When On a Clear Day You Can See Forever premiered in 1970, audiences were captivated not only by Barbra Streisand’s performance, but also by the film’s lush, era-spanning fashion. Streisand’s wardrobe became a central part of the visual storytelling, carefully designed to reflect her dual-role character’s psychic, time-bending journeys between modern-day New York and Regency-era England. Behind the glamour and fantasy, however, was a rich collaboration between Hollywood costume legends Cecil Beaton and Arnold Scaasi—two men with entirely different aesthetics who together helped shape one of Streisand’s most visually memorable roles.
Preparing the Look of a Lifetime
Production on On a Clear Day You Can See Forever began to ramp up in late 1968, with Streisand reporting to Paramount Studios in October of that year to begin costume and hair tests. The musical film, directed by Vincente Minnelli and based on the 1965 Broadway musical of the same name, called for a unique visual blend—modern fashion with late-1960s flair and sumptuous, romantic period costumes for Streisand’s flashback scenes as the 19th-century Melinda.
Streisand, ever the perfectionist, was closely involved in the costuming process, and she had a clear vision of who she wanted to work with. For her modern-day wardrobe as Daisy Gamble, a neurotic yet charming New Yorker with psychic abilities, she turned to her trusted designer and friend Arnold Scaasi. A prominent figure in New York fashion circles and known for dressing First Ladies and Hollywood elite, Scaasi was already familiar with Streisand’s style and body language.
“In September 1968, I received a letter from Robert Evans, the head of Paramount Studios, saying that Barbra wanted me to do her modern clothes for the film On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,” Scaasi recalled in his memoir Women I Have Dressed (And Undressed). The deal was sealed with a $25,000 design fee, while Paramount Pictures footed the bill for the production and fabrication of the garments.
Scaasi described a rigorous but creatively rewarding process. “Before actual shooting began, I would fit some of the clothes when Barbra was in New York. Later, I would fly to Los Angeles almost every week and we would fit the new things. Usually, the head of the Paramount wardrobe department was with us.” These fittings were critical to refining Daisy’s eccentric yet fashionable image—colorful coats, mod mini-dresses, and flamboyant accessories all designed to reflect her offbeat charm and growing confidence throughout the film.
Enter Cecil Beaton: Master of Period Glamour
While Scaasi crafted the modern wardrobe, Oscar-winning designer and royal favorite Cecil Beaton was brought in to create the elaborate Regency-era costumes for the film’s historical sequences. Beaton, who had already earned acclaim for his work on My Fair Lady and Gigi, brought his signature blend of romanticism and historical precision to the table.
Beaton took his assignment seriously, devoting months to researching and sourcing the perfect materials for Streisand’s period gowns. In his published diaries, he wrote, “But although the clothes were mostly made here in London, the time spent in going to Tangier to get cheap tissues, and supervising each individual ball dress, was quite considerable.” Beaton’s dedication was not simply about aesthetics—it was about conjuring a believable 19th-century world that would stand in stark contrast to Daisy’s kaleidoscopic, modern-day life.
The result was a wardrobe of sweeping gowns in delicate pastels, intricate embroidery, empire waistlines, and accessories like bonnets and gloves that perfectly complemented Streisand’s transformation into the elegant Melinda. One of the standout ensembles was an ethereal white gown with gentle lace and floral detailing—designed by Beaton himself—that seemed to glow on screen. Streisand wore this gown with poise and grace, offering a stark, almost otherworldly contrast to her contemporary alter ego.
Streisand Between Two Worlds
Beaton was particularly intrigued by Streisand’s dual nature, and he captured his thoughts candidly in his writings. “The public sees her as very contemporary,” he observed, “but I think her soul is old-fashioned, and in all honesty, she was far more likeable, more at ease, in the old English sequences of the picture than as the neurotic college student in those dreadful mini-skirt creations!”
His remark, while laced with a touch of condescension toward the modern fashions, revealed something profound about Streisand’s screen presence: she had an uncanny ability to transcend time. Whether clad in Scaasi’s structured, quirky suits or Beaton’s romantic gowns, she inhabited both characters with equal force and believability.
Fashion That Told a Story
What made the costuming of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever particularly special was how it enhanced the film’s unique narrative. Daisy and Melinda weren’t just two roles; they were two halves of the same soul, and their wardrobes reflected that duality. Scaasi’s bright, contemporary outfits emphasized Daisy’s energetic neuroses and personal journey toward self-awareness, while Beaton’s period designs portrayed Melinda as serene, composed, and grounded in a different reality.
Though the film itself received mixed reviews upon release, Streisand’s performance and fashion were widely praised. Over time, the film has become something of a cult favorite among fans of vintage cinema, due in large part to its imaginative visual style.
A Legacy of Style and Collaboration
Today, the collaborative costuming efforts between Scaasi and Beaton remain one of the most fascinating aspects of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. It’s rare to see two powerhouse designers from such different fashion worlds working together so harmoniously, and even rarer to see an actress like Streisand wear both styles with such conviction.
In retrospect, the costumes did more than dress a character—they framed Streisand’s versatility, celebrated the art of fashion in film, and helped tell a story that spanned time, love, and reincarnation. Whether remembered for its haunting songs or its unforgettable gowns, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever stands as a unique cinematic gem—and Barbra Streisand, wrapped in silk and chiffon, remains its shining star.