Alas, I could not open the file for FILM NOIR STYLE. I so wanted to see the clothing of 1940s femme fatales and their shady male counterparts. So I read everything I could find online about the book and the look.

Truhler, a fashion historian, suggests this genre was influenced by German Expressionism as well as the designers who made costumes that defined the characters and films. Think sexy black gowns, structured suits with shoulder pads, double-breasted trench coats for actors like Bogart.

The author uses 20 films to illustrate how style evolved from 1941 to 1950, impacted by WWII and its rationing, as well as the severity of noir. We also get to meet the actresses and actors of the era and the designers themselves who had such enormous influence.

5 of 5 Stars for the cover and the intriguing concept.

Pub Date 29 Sep 2020

Thanks to the author, GoodKnight Books, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#FilmNoirStyle #NetGalley

Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s by Kimberly Truhler is a fascinating read. I can't resist the film noir genre, hard-boiled crime fiction, or anything noir-esque if we're being honest so I knew I needed to give this a try as soon as I saw it. I enjoyed looking at the still photos, reading about the history of the films, and all about the fashion designs that helped make the film come to life. I didn't learn a whole lot of new to me information because like I've said I really like the genre and its background. That said it's still worth picking up if you're interested in the genre and I added a few noir movies I've never had the chance to see before to my watchlist.