Cold Comfort Farm

"When I am 53, I hope to write a novel as good as Persuasion, but in a modern setting."

-Flora Poste in Cold Comfort Farm

The 1995 movie with Kate Beckinsale is a favorite around here, as is the 1932 Stella Gibbons novel. We’ve read the book and watched this movie so many times it’s silly. As Flora Poste, Miss Beckinsale gets to wear some lovely period outfits – smart little dresses for Town, evening gowns for nightclubbing, and lots of sturdy woolens, tweed, and - sigh! - knitwear for Country.

These lovely screencaps are from a Kate Beckinsale fansite, http://kate-b.net/2010/02/07/cold-comfort-farm-screencaps. There are MANY more where these came from - if you’ve ever obsessed over one of Flora’s outfits, and want to see it from every possible angle (um… not that we know anyone who would do that…), they probably have what you're looking for.

**Spoiler warning though – if you haven’t seen the film, these pictures may give away some of the action.***

Arrival, in a cloche.

Tea with Mrs. Smiling, who, as played with her usual fabulousness by Joanna Lumley, is one of our role models.

Mrs Smiling: "Of course you may stay here as long as you like. But I expect you should want to find some work to earn enough for a flat of your own. "

Flora: "Work! What kind of work? "

Mrs. Smiling: "Oh, it's been ages since I've done any, but there must be something that would do... bookkeeping... beekeeping..."

Sophisticated nightclub style.


Flora's straight hair is finger waved for the evening. Some great hairstyles go dancing by in this scene - case in point: the woman in green between Flora and Charles.

"Well,' said Mrs Smiling, 'it sounds an appalling place, but in a different way from all the others. I mean, it does sound interesting and appalling, while the others just sound appalling."

-Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons

Off to C.C.F. in a wonderful suit and a odd little knit cap.



The skirt from the suit worn with a vest and darling blouse.



Walking in the hills outfit.

Love this top. The gray skirt will be seen again soon.

Tea in the village. Linen duster over another cute little blouse.

This is adorable.

Mrs. Smiling's advice:

"It's bad to be dewy-eyed around smart people, but you can always secretly despise them."

"Amusing or diverting, my dear, not... *such fun*"

There's the gray skirt... with a knit top to die for.

This embroidered gardening apron is SO cute...

Chanel-esque dress with black touches.

Closer look at The Hat and crocheted gloves.

And, the suit again, perfect for travel.