Channeling Your Inner Audrey Hepburn – Paris When it Sizzles

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Part 2/4 of the Channeling Your Inner Audrey Hepburn analyzes Paris When it Sizzles. It is a very whimsical film about a screenwriter with a deadline at the end of three days and his imaginative secretary, Audrey Hepburn as Gabrielle Simpson. In Paris (of course), the two act out preposterous and outrageous plots in search for the perfect story. While there were a lot of crazy costumes included in this film, I will be looking at the more practical styles, for less of a ‘costume’ look.

As she plays the original secretary at the beginning of the film, Gaby wears a delightful green suit.

She wears a sleeveless boat-neck top underneath with a white hat and white gloves. The women’s separates suit itself conveys a very vintage feel on its own, but paired with the hat and gloves, it’s undeniably retro-chic.

This would be a great look for the office with the jacket, and without can be made to fit more casual situations like a nice lunch. The jacket and the shoes completely liven up the outfit. With their presence, the dress, handbag and gloves also feel a little minty. With a bright colour like this, I think simple designs are best. I've also used a letter looking purse to match her secretarial role.

Gaby wears a simple ensemble as she wakes up to find script pages leading from the front of her door.

She wears a casual white shift dress with a blue belt and ballet flats in a matching white. Here she only accessorizes with simple pearl earrings.  

This outfit is great for many occasions, from picking up the Sunday paper, to watching the next blockbuster. I was absolutely torn between shoes here, so you can pick your favourite in context to the occasion the ensemble would be worn to. I've given her just simple pearl earrings to accessorize with, as it’s consistent with her original outfit, but I don’t think the addition of a pearl bracelet would hurt either.

During the romantic climax of the film, Gaby’s outfit is very amorous-looking outfit.

She wears a beautiful pink shift dress which features a bow-tied waist belt, which she wears with a matching clutch handbag, elbow length gloves, pearl earrings and a pink bow at the back of her hair.

This is a very romantic outfit which would be perfect for a date with a significant other, or friends. The theme is bows! Bow on the dress, bow handbag, bow hair accessory, so everything else should remain pretty simple. The outfit can look a little more professional with the coat (however I wouldn't put a coat over a massive bow, I hope that bow is detachable) and by switching those earrings to simple singular pearls. The pumps are so versatile and great for many looks, I highly recommend investing in a pair similar, I know that I have many and use them regularly.

Personal notes:

I went to have breakfast and do a spot of shopping yesterday, and I want to show you some things I bought!

All of that for $15 (original retail price $90), apart from the With Love perfume that my mother bought me. I’m a very happy girl! I've been collecting some basic that I need for my wardrobe next year. I also JUST went out and bought a cute houndstooth-patterned pencil skirt for $3 secondhand in great condition - but you can see a photo of that in my next post.

I've made a Twitter account, https://twitter.com/WoodfieldClaire, and as you can see a Bloglovin. I’m trying to expand this blog and hopefully you will see great things from in the future.

Did you like Paris When it Sizzles? I think that it’s such a laugh to watch. I adore her outfits in this film and I hope you enjoyed my interpretations. My next post will be titled ‘Contemporary Take on Classic Nails’, which I’m really looking forward too as I love giving my nails a treat. See you then!

Love Claire, xo.

Smile of a Silver Screen Star

In this post, tutorials will be given on how to achieve vintage lipstick looks with the help of Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe.

Before applying lip make up, you want your lips to be in good condition. If they seem a little dried out, you can exfoliate them gently with a wet cloth or tooth brush. Another tip is to begin regularly applying lip balm before bed.

Marilyn Monroe

Firstly, the famous retro lips!  This is the most Marilyn sported the full lip look very well. It is and iconic of the 1950’sand can turn most looks into appearing retro- inspired, if done correctly.

1. Line your lips a little over the natural lip line. This makes the lips look really full and ‘old Hollywood glamorous’. Make sure you line the full round cupids bow. Warning: You do NOT want this to be noticeable at all, just a teensy bit past the natural line.
2. Fill your lips with the liner in a shade that matches the red lipstick of choice.
3. Apply lipstick to cover the lips entirely, in brush or stick form.
4. Lips should be blended perfectly. Lip gloss can be applied over for a glossy shine or left matte, Marilyn was seen wearing both on separate occasions. If liner is obviously too over-drawn, it is advisable to start from scratch, better no lip stick rather than clown make-up!

Extra tip: Sweeping a light, neutral coloured eye shadow over the middle of the bottom lip and the cupids bow (and blending) will make the lips really stand out! I do not know how this would look over glossy lips, and therefore do not advise it without experimenting yourself.

