Barbara Billingsley's costuming choices as June Cleaver were much more strategic... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 09-12-2023, 02:38 AM

than we realized

https://www.metv.com/stories/barbara...han-we-realize

June Cleaver's high heels and pearls actually served a much bigger purpose than you might think.

CosmicCharlie · 09-25-2023, 03:40 PM

Billingsley expressed that she made sure that June Cleaver’s skirts weren’t overly short, but also not overly long as well. Interestingly, the length of the skirts actually benefitted the show. Billingsley said, “It’s surprising. It was a good idea because it’s not dated.”

What ? does this make sense ?

ThisLittlePiggy · 09-25-2023, 03:49 PM

Skirts that are too short or too long would be associated more with certain eras in fashion history. A skirt which is not too long or too short wouldn't make the show seem so dated. I don't know if that's true but that's the idea.

CosmicCharlie · 09-25-2023, 03:55 PM

BUT the length of her Skirt IS WHAT MAKES IT DATED - no matter the length either way - it's dated as THAT ERA Fashion - and hers IS DATED late 50's to early 60's and nothing else

ThisLittlePiggy · 09-25-2023, 04:00 PM

Well, I said I didn't know if it was right, just that that's what she meant. At least it's not a mini skirt which would scream Sixties.

rusty spike · 09-25-2023, 04:59 PM

I always thought June's wardrobe looked sharp. I thought she dressed well throughout the series.

stevea · 09-25-2023, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmicCharlie

Billingsley expressed that she made sure that June Cleaver’s skirts weren’t overly short, but also not overly long as well. Interestingly, the length of the skirts actually benefitted the show. Billingsley said, “It’s surprising. It was a good idea because it’s not dated.”

What ? does this make sense ?

What she meant to say was: It was a bad idea because I couldn't get a date." lol

stevea · 09-25-2023, 10:30 PM

Seriously, the newer episodes hold up better than the first season, which looks really old-fashioned.

Off the subject, the one thing that was really dated even at the time, was the fogies who were picking the music for school dance scenes in the early 60s. Kid were not dancing to elevator music at the time. The teens must have gotten a good laugh at those scenes.

CosmicCharlie · 09-25-2023, 11:11 PM

ya the teen music (rock n roll) was ALL THE RAGE and they were ball room dancing - SO LAME

stevea · 09-26-2023, 06:09 AM

Even in the later years of Father Knows Best, a show that ended original episodes in 1960, teen dance scenes were using generic rock instrumentals.

rusty spike · 09-26-2023, 09:18 AM

With regards to wearing heels, was it wrong for growing boys to be taller than a petite and short mother?

All of my siblings grew taller than my short mother, and my mom didn't feel the need to be taller when cleaning the house or preparing meals. I

I think Billingsley wanted her legs to look better on TV

biffbronson · 09-26-2023, 10:49 AM

Here we go... and wearing her ever-present pearls too!!!

I didn't know that dark nail polish was popular back then:

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Name: 55346cc6498297c847390a16046d6fa2--vintage-girdle-june-cleaver.jpg
Views: 2652
Size: 49.4 KB

stevea · 09-26-2023, 12:50 PM

Not in the picture -- Ward panting in the background!

09-12-2023, 02:38 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,393	Barbara Billingsley's costuming choices as June Cleaver were much more strategic... than we realized https://www.metv.com/stories/barbara...han-we-realize June Cleaver's high heels and pearls actually served a much bigger purpose than you might think.

09-25-2023, 03:40 PM	#2
CosmicCharlie Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2019 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,444	Billingsley expressed that she made sure that June Cleaver’s skirts weren’t overly short, but also not overly long as well. Interestingly, the length of the skirts actually benefitted the show. Billingsley said, “It’s surprising. It was a good idea because it’s not dated.” What ? does this make sense ?

09-25-2023, 03:49 PM	#3
ThisLittlePiggy Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Nov 02, 2013 Posts: 84,700	Skirts that are too short or too long would be associated more with certain eras in fashion history. A skirt which is not too long or too short wouldn't make the show seem so dated. I don't know if that's true but that's the idea.

09-25-2023, 03:55 PM	#4
CosmicCharlie Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2019 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,444	BUT the length of her Skirt IS WHAT MAKES IT DATED - no matter the length either way - it's dated as THAT ERA Fashion - and hers IS DATED late 50's to early 60's and nothing else

09-25-2023, 04:00 PM	#5
ThisLittlePiggy Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Nov 02, 2013 Posts: 84,700	Well, I said I didn't know if it was right, just that that's what she meant. At least it's not a mini skirt which would scream Sixties.

09-25-2023, 04:59 PM	#6
rusty spike Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 08, 2015 Location: Southwest Posts: 1,124	I always thought June's wardrobe looked sharp. I thought she dressed well throughout the series.

09-25-2023, 10:30 PM	#8
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,734	Seriously, the newer episodes hold up better than the first season, which looks really old-fashioned. Off the subject, the one thing that was really dated even at the time, was the fogies who were picking the music for school dance scenes in the early 60s. Kid were not dancing to elevator music at the time. The teens must have gotten a good laugh at those scenes.

09-25-2023, 11:11 PM	#9
CosmicCharlie Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2019 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,444	ya the teen music (rock n roll) was ALL THE RAGE and they were ball room dancing - SO LAME

09-26-2023, 06:09 AM	#10
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,734	Even in the later years of Father Knows Best, a show that ended original episodes in 1960, teen dance scenes were using generic rock instrumentals.

09-26-2023, 09:18 AM	#11
rusty spike Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 08, 2015 Location: Southwest Posts: 1,124	With regards to wearing heels, was it wrong for growing boys to be taller than a petite and short mother? All of my siblings grew taller than my short mother, and my mom didn't feel the need to be taller when cleaning the house or preparing meals. I I think Billingsley wanted her legs to look better on TV

09-26-2023, 10:49 AM	#12
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,502	Here we go... and wearing her ever-present pearls too!!! I didn't know that dark nail polish was popular back then:

09-26-2023, 12:50 PM	#13
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,734	Not in the picture -- Ward panting in the background!