
In the 1953 romantic comedy film *How to Marry a Millionaire*, Lauren Bacall stars as one of three fashionable Manhattan models who move into a posh New York apartment together as part of a plan to marry millionaires. The film showcases Bacall's 1950s fashion, including a classy blue suit with black pumps and a pearl necklace, a typical 1950s floral dress with a full skirt, and blue slacks with a white sweater. Bacall's character, Shatze, almost marries a wealthy older man she doesn't love, but ultimately chooses true love with Tom Brookman, who she believes is a gas station attendant but is actually worth around $200 million. The film inspired a 1957 sitcom of the same name, a 2000 TV remake with reversed gender roles, and a planned remake by Nicole Kidman's production company.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film | How to Marry a Millionaire |
| Year | 1953 |
| Genre | Romantic comedy |
| Lauren Bacall's character | Schatze |
| Wedding dress description | 1950s style blue suit with a simple pair of black pumps and a pearl necklace |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

The blue suit, black pumps, and pearls
In the 1953 film How to Marry a Millionaire, Lauren Bacall's character Schatze wears a classy 1950s-style blue suit with a simple pair of black pumps and a pearl necklace. This outfit is worn when her character first meets Tom Brookman, who falls for her. Schatze initially dismisses him as a gas station attendant, but he recognises her from a magazine and calls her up.
Throughout the film, Bacall's character showcases a range of fashionable outfits, including a 1950s-style dress with a sheer top, a light floral pattern, and a full skirt, as well as blue slacks with a white sweater cardigan set. These outfits contribute to the overall aesthetic of the film and help to define her character's sense of style and sophistication.
The blue suit and black pumps combination is a signature look for Bacall's character, reflecting her sophistication, class, and determination to marry a millionaire. The outfit is a memorable part of the film and has become iconic, along with Bacall's performance and the overall fashion of the era.
Bustling High-Low Wedding Gowns: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$19.99 $44.99

Floral summer outfit and parasol
In the 1953 romantic comedy film How to Marry a Millionaire, Lauren Bacall's character Schatze wears a typical 1950s-style floral summer outfit with a light floral pattern and a full skirt, paired with a white parasol.
To recreate this classic look, here are some ideas for a floral summer outfit and parasol combination:
For the outfit, look for a dress with a sheer top and a full skirt that falls just below or at mid-calf length. A light floral pattern, such as small pastel-coloured blooms on a white or light-coloured background, will capture the delicate and romantic feel of the era. If you prefer a more modern take, you could opt for a bolder floral print with vibrant colours. As for the fabric, choose something lightweight and flowy, like cotton or chiffon, to keep you cool during the summer months.
For the parasol, a white or ivory option, like the one carried by Bacall's character, would be a timeless choice. Look for a style with a delicate lace edge or intricate embroidery for a touch of vintage glamour. If you want to add a modern twist, consider a parasol with a colourful floral print that complements your dress. For added functionality, ensure your parasol has UPF-treated fabric to protect you from the sun's rays, just as effectively as sunscreen or a sun hat.
Finish the look with a pair of heeled sandals or pumps and some simple jewellery, such as a string of pearls, to channel your inner Schatze.
With this outfit and parasol combination, you'll be stylishly protected from the sun, just like Lauren Bacall's character in How to Marry a Millionaire.
Designing Your Dream Wedding Dress: Pattern Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Blue slacks and a white cardigan
In the 1953 romantic comedy film How to Marry a Millionaire, Lauren Bacall's character, Schatze, wears a 1950s fashion outfit of blue slacks with a white cardigan. This is after another date with her millionaire boyfriend, who tells her that he is leaving New York.
In the film, Schatze is part of a trio of fashionable Manhattan models, including Betty Grable and Marilyn Monroe, who lease a posh New York apartment together in a plan to marry millionaires. Schatze is the ringleader of the three, and her plan consists of renting an apartment they can't afford and slowly selling off the furniture to live off of while they try to meet wealthy men.
Bacall's outfit of blue slacks and a white cardigan is just one of her stylish ensembles in the film. In another scene, she wears a 1950s-style blue suit with black pumps and a pearl necklace. She also sports a typical 1950s summer outfit, with a light floral pattern and a full skirt, carrying a white parasol to complete the look.
The film How to Marry a Millionaire showcases the fashion and style of the 1950s, with Bacall's character, Schatze, leading the way with her elegant and timeless outfits, including the iconic combination of blue slacks and a white cardigan.
Converse Comfort: A Unique Wedding Dress Style
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$45.99

