TBT: Widows’ Peak (1994)

Widows’ Peak (1994) stars Natasha Richardson, Mia Farrow, and Joan Plowright in a 1920s Ireland-set story about a town run by widows. It’s a dark comedy, and while it’s not perfect, it’s a fun story for which I want to give as few spoilers as I can, while still highlighting the FABULOUS costumes by Consolata Boyle.

Many of the widows are older, and of course this is a small village, so they wear relatively dated, late-1910s-ish ensembles:

1994 Widows Peak — That perfect bowed late 1910s-20s hat shape! On the left, more covered up; on the right, that’s the classic square collar of the late 1910s. What I couldn’t find a good shot of was that many of these ladies have natural waistlines and slightly longer hems, which set their clothes more late-1910s than 1920s.

Center top, that square collar… | *Sears catalog, Fall 1917*

1927 - Wards catalog — It’s a feature of late 1910s fashion but stays through the 1920s | *Wards catalog, 1927*

1919 fashion plate — The bowed or curved hat brim (top right) comes in in the late 1910s… | *Sears, 1919*

1926 fashion plate -- American daywear. — And hangs around through the mid-1920s | *1926 fashion plate — American daywear*

1926 - Art Goût Beauté, Feuillets de l'élégance féminine — Cloche hats with small brims are more fashion forward | *Art Goût Beauté, Feuillets de l’élégance féminine, 1926*

The town matriarch is widow Mrs. Doyle-Counihan (Joan Plowright), who dresses like it’s about somewhere between 1900 and 1914:

1908 - De Gracieuse magazine — If they were trying to backdate her hair, they should have kept it flatter on top | *De Gracieuse magazine, 1908*

In a strange spot is Miss O’Hare, who’s an older woman of few means but not a widow:

Into the mix comes Edwina Broome, a glamorous young widow who shakes things up. According to the LA Times,

“Edwina is a seductress, but Boyle doesn’t exploit the obvious. She does make her coatless, so as not to conceal her shape and ‘to give the feeling that she’s not affected by the elements, that she’s not quite grounded, that she’s lighter than air,’ Boyle explains. And she does give her dresses that are always slipping off her shoulders, plus the appearance that she isn’t wearing any underwear. (She’s actually wearing a slip.) … All of Edwina’s dresses were made from period fabrics, then sewn together in London and Dublin, along with the other principal costumes. Crocheted pieces and jewelry are all period, including Bakelite bangles, pearls and garnet, jet and glass beads” (Widow Dressing).

I’m not going to tell you anything else that might give away the plot, other than to highly recommend this film! It’s entertaining, well acted and produced, and the costumes are really really great.

Have you seen Widows’ Peak? What did you think of the costumes?

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3 thoughts on “TBT: Widows’ Peak (1994)”

Aleko says:

September 28, 2023 at 7:38 am

Isn’t that Adrian Dunbar squiring Edwina-the-seductress in several of those pics? Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the wee donkey!
Katie O. says:

September 28, 2023 at 8:33 am

I remember watching this a few years ago and enjoying myself, but now I remember almost none of the plot. It must be time for a rewatch!
Lily Lotus Rose says:

September 28, 2023 at 1:32 pm

Ooooh…thanks for this post! I haven’t seen this movie, and I had totally forgotten about it! It looks absolutely gorgeous, and the actresses in it are amazing. I know it’s going to be good! A few months ago, I finally watched Enchanted April and since then have longed to watch the 90s-made women’s movie from around that era. I finally tracked down a used copy of Tea with Mussolini (which I’d wanted to see for forever). I think Widow’s Peak I’ll watch Widow’s Peak after I finish Tea… Thanks again!!