Tag Archives: classic woman

The Classic Woman and the Little Black Dress

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Sharon| Comments Off

Karl Lagerfeld once said, “Since it was invented there has always been a little black dress in the spirit of the moment.Women are never over- or underdressed with a little black dress. A woman never looks bad in one; she can always trust that look.”

Born in the 1926 issue of Vogue, the fashion world welcomed the Little Black Dress with sneers and jeers.  After all, black was a color reserved for funerals and periods of mourning; everyone knew that.  However, when photos of Coco Chanel’s black sleeveless knee-length jersey sheath hit the newsstands, women in the United States were ready for a change and instantly threw tradition out the window and wanted the dress for their very own.  Women loved the versatility of the LBD; it could be simple or majestic, all by changing their accessories.  Soon it became the dress than no woman could do without.  Although designers after Chanel created their own version of the LBD by varying the length, by adding frills, lace and other adornments, and by using a wide array of fabrics from leather to velvet, one thing has remained constant — the importance of the LBD in the Classic Woman’s closet.

Some Classic Women who made their own LBD statements

JACKIE KENNEDY

 

CATHERINE, THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE

 

PRINCESS DIANA

MICHELLE OBAMA

Princess Charlene of Monaco

AUDREY HEPBURN

GRACE KELLY

 

QUEEN RANIA OF JORDAN

CAROLYN BESSETTE KENNEDY

Make your own LBD classic statement this spring:

MICHAEL Michael Kors MJ Halter Elip Hem Dress

Jessica Simpson Sleeveless Scoop Back Dress

Halston Heritage Off Shoulder Ponte Dress with Circle Skirt

Calvin Klein Sleeveless Luxe Dress

Calvin Klein Sleeveless Luxe Dress

Lace-Yoke Sheath Dress

Sangria Lace-Yoke Sheath Dress

Calvin Klein Belted Sheath Dress

Calvin Klein Belted Sheath Dress

Applique Lace Mid Dress

Bodice Lace Insert Midi Dress

Posted in Fashion, Style Icons: The Classic Look

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The Style of Michelle Obama

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Sharon| 7 Comments

As the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama is raising our awareness of the need for physical activity, the needs of military families, and the value of growing our own vegetables.  She has balanced the public life that comes with being married to the President with the private life of being a mother to their two daughters. For Michelle, there is no escaping the judgement of the fashion police; every outfit she wears is scrutinized in print and on the internet.  Donning several different looks since her husband first announced his intention to run for President of the United States, Michelle joins the ranks of style icons who will be long remembered when she claims the “classic” look as her own.  As an added bonus, she has been able to merge the two worlds of designer-labels and High Street finds in the spirit of “reaching across the aisle” that any politician would admire.

Source: MichelleOStyle

President and Mrs. Obama hosting a White House military dinner held in honor of Iraq war veterans

Michelle looks nothing short of elegant in her blue sleeveless Jason Wu gown.  By foregoing a statement necklace and accessorizing with earrings by Suzanna Dai, she draws attention to her face without ever taking away from the gown.

Source: Zimbio

Official White House Portrait

For her official White House portrait, Michelle took a sleeveless Michael Kors dress and elevated it to stunning Little Black Dress status by simply adding a double strand of pearls that hits perfectly at the neckline.  The pearl earrings add just the right amount of “pop” around her face by complimenting the necklace without competing for attention.

Source:  FANPIX.net

Looking happy and relaxed, Michelle appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno wearing a mint green skirt by J. Crew, a gold-flecked sweater by Michael Kors and a pair of low, pointed-toe heels.  She added a bejeweled gold belt that tied in beautifully with her sweater.  Note:  this is the same skirt she wore in 2009 when she visited 10 Downing Street (see picture below).  As a modern classic woman, Michelle knows how to mix-and-match pieces. not only getting more mileage out of her wardrobe, but achieving two totally different looks.

Source:  The Look on Today

Sarah Brown, wife of Gordon Brown, and Michelle Obama on Apr. 1, 2009, in London, England.

Source:  Jack & Jill Politics

Simple and elegant describe the black and white checked dress worn by Michelle when she and the President returned to the White House after their trip to Copenhagen, Denmark.

Source:  Michelle Pictures

Michelle greeting visitors to the White House.

She adds a pop of color to the black and white DVF wrap dress by wearing classic red closed-toe pumps.

Source:  MichelleOStyle

President and Mrs. Barack Obama Michelle Obama (wearing Marchesa)  at the White House for a State Dinner held in honor of British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha.

