Grace Kelly High Society – Her Insanely Feminine 1950s Fashion
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Grace Kelly in High Society, High Society movie recap, Grace Kelly’s engagement ring, Grace Kelly’s stunning 1950s fashion
This post is all about Grace Kelly High Society, High Society movie recap and Grace Kelly’s 1950s Fashion
High Society Film Synopsis
High Society is a fun 1950’s musical in which Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly) is about to get married to her fiance George (John Lund) when her ex-husband Dexter (Bing Crosby) shows up still in love with her.
To complicate things further, two newspaper reporters are along for the ride, including Mike Conner (Frank Sinatra) who decides he likes Tracy as well.
High Society was a remake of the 1940 movie The Philadelphia Story starring Katherine Hepburn as Tracy Lord, Cary Grant as her ex husband Dexter, and James Stewart as the newspaper reporter.
Grace Kelly High Society Ring
In High Society, Grace Kelly wears her engagement ring from her real-life fiance Prince Rainier, which is supposed to be from Tracy’s fiance George in the movie.
Apparently Grace Kelly’s fiance Prince Ranier didn’t like that she would be wearing a fake ring in the movie so he bought her a second engagement ring which you can catch glimpses of throughout the movie. (Believe us, it’s hard to miss!)
To learn about Grace Kelly’s engagement ring:
Grace Kelly Engagement Ring – Her Stunning Ring & Fairytale Romance
Grace Kelly Fashion in High Society
Grace Kelly’s 1950s fashion in High Society was designed by the talented costume designer Helen Rose.
Helen Rose designed a collection of feminine outfits ranging from slacks and a blouse, to a wedding dress for Grace Kelly’s role as a wealthy society girl.
Helen Rose is perhaps most famous for another collaboration she did with Grace Kelly–designing her stunning real-life wedding dress for her marriage to Prince Ranier.
Below, Grace Kelly’s real-life wedding dress designed by Helen Rose.
Grace Kelly High Society Pants
In the first scene of High Society, Grace Kelly’s character Tracy Lord is receiving wedding presents for her upcoming wedding to her fiance George Kittredge.
She learns that her ex-husband Dexter, (Bing Crosby) who also happens to be her next-door neighbor is back in town and isn’t happy about her wedding.
Grace Kelly wears a stunning monochromatic blouse and slacks outfit, accented with red espadrilles shoes and a red scarf that she has hanging out of her pocket.
This is one of our favorite outfits in the movie, it’s so simple, yet so classy for a casual style. The monochromatic camel color makes it effortless, and the red shoes really make it pop.
Along with other Old Hollywood actresses, Grace Kelly loved a good pair of espadrilles for her casual look. For more on her espadrilles and other accessories:
Grace Kelly Espadrilles – 5 Classy Ways to Wear the Classic Shoe
Grace Kelly Head Scarf – 7 Insanely Chic outfit accessory ideas
Grace Kelly Sunglasses – 9 Vintage Outfit Ideas
Grace Kelly High Society Blue Dress
Two reporters arrive in order to cover the wedding.
After the reporters Mike Conner (Frank Sinatra) and Celeste Holm (Liz Imbrie) arrive they are shown into one of the parlors.
Grace Kelly makes a dramatic appearance wearing an ultra-feminine blue dress and acting high-maintanence as part of an act.
To add additional drama to the morning, Tracy pretends that her Uncle is her father since her father had left the family some time earlier and she doesn’t want the reporters to know.
Of course, a few minutes later her actual father arrives and then she has to pretend that her father is now her Uncle.
Her ex-husband Dexter (Bing Crosby) is only too happy to hang out play along with the drama.
Grace Kelly High Society 1950s Fashion – Swim Coverup
After the drama of the morning, Grace Kelly’s character Tracy goes out to the pool for a swim wearing a long white swim coverup.
Isn’t this a stunning Grecian-style swim cover-up?
It could almost pass for an evening gown!
You can also get some good glimpses of her engagement ring in this scene as she spends time admiring it.
Grace Kelly High Society Bathing Suit
Her ex-husband Dexter (Bing Crosby) shows up at the pool, bringing over a wedding gift of his own (shown wrapped behind him on the table).
Grace Kelly removes her coverup and shows us her 1950s style white bathing suit.
LOVE this cute 1950s bathing suit with the little skirt!
Tracy unwraps the gift which is a model boat version of a boat True Love, on which they had spent their honeymoon.
Tracy puts the boat in the water and as she’s watching it remembers the time they spent together.
Love Grace Kelly swimsuits styles?
7 Vintage Fashion Grace Kelly Swimsuit Outfits – For Your Hottest Retro Swimwear Look
Grace Kelly High Society Jeans
As Tracy reminisces about their honeymoon, the movie flashes back to show her and Dexter aboard the True Love.
During the flashback Tracy is wearing a cute casual outfit of a blue capris with a matching blue bucket style hat, and a simple button-up blouse.
If you love Grace Kelly in Jeans, you might also like:
3 Insanely Chic Ways to Copy Grace Kelly Rear Window Jeans Outfit
Does Grace Kelly Sing in High Society?
Yes, Grace Kelly sings in High Society.
During the flashback scene of Tracy and Dexter’s honeymoon in High Society, Grace Kelly does sing along-side Bing Crosby for the song True Love while they are aboard the yacht True Love.
