The 2016 Summer Olympics close this weekend, and while sports and historical costume don’t seem like a good mix, this one-third of the Frock Flicks team has been obsessively watching the games as I always do. Thus, I realized, while also poking around through costume movie and TV show photos, as you do, that a fair number of scenes with women excelling at athletics turned up.
So here’s a Top Five Friday with scenes from historical costume flicks that are (kind of) related to sports in the Summer Games. Sure, why not!
1) Fencing – The Girl King (2015)
Queen Christina of Sweden used her father’s sword, according to this recent biopic. While I have quibbles about her fencing outfit, it works for the film.
2) Cycling – Downton Abbey (2010)
During the war years, Lady Edith took to cycling around the estate. Pity she gave it up in the rest of the series — the activity might have taken her mind off her troubles.
3) Riding – Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)
A horror-fairytale set in 18th-century France, this movie features some delicious costumes, especially the red velvet riding habit Marianne wears while hunting through the forests.
4) Swimming – Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (2013)
In the second season of everyone’s favorite 1920s detective series, Phryne Fisher hits the beach to solve the story of the “Dead Man’s Chest.” And she does so in this smart and colorful bathing costume.
5) Archery – Daniel Deronda (2002)
The title character, Daniel’s, love interest Gwendolyn, is quite a good shot at archery. Plus check out her excellent sporting outfit, complete with all the required accessories.
Are you a fan of the Olympics? What historical sporting costume appeals to you most?
Chariots of Fire.
Yes! The dress that is worn by Harold Abrahams’ wife-to-be at the train station – delicious!!!
Well, I was looking for women’s athletic clothing, & Chariots of Fire is all men’s running :)
Like it.
Have you seen the Outlander version of the Olympics.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CpJjSszWcAE7oB2.jpg:large
LOL!!!
Better yet the Highland Games at Braemar Scotland
What about Mae in Age of Innocence? She won a pin for archery that her mother says will make a fine heirloom.
That archery outfit is sooooooo The Fair Toxophilites.
Oh man Brotherhood of the Wolf. I adore the costumes in that movie, especially Marianne’s cobalt blue robe a la francais.
The archery scene from Daniel Deronda reminds me of a similar scene in the Pallisers (BBC 1971 pure costume porn). It is roughly contemporary given the costumes so I guess it was a fashionable sport amongst the well healed in the 1870s-80s
I loved the Pallisers. Susan Hampshire was marvellous as Lady Glencora. She and the actress who played Madame Geisler wore the best clothes. I’m drooling over their idea.
Yes.I am currently re-watching it. At 26 episodes though it might be a bit much to expect a Frock Flicks Blog. (but fingers crossed one day they might find time.)
Lady Glen’s wedding dress was so gorgeous. I’m so glad she didn’t marry the Irish Burgo.
Lucy Honeychurch’s Edwardian tennis whites in “A Room With a View.”
So happy to hear someone call the costumes in Brotherhood Of The Wolf ‘delicious’, rather than rolling their eyes when the film is mentioned.
The archery dress in the Age of Innocence. I also adored the archery scene in Emma with Gwyneth Paltrow, not the dress in particular but the scene as a whole. (“Try not to kill my dogs…” Haha.)