Lauren Bacall’s 1940s Fashion in Dark Passage (1947)
This post may contain affiliate links.
Lauren Bacall Dark Passage, movie synopsis and all her 1940s fashion throughout the movie
This post is all about Lauren Bacall Dark Passage fashion
Lauren Bacall is known for quite a few things: a legendary romance with Humphrey Bogart, her film career, and, of course— her timeless fashion.
In the 1947 film noir Dark Passage, Lauren Bacall cements her status as a fashion icon with her 1940’s-style skirts, button-up shirts, and dresses.
Comfy shoes, wide belts and a feisty personality are her favorite accessories.
Bernard Newman, also incidentally the head designer at Bergdorf Goodman, was the costume designer for the film.
He created simple yet chic fashion for Lauren Bacall’s character Irene in the movie.
Dark Passage Synopsis
Dark Passage is one of 4 films Lauren Bacall starred in with her real-life love, Humphrey Bogart.
Bogart stars as Vincent Parry, an innocent man who was sent to prison for the murder of his wife.
Lauren Bacall play Irene Jansen, the woman who rescues him after he escapes from prison and who lets him stay at her apartment while he tries to clear his name…basically, he didn’t stand a chance without her help.
Not only does she first find him after he escapes from prison, she also takes care of him after he gets plastic surgery in order to change his appearance.
Lauren Bacall Dark Passage Fashion: Checkered blouse, skirt, and loafers
This is typical of the fashion Lauren Bacall wears throughout Dark Passage. She favors A-line style skirts and blouses of different styles, often tucked in at the waist and emphasized with a large belt.
We first see Lauren Bacall’s character when she rescues Humphrey Bogart.
She was painting in the hills near San Francisco when she heard on the radio that he had escaped from San Quentin.
Since she had been following his case and believed he was innocent she drove along the road leading from San Quentin, thinking she might find him.
Her instincts were correct.
She finds him and hides him in the back of her car beneath painting supplies to get him back to her house.
She’s wearing this skirt and checkered blouse, tucked into the waist which is cinched with a large belt.
If you look closely you’ll also see that she’s paired with a comfy pair of loafers.
Perfect for a busy day of painting in the hills, then rescuing an escaped convict.
Here is a closer shot of the outfit, including a clear view of her loafers. Also, she’s got quite a view of the San Francisco bay from outside her window!
Lauren Bacall Dark Passage Fashion: Black shirt with pendant for date night
To dress up a blouse for the evening, Lauren Bacall adds jewelry. Here she wears a pendant on a dark blouse for her first dinner with Humphrey Bogart.
This is still the beginning of the film when we don’t yet see Humphrey Bogarts face. He hasn’t yet gotten plastic surgery to change his appearance so we only see things from his point of view.
Lauren Bacall Fashion: Checkered house-coat
Lauren Bacall looks stylish in a long, checkered house coat as she give Humphrey Bogart’s character tea to drink from a straw. Since he’s just has plastic surgery, he’s unable to talk to eat normal food.
Lauren Bacall wears a checkered house-coat when she has to rescue Humphrey Bogart (again!).
Having just gotten plastic surgery to change his appearance, he had planned to stay with a friend, but that friend got murdered (adding up the body count!).
So he has to go to the only other safe place he knows, Lauren Bacall’s place.
He rings her doorbell and then faints outside of her door after walking such a long distance after surgery.
She is wearing this checkered house-coat when she finds him.
He is unable to talk with all of his bandages on, so he is force to write out his communication.
Later in the film she wears the same house-coat again when the bandages finally come off and both her and audience can see Humphrey Bogart’s face for the first time.
By this time she has decided that she “is on his side” and isn’t sure she wants him to leave.
Lauren Bacall Fashion: White blouse and a-line skirt
Lauren Bacall wears a classic white blouse tucked into a pencil skirt, and again accessorized with a large belt as she brings Humphrey Bogart a liquid breakfast.
Lauren Bacall’s classic 1940s fashion as she serves Humphrey Bogart breakfast in Dark Passage
Lauren Bacall Dark Passage Fashion: Slacks and mandarin collar coat
For another “date night” with Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall wears a long jacket over what looks like slacks.
Here, she has gotten a phone call from her friend Bob (played by Bruce Bennet) another guy that likes her and wants to stop by.
Of course Humphrey Bogart is worried as he is a wanted man and doesn’t want anyone to find him there.
Lauren Bacall, having a mind of her own, tells Bob to come on by, thinking it will be more suspicious if she keeps putting him off.
Humphrey Bogart then has to hide in her room.
Lauren Bacall’s fashion is elegant as she talks on the phone
Lauren Bacall Dark Passage Fashion: Dress with belt and blazer
Fast forward to the final scene in the movie: Lauren Bacall wears a dress, accessorized with a belt and blazer to meet Humphrey Bogart’s character in South America.
Bogart’s character was unable to clear his name, although he did find out who murdered his wife.
He has to leave the country for South America and tells Lauren Bacall that if everything works out, he’ll be waiting in a small cafe every evening for her.
Everything does work out ok, and she arrives in a white dress, again, accessorized with a wide belt and topped with a long blazer.
Lauren Bacall’s fashion is flawless as she arrives at a cafe in South America and puts on their song…
This post was all about Lauren Bacall fashion
What was your favorite outfit in Dark Passage?
Other posts you might like:
In a Lonely Place | Gloria Grahames Stunning Femme Fatale Style
Where can I find a pattern for her house coat? It’s gorgeous. Thanks for the synopsis.
Yes, isn’t the Lauren Bacall style stunning in this movie!?
I want the same house coat too! Even though I don’t have an exact house coat to point you to for this look, if you check out our "Lauren Bacall Style – 15 Spectacular Looks to Inspire Your Wardrobe" post, we help you recreate a number of Lauren Bacall’s best vintage looks!
Happy Reading!
XO