It’s one of the most stylish movies in the history of cinema. I thought it’s high time I featured it on my blog and I’ve tried to capture the amazing atmosphere of this truly wonderful film (and inevitably got carried away with all the screenshots I posted): the chemistry between Grace Kelly and Cary Grant, the beautiful costumes designed by Edith Head, the gorgeous setting on the French Riviera.
In 1975, Grace, 46 at the time, said to Donald Spoto, author of The Art of Alfred Hitchcock: Fifty Years of His Motion Pictures
Grace’s costumes were designed by Edith Head. The two were close friends and Grace had become Edith’s muse. The almost always diplomatic designer broke her rules to name Grace Kelly her favourite actress with whom she worked, and To Catch A Thief her favourite film. However, Cary chose his own wardrobe, as he would usually do for his movies: “generally I wore simple, tasteful clothes-the same kind of clothes I wear off screen.”
Cary wears a polka dot silk neckechief, which he found in a local shop, and a striped sweater. How effortlessly and uniquely he wears these prints together. The scarf is an element that added flair to a simple outfit. This look set off a fashion trend, it was copied by many, but unsuccessfully. Why? Because Cary succeeded in developing a style entirely his own, emulated on his very own personality and figure.
The perfect shoes for a casual outfit: dark brown leather loafers hand-made for CG by Maxwell’s on Dover Street in London.
On this production, Hitchcock gave Grace more reign with clothing than he usually gave to his actresses. This allowed Edith Head more freedom to design the costumes, working them out first with Kelly and then bringing the ideas to Hitch.
I love the white rimmed cat-eye sunglasses.
Again a neckercief and striped sweater.
The black cat, Cary’s pet in the movie. He is a retired jewel thief, known as Robie “The Cat”. On a side note, “To Catch A Thief” was my inspiration for my blog’s black cat mascot and slogan, “…catch a style”.
Grace (Frances) in her flowing ice blue chiffon, Grecian style gown, with strips in a deeper tone of blue, worn at her first encounter with Robie. No jelwelry, the style and colour of the dress are suggestive enough for her character for that part of the movie. Hitchcock wanted Edith to use cool colours to play up the idea of Frances as an ice princess. The spaghetti straps and back of the dress are the details I love the most about it.
In his real life Cary would usually wear a blazer even to a more casual outfit. He made the ordinary gesture of putting his hands in his pockets seem incredibly elegant, nonchalant and confident.
Grace in a floral wrap dress.
Frances does enjoy attention and Hitchcock’s take on the scene below is very suggestive in this regard. Black halterneck beach top and capri pants covered by a drawstring edged white skirt open at front, a wide brimmed hat ( a Flying Nun hat) and a black turban, one of Grace’s signature pieces, made legendary by the future princess.
Sleeveless coral pink top with a white swirls pattern and matching pleated skirt, scarf and shoes and white driving gloves. An extremely feminine look, very representative for the period and for Grace’s personal style as well.
The picnic scene that overlooks Monte Carlo. Dipping into the picnic basket, Frances says: “Want a leg or a breast?” to which Robie, with one of his priceless looks, answers: “You make the choice.” Grace specifically asked Edith to put her in a dress for this scene, because she was “making a play” for Robie. Grace and Cary felt so at ease with one another that they improvised scenes and Hitchcock went along with them. She was Cary Grant’s ideal leading lady.
This fireworks scene is memorable, the sparkle between Grace and Cary…
The pearly white chiffon dress is my favourite evening dress of the entire movie. It’s so beautiful, simple and graceful. But this time Grace wears a superb diamond necklace, shown off by the strapless gown, anticipating the following “burglar” scenes.
And this is my favourite day outfit. I don’t usually fancy a perfect dress-bag match, but on Grace it works in the most refined and chic ways.
Cary Grant made the most formal look seem casual, relaxed and fun. Clothes were a natural extension of himself.
Near the end of the movie, a fancy masquerade ball is held at a mansion on the Cote d’Azur, and all of the extras wore costumes in the style of the court of Marie Antoinette. It was the most expensive costume scene Edith Head had ever done. Hitchcock instructed her to dress Grace as a “fairy princess” for the ball. Edith created a ball gown with a huge skirt of gold mesh adorned with fabric birds and accessorized with a golden mask, and topped Grace’s head with a golden wig.
To Catch A Thief was a happy production. “I always went to work whistling”, Cary recalled. And this showed on the screen.
images: movie stills from “To Catch A Thief” (Paramount Pictures), captured by me. Please do not use these images without linking back to Classiq.
