A Sashbuckling Romance

Merchant Ivory’s 1985 film A Room With a View always makes me smile in goofish romance whenever I watch it. It is so light and frothy and sweet, yet filled with cheeky moments (excuse the pun) that make one chuckle. I do enjoy my swoon laced with a little sauce.

Helena Bonham-Carter’s wardrobe is so pretty, particularly her summer blouses and long white or cream skirts that are cinched in at the waist with delicate belts or ribbons. Her silk evening skirts make such a lovely rustle as she swishes away from Cecil after giving him his congé.

The costumes for A Room With a View were designed by Jenny Beaven and John Bright, who won both an Oscar and a BAFTA for Best Costume Design. This polka-dotted bodice and skirt (above) are particular favourites of mine – I love the Wedgwood blue colour. The bodice is of machine-embroidered voile with appliquéd sprigs, and Broderie Anglaise collar, yoke and cuffs. The waistband is of silk and the skirt of linen. Just delicious! 

I had long hankered after an original Edwardian white blouse, and found one last year in Barcelona (read about that fashionable adventure here). To really complete this fin de siècle picture of romance however, a sash was required. Sashes are so storybookish and quaint, especially when tied in a giant bow and worn with soulful looks.

I searched high and low for a vintage or antique sash or ribbon. I wanted it to be silk, wide, and preferably blue (inspired by Bonham-Carter’s costumes). If it was striped that would be an additional bonus. I saw a beautiful blue and white striped Victorian ribbon on Etsy, but it wasn’t nearly long enough, and it was very expensive. I kept looking and finally found striped 1940s purple and white taffeta ribbon on eBay – in rayon, which is almost as good as silk. I purchased three yards for less than $40. Then, while rummaging around in my props suitcase, I came across a large rhinestone buckle I had forgotten about. It was threaded onto a black velvet ribbon that I had never finished sewing into a choker. This would look rather nice on the striped ribbon as an alternative to a simple sashed bow, I decided.

My own room with a view from Casa Miradouro, in Sintra, Portugal last year

Vintage 1940s striped rayon ribbon, found on eBayAntique-style oxidised sterling silver, marcasite and amythest necklace, poison ring of sterling silver, rose gold and amethyst, sterling silver and amethyst ring all from Palm Beads, a jewellery boutique in MelbourneTo complete the picture I unearthed from the bottom of my jewellery box an oxidised silver, marcasite and amethyst necklace designed in an antique style, and two matching rings – one of which is a poison ring and actually flips open! The onyx earrings are my own make, and the skirt is modern, from Australian label Witchery. The perfect finishing touch is a book of the era, entitled Helen With the High Hand, which my sister Star thought would be an amusing book to gift me.

Well, I have the outfit, now I just need to get me to a barley field in Italy. 

The infamous kiss

Background of main images are of the gardens in the National Palace of Sintra, Portugal.