Good morning, friends. It's Friday and all is well in the fair city. I'm looking forward to the weekend and mellowing out for a minute. And with all things Spring on my mind, I can't help but heart on the style tenets put forth in Whit Stilman films like "The Last Days of Disco", which I happened to catch last weekend and kept me from the gym. I was riveted by its early 80s New Yorkness- it was a time when preppies, richies, and odd balls were all doing this very delicate dance together- ushering out the disco years and bringing in something very different yet every bit as glam. If you have never seen a Stillman film (Metropolitan, Barcelona, and Last Days amongst a few others I believe), you are missing out. There's loads of cute boys and cute boys doing cute things everywhere.
He captures a waspy moment in time so perfectly- I heart on the beautiful reedy things he was casting in those days- all with an air of privilege and extreme ennui. I was very much digging on young Chloe Sevigny's wardrobe in the film- think shirt dresses, button up knee lenth A line skirts with either a shrunken boys button down from Brooks Brothers or a short sleeved polo shirt. At night to go party, there was always a fabulous little black dress (love the one shouldered look) or an amazing sparkly tube top and jeans. The film focused on the life and times of recent college grads- the two female heroines are brilliantly played by Sevigny and a young Kate Beckinsale, whose gorgeous bob had me hooked right away. I love the style play in the film of buttoned up, preppy publishing world youngin by day, glammed up, yet still sweet ingenue on the town at night. I'm a huge fan of that moment in a woman's life when she makes the transition from college grad to working woman- when it's still fun to take elements from university life and turn them into every day workwear and beyond. To get the look, make the following shopping list:
1. Shirtrdess (always cute ones at APC or DKNY)
2. Knee length skirt with button front, or A Line shape. This one is Land's End but def go vintage here if you can, like this green one below.
3. Button downs from the boys dep't of Brooks Brothers (must be shrunken) or polo shirts from Ralph or Lacoste.
3. Assortment of ballet flats from J. Crew to keep things modern yet classic.
4. Skinny gold bangles (just one though) from just about anywhere you can think of, from high to low. Also these enamel bangles from C Wonder with your initials would be fab.
5. A gold watch- vintage Rolex type thing but a cool Timex would also be genius for a young working gal.
6. Equestrian bag to be slung over- think Coach City Bag (shown here) or Steven Alan
7. Great LBDS- sparkly, one shouldered, haltered, strapless- basic and glam are the only must haves. And they are never slutty- still maintain a sweetness always. Oh, and fitted. Must be fitted.
8. A pair of heavy eye glasses- black or tortoise, and likewise for the sunglasses- Moscots, Ray Bans, or of course, aviators always work.
9. Your boyfriend's Burberry or vintage men's trench, not too fitted, and more oversized (looks great over the black dress if you're the type to pull that off) Oh and, as you can see below, he's older and richer than you so most likely he has a few more lthings to choose from, so he won't miss it. Just get your own at some point because he's only going to be in your life for a hot minute...
10. A red disco dress from American Apparel to wear with wedges during day and high heeled sandals at night. Let's change that and make it fuschia. Just for fun.
I'd go out on a limb and say if you are a big fan of this Ivy League inspired look, get thee to Steven Alan. If this movie was made today, you better believe most of the wardrobe would come from there- because it's the mecca for young, reedy things that want to look sweet and chic but never smutty. I think that's about it for now- there's never anything wrong with a preppy moment for Spring- as mentioned ad nauseum on this here blog, I myself can't pull that look off at all (unless I want to look like a gym teacher), but all of you girls out there should just go for it, as the last days of disco are almost always one song away...
Cause that's what's up this dancing queen of a weekend in the very metropolitan nabe of NYC. So inspired by Whit and all his prepped out goodness. All the love, darlings (said with Connecticut lockjaw and gin and tonic in hand). XO