Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire – Plot and all her 1950s Fashion
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Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire, the plot and Lauren Bacall’s 1950s fashion.
This post is all about Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire and her midcentury 1950s Fashion.
What is the plot of How to Marry a Millionaire?
Three models (Lauren Bacall, Marilyn Monroe, and Betty Grable) lease a New York apartment together in a plot to each marry a millionaire.
Shatze (Lauren Bacall) is the ring leader
Her plan mostly consists of renting a posh New York apartment, that they can’t afford, and slowly selling off the furniture for money, while they try to date wealthy men.
Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable’s characters trade riches for true love, falling for men that aren’t wealthy, which disappoints Shatze.
Then Shatze has to make her own decision between true love and the a millionaire that she’s scheming to marry.
What happens at the end of How to Marry a Millionaire?
Lauren Bacall comes close to marrying a wealthy older man that she doesn’t love (played by William Powell).
But last minute she decides to marry the Tom Brookman, (played by Cameron Mitchell), the man she does love, but believes is a gas-pump jockey (a gas station attendant).
In a comedic twist, she finds out that the “poor” man she married for true love is actually much wealthier, than the other man she almost married for her money!
Lauren Bacall’s 1950s Fashion in How to Marry a Millionaire
Lauren Bacall wears stunning 1950s fashion throughout the movie in her role at Schatze Page.
William Travilla, a famous of the Old Hollywood costume designer, designed all of the stunning outfits and costumes for the film.
He was nominated for an Academy Award for his costume designs for the movie!
Whether you’re looking for Lauren Bacall style inspiration or midcentury fashion inspiration, we’ve got you covered.
You’ll love your front row seat to each and every outfit Lauren Bacall wears in this classic rom com.
Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire: Vintage Outfit #1
We first see Lauren Bacall’s character Shatze as she puts down a year’s rent for a classy New York apartment, as part of her plan to marry a millionaire.
She learns that the landlord has left the country because of income tax issues.
She is happy to hear that he won’t be back anytime soon.
Lauren Bacall’s wears a classy 1950s style blue suit, which she pairs with a simple pair of black pumps and a pearl necklace.
Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire: Old Hollywood Outfit #2
One of Lauren Bacall’s roommates, Loco (Betty Grable) pretends that she left her wallet at home while shopping, to get a guy to pay for her groceries.
The guy, Tom Brookman, carries the groceries home.
Once he catches sight of Lauren Bacall’s character, he falls hard for her.
He’s dressed casually, so Lauren Bacall dismisses him as a gas station attendant.
He instantly recognizes her a model in a magazine and calls her up later.
She turns him down cold, determined not to fall for someone who isn’t wealthy again.
Lauren Bacall wears a colorful 1950s style outfit for this scene, with a yellow blouse and a full waisted skirt.
She emphasizes the waist with a slim brown belt and has a brown scarf around her neck.
Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire: 1950s Outfit #3
After a few months of no luck, and selling off the furniture in the apartment to support themselves, the girls finally get a break when Loco (Betty Grable) actually brings home a wealthy man.
They all get invited to a dinner with a bunch of men in oil.
For their triple date night, all girls wear evening gowns.
Lauren Bacall’s character Shatze wear a green, off-the-shoulder dress that is lined with fur.
She adds a flower corsage right at the chest. This is definitely not your typical Lauren Bacall style!
Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire: Vintage Outfit #4
Meanwhile, Tom Brookman tracks down where Lauren Bacall’s character works.
This is a high end department store where the three girls model.
He pretends that he’s looking for some summer clothes for his Aunt and the store hosts a mini fashion show modeling the summer collection.
All three girls come out in different summer outfits and recognize him.
Lauren Bacall’s character Shatze gets angry and tells her manager that the man is a phony.
(Meaning that he doesn’t have any money, and there’s no way he could afford clothes at this store!)
Her manager says to mind her own business (knowing the guy is actually loaded with money).
For her summer outfit, Lauren Bacall wears a very typical 1950s style dress with a sheer top, a light floral pattern, and a full skirt.
She even carries a white parasol as part of her look!
Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire: Old Hollywood Outfit #5
Lauren Bacall’s character has another date with her older millionaire boyfriend (played by the famous William Powell).
