When Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992) appeared in white tie and tails in the 1930 film Morocco, audiences were mesmerized. It’s an incredible entrance: she strolls onto the stage with insouciant glamour, sings a song in French, throws back some champagne, and then steals a kiss from a lady in the audience. What a way to make a Hollywood debut! She was nominated for an Oscar for that film, and her status as an icon was sealed. (Head over to Turner Classic Movies to see the clip.)
To channel Marlene Dietrich, you need full white tie: that means a tailcoat, top hat, etc., etc. Here are the individual pieces:
1. Black tailcoat.
2. Top hat.
4. Women’s wing collar tuxedo shirt.
5. Women’s black tuxedo pants.
6. Dark blonde wig. Marlene Dietrich did not actually have blonde hair; it was light brown. But she was photographed in such a way that the light made her hair appear blonde. A dark blonde wig like this will give more or less the right look.