Source:  MichelleOStyle

While promoting healthy eating in California, Michelle color-blocks with classic pieces.

source:  usmagazine.com

A winning combination for a winning night.  As her husband gave his victory speech after winning re-election for his second term, Michelle graced the stage in a recycled dress.   She first wore the Michael Kors’ dress to a White House party in December 2009 and then again for the Medal of Honor presentation ceremony in November 2010.  On election night, she added a cropped black sweater and heels and looked as elegant as ever.

Fashion Lessons Learned from Michelle Obama

1.  Experiment with different looks until you find the one that is yours.

2. When accessorizing an outfit, consider where you want the viewer’s eye drawn.

(For example, if you want to draw attention to the  dress, forgo a necklace and wear only earrings and bracelets; if the dress is to be a backdrop for a statement necklace, wear a solid-colored dress with simple lines.)

3.  Buy classic pieces.   They can be worn years later and not look dated.

4.  Recycle select pieces by adding different accessories to create a new look.

5.  Mix-and-match not only  individual garment pieces, but high-end and mass-retail designers.  Pick the best of both worlds and bring them together.

6.  It is totally acceptable to recycle a dress for major events.

 For more on the style of Michelle:  “The Candidates’ Wives (Part II) — Michelle Obama“

Posted in Fashion, Style Icons: The Classic Look

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The Style of Lauren Bacall

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Sharon| 8 Comments

Source:  photobucket

She entered the world as Betty Joan Perske in 1924 and within 19 years made a name for herself far outside the boundaries of her native New York.  Modeling for the cover of Harper’s Bazaar led to a screen test with Howard Hawks which in turn led to a name change which ultimately resulted in the woman we know as Lauren Bacall taking the silver screen by storm.  On-screen and off she had the ability to personify a straight-talking woman who could hold her own with any man while never losing her feminine edge.  Her choices in clothing, even today, reflect a steadfast confidence underscored with subtle sexuality.  She chooses clothing with clean, elegant lines that compliment her personality, not overshadow it.  In the same way, she uses accessories to tie her look together, rather than wearing a statement piece that commands sole attention.  She often softens the look of a tailored suit by adding a flower or a bow to it.  She is truly a master of the confident-feminine style.

 

 

Source:  photobucket

Source:  photobucket

Source:  photobucket

Source:  zimbio

March 7, 2010 at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards

 

 

THE ABC’s of FASHION LESSONS LEARNED FROM LAUREN BACALL

1.  Accessorize in a way that appears natural and effortless

2. Be sophisticated with a hint of sexuality

3.  Convey confidence in everything you do

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Style and Grace of an American Princess: Grace Kelly

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Sharon| 2 Comments

 

Source:  landrygaucher on photobucket

Where does one begin in describing Grace Kelly?  She was beautiful, stylish, graceful, and an Oscar winner.  She was mother, wife, daughter, the girl-next-door, and Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco.  As a young actress, she dressed according to her rules and her’s alone.  She knew what looked good on her and she had the confidence to wear it even if everyone else dressed differently. Consequently, off she went to audition at the theater, which was often quite dusty, wearing white gloves, neutral hose, low-heeled shoes, slim wool skirts, camel-hair coat, horn-rimmed glasses and minimalistic makeup. Thus entered Grace Kelly into the world of acting.

Source:  http://gracepage.tripod.com/gallery.html

Her modeling experience gave her insight into what looked good on her and imbedded within her the importance of good posture – knowledge that served her well. She had the inner strength to say “no” to bad scripts, directors with whom she did not want to work, and costumes that did not bring out her best features.   Although considered soft-spoken and shy, she was strong-willed enough to get what she wanted, and when it came to fashion and movie costume designers, Edith Head was whom she wanted. Head understood Kelly’s style; it was classic, yet understated.  Tommy Hilfiger once described style as being something “enduring and forever. It’s something you cannot buy.  There is a chic-ness to conservative style done in an elegant way”.  And no one did conservative more elegantly than Kelly.

Her intuitive ability to accessorise – a gift that separates the well dressed from the fashionably turned out, even today – gave her an even more enviable edge. She converted many of her signature shirtwaist dresses and skirt suits from the 1950s from simply pretty to arrestingly different with strategically pinned brooches, those ever-present gloves, a hair clasp, jewelled band, or cocktail crescent fastened into her moonlight-blonde bob, or a sliver of silk pleated into her neckline.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/a-style-full-of-grace-20120203-1qwxj.html#ixzz1rChdMIym

Source:  dnzz on photobucket

 

Kelly knew that simple clothes looked the best on her.  She could accentuate her best features, her waistline with a belt or a cinched waist and her neckline with a scarf or a strand of pearls.  This attention to detail allowed her to look just as good  in a pair of cut-off trousers and loafers as she did in a couture gown.

