Inspiration for the Best Dressed Competition at the Cary Grant Festival

To Catch A Thief Mood Board

With the Cary Grant Festival just around the corner, it’s time to start planning your outfits for the best dressed competition! This year, our gala film is To Catch A Thief, featuring the stunning costumes designed by the legendary Edith Head. Let’s dive into some style inspiration to help you channel the glamour of Cary Grant and his leading ladies.

Cary Grant wasn’t just a silver screen legend; he was a style icon, too. His effortless elegance and timeless appeal continue to inspire fashion trends today.

Key elements of Cary Grant’s style:

  • Tailored Suits: Grant was a master of the tailored suit. His suits were always impeccably fitted, with clean lines and a perfect drape.
  • Casual Chic: Even in casual wear, Grant exuded a certain sophistication. Think crisp white shirts, well-cut trousers, and stylish sweaters.
  • Accessories: Grant knew the power of a well-chosen accessory. A pocket square, a stylish hat, or a pair of sunglasses could elevate any outfit.
Cary Grant’s outfits in To Catch A Thief

Cary Grant’s suave and sophisticated style in To Catch A Thief is a masterclass in classic men’s fashion. His tailored suits and effortless charm make him the epitome of elegance and style but it’s his casual looks in the film which are really memorable and create a sense of John Robie’s character as an ex-acrobat and retired jewellery thief, as outlined this BAMF Style post (Best Action Movies Fashion).

“Do you mind if I put on something more formal?” – Cary Grant’s Breton jumper in To Catch A Thief

Cary Grant’s Suit in North by Northwest is often voted the best suit in the history of cinema. This iconic look is a great source of inspiration for those aiming to capture the essence of Cary Grant’s timeless style. His sunglasses have been

Jessie Royce Landis and Cary Grant (and Cary Grant’s suit) in North by Northwest (dir. by Alfred Hitchcock, 1959)
Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint in North by Northwest. Image by © Sunset Boulevard/Corbis
Oliver Peoples Cary Grant Sunglasses inspired by those worn in the film, in collaboration with his estate

Want to learn more about the man behind the style? For more on Cary Grant’s impeccable fashion sense, take a look at this GQ article that delves into his principles of good dress. And check out the latest issue of Detail magazine (#14), where Michael W. Salter delves into the “method and madness behind Grant’s very particular style decisions.”

Cary Grant on the cover of Detail Magazine #14
“Cary on regardless. ‘Style begins and ends with Cary Grant’ wrote Alan Flusser. But Cary Grant’s elegance was not merely a product of his sartorial choices, it was a reflection of his intrinsic grace, wit and deportment. He just made it all look so easy… and that took a lot of effort” (Michael W Salter)

Grace Kelly’s wardrobe in To Catch A Thief is the epitome of 1950s elegance. Designed by Edith Head, her outfits range from chic casual wear to breathtaking evening gowns. For inspiration, check out this Classic Critics Corner post highlighting ten of her most elegant outfits from the film. Think flowing chiffon, sophisticated silhouettes, and timeless accessories. Below are several of Edith Head’s designs for the film:

Below is a photo of Grace Kelly with Edith Head, showcasing the collaboration that brought such iconic fashion to the screen. Their work together is a testament to the power of costume design in creating memorable film moments.

Grace Kelly with Edith Head on the set of To Catch A Thief (1955)

The film culminates in an extended masquerade ball sequence, where the 1950s meets 18th-century style in all its technicolor glory. Edith Head pulls out all the stops. The lavish 18th-century masquerade costumes, while visually stunning, reflect the racial and gender biases prevalent in both the 18th century and the mid-20th century Hollywood film industry, as outlined in this great blogpost from Frock Flicks.

Grace Kelly and Jessie Royce Landis at the masked ball in To Catch A Thief

So, as you prepare for the Cary Comes Home Festival, why not channel your inner Grace Kelly or Cary Grant? Whether you’re attending the gala screening or a casual daytime event, there’s an opportunity to dress with style and sophistication. Remember, it’s not just about looking good; it’s about feeling confident and expressing your individuality.

Join the Fun!

Take this opportunity to immerse yourself in the charm of classic Hollywood fashion. Whether you’re inspired by Grace Kelly’s elegant gowns or Cary Grant’s timeless suits, there’s plenty of inspiration to help you stand out at the festival. Don’t forget to visit our website for all the details on how to participate in the best dressed competition and to plan your festival experience. See you at the festival, dressed to impress! 🌟

Online Events for More Inspiration

CINEMATIC SYTLE

Join us for a deep dive into film and fashion, exploring the wardrobes of Cary Grant and his leading ladies. This event will give you plenty of ideas for the best dressed competition!

TO CATCH A SPY

Discover the new sequel to the original novel, approved by the estate of David Dodge.

