BY KAILEY TEDESCO
1. Andrea Fletcher in Premonition (1976):
What it’s about: Andrea Fletcher (Ellen Barber) will stop at nothing to be reunited with her biological daughter who is currently being cared for by a loving foster family. Her plan to enlist the help of a traveling sad clown to reclaim her child is foiled when the clown turns out to be murderous. Now deceased, Andrea possesses the dreams of her child’s foster mom so that they can both rescue the young girl from the nefarious clown. It’s a wild, campy, and beautiful film with some surprisingly progressive commentary on motherhood and empathy.
How to get the look: Andrea Fletcher probably doesn’t give a damn what she looks like. She’s on a mission to get her daughter back, and in the meantime she’s all about cradling dolls in abandoned houses. That calls for minimalistic pieces you can throw on in a hurry. Her signature red sateen dress has a sequin trim that makes a subtle statement, and also suggests costuming— perhaps to mirror her feelings about her current role as a mother. She also wears a large, vintage cameo choker.
For something similar, try:
2 & 3. Mildred “Millie” Lammoreaux & Mildred “Pinky” Rose in 3 Women (1977)
What it’s about: After getting hired at a spa in California, the shy Pinky (Sissy Spacek) becomes immediately attached to her co-worker Millie (Shelley Duvall). In a dreamlike desert town, both women evolve into and away from one another. Their identities are at once distinct and interchangeable to the point where both characters meld completely with Willie, a third woman who delivers a still born child. The world surrounding them is inscrutable unless examined through the lens of a women’s magazine. And even then, the perception of womanhood is increasingly disrupted through scenes of chaos & misogyny. It’s considered an avant-garde drama, and if you didn’t realize when I said it earlier it bears repeating that both Sissy Spacek AND Shelley Duvall star in this together!
How to get the look: This film has pastel goth written all over it. Both Pinky and Millie wear a variety of candy-colored co-ords, mid-century gingham prints, and flawless pigtails. While the film is tense, every outfit is calm & cool, just as you’d imagine the softest of summer looks.
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4. Florence Tanner in The Legend of Hell House (1973)
What it’s about: Let’s just say this movie isn’t all that short, but the ending sure is! (Please watch to understand just how corny that joke was.)
Inspired by Richard Matheson’s novel (and surely reminiscent of some Shirley Jackson classics), this movie follows an eclectic group of scientists & spiritualists who decide to venture into the mansion of a late millionaire in search of paranormal activity. Florence Tanner (Pamela Franklin), a medium and spiritualist minister (also a total badass), finds herself manifesting physical energy throughout the house. It’s not long before she’s blamed for the strange phenomena & alienated from the rest of the group, left to ward off the angry spirit of the millionaire’s son by herself. Without spoiling too much, it’s safe to say that Florence uses her spiritual gifts for the enlightenment of the group until the very end, often sacrificing herself for them despite their skepticism in her power and her accounts of harm & abuse.
How to get the look: Florence is decked out from beginning to end in sheer smock dresses, sleek bodysuits, and bold statement collars and ruffles. Perhaps most importantly, she accessorizes every one of her looks with metallic rings & of course, her large silver cross.
For something similar, try:
This ruffle-trim velvet dress.
This pink frilled smock dress.
Kailey Tedesco's books She Used to be on a Milk Carton (April Gloaming Publications) and These Ghosts of Mine, Siamese (Dancing Girl Press) are both forthcoming. She is the editor-in-chief of a Rag Queen Periodical and a performing member of the NYC Poetry Brothel. Her work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. You can find her poetry featured or forthcoming in Prelude, Prick of the Spindle, Bellevue Literary Review, Vanilla Sex Magazine, and more. For more information, please visit kaileytedesco.com.