Magnificent OBSESSION

Ewan McGregor and Natalia Vodianova Photographed by Peter Lindbergh for VOGUE US.

WE LIKE IKE

The American dream, c. 1957: two cherubic children; Dad's a gray-suited young executive on the rise; Mom runs their fashionable new house in a bedroom community not far from Manhattan. Louis Vuitton embroidered silk sweater, leather skirt, gloves and bag; VUITTON. On McGregor:Dior Homme suit. On twins: Isabel Garreton coats and Bonnets.

MID-CENTURY MODERN

She's dressed-like Jane Wyman in a bittersweet Douglas Sirk romance-in one of the chic full skirts that came in with the New Look in 1947 and reigned until the early 1960s as the emblem of the 1950s women: traditionally feminine, nurturing, decorous. Ralph Lauren Collection taffeta jacket and skirt; Ralph Lauren Collection, NYC.

IMITATION OF LIFE

The Universal Studios Sirk look focused on a lush, overripe Technicolor palette-like the hypervivid kaleidoscope print of her dress and the cherries-in-the-snow shine of her bag and slingbacks. Prada wool-and-silk-radzimir dress, handbag, and kitten heels; dress at select Prada boutiques. On twins: Ralph Lauren Childrenswear cardigans. Fleurisse dresses.

FAR FROM HEAVEN

Like Julianne Moore in Todd Haynes's homage to the genre, Natalia is a swan frantically padding underneath a placid surface of bourgeois satisfaction. Nina Ricci bustier top and skirt; Carla Martinengo, Dallas. House of Lavande earrings. On McGregor: Burberry London shirt and tie.

REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE

The catalyst of our renegade heroine's break from society's constraints is, of course, the other man. Working-class and sporting a James Dean pompadour, he's all wrong. Will she choose love or convention? Vera Wang silk-taffera dress; Vera Wang, NYC. Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere brooch and bracelet. On waiter: Raf Simmons pants.

LET'S PLAY HOUSE

Impeccably turned out in a swaying hourglass frock, pumps, and brooch, she's the very image of feminine complicity in the status quo. (But, out of husband's earshot:transgression.) Dries Van Noten wool dress, Bergdorf Goodman, NYC. Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere brooch.

ON THE ROCKS

McGregor (who appears next in Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang) takes the news in manly Rock Hudson style, with a belt of scotch and a tie-shorn tuxedo. Marc Jacobs, NYC. Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere earrings. On McGregor: Dior Homme tuxedo.

SEPTEMBER SONG

"And the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame, and i haven't got time for the waiting game..." With the poignant 1950 hit tune playing in her head, she tumbles from grace in tumbling-leaf orange 9one of the decade's favorites colors). Oscar de la Renta silk dress; Oscar de la Renta boutiques. Prada handbag and suitcase. On twins: Papo d'Anjo cardigans and dresses.

TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN

A respectable suit even Pat Nixon could love opens to reveal sinful satin lingerie. (Like a good housewife, c. 1963, blossoming to reveal her hidden sexuality and ambition after reading The Feminine Mystique.) Dolce&Gabbana virgin-wool jacket, silk bodysuit and skirt 70-DGUSA. Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere necklace. Hermes bag.

SCARLET WOMAN

Cinematographers' hues in these maternal melodramas were often symbolic. What else could this fallen woman wear? (The suit's cut suggests the waistless "sack" look pioneered by daring women in 1957 and 1958.) Lanvin wool double-breasted jacket and skirt; Lanvin, NYC. Louis Vuitton handbag (smaller of the two) and bow-toe shoes.

THERE'S ALWAYS TOMORROW

Brazen to the last, she meets her lover in public, dressed dashingly for her escape. Rochas cashmere-and-silk top, brocade pants, slingbacks, and leopard handbag; Barneys New York, NYC.