Reel-World Dressing

One of my cinematic style touchstones is the opening-credit scene of Howards End, where Vanessa Redgrave as Mrs. Wilcox wades through a meadow drenched with evening dew, her long silk skirts most pleasantly rustling in the grass.

I adore that sound.

This image, taken at Clise Mansion, brings to mind Mrs. Wilcox’s dress.

I’m an advocate of gowns for day, and this would be lovely for a postmodern Mrs. Wilcox to wear for a stroll by the lake, gathering wildflowers.

But if Mrs. Wilcox isn’t your cup of tea, you could always channel Clan of the Cave Bear:

**images by Nick Bartoletti