Lauren Bacall Style - Her 1950s fashion in Designing Woman
All of Lauren Bacall’s 1950s fashion in the 1957 film Designing Woman
This post is all about Lauren Bacall’s style in Designing Woman
Designing Woman stars Lauren Bacall as Marilla Brown in this lighthearted comedy about a fashion designer who marries an opposite personality Mike Hagen (Gregory Peck).
After a whirlwind romance, they find that once the dust settles, they have very little in common.
If you love 1950s fashion and Lauren Bacall, then you'll love this lighthearted comedy from director Vincente Minnelli.
After a whirlwind romance, the couple finds out that once the dust settles, they have very little in common.
Who designed the clothes for Designing Woman?
Helen Rose, was the fashion designer for Designing Woman.
Helen Rose also designed Grace Kelly's outfits in High Society, and also designed Grace Kelly’s wedding dress!
Lauren Bacall’s fashion throughout the film is used to show how different her fashion world is then her husband’s tough sports world.
When they first meet in California, she is dressed somewhat casually, in a 50s style way, with bright bathing suits, and a blouse tucked into jeans.
After their quick marriage and on their return flight to New York, she changes on the plane into the first of many high-style outfits that make Mike realize she’s on a slightly different level than he is.
We love Lauren Bacall’s trademark, simple, chic style in the movie.
Whether it is a simple pair of jeans or a glam evening gown, Lauren Bacall’s character always looks effortless and put together.
Lauren Bacall’s fashion throughout the movie, actually feels more like 1940s fashion rather than 1950s fashion.
The fashion is more slim-fitting and utilitarian feeling rather than the 1950s ultra-feminine look with the full skirts and curvaceous silhouette.
We’re not sure whether that was because of Lauren Bacall’s choice, or the costume designer’s, but they look amazing on Lauren Bacall either way.
Lauren Bacall Style Designing Woman - Yellow 1950s style Swimsuit
Lauren Bacall’s character Marilla wears a bright yellow 1950s fashion swimsuit along with a matching flowered bathing cap as she waves to Mike (Gregory Peck) who is sitting next to the pool.
The two had met at a party the night before where she had helped him finish writing his story.
He had drunkenly paid her a bunch of money in return and was now so hungover he didn’t recognize her or remember anything about the night before.
Lauren Bacall removes the cap to show off her still-styled hair and pulls on a matching yellow bathrobe.
Lauren Bacall Style Designing Woman - Pink Blouse and Jeans
For her most casual style in the movie, besides the swimsuit, Lauren Bacall’s character Marilla wears a pink short sleeved blouse tucked into high-waisted jeans as she spends time on a boat with Gregory Peck.
It’s here that Marilla sketches a dress and tells Mike that she’s a clothing designer.
He doesn’t really have any idea what that means.
It’s rare to see Lauren Bacall in jeans as she tended to favor high-waisted trousers.
For more 1950s pants outfits inspiration:
Lauren Bacall Style Designing Woman - Brown Dress
Lauren Bacall’s character Marilla wears a 1950’s style tan dress with a belt accenting the waist as she goes with Mike (Gregory Peck) to watch a dolphin show.
She misses her flight back to New York that she was supposed to catch and they get married after only knowing each other for a couple of weeks.
Lauren Bacall Style Designing Woman - Dress
On the flight back to New York, Lauren Bacall’s character Marilla wears soft jumpsuit that is cinched in around the waist.
Once they get close to landing, she gets up and changes into a more glamorous dress.
Lauren Bacall Style Designing Woman - Blue Dress
After landing in New York, they first go to Mike’s apartment, which is small, with stuff everywhere and looks like bachelor pad.
Marilla finds a picture of a woman on the floor that he hastily tore up.
Lauren Bacall wears a fitted navy dress accessorized with black heels and a bracelet.
Lauren Bacall Style Designing Woman - Red Dress
Lauren Bacall’s character Marilla wears a red dress to meet Mike at an Italian restuarant.
