Carey Mulligan has enjoyed a winning streak of stylish film roles. Remember when we all went roaring twenties mad for feathers and flapper dresses to coincide with The Great Gatsby? Or the lovely beehives and prim 60s shifts which made up the wardrobe of Mulligan’s Jenny character in An Education?
This week sees the release of Mulligan’s latest style blockbuster as she portrays Bathsheba Everdene in the new adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s Far From the Madding Crowd. Everdene is a character ahead of her time, asserting her independence and determined to prove that she is capable of handling her wealth without the help of a man, despite a trio of romantic interests.
In much the same way that Hardy’s tale still feels entirely relevant for today, so too do Mulligan’s delightfully pretty costumes. The delicate embroidery, crisp cotton dresses and gingham prints which Everdene wears as she traipses the fields of rural 19th century England look almost as if they could be just off the Spring/ Summer 2015 catwalks. Sceptical? Here’s the proof…
Straw Hats
When you’re toiling in your pastures, a sun hat is essential. It’s a mantra shared by both Bathsheba and Rosetta Getty, who created broad brimmed hats woven in natural fibres to top off the floor skimming dresses in her SS15 offering.
Frock Coats
At Dior, Raf Simons was inspired by a mix of 18th and 21st century references showing super smart military coats nonchalantly undone to expose fabulous padded shorts. In Far from the Madding Crowd, the very same jackets are demurely buttoned-up for visits to town.
Black lace
Much like the modern woman, sheer black lace is Everdene’s go-to evening look. We might wear ours see-through all the way while hers is paired with a bustle but the effect is just as chic.
Handcrafted embroidery
Tapping into the romantic bohemian trend for artisanal details, Bliss and Mischief, who customise vintage denim with intricate stitching, is the latest label to know. Bathsheba’s indigo dress looks as if it might have arrived directly from the BAM studio.
Tiered dresses
In the woods with Sergeant Troy, Bathsheba’s quintessentially Victorian dress looks glorious in side profile. Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli were inspired by the same period in creating their flowing and feminine prairie gowns for Spring.
