Film Styles: Easter Parade

Movie: Easter Parade
Year: 1948
Costume Designers: Irene and Valles

I saw Easter Parade for the first time only a couple of years ago, and I remember from the very opening scene where Fred Astaire is walking down the street whistling wearing a gray suit, white vest, pink shirt with a cobalt blue carnation in his lapel and white spats over his shoes being completely mesmerized by the costumes.
I know that once making movies in color became popular, costumes became more colorful and extravagant so it would show up better on technicolor (think Dorothy's red shoes in The Wizard of Oz, did you know in the book version her shoes are actually white?) But Easter Parade takes it to a whole other level.

Throughout the film the costumes become even more colorful and eye-catching. Watch Fred Astaire's ties and pocket squares: striped, gingham, polka-dot. Even in his "Steppin' Out With My Baby" routine he's wearing a red bowtie that matches his red vest that matches his red socks. Judy Garland is no different. She wears everything from a gingham skirt to a sea green vest to pink elbow-length gloves to a huge yellow brooch of daisies.

Easter Parade is one of my favorite movies to watch because it's so pleasing to the eye. So many costumes of different color and patterns, it makes you happy just watching it.