She doesn’t know that he was just there breaking up with the woman who’s picture she had seen in the apartment but she realizes there was another woman there and begins to put things together.
Lauren Bacall wears a red dress topped with a red cape and accessorized with black gloves and a black hat.
They then go to her apartment which is quite glamorous in comparison to Mike’s apartment, and she’s delighted to have received a table as wedding gift from a coworker who had been wanting to marry her.
Slightly awkward.
Lauren Bacall Style Designing Woman - Pink Jumpsuit
Marilla’s friends came over as a surprise party and Mike realizes he had nothing in common with them.
The designers, actors, and playwrights aren’t quite from the same world he’s used to.
He also realizes that she has quite a bit more money than him which doesn’t make him very happy.
Marilla realizes he’s upset and cooks him food.
She changes into a cute pink jumpsuit. with a belt accenting the waist to lounge on the couch.
Lauren Bacall Style Designing Woman - Skirt and Cardigan
They settle into married life for the next few weeks, with Mike in his sports world during the day and Marilla in her high society fashion world.
In a scene with Marilla working on a new dress design, she’s wearing a gray pencil skirt with a blue cardigan and her black high heels as she munches on a sandwich.
Lauren Bacall Style Designing Woman - Green Dress
Back at work, Lauren Bacall’s character Marilla wears a classy green dress accessorized with gold jewelry as her co-workers try to get her to accept a job to create designs for a new stage show.
She reluctantly agrees after being challenged that it would be too much for her.
Lauren Bacall Style Designing Woman - Fur Dress
Back in Mike’s world, he takes her to a boxing match.
Marilla shows up in a fur dress that is belted at the waist.
During the game, a gangster that Mike has been writing about comes over to threaten Mike.
Marilla gets sick at the sight of blood and has to leave.
Lauren Bacall’s fur dress, with a cap and the flower at the ear aren’t quite fitting for the boxing ring.
Lauren Bacall Style Designing Woman - Purple and white evening gown
At another fancy party in Marilla’s flat, Lauren Bacall’s character Marilla is wearing quite the evening gown, with a full waisted purple skirt, a white top and sheer balloon-style sleeves.
She has her friends over reading a play, and Mike has some of his friends over trying to play a card game.
Of course the two groups don’t get along, and there is some drama.
Lauren Bacall Style Designing Woman - Gray Skirt Suit
Marilla finds out that the woman she’s designing the outfits for the new show was Mike’s ex-girlfriend and is furious.
Lauren Bacall’s style is a simple gray suit with a matching hat as she talks to her co-worker about her suspicions.
Lauren Bacall Style Designing Woman - Blue Dress
Mike has to go into hiding as he’s now in danger from the gangster.
Lauren Bacall’s character is suspicious as he packs, thinking that he’s going back to his ex-girlfriend.
Lauren Bacall wears a blue dress accessorized with a single strand of pearls as she watches him pack
Lauren Bacall Style Designing Woman - Orange Dress
On set at the show, Lauren Bacall wears an orange dress with white accents around the neckline, and a matching scarf in her hair.
Lauren Bacall Style Designing Woman - Green robe
To take a phone call from Mike, Lauren Bacall’s character Marilla is wearing a lime green robe.
She is also packing her luggage to go on the road with the show.
The gangster than tries to kidnap Marilla in order to get to Mike, and Mike and one of Marilla’s friends saves her, and then everyone settles their differences for a happy ending.
Oh, and Mike’s ex-girlfriend ends up with the co-worker that had wanted to marry Marilla, so everyone ends up happy.
This post was all about Lauren Bacall’s style in Designing Woman
What did you think of Lauren Bacall’s style in Designing Woman?
Other posts you might like:
Lauren Bacall’s 1940s Fashion in Dark Passage
Grace Kelly Movie Wardrobe - Stunning Outfits of a Fashion Icon
The Ultimate Guide to 1950s Fashion for Women
Originally published July 2021, updated Feb 2024
