I Love Your Style

This Christmas I received an inspiring book I can’t put down. In fact, I strongly encourage anyone interested in personal style pick it up. I Love Your Style: How to Define and Refine Your Personal Style by Amanda Brooks is extremely influential and has inspired me in the New Year. Since receiving the book, I have consulted it countless times whether planning an outfit for an event or simply getting dressed for school.

Amanda Brooks

Author Amanda Brooks is a trustworthy and clever fashion writer; she has contributed to the New York Times Magazine, Vogue, and Men’s Vogue. When describing I Love Your Style, Anna Wintour, Editor-In-Chief of Vogue puts it perfectly, "In this wonderfully wise book, Amanda Brooks reveals the style secrets of unexpectedly elegant, singular women from all walks of life. It's candid, canny and cool, much like Brooks herself."

Brooks encourages, “finding your personal style is about discovering yourself-about embracing your creativity and the freedom to choose elements from throughout the fashion universe.”
Along with personal anecdotes on her quest and discovery of personal style, Brooks uses various images from the past, and present, to show that style comes in all of forms. Style is limitless in the eyes of Amanda Brooks.

Bridgette Bardot Clemence Posey

I Love Your Style introduced me to a whole new array of style options. Brooks divides the options into sections; Classic, Bohemian, Minimalist, Street, High Fashion, Eclectic…
Brooks uses examples from classic icons; Bianca Jagger, Bridgette Bardot, Lauren Hutton, and Jackie O, as well as innovators; Sofia Coppola, Clemence Posey, Chloe Sevigny, and Kate Moss.

Lauren Hutton Kate Moss

Each section provides everyday examples, ideas, and pieces;

the classic- white button-down shirt, ballerina flats, trench coat, cashmere cardigan;

the bohemian- tunic, slouchy boots, peasant blouse, hippie skirt;

the minimalist- simple black dress,tailored jacket;

the high fashion-platform shoes, leather, sequins, stylized boots.

I appreciate how Amanda Brooks divides I Love Your Style by style categories. Each section has its own ideas and icons. Brooks also offers other books as well as movies that epitomize, in her opinion, the particular style category. For instance, interested in classic style; read "Hitchcock Style" or watch "Out of Africa." Curious about street style; pick up "Roots of Street Style" or rent "Taxi Driver." Brooks also offers advice on shopping for everything from vintage pieces, to designer looks to low cost, high style items.

I Love Your Style has been a true inspiration to me. It has helped broaden my style horizons. I have pages marked with post-its of my favorite things as well as ideas I plan to try once the weather gets warmer. I think Brooks’ book makes an excellent gift. Her inspiring words and choice of stunning images, which greatly encourage imagination, will have you loving your style in no time.

For more from Amanda Brooks visit- http://www.vogue.com/voguedaily/tag/amanda-brooks/
To order a copy - http://www.amazon.com/Love-Your-Style-Define-Personal/dp/0061833126

Finding Style Inspiration in Film

I have been truly passionate about fashion and personal style since I was a very little girl.
Despite an overwhelming lack of fashion literature in my house growing up, I found a great deal of style inspiration from movies. As a child, I emulated what my favorite film characters chose to wear. It never mattered if they were dressed in current trends or period pieces. I loved that a character in a film could pull off any style and since it fit their personality look good.
My opinion today is no different, every single time I watch a movie I study each character’s wardrobe and take it as inspiration for my own personal style and wardrobe.

There is something truly extraordinary about dressing a character.
A costumer has to take a variety factors into account. They look to the history of a character that is not necessarily delivered on the screen. They question why are character would wear certain items (are they emulating someone?), imagine how they would acquire certain items of clothing or accessories, and consider each facet of the character’s personality to fittingly dress them. I think when dressing one should consider such historical and inspirational factors.

I often find myself so distracted with a character’s wardrobe...
that I have to re-watch the film to grasp the full story. I take into account all the details of character’s personal style and apply the components of their wardrobe to their personality.

With each many of my favorite movies it is not only the storyline, but the style of the characters that I adore. I think just about anyone can find style inspiration from film if you pay attention to such details.

Below are some of my favorites, I have studied closely and often consider while searching a store, my closet or creating something new.

“When we go to Morocco, I think we should wear completely different clothes, and be completely different people."

My favorite movie of all time is Almost Famous. I love the fashion in the film so much that several summers ago I vowed to only wear what Penny Lane would wear. Whether lying in the sun in my backyard or out with friends,I dressed like a “band-aide” from the early 1970’s, cut-off shorts, white billowy tank tops, and polka dot blouses. I wore my hair long and messy (and still do). I loved the freedom Kate Hudson’s character’s wardrobe conveyed. I am endlessly inspired by Penny Lane. What she wore was as romantic and free-spirited as her personality in the film. Oh the glamour of life on the road, it looked as if she could easily throw her stuff in a suitcase, hop on the bus “with the band” and never look back; my one true dream in life.

Audrey Hepburn is a classic style icon. No matter what she always looked sophisticated and chic. She stars in two of my favorite films; Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Roman Holiday. The wardrobes in each of these movies are impeccable. Hepburn’s Holly Golightly is the consummate city girl; always elegant and confident in ballerina shoes, trench coats, and dresses and Hepburn’s breezy, yet sophisticated gladiator sandals and prim white shirts with the sleeves rolled up in Roman Holiday has influenced my personal style. (The entire wardrobe from the Breakfast at Tiffany's was designed by Givenchey)

Sofia Coppola is my favorite female director. I adore both her work and personal style. Her films the ethereal 1970's based The Virgin Suicides and ultra-feminine Marie Antoinette are captivating. They are not “fashion” films necessarily; however there is so much beauty and style in each that I am often overcome with a sense of personal inspiration and imagination after viewing them.

Other films that inspire my style:

Dazed and Confused

Clueless

Sex & the City: The Movie

(500) Days of Summer

Factory Girl