Costume designer Bill Thomas created this beautiful riding habit for Ann Blyth as Countess Marina Selanova in the 1952 film The World in His Arms. The piece was likely used numerous times over the years but was next seen as late as 1985 in North and South, where Genie Francis wore it as Brett Main.

This costume was part of the Golden Closet Archives auction through Julian’s Auctions, where it ultimately sold for $1152 and was described as follows:

You can view the auction here. The catalog describes the costume as follows:

The satin faille two-piece period costume has a fitted bodice with three-quarter-length bell sleeves, a V neckline, five self-covered buttons, nutmeg brown velvet trim on lapel, cuffs, shoulder caps and edges, ivory eyelet inset and cuffs and a pleated floor-length skirt with small train, velvet and satin piping trim along hem, and hook and eye with snap back closure. A bias label handwritten “Brett” is present in the bodice and an internal Universal International label inscribed “ANN BLYTH” and “Brett 10” is located in the skirt.

Auction catalogs are often crucial in helping us determine where clothing went on to be utilized after it was finished with its original usage. In this instance, the handwritten “Brett” on the tag indicates the second usage. The name, of course, leads us to the character of Brett Main in North and South.