You Need to See Jean Harlow’s Stunning Vintage Glam Style
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Love the Jean Harlow Aesthetic? Get ready to fall for these stunning examples of Jean Harlow’s glamorous fashion ranging from vintage glam evening gowns to pants, swimsuits and even shorts.
Is it true that blondes have more fun?
It was none other than the blonde bombshell, Jean Harlow, who started this rumor during the Golden Age of Old Hollywood.
During her tragically short life, this talented blonde, who oozed glam and sex appeal, starred in 36 movies.
Her laugh-out-loud romantic comedies continue to top of best film lists.
Jean Harlow was the ultimate vintage fashion icon of the 1930s.
Her iconic glam styles often blurred the line between lingerie (inner wear) and evening styles (outer wear).
The sensuous Jean Harlow aesthetic oozes Old Hollywood vintage glamour and Art Deco opulence, and continues to inspire fashion.
Today we’ll explore not only this beautiful woman’s rise to fame in Old Hollywood, but who she was as a woman off screen.
And then we will flip through her most iconic looks, from glam evening wear, to lingerie, to casual day styles.
Are you ready for the ultimate vintage glam inspiration?
(P.S. See how many anklets you can spot Jean Harlow us wearing with her different outfits!)
Jean Harlow: Platinum Blonde Star & Career in Film
“She didn’t want to be famous. She wanted to be happy.” — Clark Gable on Jean Harlow
Born “Harlean Harlow Carpenter,” Miss Harlow took her mother’s name “Jean Harlow” as her screen name.
It was Jean’s mother who pushed her daughter to a pursue a career in Hollywood.
Although Jean Harlow started with small roles, she was launched into stardom in 1930 when Howard Hughes made a $70M dollar gamble, casting her in the war action film Hell’s Angels.
This film became the first action blockbuster.
And the rest, as the say, was history. She then went on to star in a rapid succession of movies, including the iconic “Platinum Blonde” (1931).
(Some argue this movie had autobiographical parallels to her own life, including both the good and the bad.)
Next she starred in the 1931 gangster crime drama hit Public Enemy, opposite James Cagney.
This was followed by the 1932 steamy romantic hit Red Dust, where she was cast opposite Clark Gable.
She would then go on to star in a total of six films opposite her best friend, Clark Gable, including the hilarious 1936 rom com Wife vs Secretary.
Her rapidly catapulting career was tragically cut short with an untimely death at 26 due to kidney failure.
Jean Harlow: Influence on Style & Platinum Blondes
The 1930s was huge for fashion in film.
Movies sparkled with over-the-top glamour and elegance, often set to the backdrop of supper clubs and champagne, complete with gorgeous actresses in shimmering floor length evening gowns.
Think along the lines of Great Gatsby glitz.
Given the setting of Great Depression, people (especially women) flocked to the theatres and pinched their pennies, so they could copy movie star styles.
It’s no wonder that Jean Harlow’s onscreen and offscreen fashion influenced 1930s fashion.
She also pushed the limit when it came to female sexuality for the era.
“Men like me because I don’t wear a brassiere. Women like me because I don’t look like a girl who would steal a husband. At least not for long.” — Jean Harlow
Before the Hays Code was live in 1934, sexual boundaries were often pushed to the limit in Old Hollywood.
Jean Harlow loved the shock factor. She deliberately announced that she always slept in the nude and never wore underwear.
Her secret to ensure her body looked the perkiest before filming?
Icing her breasts! (Yikes….)
This was of course shocking for the 1930s, and paved the way the paved the way for the sensuality of other blonde hair sexpots of the 1950s, like Marilyn Monroe and Mamie Van Doren.
Jean Harlow: Personal Life & Personality Off Screen
However, her personal life and real life personality contrasted sharply with her on screen vamp persona.
“She was a square shooter if there ever was one.” — Spencer Tracy
In real life she was sweet and down to earth, and just wanted to be happy.
She was affectionately called “The Baby” by those around her.
The exception was Clark Gable, her very close friend who called her “Sis.”
The love of her life was her fiancé, William Powell, who was famous for the hit Thin Man film series.
Now that you better understand the woman behind the curtain, it’s time to flip through some of her most iconic looks, from glam evening wear, to lingerie and lounging styles, to casual day styles.
Get ready for ultimate vintage glam inspo!
Jean Harlow’s Style #1: Glam Bias-Cut Gowns
“In the first sitting, I fell in love with Jean Harlow. She had the most beautiful and seductive body I ever photographed.” — Photographer Charles Sinclair Bull
Glam evening gowns rank #1 as Jean Harlow’s signature style.
Her go to Old Hollywood costume designer, was Adrian.
He brought Art Deco elegance to life in his iconic designs for hundreds of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the 1920s-1930s.
Jean Harlow’s slinky high glamour figure hugging evening wear still dazzles.
These 30s style bias cut evening gowns drape fluidly across Jean Harlow’s curves.
Notice how these ultra feminine gowns are all sensuous fluid curves and soft drapes!
This next line up of Jean Harlow 30s evening gowns styles are delightfully dainty and fussy.
Again the 30s simple lines gently hug her female curves.
Check out the chic feminine details, which range from ruffles, frills, and gathers, to statement accessories.
Yes, that is a gigantic statement flower on her white dress!.
But somehow she totally pulls these off, and they ooze it off, right?!
And of course, bold accessories were oh so key for Jean Harlow’s iconic looks.
