Just a few hours ago, I finished my first-ever viewing of The Graduate, the classic 1967 flick starring Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman. While I enjoyed the plot and story well enough, what really blew me away were the iconic lingerie scenes, including the famous one pictured up above of Mrs. Robinson slipping on her nylon stockings.
After recognizing the manufacturers of two of the most popular looks and realizing that they had very passable modern-day counterparts, I realized I couldn’t go to sleep tonight without making a quick little blog post. I hope you get as much pleasure out of reading this piece, as I got from writing it…maybe I’ll turn Lingerie & The Movies into a semi-regular series. What do you think?
You’ll have to excuse me while I gush like a star-crazed fan for a minute because this leopard print lingerie by Vanity Fair is one of my favorite sets of all time. I first wrote about Vanity Fair’s leopard lingerie back in July 2008, 3 months after I started blogging, and I’ve been enamored with it ever since. You can sometimes find the original pieces on e-bay or Etsy, but if you just can’t wait, Lucy B’s Mink leopard print set is a great take on the original. If you’re too curvaceous for a soft-cup bra, take a look at the underwired Tigress bullet bra.
Though I don’t have absolute confirmation, Anne Bancroft’s black lace overlay bra (which is sooo seductive!) looks remarkably similar to other vintage bras I’ve seen from that time period by the label Vassarette. What I love about this style of bra is how it manages to be wearable, sexy, and confident all at the same time. If you’re looking for something similar, Mimi Holliday by Damaris makes a great selection of beautiful lace overlay bras. The one pictured above is sold through Figleaves in up to a GG cup.
Last, but not certainly not least, let’s talk stockings. Because really, how good of a lingerie addict would I be if I neglected this critical part of Mrs. Robinson’s wardrobe? Mrs. Robinson appears to be wearing nylon RHTs (that means Reinforced Heel Toe) for this scene as I didn’t notice the backseam or darkened sole typical of fully fashioned stockings. If you want authentic, vintage style, RHT stockings there is no better place to go than Secrets in Lace. And at only $20/pair, they’re an affordable splurge.
Have you ever seen The Graduate? Did you like it? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Photo Credits: NY Daily News, Esquire, AllStarPics.net, Vain.com
An all-time favorite. Ann Bancroft remained beautiful throughout her long life. And yes, the knickers were lovely, wasted entirely on Dustin Hoffman.
So glad you finally got to see this classic.
Thanks!
Love this, what a great idea! You should definitely make this a series!
I have been so nuts about the black-lace-over-beige look lately. Why oh why did you have to tempt me with that Mimi Holliday bra? It's so simply pretty but my credit card is already aching!
You definitely need to make this a recurring feature. No, I've never seen The Graduate. If what I have heard is correct, Dustin Hoffman was not the first actor considered for the lead. According to what I've heard, the producers' first choice was a TV star, but the studio producing his series wouldn't agree to it. That actor was Burt Ward.
please do! I love lingerie & I love cinema, it's a perfect couple :)(and regarding TV maybe a post about Mad Men? if there isn't too many people talking about their wardrobe already…)
My whole blog's central theme revolves around lingerie in classic movies (and where to find it). It's so much fun writing about it! Since I watch so many vintage movies, I'm forever blogging!! lol
Keep it up, it's really fun!
Oh I adore watching for lingerie shots on film, and I was considering this sort of blog post myself, I'm having an early 20th century lingerie obsession at the moment, I recommend "Henry and June",
"Miss Pettigrew lives for a Day", and the TV series, "Boardwalk Empire", sooo pretty!!
Yep. Needs to be a series.
OH MY! I was 17 when The Graduate came out and it was considered very risque, so caused quite a buzz at school. Parents were not happy, but of course that made it a MUST SEE movie.
Most of us were in awe, as our lingerie in HS was pastels and white cotton high tops and white bras with the circular stitching on the cups. Panty hose was a new thing and we were all thrilled we did not have to wear girdles or garterbelts to hold up stocking. No one went barelegged! I am getting such a charge out of seeing all the vintage lingerie!
I just watched The Graduate again last night for the first time in years, and this morning while looking up info on the late Anne Bancroft, I saw the famous photo in which she is pulling on her stocking as Dustin Hoffman looks on. What's funny is that in all the times I've watched the movie over the decades, I never quite saw the picture as the scene proceeds, but last night I saw it easily. I have to think that is perhaps the most iconic cinema image of the 1960s.