S T Y L E I N S P I R A T I O N : Diane Keaton

 I am a lover of many styles. I love bohemian hippies, glitzy glams, grungy rockers, preppy tomboys and everything in between. Each style has its own long list of inspirations, and for the preppy-tomboy-menswear-on-women-geek-chic style, my go-to inspiration will always be Diane Keaton. 

I'm gonna go ahead and say she was the first to perfect this look. In fact, the whole look can really be described in two words: The Annie Hall Look which was coined from the 1977 movie starring Diane Keaton as said 'Annie Hall'. This look was actually inspired by Keaton's personal style (according to the films director, Woody Allen), so it's no surprise that Keaton's been a style icon ever since. 

Keaton as Annie Hall

The key element of Diane Keaton's style is her use of menswear. Ties, hats, blazers, slacks... it's all there, but she has always mixed it up in playful ways, and never seems to take herself too seriously. Plus, she's always smiling, and that always makes everyone look good. 

Here are some of my favorite looks...

As Diane Keaton ages, she still has that same look, but now it's bit more refined and modern. She seems to embrace her age while still maintaining her own personal, whimsical style.
She's become a great role model for aging gracefully, and I can only hope to look as good as she does when I get older.

My Diane Keaton inspiration outfit:

Vintage Brown Tweed Blazer
Vintage Hat
 J Crew Denim Shirt
BDG Jeans

S T Y L E I N S P I R A T I O N : Jade Castrinos

As a follow up to my last post I thought I'd continue my Jade Castrinos obsession with more her outfit photos. Cool style and an even better smile. Such a cute and lovely person. 

S T Y L E I N S P I R A T I O N: Vicky Christina Barcelona

Some of my favorite movies for style inspiration come from the one and only, Woody Allen. I don't know if the director himself has an eye for women's style, or if he just hires a good wardrobe stylist, but it seems like almost every movie he even made has his leading ladies wearing outfits that I can't get out of my head.  One such movie is the fairly recent film, Vicky Christina Barcelona of 2008. Set in Barcelona, Spain, where the character of Maria Elena is played by Penelope Cruz and to this day I am still obsessed with black Spanish hats and white summer clothing.

I don't know if its the black eyeliner, the bedhead, or the bitch face, but there is something about this look that I find extremely appealing.

Turns out,, black Spanish hats are hard to come by. I've been looking since the movie came out in 2008 (yes, I'm that obsessed) and I finally found one!!! ...but it doesn't fit me. Alas, I've put it on the Etsy shop as well as this amazing shirt that I converted from an awkward fitting dress to a beautiful and comfortable blouse! 

My Maria Elena inspired look

Just click on the photos below to find this blouse and hat:

Black Spanish Hat

White Mexican Blouse

S T Y L E I N S P I R A T I O N: Ingrid Boulting

 

Normally a style icon is someone who's individual style influences and is remembered by many. However, sometimes it is a persons face or overall vibe that has the same impact, and it can easily represent an entire generation. Ingrid Boulting may not be as famous as Twiggy or Cindy Crawford, but her face is still iconic of her time (60s and 70s). 

For me, any time I see a picture of Ingrid Boulting I stop to stare at it. There is something about her face that intrigues me - I love how versatile it is. In fact, it took me some time to realize that all these photos I was noticing were all of her.

Starting as a ballerina and model, Ingrid Boulting became a truly iconic face when she worked for Biba cosmetics. Eventually, she became an actress, but it was her modeling career that she is most known for.

S T Y L E I N S P I R A T I O N: Once Upon A Time In the West

As a lover of the southwest and vintage, it's only natural that I love old western films. I definitely wouldn't say that I am an aficionado, but I am a fan enough to know that the best of the best westerns are spaghetti westerns. One of my favorites of all spaghetti westerns is Once Upon a Time in the West.

Filmed in 1968 by Italian director Sergio Leone, Once Upon a Time in the West takes place in a fictional town of the Old West, where a struggle over Sweetwater (the towns only water source) turns bloody. I won't go into details, but I will say that every aspect of this movie is done extremely well and reminds me of a Quentin Tarantino film (he might actually have been inspired by this movie). I truly love everything about this movie... the music, color scheme, acting, story line, slow pace, costumes, gun fights... it all truly adds up to be one of my favorite westerns of all time.

Several stills of the film

first scene in Once Upon a Time in the West

Once Upon a Time in the West stars Henry Fonda (the villain), Charles Bronson (the villain's nemesis), Claudia Cardinale (as the damsel in distress with a questionable past) and Jason Robards (as the bandit). Each character is fascinating to watch, especially seeing the costumes and the props that are used. I am convinced that the film maker really captured the grit and grime of the era. The costumes they wear in the film are especially dirty. The men are covered in grease and sweat, and their dusters are all brown and grey and covered with dust. But I am weird, and I love those filthy dusters, and boots, and five o-clock shadows. I am especially in love with the flat, wide brimmed hats and dusty suits. The female, on the other hand, has less appealing attire. I hate the way women were dolled up and constantly uncomfortable... but what I do like is the 60's style bed head and make up on Claudia Cardinale. I highly doubt women looked like this back then, but it works for the movie.

Henry Fonda as Frank

Claudia Cardinale as Jill McBain

I can't say that I dress like the characters from this era, but I definitely take inspiration from the color scheme of the movie. Dark greys, browns, tans...I always loved natural/neutral colors, blue skies and with the occasional pop of red from a bandana or dress. The props in the film all look heavy and substantial. Everything was made of something pure like iron or wood, and the clothing out of linen or cotton. "Stuff" seemed to be simple back then and I can appreciate that. The only thing I can't relate to is the ruthless killing, but after all it's just a movie.

If you haven't seen this movie, watch this trailer...

S T Y L E I N S P I R A T I O N: Bridgitte Bardot

Bridgitte Bardot is one of those style icons that is known less for her actual style, and more for her.... je ne sais quoi! Maybe it's that face, or her hour glass figure, or maybe how her hair is perfectly piled on her head every time. I think its all of the above and especially her confidence. Bridgitte Bardot equally exudes innocence and sexuality in one, and she does this so naturally. 

S T Y L E I N S P I R A T I O N: Amélie

One of my all time favorite films is the charming French film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet: Amélie. Everything about it makes me smile every time I watch it. The story, the music, the characters, the beautiful color scheme and of course, the main characters wardrobe. Audrey Tautou plays the quiet and insecure character of Amélie perfectly, and she is extremely fun to watch throughout the entire film. Amélie is cute and quirky, and her wardrobe reflects her character. Sweet and comfortable dresses with chunky mary jane boots... low cut blouses with long calf length skirts. A perfect mix of young and old, vintage with modern, feminine and masculine. Even her hair cut in the film is extremely weird and on any other person it would look horrible, but on Audrey Tautou - completely adorable. 

Each time I watch this movie, I am completely inspired. I haven't yet cut my hair like hers, but I am close to doing it every time. But in the meantime, I can still dress like her. I try to find a balance between sweet and innocent with that natural French womanly seductiveness. It's a hard balance to find, but once you've found it you instantly want to get on a bike and go to a farmers market... or just move to France. Pouah! UN JOUR!