A to Z Challenge post - G is for gabardine and Gaslight

Mornin' all! 

Today's G word comes from the world of fashion and textiles: gabardine. Gabardine is a tough, tightly woven fabric of worsted, cotton, polyester or other fiber with a twill weave used to make suits, overcoats, trousers, uniforms, windbreakers, and other garments. 

This is what gaberdine looks like up close.

It was invented in 1879 by Thomas Burberry, yes - founder of THAT Burberry fashion house - and was patented in 1888. The original fabric was waterproofed before weaving and was worsted or a worsted/cotton combination, tightly woven and water-repellent but was more comfortable that rubberized fabrics. The fabric takes its name from the word "gaberdine", originally a long, loose cloak or gown worn in the Middle Ages. Later, that name came to signify a rain cloak or a protective smock. 

This type of clothing was worn by polar explorers like Roald Amundsen, the first man to reach the South Pole, and Ernest Shackleton, who led the 1914 expedition to cross Antarctica.

So, there you have it.

Today's G movie is a classic: Gaslight. This 1944 film stars Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotton, and a very young Angela Landsbury. The plot is about a beautiful young woman and her new, handsome husband returning to the house her aunt was murdered in. However, he has a secret to protect, and he will do anything to keep it hidden - even driving his wife into insanity. I love, love, love this film and watch it every chance I get. The film won two Oscars in 1945: Best Actress In A Leading Role (Ingrid Bergman) and Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Black and White.

This is a great film to watch while wrapped up in blankets, in your jam-jams, eating popcorn while it's raining outside. Or just, you know, whenever.

TTFN!