Clothing by the Classics

I love old movies.  I love the storyline.  I love the music.  I love the dialogue.  Most of all, I love the fashion.

Vogue, cover circa 1940

Watching films like West Side Story, High Society & Gilda, I can't help but to be inspired to alter my wardrobe.  While I don't have a costume crew or J. Crew's Jenna Lyons on call, it's still pretty easy to get that old Hollywood feel without a time machine.

Take a look at some of my favorite looks, updated...


Ava Gardner owns this over sized boatneck collar with a fitted bodice and full pleated skirt for a photo shoot.  This instant classic is comprised of light linen material with the heavy stitch in a stand out color for extra oomph. 
I found this dress (right) at Anthroplogie which is reminiscent of Gardner's conservative, yet provocative style.  The Fluttering Flora Print Dress has a lace daisy overlay exposing just enough skin to keep things interesting while still being appropriate for any situation.  Add on a few chunky metallic bracelets and some wedges and you are ready to hit the town.

Few women over the course of history exuded the same kind of poise, beauty and style that Grace Kelly did.  In this picture (left), the Dior covergirl is wearing a strapless gown with the earliest signs of color blocking and a picket fence style edging to at the top for a portrait.  The resurgence of color blocking has come back this season and the   BCBGMAXAZRIA Asymmetrical Color Block Dress is the perfect example.  A shorter, tighter hemline and trading in the pastel pallet for bolder colors brought the dress into 2012.

It's no surprise that Rita Hayworth was a dancer before she was an actress.  With gams like that she could get away with wearing just about anything, but the censors had another thing to say.  The beauty of this dramatic tiered skirt, while completely impractical for everyday life, is that it left the front shorter allowing a peek-a-boo glance at one of a woman's best assets.  For an updated look with a more practical spin South Moon under has this Cotton Candy Midi Tulip Hem Skirt.  The high-waisted asymmetrical skirt has a mini skirt base with a sheer wrap attached.  It's perfect for a summer night.  If you want to keep in the old Hollywood style I suggest wearing a fitted shirt tied so it hit your smallest point, about an inch above the top of the skirt.