A few details about Cary Grant’s wardrobe were inspired from the book Cary Grant: A Celebration of Style by Richard Torregrossa, whereas a source for Grace’s costumes was the book Edith Head: The Fifty Year Career of Hollywood’s Greatest Costume Designer
Ohhh SUBLIME!!!!!!! Thank you so much for reminding me how much I adore this film! Carry Grant is the most quintessential Englishman (I’m very proud that he was English!) and no one could wear clothes like he could! I collect vintage patterns from this era and have made many for special occasions. Oh to dress this way again!!!! A few years ago I was lucky enough to buy an original Edith Head pattern on ebay – such a find!!!!! Thank you so, so much for capturing these divine images! Warmest wishes – Glenda
@The Paper Mulberry
I’m so glad you like it, Glenda. Wow, to actually own an Edith Head pattern, that would be amazing.
The movie was wonderful, I saw it last week. And Grace Kelly was just amazing!
What a post! I want to live in this film, is that possible? Just for a day maybe to wear all these gorgeous outfits?
Sigh!
I love this movie! I used to have a crush on Carry Grant
You are right, the white dress is so beautiful!!!
What an amazing post – and a lovely dresses and set in general ;o)
Just found your blog and looking forward to follow ;o)
Wonderful stills! I have to see this movie- Grace & Cary are gorgeous, and I really love the costumes. I have the feeling that while time is passing, these vintage movies look more and more sensational, like authentic pieces of jewelry.
How amazing are these shots – i love the styling – how wonderful if life was one long Cary and Grace film – great back story to the cat logo xxx
http://fashionandfrank.blogspot.com/
Can you believe that I have never seen this movie?? I can’t wait to settle on the sofa with this movie and a whole lot of chocolate on Sunday! The scenery and the outfits are so beautiful!
How fabulous! She’s so gorgeous at that beach scene. Have a delightful day, Kellie xx
I’ve never seen this film — but now I really want to! It looks incredibly stylish!
Love the white cat eye sunglasses, Grace Kelly and her dresses. Did not see the movie, but seams like Grace Kelly is always following a criminal: rear window, a murderer and now a thief
@fashionsensitive
Ha ha, yes, it’s inevitable as they all are Hitchcock movies. But I love his films, his technical skills and Grace was his favourite leading lady.
Wonderful movie and great fashion! Fantastic post, I have to see this movie again
Kisses!
I am so in love with this post. I need to see this movie ASAP!
Oh Ada, it’s one of my all time favorite movies and now all I want to do is go home and watch it!
xoxo
AAh I love this!! Happy wednesday xx
Super photos!!! J aime beaucoup!!!
Biz
Angela Donava
http://www.lookbooks.fr
Ada! This is one of my favorite posts from you because I loved this film and watched it a couple of times actually. Grace Kelly’s outfits are simple marvelous and I always smile whenever I see Cary Grant in that polkdot print and stripes sweater. The blue and white dresses are my favorites! So simple and yet you can’t take your eyes off them! I think I’m going to watch it again! Hope you’re having a fabulous week! xoxoxoxo
So so so beautiful! I grew up watching nothing but old, classic movies – I absolutely must start watching them again! Gorgeous!
i absolutely love gathering fashion inspiration from old movies – the polka dot and stripes on cary is perfection!
omg, I so want to see this movie now !
I’m almost embarrassed to say I (also) have not seen this movie. What a shame!!! You’ve chosen the perfect stills to show the beauty of this movie, oh my what a couple. So so gracious and gorgeous. I can’t get over her dressed, wow, wow and wow.
@Captivated by image
Christel, you simply have to make time for this movie this weekend. It’s going to be one of your favourites, I’m sure.
Oh and I forgot to say how much I liked to know how you came up with your ‘catch a style’ cat;)
Such great photos!! I absolutely adore to catch a thief.
Coco Chanel
Welcome
Follow along
Twitter
Pinterest
Regular categories
Beautiful Bucharest
Some of the things that inspire me
Guest posts and mentions
Belle Vivir
Captivated by image
Captivated by image (2)
Fashioned by Love
fashionsensitive
LatteLisa
Little Bits of Lovely
Prêt à Porter P
The Alternative Wife
Trust Your Style
Vintage Lifestyle Magazine
Interviews and features on Classiq
Kimia Kline
Mary Jo Matsumoto
Mary Jo Matsumoto (2)
Chic Files
Classiq bookstore
Cinema Classiq
Recent posts
A few favourite posts
A personal touch
A white affair
Adrian: Silver Screen to Custom Label
Balenciaga and Spain
Ballerina dress
Beautiful Bucharest: Portobello
Cary Grant: A Celebration Of Style
Haider Ackermann Fall 2012
Hello, July
Henry Clarke: the lenses of elegance
Keep it simple
Nautical inspired: rope jewelry
On fashion and film, with Mary Jo Matsumoto
Portraits by Hugh Stewart
Revealing raw elegance
Style: To Catch A Thief
Style: Catherine Deneuve in 'Belle de jour'
San Francisco Chronicles and the knee length
The details make the design
Trouser cut
What's it in a bag?
Spring-summer 2012
Daily inspiration
Fashion, etc.
Photography
Decor & travel
Lifestyle & food
Archive
Blog etiquette
Movie photos credit