Natalie Wood portrays Dr. Helen Brown in the screwball comedy Sex and the Single Girl (1964). Natalie is adorable as a young psychologist who has recently published a best-seller, omonymous of the film title. Tony Curtis plays Bob Weston, a sleazy tabloid editor, who wants to know if Dr. Brown has based her book on personal research. The plan is to get very personal with her to find out. The result is a comic combat also starring Henry Fonda, Lauren Bacall and Mel Ferrer. Edith Head was the costume designer, helping Natalie shape her image as a young and independent woman. The two worked together on many films and Edith even designed the actress’s wedding dress for her marriage to Richard Gregson.
Except for the last outfit in the film, Helen’s wardrobe comprises black and white looks. The set decoration (designed by Edward G. Boyle in the film), just as the costumes, serves the needs of the characters in a movie. Dr. Brown’s office and apartment are decorated in black and white too (and elegantly so, definitely post-worthy; notice the striped curtains, chairs, chaise lounge and cushions, how chic are all these pieces?) and we could say that this is her code colour and view on life. Doesn’t Natalie look lovely even in her doctor robe, especially with the gorgeous glasses on and the hair pin?
In the first scene she appears in she’s wearing a ladylike little black dress, an elbow-sleeved white jacket, with a high slit at the back (this looks beautiful in motion), black trimmed neckline and two apparent pockets on the left side. The length of the sleeve requires elegant elbow gloves.
A gorgeous white satin cocktail dress with a beautiful bust detail: fabulous sweetheart neckline cut and also the pendant dangling from the center (hence no necklace needed, just the way I like it). The long gloves create the perfect accessory along with the large pearl bracelet worn over the glove and the pearl earrings. The fur trimmed white coat goes on top and the sleeves are again elbow-high.
This one above is a robe, but a robe I would be happy to see transformed in an evening gown (with certain alterations of course) and worn with no jewelry whatsoever. Slit up on both sides, fantastic rope detail and this is another neckline I adore, the way the fabric falls and gathers in the bust area.
Houndstooth coat with mandarin collar, black fur stole and hat and those cat-eye sunglasses!
All Helen’s gloves are elbow-long. Here they complete the white cashmere sweater and checked tweed pencil skirt.
All-black outfit, the only time she wears an entirely black ensemble in the film, very suggestive for the plot, but I won’t spoil it for you. What a fabulous hat!
The final look. Bright, joyful yellow. She is finally in love. I like the way she wears the attached scarf over her head in the car, as a hood. Scarves often came with a day or evening dress, making an outfit very versatile. And speaking of versatility, Natalie’s wardrobe is ageless and could be so easily adaptable to modern day. Last, but not least, her hair style, the fringe bob, is so stylish too, one I myself sported a while back and that I feel like adopting again.
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images: screenshots captured by me from the film Sex and the Single Girl (1964); kindly link back to classiq if you use any of these images; production credits
Lovely wardobe… my favourite is the tweed skirt ( A must for this coming winter!), the white gown and the yellow chiffon gown – love the attached scarf. Isn’t she just gorgeous! And her office is just beautiful – it looks so current. I just love it.
Helenxx
Not only I really want to watch the movie, I would love to try some of the outfits, too. And those interiors, especially the one on the second photo are so beautiful! x
So stylish! I am adding this movie to my must see list!
loved this post so much – i always feel like stepping right into your old film posts xx
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oh dear, another one of your gorgeous Hollywood wardrobe posts … I’m making coffee now and then I’m reading every word and taking in the photos a little better!
Gorgeous! I love Natalie Wood. She was such a beauty and a wonderful actress. How fabulous is that robe? I would definitely wear it as an evening gown. And love the yellow dress as well. Actually every single look is beautiful.
Hope you’re having a great week! xoxo
What a change to see the outfits evolve from all black&white into the gorgeous yellow.
OMG great post:) Its so different that you use old movies:) and I havent seen this one…the acrtress was beautiful. Must see it in the weekend. I hope you come back and visit me soon I have more swedish inspiration for you:)
LOVE Maria
Love all of the shots Ada and Natalie Wood is always just so classic.
Thank you for introducing me to all these great classic movies. That white dress is divine!
great wardrobe shots. esp love the one where she has the white dress with the wrap around robes
The fashion alone makes this movie a must see! The 60’s are one of my favorite fashion era’s.
Lynn
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You know so much about films! Would love for you to one day write for VL magazine 🙂
Have an amazing weekend Ada!
🙂
xxx
That would be wonderful, Nicole. 🙂
I fell in love with Natalie ever since I watched \Splendor in the Grass\, she is so pretty. And, Ada, you have once again surprised me with a beautiful post about fashion and old movies! Lovely!
I cannot believe that I haven’t see this movie yet…and the 60s designs and silhouettes are a feast for the eyes! (once again) Thank you for introducing me to new title for my movie-list!
Natalie Wood has been my favorite actress for as long as I can remember…can’t believe I haven’t seen this film! Thanks for highlighting 🙂
The set decoration and colors of the films you suggest are always an inspiration for me. This is fabulous! Thank you.
Have a nice day Ada.
I like how she wore the scarf over her head to protect her hair during the car ride. I should try to search for matching sheer fabric for my favorite dresses. Thanks for the photos and your commentary!
DIVINE post…
Edith Head, who designed Natalie’s clothes, is my goddess.
I love the way you used the symbolism of the color palette to make your point. I would wear any of these fashions; they are swoon-worthy, every one.
Natalie was a better actress than you know, since she was terrified of water, especially dark water. The scene where she has to jump in after him is so harrowing when you realize she died in the very water she always feared…
Beautiful lady, classy to her toes, wonderful to see her at 26, looking like a million dollars. A visual and comedic feast. Thanks and pls never stop!
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