Recreating the Look: Winona Ryder’s 1940s Mustard Dress in “The Plot Against America”

I feel like it’s been ages since I’ve done a proper fashion shoot, and I’ve been wanting to do one with this dress since I watched the show The Plot Against America and spied a similar dress worn by Winona Ryder. So I decided to recreate the look. If you haven’t seen this show, I highly recommend it. It’s an alternate history set in 1940. The subject matter can be disturbing, but I think it was very well done and the costumes are spectacular.

As soon as I watched this scene I ran upstairs and grabbed this dress from my dressing room and starting planning an outfit. I strive for authenticity in my style but there are so many times where I feel like I’m missing the mark simply because I don’t own many true vintage garments and almost all of my clothes are modern reproductions. So it’s very validating when I see a garment from a period movie or a vintage photograph and I know that I can recreate the same look with something I already have in my wardrobe.

Dress: eShakti
Earrings: Vintage from Chez PouPoule
Hat: Vintage
Beaded Hair Net: Vintage
Gloves: Vintage from PrimaMona
Shoes: Rocket Originals
Purse: Collectif

The details on this dress make it extraordinary. The ruffling on the shoulder and waist, the delicate keyhole at the neckline, the peplum waist, and the fabric covered buttons on the sleeves add that special vintage flare.