Wedding dress
In the 1953 romantic comedy film How to Marry a Millionaire, Lauren Bacall's character Schatze wears a variety of outfits that showcase the fashion style of the 1950s. Unfortunately, there is limited information specifically about her wedding dress. However, one source mentions that Schatze comes close to marrying a wealthy older man that she doesn't love but ultimately decides to marry Tom Brookman, the man she loves, whom she believes is a gas station attendant.
Although details are scarce, we can assume that Schatze's wedding dress would reflect the fashion trends of the early 1950s. Wedding dresses of that era were known for their elegance and simplicity, often featuring full skirts, fitted bodices, and delicate fabrics such as lace, silk, or tulle. The "New Look" silhouette popularized by Christian Dior in 1947 influenced wedding fashion, emphasizing a small waist, a full skirt, and a return to femininity and opulence after the war years.
As for the colour, white was the traditional choice for wedding dresses in the 1950s, symbolizing purity and innocence. However, some brides chose dresses with subtle hints of colour, such as ivory, blush pink, or light blue. These colours were often used for the bodice or as accents throughout the dress, adding a touch of softness and romance.
In terms of style, 1950s wedding dresses often featured bateau or scoop necklines, cap sleeves, and fitted bodices that accentuated the waist. Full skirts were popular, often created with layers of tulle or netting to add volume and movement. Some dresses also incorporated delicate lace overlays or three-dimensional floral embellishments for a romantic and elegant touch.
While we may not have specific details about Schatze's wedding dress in the film, imagining the style and elegance of 1950s wedding fashion can help us envision the type of gown she might have worn as she walked down the aisle to marry her true love, Tom Brookman.
Wedding Card Etiquette for Late Arrivals
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The score by Alfred Newman
The score for the 1953 film How to Marry a Millionaire was composed and directed by Alfred Newman, with incidental music by Cyril Mockridge and orchestration by Edward B. Powell. The original motion picture soundtrack album was released on CD by Film Score Monthly on March 15, 2001, as part of their Golden Age Classics series. It was re-released on January 4, 2005.
The score is notable for its use of Newman's symphonic piece "Street Scene", which he originally wrote in the style of George Gershwin for the 1931 film of the same name. The film's theatrical version begins with a nearly six-minute overture of "Street Scene", performed on-screen by an 80-piece studio orchestra, billed as "The Twentieth Century Fox Symphony Orchestra". This serves to showcase the film's new four-track magnetic stereophonic sound system and widescreen visuals. The orchestra appears throughout the film in wide shots, with no close-ups of the players or Newman.
Much of the rest of the score consists of similarly familiar, pre-existing compositions, including several pieces composed by George Gershwin. The Gershwin-like music is used for the title credits, after an elaborate five-minute pre-credit sequence showcasing a 70-piece orchestra conducted by Newman. The score for How to Marry a Millionaire was one of the first to be recorded for film in stereo.
How to Clean Your Wedding Dress Years Later
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Three models, Schatze (Lauren Bacall), Loco Jones (Betty Grable), and Michelle "Mike" Page (Marilyn Monroe), lease a New York apartment together, each with the plan to marry a millionaire. Schatze is the ringleader of the three and her plan mostly consists of renting a posh New York apartment that they can’t afford and slowly selling off the furniture to fund their scheme to meet wealthy men. The other two women trade riches for true love, falling for men that aren’t wealthy. Schatze is then faced with the same decision: true love or a millionaire. She comes close to marrying a wealthy older man that she doesn’t love, but ultimately decides to marry the man she loves, Tom Brookman (Cameron Mitchell), who she believes is a gas station attendant. In the end, Tom turns out to be extremely wealthy.
Schatze.
Lauren Bacall's character, Schatze, wears a classy 1950s-style blue suit with black pumps and a pearl necklace. She also wears a typical 1950s dress with a sheer top, a light floral pattern, and a full skirt, paired with a white parasol. Another outfit includes blue slacks with a white sweater cardigan set.
Schatze is unable to go through with her marriage to the millionaire and confesses to J.D. that she loves Tom. J.D. agrees to call off the ceremony and Schatze and Tom get married.
Yes, in 1957, the film was adapted into a sitcom with the same title. In 2000, 20th Century Fox Television produced a made-for-TV remake called "How to Marry a Billionaire: A Christmas Tale," which reversed the sex roles, featuring three men looking to marry wealthy women.











