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey would say “For attractive lips, speak words of kindness”, but we’re looking for advice a little less metaphorical. For starters, she preferred a classic matte or satin lipstick over lip gloss. Audrey usually wore browns and light pinks on her lips, rarely red. Audrey emulated this look in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

1. Fill your lips lightly with darker pink lip liner, and then the bottom lip. If you choose to line the upper lip, do it very lightly as she did not have the common fifties look of a fuller upper lip. Smooth this over so it isn't too sharp looking.
2. The exact colour of her lipstick is unknown, to the best that I can describe it is a light mauve. It was not very dark, maybe a shade or two darker than her natural lip colour.
3. The lips should be looking quite light and fresh. Make sure the liner and lipstick blends and that it isn't too sharp or full looking.

Warnings: Remember – no gloss! It is a matte look you want to achieve here.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial on retro lips, and look forward to my next post titled ‘Channelling Your Inner (Audrey) Hepburn – Paris When it Sizzles’. See you then!

Love Claire, xo.

Channeling Your Inner (Audrey) Hepburn – Sabrina

Throughout this series, we will be analyzing four famous Audrey Hepburn films and the looks conveyed within them. The iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s will be left for the finale, and we will commence with Sabrina.

This ‘Cinderella story’ focuses on Sabrina and the mega-rich Larrabee brothers of Long Island. When Sabrina, daughter of the family’s chauffeur, returns from Paris all grown up and glamorous, the stage is set for some family fireworks as the brothers’ fall under the spell of Hepburn’s delightful charms. I’d like to begin the series with Sabrina, as it is a style transformation story, which is a little what we’re doing here for some.

Firstly, we have Sabrina ‘pre-Paris’. While the 'chauffeur's daughter' look didn't win any hearts, I still find it quite charming.

 

Here she wears a simply patterned jumper skirt (dress to be worn with a top underneath) and a black boat-neck long sleeved top. Her hair is pulled up with a ribbon and her make up is minimal.

This would be a nice casual look for lounging around the house or grabbing tea in good company. I've ditched the undershirt for a cardigan to create a more conventionally modern look, but any would do. Save the cardigan for colder weather or night, but that hair style and dress are gorgeous for all seasons. I actually wore an outfit similar to dinner with my boyfriend and his family last night, as you can see!

When Sabrina attends the Larrabee’s party (all grown up, this time) she wears a magnificent Givenchy ball gown.

A look for more formal occasions, the evening gown features a strapless neckline and intricate embroidery and is worn with simple black heels and elbow length gloves – in true vintage party manner.

As one does not go to all too many balls in this day and age, I have emulated this look for a more semi-formal cocktail event. I couldn't find any embroidery work close to the gown after searching high and low; however I feel that this (mid-calf length?) dress would do well. It creates interest through partnered tulle and tiers while remaining consistent with the look through the simple, strapless bodice. I have left the black shoes as there was no colour print to coordinate with, for a beige scheme that I think would look great for a garden party or evening out.

A stark contrast to the last look, when Linus takes Sabrina sailing, she sports a very casual nautical look.

Here she wears a cotton madras wrap shirt with white shorts. This look almost looks reminiscent of modern rockabilly fashion. Sabrina accessories with statement earrings and nothing else, perfect for a casual look.

This look can be mimicked almost to the ‘T’ as it is so modern. It’s a very casual look to be worn around the house, to pick up the groceries or even to play some sport. I have made it a little more dressy by adding a more sophisticated white wrap into the mix, but if you own a top similar to Sabrina’s in this scene, feel free to use that. I have used a whitexgold colour scheme, staying consistent with her simple gold earrings and picking white and gold sandals.

I just love this film it’s so very romantic, you must see it if you haven’t already. I hope you enjoyed my analysis and advice. Tune in on Sunday night for my next post, titled ‘Smile of a Silver Screen Star’. I hope to be seeing you again.

Love Claire, xo.

Creation of Contemporary Classics

Welcome!

Here you will find endless musings on classic beauties of the golden age and how to channel their image into your contemporary fashion. Clothing style, make up and more will be analysed through achieving these looks. There is no end to the amount of timeless looks one can achieve through taking inspiration from classic beauties. I hope you find what you were looking for through my posts, whether or not you knew you were searching for it.

For years I have delved in to alternative fashions, learning the ins and outs of alternative fashion styles. While I did this, I picked up information along the way about quality clothing, outfit coordination, combining controversial pieces in to a casual look and so much more. With this knowledge, I believe that I am ready to begin my newest endeavour of achieving classic contemporary looks that incorporate modern and historical trends, from casual to formal wear.

In 2013, I will be studying a Dual Bachelor of Fine Arts (Fashion) and Business. Knowledge from these classes will be incorporated into coming blog posts. As of now I am on holidays with copious amounts of time to spare until my classes begin in mid February of 2013. In this time I will continuously post and filter through my large stash of vintage films to gather inspiration for these posts. I hope you enjoy what’s to come.

This is what I wore today. Forgive the colour hair, it's a filler as I am in the middle of dying my hair from bleached blonde back to my natural colour (dark brown).

I will be posting bi-weekly, every Wednesday and Sunday night (GMT+10).

Much love, Claire. xo