I’ve wanted to recreate this iconic outfit from one of my favourite films, ” It Happened One Night” for quite some time now and here is my homage to that simple, yet striking “travelling suit”, Claudette Colbert donned in her role as the spoiled heiress Ellie Andrews.
The original one would have had a cardigan in knitted fabric and probably a rayon or woolen skirt. My version is in viscose rayon for both cardigan and skirt.
The very popular way of cutting fabric on bias in the era and here in a striped fabric creates the typical geometric deep v pattern both at the front and back, by having a central seam. The cardigan also features a Peter Pan collar and cuffs in white cotton contrasting with the main fabric. It has original vintage 1930s Art Deco buttons both for fastening and for the belt.
The calf length skirt has two kick pleats at the back and one at the front. Fastens with snap fasteners and a vintage button at the side.
The Vintage Dressmaker 