanca also won big at the Academy Awards.
Casablanca took home the winner in 1944 for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Writing (Julius J. & Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch).
It also scored nominations for best actor for Humphrey Bogart and Claude Rains.
Other nominations included Best Cinematography, Best film editing, and Best Music (composed by Max Steiner).
In other words, it’s a must-see classic!
This post was all about Ingrid Bergman 1940s Fashion in Casablanca
What are your thoughts on the Ingrid Bergman fashion and costumes in Casablanca?
Are you inspired to makeover your wardrobe yet?
Maybe opt for more dresses (circa 1940s glam) and ditch those piles of pants?
for more old hollywood glam, Old Money AeSTHETIC, and 1940s/1950s dresses inspo:
- Ingrid Bergman Gaslight – Her Fabulous Victorian Fashion
- Ingrid Bergman Hitchcock Movies – 3 Must-See Suspense Classics
- Ingrid Bergman Under Capricorn – 9 Over-The-Top Outfits
- Spellbound Ingrid Bergman (1945) – Her Beautiful 1940s Fashion
- 1940s Aesthetic | How to Get the 1940s Look
- 1940s Fashion Trends – Iconic Styles that are Still on Trend Today
- The Ultimate Guide to 1940s Fashion with Lots of Photos
- The Ultimate Guide to Vintage Style 1940s Dresses
- The Complete Guide to Women’s 1940s Casual Dresses
- Katharine Hepburn Style Guide – Her Vintage Tomboy Fashion
Did you enjoy this post? Pin the image below to your 1940s fashion board. 🙂
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I so much wish I could find a dress that is similar to the dress that Elsa wore when she and Rick went dancing. My wife loves that dress.
Agreed! We also also love that dress that Ingrid Bergman wears when she is dancing with Rick. It’s very classy vintage style! 🙂
Are patterns available for any of the Ingrid’s Casablanca wardrobe? My daughter would like me to make the Paisley blouse for her.
Hi!
I don’t know of the exact patterns being available, but I was able to find a pattern for a similar blouse as the paisley with the ruffles down the front from 1945, here: https://shopmodig.com/products/1945-vintage-mccall-6337-sewing-pattern-for-blouses?variant=32246820733005¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOorridlfcHUahZwDZCRyBIbE0kdz63kJNd48rzSNLxwYMR6WUlM3Hl4