Dress Like Her! Issue Two: Dial M for Marvelous

I remember seeing Rear Window for the first time as a wee little thing. Such intrigue. Such quiet intensity. So much voyeurism! And so I was introduced to that long-necked blonde swan of a woman, Grace Kelly. She may have been my first real lady crush...

Grace Kelly just oozed femininity. Her signature soft golden waves, her sweet nature, the way she moved around a room with such poise and polish! She was a doll if ever there were one. And who isn't drawn to lovely people?! For not only was she a great actress, she was known as one of the kindest, most genuine ladies in the biz.

And then there was her style!  She was a member of the International Best Dressed List since 1960. She influenced women all over the world with her seamless elegance and poise.

 Two years ago, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London held an exhibit featuring replicas and true pieces of her fantastic wardrobe. It was called "Grace Kelly: Style Icon" of which Suzy Menkes of The New York Times wrote, "“Style Icon” is a good title for the legacy of a woman who represented the elegance and innocence of a pre-feminist America, when pure beauty was fashion’s holy grail." 

With each year that passes, I notice my closet is looking more and more like a Grace Kelly calender. Cinched waist dresses, delicate fabrics, soft shaded frocks, very few accessories, solid colored heels. When one thinks of a "Classic Look", they can't help but picture Grace.

Oh, and did I happen to mention she was the Princess of Monaco?! A marriage that ended her film career and disappointed a great many fans. But there was no heir to the throne and Prince Rainier III needed a wife. So at the peek of her career, the highest height of her stardom, Grace saved Monaco from once again being ruled by France. By becoming Princess Consort of Monaco, abandoning her career, giving up her American citizenship and beginning her role as a ceremonial leader.

But lucky for us, films are timeless! Which means that despite her depart with stardom, Grace and her magnificent style will always live on as an inspiration for many generations of girls to come!

Jimmy Stewart said this about Grace: "You know, I just love Grace Kelly. Not because she was a princess, not because she was an actress, not because she was my friend, but because she was just about the nicest lady I ever met. Grace brought into my life as she brought into yours, a soft, warm light every time I saw her, and every time I saw her was a holiday of its own."

 

To get Grace's signature style, just think of these two words: simple elegance. When it comes to jewelry, less is more. Stick to solid colors and fitted pieces. Pair high heels with dresses and loafers with slacks. Brush your hair one trillion times a day and sip champagne on beautiful terraces while searching for your dream prince. (JK!) But really, you'll be looking like a princess in no time!

Above is a modern day take on the Grace Kelly look! She may not have ever carried a wacky owl bag but we think it's a HOOT!

"I don't want to dress up a picture with just my face." -Grace Kelly