Style Inspiration ~ Miss Potter

Happy Independence Day, all!  It seems that my style inspirations thus far have originated in characters from movies and T.V. shows; upon reflection, this source of inspiration does not surprise me.  I find that there aren't many well-known style icons in reality who set the proper example for femininity.  While this remains the unfortunate case, I have the ability to control my exposure to those whose dress degrades--rather than uplifts--female beauty.  As a film lover, I watch many movies; thankfully, there are many movies that contain lasting examples of truly good moral conduct and simultaneously modest and feminine dress.  One such movie--and one of my favorites--is Miss Potter (2006).  Renee Zellweger makes a slight departure from her previous roles in portraying the romantic life and career progression of Beatrix Potter (28 July 1866 – 22 December 1943), and does so beautifully.  Ewan McGregor and Emily Watson also star in this movie that, though often characterized as sweet and sentimental on the surface, also contains simple and deep lessons in life and love.  Zellweger herself emphasizes these merits in particular in her interview with Rocco Passafuime:

“I don’t think it’s a chick flick at all. I think that underestimates it in a terrible way,” Zellweger insists. “I think it’s far more complex than that. It’s not meant to be female entertainment. It’s an important story and it’s a beautiful story. And I don’t think I’ve met a guy yet who's seen it that didn’t connect to it. It’s just real. It’s a human story.”

Not only is the movie's music score beautifully whimsical and precisely executed, the costumes--accurately inspired by the Victorian/Edwardian period--are quite lovely.  I recently found out that Zellweger's involvement in the film slowly increased and extended beyond acting, including the costuming.

Lovely hat, collar detail, and coat

 "I talked with [costume designer] Anthony [Powell]," Zellweger notes. “We decided that when she was going to be under her mother’s influence, she was going to be more uptight, more rigid, more formal. And as she starts to find her own legs, well, we’re going to show that her clothes get a little bit less tailored and she’s going to grow a bit. She’s going to spread out with the landscape. She’s going to take up a little bit more space, and she’s going to find her voice, and her clothes should be the same to reflect it.” 

Lace top could easily be modernized

An excellent source for replicating the styles displayed in this movie in a modernized way is Kellie Falconer's Inspired by Film Fashion Event of 2013 as featured on her blog, Accordion to Kellie.  The photos taken for this post are just beautiful, and Kellie's ensemble is both accurate and lovely. Do take a look!

Have you seen Miss Potter?
If so, which is your favorite outfit?

  

Style Inspiration ~ Penelope

Today's featured style is that of Penelope Wilhern in the 2008 film Penelope.  I discovered this film a few years after its release, and I found myself completely enchanted with the titular character, the scenery, and especially Penelope's wardrobe.  While this piece could easily become a film review, I'll save that for another time, as my focus today is strictly on the costumes Christina Ricci had the presumed pleasure of wearing while playing the role of Penelope.

French promotional poster

I chose to display the above version of the film's poster, as I think it more accurately captures the atmosphere of the movie--magical and intriguing, the subdued color palette hints at the struggles Penelope faces over the course of the plot--and it also attracts my own preference for deeper, bolder colors.  It also features the iconic coat she wears often throughout the movie.

  

Above I've included an image of an architecturally-inspired and delightfully textured inspiration board based on Penelope's clothes.  

I couldn't resist highlighting one of favorite outfits she wears nearing the end of the film.  A lover of all things horticultural, just as yours truly is, Penelope wears an ensemble that captures that love in a simultaneously subtle and unique manner.

Have you seen Penelope?
If so, which is your favorite outfit?
In what ways do your clothes reflect your personality? 

Style Inspiration ~ Once Upon A Time's Mary Margaret Blanchard

One of the more bemusing aspects of walking to class on a college campus is the sight of what I find myself calling "amassed fashion clones".  There seems to exist a disconnect between the ideal of fashion as a mode of self-expression and the reality of fashion as a mode of wearing that which everyone else seems to be wearing.  In the case of many young women at the university I attended, everyone else seemed to be wearing leggings--which they inexplicably considered a substitute for pants--with giant t-shirts and sneakers.  To clarify, I don't necessarily mean to criticize this trend; while it's far from my own style and I find it simultaneously immodest and unflattering, my present argument is not against the style itself, but the fact that it has become a bizarre sort of uniform for young women.  For this reason, I feel particularly inspired when I come across people whose clothing style stands apart from current (and fleeting) fashion trends. 

An obvious way to explore different styles is through watching movies and television shows.  As an avid watcher of both film mediums, I find that my eyes often feel bombarded with images, and not all of them positive.  Therefore, I was pleased to come across ABC's Once Upon A Time, whose content and imagery is neither offensive nor vulgar.  Furthermore, I instantly fell in love with both Snow White/Mary Margaret Blanchard (played by the beautiful Ginnifer Goodwin) and her wardrobe.  Her "real-life" counterpart, always dressed in a classic and feminine manner, never fails to accent her outfit with a touch of whimsy that perfectly alludes to her true identity. 

Below is a photograph of Goodwin on set in Blanchard's lovely apartment (which deserves a post in its own right, it's so lovely!).  I think that it serves as an accurate example of how this character generally dresses. 

Additionally, I found myself intrigued by Blanchard's winter wardrobe.  While I'm well aware that we're in the midst of a very warm spring (at least on the east coast, anyway), now is a great time to purge one's winter collection and keep one's eyes open for discounted winter clothes.  Mary Margaret serves as a reminder to me that one needn't dress in muted colors just because the natural surroundings do!  If you're like me in that you cannot and/or are unwilling to buy multiple winter coats (as shown below), accessorizing is always an option for the thrifty shopper!  I'll be on the look-out for scarves and a hat or two, myself.

Have you seen Once Upon A Time?
If so, who is your favorite character? 
Is there a style to which you're particularly drawn?