5 Style Lessons Courtesy of Grace Kelly

12 Dec 5 Style Lessons Courtesy of Grace Kelly

When Sandy hit the Northeast, my family was relatively unscathed, only losing partial power. One side of the house had power, nothing worth complaining about. Especially because my mom and I got to cuddle up on the couch and watch Alfred Hitchcock movies. We watched The Birds, Marni, Vertigo, The Man Who Knew Too Much and Rear Window. Besides developing an infatuation with Edith Head–who did just about all of the costumes for Hitchcock–I wanted to recreate every single thing that Grace Kelley wore in Rear Window. Edith Head worked magic on her, yes?

But real life was magical too, wouldn’t you want to be married to a real life prince and have Hermes name a bag after you? I think it’s quite fitting that I welcome back this series on the blog with the iconic Grace Kelly, illustrating five style lessons that we can apply when we get dressed.

Ready?

1. Great Prints are Always ‘In’

I know that solid frocks always get so much attention, LBDs and little white dresses but there is something timeless about a well-fitting dress in a classic print. Think about DVF and her wrap dresses. So fun and full of color and prints yet they last the test of time, right? Who said that solids are the only way to be classic?

2. Walk Softly and Carry a Really Great Bag

In Rear Window, Grace Kelly’s character carried this amazing handbag. My mom took to Google and figured out that it is by the designer Mark Cross, a line of high-end handbags carried by Barney’s. I may be biased but I think your handbag can make or break your outfit. Jeans and a tee shirt are no longer that with a great bag. The same can be said for accessories.

3. Snatch Your Waist

Like, really. Show off your waist. If yours isn’t where you want it to be–Grace’s was around a 23?!–wear empire waists or a-line dresses and skirts are the way to go. You can hide the area without adding bulk. Bring the eyes up top with a statement necklace, and voila (magic)! You’ve created a snatched waist.

4. Simple Isn’t Boring

I know I just told you to add a statement necklace and all is good in the hood but sometimes, as Graces show us, simple is elegant. A string of pearls is all you need to transform a deep v-neck into sophisticated instead of skanky. Well, kind-of. You get my point. We don’t always have to be so extra to stand out. Especially when everyone is doing the most. #JustSayin’

5. Try A Signature Color, Perhaps?

How much do I love that Grace Kelly seemed to favor Givenchy garments in kelly green? Could you ever have a signature color? I think I do but it varies by season. Like one season, it was hot pink. The next everything had to be chocolate brown, then leopard. And now? Cobalt blue. What about you? #AllOneColorEverything? Yay or nay?

What do you think of Princess Grace of Monaco’s style? Everything it’s made out to be? Did you love her in Hitchock’s Rear Window, too?