I’ve been meaning to do another edition of Fashion + Food + Film (a series we began in the height of quarantine) for a while now, but I wanted to wait until one of my favorite seasons for this one – trench coat season! We’ll get into that in a bit. In honor of my favorite day of the week, Friday, let’s discuss one of my favorite classic films of all time – Casablanca!
If you’re new here, my series Fashion + Food + Film, is basically a mini guide to your next date night in (or solo evening of “me time”), complete with something fun to wear, an easy recipe, and a film to watch. These posts are a great way to continue to enjoy our time spent at home and they’ve given me something unique to look forward to.
Check out my other Fashion + Food + Film posts here!
The Film
Casablanca was released in 1942 and stars a couple of my favorites, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Bogart plays Rick, an American expat who owns Rick’s Café Américain in the Vichy-controlled city of Casablanca, Morocco. If you remember your history, Vichy was allied to Nazi Germany. Rick’s Cafe attempts to be a neutral zone serving customers from Vichy French and Germans to refugees. One day Rick’s former love, Ilsa, arrives at his cafe with her husband, a fugitive Czech Resistance leader. They need letters to escape to America but Rick won’t help them, at least at first. I won’t go into the rest of the story because it will give too much away. But I’ll leave you with these questions: Why won’t Rick help? What happened with their love affair? Was she already married at the time? Will Isla and her husband ever escape to America? Casablanca is truly a fascinating film filled with romance, mystery, and suspense. It won Best Picture and if you haven’t seen it, queue it up!
The Fashion
I referenced trench coat season above (did you know there is such a thing?), and it’s why I saved this edition of Fashion + Food + Film until now. Throughout Casablanca the clothes are elegantly minimal and tailored. I love the dresses and hats Isla wears with pretty collars and cuffs, structured shoulder pads, and a mix of simple stripes with what I can only assume is a monochromatic palette (the film is in black and white). But my updated take on the fashion of this film is actually modeled after Bogie’s trench coat in the iconic final scene – “Here’s looking at you, kid.” Is there a more timeless piece in one’s closet?
I love this trench coat so much. It’s lightweight but also warm enough for chilly days. It’s great in the rain and looks fabulous dressed up or down. Today I’m wearing it for errands with a simple black t-shirt, straight leg jeans, sneakers, and a black top handle bag. It’s my ode to the simple tailored looks from the film. Don’t forget a great pair of oversized sunglasses!
Outfit details: Trench Coat (can also be found here for a little higher price) | T-Shirt | Jeans | Sneakers | Sunglasses | Bag (sold out but I linked a VERY similar style that I also love here)
The Food
I recommend planning an entire evening around Casablanca, and that includes the food. Paul made Shrimp Mozambique, a buttery, garlicky Portugese shrimp dish with roots in Africa. It’s a great dish that works on its own or over rice or couscous. You’ll want leftovers but it’s so good that you probably won’t have them. I wanted to lick the pan!
You can find the recipe Paul used here (subscription required). Another variation of the dish can also be found here.
I hope this edition of Fashion + Food + Film has inspired you to get creative with your date nights or “me time” at home! Are there any movies you’d like to see me cover in this series?
xo – Erin
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Fashion + Food + Film | Vol. 5: Casablanca appeared first on CathedralsandCafes.com. If you see this content published anywhere else, please email cathedralsandcafes@gmail.com.
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