Movie Nerd: Most Stylish Films (Ever)

Does art imitate life? Or do we all just try to imitate our favorite movies? I think it might be a bit of both, and in this newest segment of Movie Nerd, I'll tell you my favorite stylish films (in no particular order, of course).

Annie Hall (1977)

It's practically impossible to fully grasp the full effect that Annie Hall has had on style and fashion. Certainly a product of the 70's, Annie Hall displayed a laid back way of dressing that the world, especially the glamorous world of film, hadn't seen before. Thank you, Diane Keaton.
Now if only I could pull off the lady-tie....

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The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

The epitome of rich-preppy-hipster fashion (I suppose that's a genre) is The Royal Tenenbaums. Wes Anderson has a very distinct aesthetic as it is, yet nowhere is it more tangible than in Tenenbaums. This film (and Ms. Paltrow's performance) may have single-handedly brought back fur and heavy eyeliner. And the bob. And chain smoking. Well, three out of four ain't bad...

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Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

I mean, obviously. No justification necessary here.

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A Bout De Souffle (1960)

Nothing could be more wonderfully French 60's than this Jean-Luc Godard film. Jean Seberg's painfully chic hair, the stripes, the Tribune T-shirt and skinny jeans...it's all so modern and yet so classic. All of these elements factor greatly into my style-psyche. In the words of Rachel Zoe: "I die."

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Rear Window (1954)

Oh, Grace. Was there ever a more appropriate name for a more appropriate woman? Sigh. My favorite Hitchcock film (and that's saying something...as I love them all ever so) could very well be the most fashionable. The legendary Edith Head dressed the wonderful Grace, and in a movie about murder and voyeurism and intrigue and romance, you still have time to say to yourself: Damn. I want that outfit.

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Blade Runner (1982)

The only futuristic film on my list, but I must say - it definitely has an incredibly stylish aesthetic. Darryl Hannah's character is a living-doll-assassin, and looks kickass while she flips (up to you to kick you to death). Sean Young's youthful, classic beauty and controlled appearance belied the crazy that awaited us in the 90's-00's. And, I mean...Harrison.

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Atonement (2007)

That. Dress.

Oh, and that English Countryside at the outbreak of WWI. What's very interesting about this movie, and I didn't realize it until this post, is how the fabrics of each character's wardrobe seems to emulate them in some way. Keira Knightley's Cecilia, a very feminine, sexual character is draped in silks and florals. James McAvoy's (sigh) Robbie is equal parts rugged farm boy and black-tie gentleman - which I think befits his character quite well - don't you?

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The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

Everything that you (I) love about the 60's, about Italy, about fabulously wealthy men and women. Everything about nerdy glasses and skinny ties and flouncy skirts and wonderful prints and Vespas. And short shorts on men.

Bonnie And Clyde (1967)

Revolutionary in so many ways - this film tops many people's lists as one of the most stylish films ever. Mine included. Certainly there hasn't been a better look than a chemise, gold medallion coin necklace and your partner in crime's hat? I don't think so.

Ms. Taylor

Today is a sad day. We lost a big one today, America. Born in Hampstead to American parents, Taylor was born for greatness. She started acting in movies at the age of nine, and through the course of her massive career, made about 70 movies, married 8 times to 7 different men, won an Oscar, launched 3 huge perfumes, made headlines, broke hearts, inspired millions, and rocked the hell out of life. She was a rock star, delightful chaos, eyes and voice and diamonds.

Elizabeth Taylor was a Queen. On the big screen, in her personal life, in the media, and...ok, maybe in the eighties and nineties...maybe a little bit in the drag sense, too. Cleopatra, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Liz ruled them all. Enough words. Liz was a woman of action, a fighter in every sense. So, without further ado: Ms. Elizabeth Taylor.

A Scandal in The Making...
Liz with her 3rd husband, Michael Todd (her only marriage not to end in divorce) and her future 4th husband - Eddie Fisher and his wife/her best friend, Debbie Reynolds

Taylor and Burton rockin the boat, long before Ben and JLo

In an early uncredited role as Helen in 1944's Jane Eyre

Glamorous and ladylike with Burton

Nap time with James Dean behind the scenes of Giant

Can't tell who's more gorgeous...

Inspiration: Margot Fonteyn

Who? Huh? Margot Wha?

Margot Fonteyn was arguably the best Classical ballerina of all time. Born in England, raised for a time in China and retired to Panama, this dancer was, by definition, worldly. But for all of her worldliness, her dancing seemed to transcend the earthly form. She was grace, both on and off the stage - and even though she reached the highest echelons of ballerina-dom, she always remained gracious and supportive of her fellow ballerinas. According to her Wikipedia page (I know, I know. Insert research nerd's aggravated groan here)

In the extremely competitive world of ballet, Fonteyn was renowned for her consummate professionalism and loyalty to her friends. Her dancing stood out for its lyricism, grace, and passion. Although Fonteyn was the Royal Ballet's biggest star, its director, Dame Ninette de Valois, cultivated other talents, so that the Royal Ballet of Fonteyn's day also featured Nadia Nerina, Svetlana Beriosova, Lynn Seymour, and Antoinette Sibley.

No Black Swan role-grubbing here, folks. Not only that, but Fonteyn was so good that not only did she continue to dance well into her 40's, she dominated. In the early sixties, Fonteyn began a years long partnership with the Russian dancer Rudolph Nureyev - dancing together in everything from Giselle to Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake. Their partnership was so powerful that Nureyev is famously quoted as saying: "At the end of 'Lac des Cygnes' when she left the stage in her great white tutu I would have followed her to the end of the world."

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Nureyev and Fonteyn share a moment during Romeo and Juliet

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Taking a break from rehearsal

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Fonteyn and Nureyev in their fabulous streetclothes. Look at that updo!

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I mean, isn't this what the whole ballerina-chic look is about? I now understand what Nureyev was talking about with that tutu...

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The definition of ladylike class

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A very young Fonteyn en pointe (yeah, I looked it up) and looking so very modern

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Another young Fonteyn looking very classic in her tutu.



* I feel it's worthy of note that while I wrote this, the episode of Sex in the City (a show I generally speaking do not watch, came on - and who should appear but Mr. Ballet himself - Mikhail Baryshnikov. I see that as a good sign.