 

Source:  EnchantedFairytale on photobucket

Source:  AnneFrank284 on photobucket

Grace Kelly was beautiful, refined, and well-mannered.  She was strong-willed, yet polite.  She genuinely enjoyed being in “her own skin” and celebrated by dressing in what looked good on her, regardless of whether or not it was in style or featured on the runway.  She truly had that something special called “style”.

 

The Grace Kelly look:

white gloves

clothes that accentuated her shape

monochromatic color schemes

neutral colors

leather shoes with kitten heels that completedt the monochromatic color scheme

strand of pearls

big sunglasses

simple hairstyle that complemented her face shape

natural looking makeup palette

hats

sheer scarves

good posture

Hermes “Kelly” Bag

INTERESTING FACTS:

The Pattern Dress

Source:  http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/67388490.html

The first meeting of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco had been arranged by a French magazine as a photo opportunity during the 1955 Cannes Film Festival.  However, everything that could go wrong prior to their meeting did just that.  The hotel she was staying at lost power so she could not dry her hair or iron a dress. In fact, Kelly even considered cancelling the meeting.  She, however, decided to make the best out of a bad situation; she pulled her hair back and pinned in some plastic flowers and put on the one garment that was not wrinkled — a floral silk taffeta dress made from a McCall’s dress pattern that she had worn for the cover of their Spring 1955 pattern book.  It was a far cry from Kelly’s usual look, but she wore it confidently and won the Prince’s heart.

The Hermes Kelly Bag

Source:  http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/67388490.html

In 1956, a photo of Grace Kelly, who had become the new Princess of Monaco) carrying the Sac à dépêches bag to shield her pregnant stomach from the prying eyes of the paparazzi. Photographs of her covering her stomach bulge with her hallowed Hermès were splashed all over the world and made it onto the cover of Life magazine. Thus, the company — or possibly more like the public — renamed it the Kelly bag, and it became hugely popular.

The Ring

The engagement ring Kelly’s character in High Society wears is actually the ring given to her by Prince Rainier of Monaco

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A

 

Posted in Style Icons: The Classic Look

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The Elegance and Style of Audrey Hepburn

Posted on March 1, 2012 by goldilocks| 1 Comment

Actress and philanthropist Audrey Hepburn, known for her style and grace, continues to be one of Hollywood’s great style icons.  Hepburn once said, “You have to look at yourself objectively.  Analyze yourself like an instrument.  You have to be absolutely frank with yourself.  Face your handicaps, don’t try to hide them. Instead, develop something else.”  In other words, her philosophy on life and on fashion:  Be true to yourself; know what you do well, what you wear well; and do it with confidence.

Always understanding the value of simplicity and line, Hepburn made the little black dress a classic wardrobe essential. The LBD could be worn as a simple dress with little  jewelry or taken to the next level by adding the right accessories.

Not surprising, Givenchy, known for his contemporary, ladylike clothing, designed for Hepburn on and off the big screen.  His on-screen creations can be seen in Sabrina, How to Steal a Million, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.  In later years, Ralph Lauren would be added to her very select list of favorite designers.  Although it has been said that pale pink was her personal color of choice, she was rarely seen in it.  Instead, she predominately wore black and white.  Hepburn’s standard daytime look was a pair of skinny pants, a turtle neck and flat shoes — all in black.  A look that is still as classic today as when she wore it.

What Hepburn did for the LBD, she also did for the white shirt. Hepburn’s criteria for the shirt was that it was plain, nothing fancy about it, and often tied at her 20″ waist.  Her mantra  “less is more” heavily influenced her accessory choices:  a simple pair of studs, a strand of pearls, a neutral-colored long scarf, and a pair of dark sunglasses.

The Classic Woman’s Lessons Learned from Audrey

1. Analyze yourself honestly and dress accordingly, accentuate your positive characteristics.

2. Be true to yourself, do not fall victim to trends that do nothing for your appearance.

3. Simplicity speaks volumes.

4. Clothing must-haves:  a little black dress, a plain white shirt, a fitted suit

5. Accessory must-haves:  a simple pair of studs, a strand of pearls, dark sunglasses and a neutral-colored long scarf.

Posted in Fashion, Style Icons: The Classic Look

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