12 thoughts on “Hidden Figures, Authentic Style

  1. I love love loved the clothes in this film. And I appreciate you blogging about it because I enjoy 20th historical century fashion and understand it perhaps more than some of the previous eras that you review (although I get to learn more from you that way).

    Katherine Johnson’s clothing was perfection. So appropriate to her character and the era. Mary Jackson’s clothing was fun and stunning (THAT SEERSUCKER DRESS!). But I was so frustrated with Dorothy Vaughn’s costumes. As a woman of size, I felt that the designers fell victim to the belief that plus size women should wear ill-fitting drab tents. Yes, she was a more subdued, less rock-the-boat character, and she may have chosen more drab clothing. There were some winners for her, like in the church dress you have shown above. But so many others were tops that hung on her like sacks, and the fact that some outfits were great but most were miserable made it seem like the costumers were out of their element. And I just found it insensitive.

    1. I agree she wasn’t as stylish as the other two ladies, but I think that’s probably historically accurate. Let’s face it, even today it’s hard to find stylish clothes on a budget if one is above a certain size. I didn’t find it insensitive on the part of the costumers so much as a statement about the fashion industry then (and now). I speak from experience.

    2. I tend to agree with the commenter below — it’s never been easy for plus-size women to find stylish clothes, & much of what Dorothy Vaughn wore is excellent, so I consider it a solid effort. There was definitely care taken with her accessories & overall outfit planning (colors, materials), to show that she was a little older & more experienced in the job, capable of being a manager even tho’ she was being denied the title.

    3. I agree about the unfortunately fitting clothes for Ms Vaughn. There is no excuse for ill fitting clothing on larger women. the book, most of these ladies (including Ms Vaughn, were quite accomplished seamstresses, and sewed their own wardrobes (as well as their children’s’ clothes as well)! These were mazingly talented & brilliant women who had mad time management skills!

  2. I planned on it ever since Timeless did an episode on it. I was curious and found out there was a picture based on Ms Johnson’s and the other women of colour’s contribution to NASA.

    1. I just finished watching ‘Timeless’ and it’s been an incredible show in terms of acknowledging not only that people of colour existed but how they were treated, without it ever feeling like a lecture. I wish more shows were like this.

      1. I agree.

        But I feel Mercy Street on PBS does this as well. It was beautiful to see Emma progress from a young woman who didn’t think on things, find a calling, see how African Americans are mistreated and realise how we are all the same. Harriet James did a great job. But she had company, Tony winner Patina Miller.

  3. Yay! I loved this film and I was hoping you’d cover it! I really liked the costumes, but I don’t know much about vintage fashion. I’m glad to hear they were so accurate.

  4. I loved the fashion in this film! Sometimes period films with Black characters focus more on the struggle than the costumes. So a lot of the time when you look at a Black character in a period film you don’t get many chances to drool over dresses. But I drooled a lot watching Hidden Figures. Everything Janelle/Mary Jackson wore was cute. I loved how fashionable Octavia Spencer was here, especially in comparison to her other roles.

    1. Yes! Everything about this film was a delight — the story, the performances, the clothes. And I usually dislike 1960s clothes, but they were gorgeous here, perfectly capturing that transition between late ’50s crinoline cuts & more slim-fitted early ’60s styles, the fabrics & colors were all spot-on, & just looked great on each actress. Could’ve, should’ve won some Oscars too.

  5. We’re studying modern history this year, so I’ve been waiting for us to get to the space race. We just studied that lesson (and they were mentioned in our history books), so I’m hoping it’ll still be in the theaters next week when we have free time.

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