Although there are rumors of Grace Kelly’s voice being dubbed for the movie by Nicola Schenk, Grace Kelly sang her own part according to Donald Spoto, author of the book High Society the Life of Grace Kelly
“On the contrary: the MGM archives are quite clear about the date (February 9, 1956) when Grace and Bing Crosby recorded the Cole Porter song in the studio—and the dates on which the playback accompanied the filming of that scene (March 13 and 14).
The rarely seen Nicola Schenck, who was 22 (not 17) in 1956, never sang or dubbed for anyone, in any movie.” –High Society the Life of Grace Kelly
For her duet Grace Kelly wears a pastel-pink belted dress topped with a pink cardigan.
Very 1950s!
Grace Kelly High Society Dress
After finally dropping the featherbrained act, Grace Kelly’s character Tracy Lord decides to take the reporter Mike (Frank Sinatra) and show him around.
She wears a hooded coat over her dress as she drives to her Uncle’s house.
Other posts you might like:
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After they arrive at her Uncle’s house, Grace Kelly removes her coat showing her latest outfit, a yellow dress.
This is a classic 1950s style shirt dress, with a fitted waist and fuller skirt.
She’s also added some necklaces and bracelets, and of course, is still wearing her stunning engagement ring.
This is a musical with Frank Sinatra, so of course he sings “You’re Sensational” to Grace Kelly.
At this point Mike has decided that he likes Tracy as well.
Yep, the classic triangle…or in this case, rectangle?
Grace Kelly High Society Yellow Dressing Gown
Later that night, Grace Kelly’s character Tracy wears a yellow silk dressing gown in her room.
It appears that she’s wearing matching gold high heels as well.
Check out the fancy decor in that bedroom!
Grace Kelly High Society Blue Dress
The next day at her bachelorette party, Grace Kelly’s character Tracy wears a beautiful blue evening gown.
The gown has sheer sleeves and top and has floral accents going down one side.
She drinks too much and is order to rest it off by her fiance George.
Of course she doesn’t stay in the room, but instead goes outside to be with Mike (Frank Sinatra) and dances with him.
They are both drunk at this point and there is sound of water splashing as it seems that Tracy decided to go for that swim after all.
Grace Kelly High Society Bath robe
After her drunken swim, Tracy is carried by Mike back to the house…and did something happen?
Grace Kelly High Society Wedding Dress
The morning of her wedding Grace Kelly’s character Tracy is severely hung over and can’t remember any details about the night before.
She found a man’s watch (Mikes’s) next to her bed and can’t remember anything that happened.
Her fiance George appears, and is none too happy about her behavior the night before and is suspicious about her and Mike.
Dexter is there, of course and he finds it highly entertaining that she can’t remember anything that happened.
Finally Mike appears and clears up the confusion by saying that nothing did happen after the two of them had a swim.
Tracy gets upset at George for being suspicious of her and decides to call the wedding off.
Last minute, Dexter steps in and she decides to remarry him instead.
Grace Kelly’s wedding dress for High Society was designed by Helen Rose, the same designer who created her real-life wedding dress.
It’s a gorgeous 1950’s style dress white dress with embroidery and accessorized with a white hat and white gloves.
For more on Grace Kelly’s wedding dress in High Society:
Recreate the Iconic Grace Kelly High Society Wedding Dress – Your Vintage Wedding Dress Inspiration
Who Does Tracy Lord End Up With?
Grace Kelly’s character Tracy Lord ends up with her first husband (Bing Crosby) at the end of High Society.
She breaks up with her fiance George Kittredge last minute, after his suspicions of her and Mike Conner.
So instead she ends up walking down the aisle with her first husband Dexter, who has been in love with her the entire time.
This post was all about Grace Kelly High Society and her 1950s Fashion
What did you think of Grace Kelly’s fashion in High Society?
Do you think her engagement ring was large enough?
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When “The Philadelphia Story”, with its various sharp, crackling, verbal exchanges…excellent performances by three acting icons…and depthful storyline was presented, I’m certain that most viewers had this thought: no other—or better—presentation of the celebrated Phillip Barry play is possible. This version, figuratively, is cast in entertainment granite.
Boxing fans who saw Jack Dempsey at his tigerish, tornadic, destructive best likewise believed that he was his sport’s ultimate paragon. But then came Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Cassius Clay, Sugar Ray Robinson, and Roberto Duran.
The subsequent arrivals did nothing to diminish the original star. They just found their own orbits around it.
As well, by all standards, “The Philadelphia Story” remains a classic. But 15 years later, its musical remake, “High Society,”—with its unique merits—stands not slightly arear of the predecessor, but beside it.
With “The Philadelphia Story” in black and white, and “High Society” in color, an obvious metaphor can be used to superficially delineate between the presentations. This delineation, of course, is enhanced by Cole Porter’s scintillating, masterful, music/lyrics. Hence, “High Society” has an additional, significant, dimension.
The “Philadelphia” triumverate of Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart gave iconic performances. The “Society” trio of Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Grace Kelly—at the apex of her classic, icy beauty—likewise provide a capsule for posterity.
In most cases, the original—regardless of context—stands alone. Here, “High Society” underscores that the assessment need not be an axiom.