Notice how these elevate her outfits to whole new realm of ultra glam.
We love her statement fur muff, white opera gloves, and classy bling, like her chic watch gold watch, and the perfect pair of strappy heels.
What are your thoughts on pairing gloves, a fur throw, and a top hat — kind of a nod to Marlene Dietrich’s iconic style, right?
Quite unique and stunning, right? The mix of feminine and masculine elements.
Never under estimate the power of tasteful accessories.
Looking for more dazzling evening gowns and red-carpet ready styles?
1930s Glamour – The Glam Style of Hollywood’s Golden Age
19 Stunning Vintage Glam Outfits
Jean Harlow Look #2: Dazzling Negligees & Lingerie Robes
Dazzling negligees and lingerie robes were definitely the second most iconic look for Jean Harlow.
What style oozes wealthy 1930s socialite more than a lush and sensuous negligee ensemble?
In the 1933 pre-code comedy drama Dinner at Eight, Jean Harlow plays the unforgettable character, Kitty Packard.
Her character is an extravagant socialite, who is two-timing her husband behind his back.
Her negligee ensemble, that she wears in the opening scenes of this film, is one of most famous from Old Hollywood.
Her first layer is a figure skimming lace and silk negligee.
Next is a sequined lingerie robe with bell sleeves trimmed with ostrich feathers with a train so light that appears to float around her.
Her outfit is so lush and her background is so rich in Art Deco opulence, that it doesn’t seem real!
The legendary golden-age costume designer Adrian crafted this gown with love.
Her period perfect makeup with thin brows and a cupid’s bow are perfectly on point.
Harlow’s influence on body-conscious silhouettes was undeniable.
Jean Harlow was laid to rest in the stunning pink negligee she wore in the 1937 Saratoga.
She held a white gardenia and a handwritten note from her fiancee, William Powell: “Goodnight, my dearest darling.”
Jean Harlow’s Style #3: Summer Day Dresses & Suits
It was not only by candlelight that Miss Harlow dazzled, but daytime as well.
We love her 30s day dresses and sharp suit styles which look very “proper” in contrast to her sexy evening gowns.
Her striped summer dress combines the bias cut with asymmetrical panels and design layering.
Her sharp suits, a favorite go-to style in the 30s, have a timeless elegance.
Notice the crisp lines, nipped in waist, asymmetrical patterns, and dramatic padded shoulders.
Check out how all of these styles emphasized the waist and fall mid-calf, just above the delicate ankle.
Of course her platinum blond hair is styled in perfect short waves, her make-up and pencil eyebrows are on chic, and her low heeled retro pumps complete the picture.
Looking for more 1930s summer dress styles?
1930s Vintage Dresses and Fashion Ideas for Women
Jean Harlow Look #4: Pants
Although more of a rarity to find Jean Harlow in pants, yet when she does wear them, they look fabulous.
And don’t they just ooze 1930s Old Hollywood glam?
We love her wide leg pant outfit styles!
Do you prefer her shimmery luscious style silk pant styles, paired with heels?
Or her casual high-waisted wide-legged style everyday style paired with white oxfords?
Don’t you love how she’s carrying a signed autograph of herself (left)?!
Maybe she is hand delivering this to the love of her life, her fiancee, William Powell?
For more glam pants outfits inspiration you’ll also love:
How to Wear Trousers Old Hollywood Glam Style | 1940s Womens Pants
Jean Harlow’s Style #5: Shorts
Itching for an inside peek at even more rare Jean Harlow summer style?
You’ll love her vintage short styles.
What’s her secret to making these casual and cool summer looks so chic?
Notice how she pairs a figure skimming top with high waisted shorts, so that her famous hourglass figure is emphasized.
Her waist is highlighted either with detailing or a belt.
To finish off the look, she pairs her shorts with simple white oxfords or white flats.
This creates such a clean, feminine, and summery aesthetic, that is timeless.
Notice how white sneakers are so popular today for women to pair with any outfit, ranging from lounging casual to business casual, well, now you know why!
Thanks Miss Harlow for the inspo!
Need more 1930s casual and summertime style inspiration?
Casual 1930s Fashion – Your Guide to Casual 30s Outfits
Jean Harlow Look #6: Swimsuits
And, of course, you won’t be disappointed with Jean Harlow’s poolside style.
We love these shots that highlight again how one can be glam and sexy without wearing an itsy-bitsy bikini.
Jean Harlow’s favorite swimsuit style is the the one piece romper with short legs and an open back.
Notice the little style touches that the daring Jean Harlow uses to ooph the wow factor of these retro swimsuits.
From a tie emphasizing her waist, to full sequins, or sequin shoulder straps, she adds fussy feminine elements to her outfits
Of course her signature platinum hair and strappy heels are so on point too!
Love the vintage glam swimsuit aesthetic?
1930s Swimsuits: Vintage Swimwear & Bathing Styles
How to Rock the Vintage Swimsuit Aesthetic like an Old Hollywood Glam Star
This post was all about Jean Harlow’s style, her role and impact on as a 1930s Vintage Glam Fashion Icon, as well six of her most legendary looks.
Which Jean Harlow fashion outfits were your favorite?
D0 you prefer the form-fitting dresses, white gowns, or slinky wide leg pants?
How important were bold accessories and statement jewelry in crafting her glam aesthetic?
P.S. Did you count how many anklets she paired with her favorite outfits?
more 1930s fashion
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