At the end of the evening, her date says that he is leaving New York.
He cares for her, but feels it wouldn’t be fair for her to marry someone so much older.
She tries to argue, saying that she really doesn’t like younger men.
He isn’t convinced and leaves. And Lauren Bacall’s character is very discouraged.
For her date night, she is wearing another stunning fit and flare 50s style evening dress.
However this time her decorative flower corsage is at her waist, instead of at her chest!
Do you think the flower bouquet adds flair to her outfit, or looks funny? (I’m on the fence on this one. Haha)
Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire: 1950s Outfit #6
Meanwhile, Tom (the guy she believes is a gas station attendant) keeps calling up Shatze, asking her out.
By this time she’s broke, discouraged, and wants something to eat, so she agrees.
Lauren Bacall’s character is wearing a casual 1950s outfit.
For this laid back style, she pairs a white sweater cardigan with retro cigarette style blue slacks and flats.
This look is so classy and simple!
Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire: Vintage Outfit #7
After another frustrating day of getting nowhere to land a millionaire, Shatze agrees to go out with Tom again to a burger diner.
Lauren Bacall’s character Shatze wears a stunning red skirt suit with a matching 1950s style shell hat.
She adds a glam fur coat for warmth.
Quite the outfit for a meal at a diner, right?!
Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire: Old Hollywood Outfit #8
Tom calls again asking Shatze out.
She reluctantly gets talked into another date.
Lauren Bacall’s character Shatze wears a nude silk robe as she sits at her Old Hollywood glamour style vanity.
Notice the floral silk scarf tied around her neck. Talk about a classy lounging outfit!
To channel the 1950s chic style, remember….
Say no to the leggings and t-shirt, even when chatting with your boyfriend at home!
Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire: 1950s Outfit #9
Once again, Shatze is out on a date with Tom. This time they explore New York together.
Every time she is out with him, she enjoys herself.
But then she tells him that she never wants to see him again.
Lauren Bacall’s character Shatze wears a fur coat, as she still insists on why she can’t marry him.
Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire: Vintage Outfit #10
As Tom calls for another date, we get a glimpse of Lauren Bacall’s fabulous casual ‘lounging’ style.
For her outfit, she pairs dark vintage slacks with a light blue button up blouse, and simple flats.
Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire: Old Hollywood Outfit #11
Shatze is surprised when her old boyfriend shows up.
Remember the millionaire who left because he thought he was too old for her?!
Well, he’s changed his mind.
He’s nuts about her and proposes.
Lauren Bacall’s character Shatze is wearing a blue dress with dramatic puff sleeves.
He’s loaded and single. She agrees!
Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire: 1950s Outfit #12
For her wedding, Lauren Bacall’s character Shatze wears a gorgeous 1950s style lace wedding dress.
Her gown is perfection. It is a figure skimming fit and flare style.
We love the off the shoulders lace detailing and mini train.
Talk about romantic and oh so vintage!
Need more vintage wedding gown style inspiration?
You’ll love: 50s Wedding Dress – Inspiring Vintage Dresses from the 1950s
Before Lauren Bacall’s character walks down the aisle, she gets cold feet.
In a hilarious twist, instead she marries Tom, her real love.
She still thinks he’s “just” a gas station attendant.
Lauren Bacall How to Marry a Millionaire: Vintage Outfit #13
After the ceremony, Lauren Bacall and her besties, and their men, go out to their favorite 50s burger diner, to celebrate.
The girls are shocked when Tom pulls out a huge roll of dough to pay.
This proves that he’s actually loaded.
Of course, because this is a rom com, all of the girls faint, once the amount sinks in!
In this last scene, before falling off her stool, we get one more peek at Lauren Bacall’s last fabulous 50s outfit in the film.
For her celebration dinner with her new hubby, she is wearing her yellow blouse and skirt outfit again.
To add some extra glam for the special event at the diner (haha), she adds a scarf and fabulous fur coat.
This post was all about Lauren Bacall fashion in How to Marry a Millionaire
What did you think of Lauren Bacall’s fashion and style in How to Marry a Millionaire?
What was your favorite outfit?
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