May 23, 2011

Uncertain Tippy: Hitchcock's Subconscious Influence

Tippy dress from Anthro paired for styling purposes with:
Moth cropped bow cardi from Anthro
Marc by Marc Jacobs mary jane pumps
Kate Spade tote

I am so grateful to Laura of Anthro Closet Chaos for putting out an APB on this Anna Sui Hitchcock-inspired dress called the Tippy. I never saw it in my local stores so by the time it went on sale, I was clueless about sizing. But I wanted it desperately! And I tracked down a size 6 thanks to reader, Melanie. Thank you both!

I have been a major fan of Alfred Hitchcock's work since I was a child, sneaking late night episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents on Nick at Nite (back when they played television classics from the 50s and 60s). My brother and I consumed and obsessed over the popular canon of his cinematic creations as teenagers. And I studied the psychoanalytic theories that influenced the director as a graduate student. A few years ago I was gifted a Hitchcock box set from my parents. It allowed me to see a bunch of works with which I was previously unfamiliar. And although I grew to adore some of the lesser known movies, I still love the cult classics.

In fact, I worry that my love for Hitchcock and his masterpiece of special effects, The Birds has colored how I see this dress. Such an influence could be more powerful than sale goggles. It's silly and short-sighted to buy something based on the intellectual and pop cultural associations it evokes for me. Sure, I've mused before that materiality is more meaningful than the mere acquisition of stuff. But I am not so certain that this dress is the right fit for me, despite its evocations. So opinions and yays or nays are welcome! This was a pricier piece than I usually buy (even on sale), during a period of relative fiscal austerity. Help me answer: Do I like this dress only because I like thinking about the film?

Hitchcock's The Birds is a remarkably misogynist take on the shifting norms of gender and courtship at the mid-century. Anxieties over the meaning of masculinity, if and when a woman aggressively pursues a suitor (in the context of heterosexual relationships) permeate the script, which was based on a novella by Daphne du Maurier. Ultimately our beautiful, confident, modern heroine (played by Tippy Hedron, after which this dress was named) is reduced and quite literally henpecked to near oblivion. By the film's end, the audience is left to presume that the "natural" order of things (in the gendered world, where femininity caves into submission and masculinity enjoys supremacy) has prevailed. The woman has been "put in her place" by nature's revolt against human progress. It is disturbing and powerful to witness. To read about Hitchcock's films and gender, check out The Women Who Knew Too Much: Hitchcock and Feminist Theory.

I fell in love with this dress because I was already in love with the film. Then I saw it looking amazing on some of my favorite bloggers! Help me decide what to do. And be sure to check out how those bloggers wear it! See Laura wear the Tippy here. See Becca here. And see Anjali here.

12 comments:

Josie said...

It's hard to say. When I initially saw this dress I didn't think much of it. I then saw it on the mentioned above bloggers and I took notice. I liked it each time I saw it on one them more and more to the point I thought about buying it. I think it looks really cute on you but the question is how do you feel in it. Even if you feel happy in it because of it's Hitchcock reference I think it's fine to keep.

Tricia Mickelsen Thomas said...

 I really like that dress and it fits you perfectly!!

zyzzyva said...

 I may be a teensy bit biased, since I also bought the Tippi, but I think you look fantastic and vote for keeping it!  :D  I felt it was different from other items I own (in a good way -- color, high-contrast print, breezy cut) and will really appreciate the airy quality when Summer hits full force (and the drawstring waist for the accompanying summer barbecues... ;).  Lastly, worst-comes-to-worst, I don't think you'll have trouble selling it later if you end up deciding against it. 
I'm way behind on my Hitchcock, but my last apt was inexplicably plagued by *hundreds* of crows that'd leave at dawn and return at dusk.  The sky would literally blacken with birds.  Quite creepy.  And noisy.  For me, this dress is a little tribute to having escaped them [alive ;) ]. 

Kim said...

I love the dress and think it looks awesome and flattering on you Jess.  Keep, keep, keep! 

carly-strawberryheelsforever said...

Looooooove this dress in you!!  You look great in it.  I like the print, the colour, the cut... that all equals KEEP in my books!

cristina said...

 Hi there! I'm a new lurker and new anthro blogger and I too got this dress last weekend on sale. It was an amazing find so I bought it without taking too much time to think of it. Mine fits me pretty much exactly the way yours fits you and my only hesitation with it is the length being slightly shorter then I prefer and the drop waist detailing sits just on my hips and doesn't just fall down loosely. I love the dress though but I'm still in the deciding stages on it. I know I will wear it over black leggings (nobody pounce! I like leggings!!) but not positive I will wear it as a dress. It's not my husbands favourite but I still really like it so I'm leaning towards keeping it. It's special and I love the colors. Is it bad to keep it as a trophy piece? 
http://anthropologieaddictwestcoaststyle.blogspot.com/

thatdamngreendress said...

I love the unique colour, cut and details in this dress ( and it looks beautiful with your cropped cardigan too).  I mean, mint silk?  Yes!  It's just special...

It doesn't expressThe Birds to me, since the details are so fun and cartoony- maybe Beardsley or Burton-esque?

Meghan said...

I think you look adorable in the Tippi dress, Jess!  The color is so pretty and the pattern is very unique.  The shape, length, and neckline are very flattering on you.  As long as you really like it too, I saw keep it for sure!!!  It just makes it even more special that the name has special meaning to you due to your love of Hitchcock!

Jesspgh of Consume or Consumed said...

Ooh I am excited to check out your blog! Thanks for the link.

I know what you mean about the drop waist. I kind of wish it was designed without the seaming, though I get that the seaming also gives the skirt's lower tiers their shape and visual interest.

I love how you paired it with leggings! I think it looks super cute (and commented as much on your blog entry)

I don't think it is bad to keep as a trophy piece. I just am uncertain personally because I have been trying to curb my own consumption. I just don't have any reason to buy more clothes. I have too many as it is. So I feel conflicted because I know this purchase was superfluous even if I feel fondly about the dress itself.

Laura Martin said...

You are fabulous in the Tippi Dress with the Jemima Shrunken Bow Cardi.  I actually found this same Anna Sui Dress in another print for $450.  The print made it look like a night gown.  I think Anna Sui cut an amazing deal on this print for Anthro.  So do not second guess the sale price.

Jesspgh of Consume or Consumed said...

Thank you Laura! I saw that post on your blog and although I love Anna Sui I definitely prefer the Tippi print for this style. I mean the print is why I am willing to overlook its fit issues in the first place... :)

Kristin said...

I love it on you!  The color is great, it's interesting, it fits you really well, etc.  I think it's a keeper, although if you have doubts, maybe you should think it over for a few more days.  

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails