I have a recurring fantasy in which I enter a room at a party and stun everyone with my beauty-- you know, like the heroines do in the movies.
Moments like these are celebrated in fashion magazines all over the world; however, there's something to be said for unexpected looks--the styles that may not smolder off the screen and find their way into our literature, but which still manage to leave an impression anyway.
Here are my (not-quite-so-obvious) favorite styles in film:
A coronet of hair paired with a menswear suit? Check! A tomato colored scarf draped over the greenest of dresses? You got it. In this fascinating biopic, Frida Kahlo (played by Salma Hayek) wears whatever she wants and it all looks great. Sure, her wardrobe doesn't always make sense to the eye, but its refreshing blend of influences--- folkish, modern, and somewhat masculine, give the film a surreal feeling. And just look at that bundle of flowers growing from her hair. You wish you had fresh blooms lying around to tuck in yours (well, I do).
Long before there were any black swans, there lived the innocent Simonetta (played by Loretta Young). In this silent classic, she traipses about in tulle and satin, courted by her, er, adopted dad, Lon Chaney. Throughout the film, her hair is appropriately poufy and her eyeshadow, smeared in the flapper style. Running away with the circus never looked so appealing.
Don't even lie to yourself: Meryl Streep is a pure BAMF here, perpetual somber face and all. Take a quick gander at those frizzy, Pre-Raphaelite curls in the trailer below. And then envy her 1980s razor bob as the scenes alternate between centuries.
Back in the 1990s, I aspired to look like Janet Jackson, mid-back length braids, belly shirt, and all. Even now in 2012, I imagine my best-looking self with long ropes of hair. The Poetic Justice style remains popular (re Solange), because braids are timeless. They might change in thickness or length, but are always chic.
Deborah Kerr is utterly first-world in every frame of An Affair to Remember. Because of this, I couldn't muster up much sympathy for her, while watching. Maybe I would have if she didn't own such an awesome fur stole.
Kate Hepburn wore menswear before Diane Keaton made it popular in the 1970s (and I guess Marlene Dietrich made it popular before anyone, but that's beside the point). In Bringing up Baby, Hepburn's smart, tailored dresses offer a glimpse of the things to come for women-- mainly shoulder pads, neckties, and a certain androgynous swagger.
And so, I end my short list with a deliciously hipster film. In the 500 Days of Summer, Zoey Deschanel is a modern muse, wearing a mix of trends from the last few decades. She exudes a devil-may-care attitude, manifest in strappy summer dresses, faux pearls, and distressed short-shorts. Of course I love her for it.
Some honorable mentions:
Undercurrent (1946)
The Little Mermaid (1989)
Vertigo (1958)
La Dolce Vita (1960)
Daughters of the Dust (1991)
All images provided via google.
Moments like these are celebrated in fashion magazines all over the world; however, there's something to be said for unexpected looks--the styles that may not smolder off the screen and find their way into our literature, but which still manage to leave an impression anyway.
Here are my (not-quite-so-obvious) favorite styles in film:
Frida (2002)
A coronet of hair paired with a menswear suit? Check! A tomato colored scarf draped over the greenest of dresses? You got it. In this fascinating biopic, Frida Kahlo (played by Salma Hayek) wears whatever she wants and it all looks great. Sure, her wardrobe doesn't always make sense to the eye, but its refreshing blend of influences--- folkish, modern, and somewhat masculine, give the film a surreal feeling. And just look at that bundle of flowers growing from her hair. You wish you had fresh blooms lying around to tuck in yours (well, I do).
Laugh, Clown, Laugh (1928)
Long before there were any black swans, there lived the innocent Simonetta (played by Loretta Young). In this silent classic, she traipses about in tulle and satin, courted by her, er, adopted dad, Lon Chaney. Throughout the film, her hair is appropriately poufy and her eyeshadow, smeared in the flapper style. Running away with the circus never looked so appealing.
Sabrina (1954)
Audrey Hepburn's classically gamine style is no more stunning than in this mid-20th century film. Here, we witness her evolution from mere ponytail wearer to Paris-educated sylph. Admittedly, Hepburn is equally stylish in Roman Holiday, but Sabrina's aesthetic seems less forced.
The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)
Don't even lie to yourself: Meryl Streep is a pure BAMF here, perpetual somber face and all. Take a quick gander at those frizzy, Pre-Raphaelite curls in the trailer below. And then envy her 1980s razor bob as the scenes alternate between centuries.
Poetic Justice (1993)
Back in the 1990s, I aspired to look like Janet Jackson, mid-back length braids, belly shirt, and all. Even now in 2012, I imagine my best-looking self with long ropes of hair. The Poetic Justice style remains popular (re Solange), because braids are timeless. They might change in thickness or length, but are always chic.
An Affair to Remember (1957)
Deborah Kerr is utterly first-world in every frame of An Affair to Remember. Because of this, I couldn't muster up much sympathy for her, while watching. Maybe I would have if she didn't own such an awesome fur stole.
The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Kate Hepburn wore menswear before Diane Keaton made it popular in the 1970s (and I guess Marlene Dietrich made it popular before anyone, but that's beside the point). In Bringing up Baby, Hepburn's smart, tailored dresses offer a glimpse of the things to come for women-- mainly shoulder pads, neckties, and a certain androgynous swagger.
An American in Paris (1951)
The 1950s was famous for its high fashion musicals (re Funny Face). I may or may not prefer this one because of Gene Kelly's overall
attractiveness over Fred Astaire's. Really though, it's because the clothes are buoyant and fun, much like the (highly improbable) plot.
The 500 Days of Summer (2009)
And so, I end my short list with a deliciously hipster film. In the 500 Days of Summer, Zoey Deschanel is a modern muse, wearing a mix of trends from the last few decades. She exudes a devil-may-care attitude, manifest in strappy summer dresses, faux pearls, and distressed short-shorts. Of course I love her for it.
Some honorable mentions:
Undercurrent (1946)
The Little Mermaid (1989)
Vertigo (1958)
La Dolce Vita (1960)
Daughters of the Dust (1991)
All images provided via google.
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