Joan Bennet, like you've never seen her before

1. Joan checking over bills. 2. Autographing pictures during lunch. 3. Trying out her new grill for frying bacon. 4. Reading to her daughter. 5. Joan and her daughter selecting lunch at the Farmer's Market. 6. Playing outside with her daughter. (wearing a gorgeous pair or trousers and a darling snood) 7. Joan adding finishing touches of red paint to propeller of Melinda's airplane. 8. Reclining on her bed while making her morning telephone calls on three telephones. 9. Maid helping Joan dress for dinner. 10. Joan descending her circular stair to hall. 11. Joan piling her children into the family station wagon. 12. Keeping a file of all her scripts in her basement.

A few things you might not know about the glorious 5'4" actress Joan Bennet; Aside from being an extraordinary actress Joan also sang in many of her films with her own voice, she was never dubbed. Joan was also nearsighted meaning she was unable to see distant objects clearly and wore glasses when not in the public view. I am also nearsighted and I rarely wear my glasses in public, but when I see pictures of classic film stars in there glasses I feel a bit more empowered to wear my glasses more often. Yay for wearing glasses! Joan was married four times and had five daughters; Adrienne Ralston Fox (became Diana Markey) born on February 20th 1928, Melinda Markey born on February 27 1934, Stephanie Wanger born on June 26 1943 and Shelley Wanger born on July 4 1948. Her 78 feature-length films include three bit parts in silents and 6 TV-movies. She also made five films for German director Fritz Lang, this is way more than any other American actor or actress who worked with him (many actors reportedly disliked working with Lang). Joan came from a family full of actors both her father and mother were actors as well as her grandmother, Rose Wood and her grandfather a prominent Shakespearean stage actor Lewis Morrison, birth name: Morris W. Morris.

Photographer: Peter Stackpole

Photo Credit: Life 1940

Icing on the cake

Gloves appear to have been worn as early as 440 BC but it wasn't until the 13th century that women started to wear gloves as an accessory. Women in the 1930s made wearing gloves more of a fashion statement rather than in item to protect or keep your hands warm. By the 1940s and 1950s gloves were an outfit staple for women and were worn almost everywhere. From social gatherings, to fancy restaurants, parties and even just going out to run errands or get grocery's. Gloves complete any look from a ball gown made of silk, a cotton day dress to a sexy corset (to the left Betty page in leather gloves, a gorgeous corset garters and stockings).

Styles:
A common favorite was and will always be wrist length gloves, perfect for every day wear and these were the most commonly worn gloves and can be found in any color and texture. Perfect to wear on a hot day or a cold night, the shorter glove is a must have for any gal trying to recreate the classic looks from the 1940s and 1950s. (to the right is a picture from the late 1940s, 3 lovely young lady's wearing gloves) Clean gloves were also the hallmark of a lady and white or cream were the most favoured gloves. Elbow length gloves as well as longer gloves are perfect for cold weather, going to the opera and also look great with an evening gown or a silk prom dress. It was very common for long styles to have buttons down the side, making it much easier and elegant to take off the glove.

Gloves are a great way to make a subtle statement and complete that 1950s look. Plus they are easy to take off and put on to dress up or dress down and they look darling hanging out of your vintage purse when not worn. With so many styles to chose from; like buttons, bows, embroidery, cutouts and ruffles the options are endless and the list just goes on and on. My favorite look for summer are sheer gloves and gloves with cut outs, because they let in a breeze keeping your hands cool. My latest obsession is sheer gloves, I just bought 2 pairs: a new pair of sheer black elbow length gloves that look positively retro but are newly made and a pair of vintage dark blue wrist length gloves that are just stunning.

Gloves were worn everywhere in the 1950s and completed most any look or outfit, why not let them complete your classic look. Like icing on a cake, gloves just make any outfit a little bit more scrumptious.