Best Dressed Winners Announced!

We’re delighted to announce the winners of our Best Dressed competition at our gala screening of To Catch A Thief last Sunday. We were blown away by some of the entries, the attention to detail and the knowing film references. A huge thank you to all the local businesses that donated prizes:

Best Dressed Woman – Restyle, Blow-dry & Luxe Treatment at Clair Swinscoe Hair Couture

 

Best Dressed Man – VIP Membership at Suave & Co, Clifton Village

 

Best Dressed Couple – Fizz and Chips at The Clifton Pub

 

Best Dressed Group – Magnum of Fantinel Prosecco Extra Dry courtesy of Renato’s Kint Street

 

Best Dressed Cinephile – Cary Grant: A Class Apart courtesy of Waterstones Clifton

See more photos on Facebook

Hitchcock and Cary Grant

Check out this amazing video that Col Needham (Founder and CEO of IMDb.com) has made for us to promote our screening of North by Northwest!

 

Col is a great supporter of the festival and one of Cary Grant’s biggest fans. Shot at IMDb.com headquarters in Bristol, the promo was scripted by Level 3 UWE Filmmaking student Mitchell Brown, based on Hitchcock’s original trailer in which he pretends to be a travel agent:

With Dylan Evans on Camera and Grading, Producer Saoirse Mahon, Editor Holly Bond, Marina Aparicio Arribas and music by UWE Centre of Music. The video is playing on The We The Curious Big Screen in Millennium Square.

This not to be missed screening of North by Northwest takes place in The Planetarium on Saturday 24 November and includes a brief video introduction by Col, followed by a introduction to the fabulous Bernard Herrmann score by Matthew Sweet.

This event had sold out but we’ve just released the last remaining tickets so snap them up now!

This is part of our wider Hitchcock and Cary Grant theme this year, showing all 4 of their collaborations, including Suspicion with expert panel discussion at Watershed, Notorious with an intro by the amazing Paul McGann at Everyman and culminating with a glamorous gala screening of To Catch A Thief with prizes for the best dressed vintage / Hollywood style.

Check out our Full Programme and book early to avoid disappointment!

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

BECOMING CARY GRANT
AT UWE GLENSIDE CAMPUS
WITH DIRECTOR Q&A
NORTH BY NORTHWEST
AT THE PLANETARIUM
INTRO BY MATTHEW SWEET
TO CATCH A THIEF
GALA SCREENING
AT TRINITY CENTRE 

 

 

Vintage Cocktails and Canapes

If you are coming to our gala screening of Bringing Up Baby on Sunday 17 July we’d be really grateful if you could book by early so we can get a good idea of how many canapes to order!


Buy tickets for Gala Screening: Bringing Up Baby
The museum catering team have been working hard on designing bespoke vintage canapes especially for the festival and have even recreated one of Cary Grant’s own recipes:


Cary Grant Mushroom Canapes_cu
There will also be a paid bar featuring Cocktails inspired by Cary Grant’s movies, including:

The Cary Grant
Vodka – Tia Maria – Lime

Dry Martini
(as seen in Bringing Up Baby, 1938)
Gin – Vermouth – Green Olive

The Gibson
(as seen in North by Northwest, 1959)
Gin – Vermouth – Pearl Onion

The Highball
(as seen in The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, 1947)
Whiskey – Ginger Ale – Slice of Lemon


Bringing Up Baby, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, doors 19:00; film 20:00.

Grant & Hepburn and Nissa on set_400x300

Tickets cost £25 / £20 concessions (plus £1.50 transaction fee) and the price includes bubbly on arrival, a selection of vintage canapes, live entertainment, including a-cappella singers and the South by Southwest Swing Ensemble, featuring Martyn Harris and players from the Dave Salt Big Band. Red carpet attire is encouraged and there will be prizes for the best dressed.


Buy tickets for Gala Screening: Bringing Up Baby

Cary Grant Welcomed in Style at Red Carpet Gala Screenings

The Cary Grant Comes Home For The Weekend Festival 2014 culminated in a red carpet double bill of Arsenic and Old Lace and North by Northwest at the Bristol Hippodrome – marking nearly 80 years since Cary Grant’s face last shone down from the silver screen when six of his films where screened there between 1932-38 when the theatre briefly operated as a cinema.

Front of house staff at the Bristol Hippodrome got into the spirit of the occasion and dressed as vintage ushers and usherettes to welcome people on the red carpet entrance.  Prizes for the best dressed were announced on our Facebook page and you can images of the red carpet taken by our wonderful UWE student volunteers, Ellisha Von Grunewald (UWE Film), Bethany Fitter (Filmmaking and Creative Media) and Jen Stuart (UWE Fashion). Professional photographer Jon Craig coached them on how to pap, as well as taking his own wonderful set of photos, which you can view here.