Style Lessons From My Favorite Classic Hollywood Stars

An Infographic

Marilyn — Bettie — Audrey

Marilyn Monroe

• Sunglasses and a Scarf -Nothing says glamor like sunglasses and a headscarf. Although Marilyn probably wore hers to go incognito, today’s starlets like Dita Von Teese use this trick to get out the door in a hurry when you don’t have time for full makeup and perfect hair
• Relaxed separates -although she was known to wear the tightest dresses in Hollywood, many of her sexiest and most loved looks are centered around relaxed separates.
• Understated accessories -She was often photographed dripping with jewels or wearing elaborate earrings for the red carpet but on her own time, Marilyn stuck to understated accessories or none at all.
• Messy curls -Marilyn experimented with all different hair styles and lengths but her messy curls are my favorite look!
• A neutral color palette -In her personal wardrobe, she chose mostly neutral colors like white, cream, black, peach, blue and red. Marilyn definitely played with bold colors and patterns on occasion so don’t be afraid to break out of your comfort zone every once in a while!
• Perfect your beauty routine -Marilyn’s iconic look was attributed to her top secret beauty routine. Along with her makeup artist, she spent years figuring out what worked for her but once she found the products she loved, she kept them on hand at all times.
• Wiggle dresses - She was the queen of the wiggle with dresses tailored to fit perfectly in all of the right places. My favorite is this dress worn with Arthur Miller in England. If I were her, I would have never worn another dress again!
• Capri pants - you don’t have to load your closet with impossibly tight wiggle dresses to bring a little Marilyn into your wardrobe. She loved to relax in capri pants paired with a sweater, button up or crop top. Look for well fitting capris in solids and patterns.
• Strap heels -Marilyn must have had the most amazing show collection. She had 40 pairs made especially for her by Salvatore Ferragamo. Although she wore kitten heels, pumps, even flats, she was often spotted in a great strap heel.
• Tight knits -a staple piece in any iconic pin up girl’s wardrobe is a snug fitting knit top to wear over a pointy bra.

Audrey Hepburn

• Ballet flats -Simple ballet flats can be worn with just about anything. They’re smart, comfortable and give a certain elegance to polish off the look
• Stripes in shirts or pants -horizontal stripes in a knit boat neck top are a 60s classic or elongate your legs with daring vertical striped cigarette pants
• Collared shirts -stripes in shirts or pants horizontal stripes in a knit boat neck top are a 60s classic or elongate your legs with daring vertical striped cigarette pants
• Natural brows -Audrey softened her look and made her eyes the main feature with beautiful natural brows. It’s easy to go overboard with the tweezers but a full brow can be so sophisticated.
• Perfect fitting pants with loafers -her playful attitude and wide eyed look was the perfect contrast to her boyish style choices
• Cover your head if playing in the sun -Fashionable and smart, she knew to protect your beautiful face and hair from the harsh rays with adorable scarves and straw hats
• Show off your waist -Audrey had such a lovely, slender figure and a waist to envy. She showed it off with a cinched belt, sweet little play suits and form fitting pants. Create the look of a smaller waist with a full skirt and tucked in blouse.
• Channel your inner Tomboy -Audrey really paid attention to doing one or the other. She played up her eyes and kept a soft lip and Wore tailored clothes with no-fuss hair.
• Wear one spectacular accessory — Audrey was an expert at choosing just the right accessories. When off the film set, she usually went with one big statement piece like over-sized sunglasses, a really fun hat or bold color blocking.
• Feel comfortable in what you wear -whether in pants or a feminine dress, she always looked really relaxed and comfortable with herself because she knew that confidence was the most important accessory. Always choose clothes that make you feel good, inside and out.

Bettie Page

• Pink chiffon bow- Bettie was often photographed with a flirty bow in her hair. I love the puffy look of a chiffon head scarf.
• A signature hairstyle- Bettie’s jet black waves and iconic bangs completed her look. Like all of the best pin up girls, practice one style that you can get right every time.
• Leopard print anything- nothing says “fierce” like leopard or cheetah print. Do it with a scarf, cardigan, purse, belt- anything!
• Always a smile- the best thing about Bettie is that she really knew how to have fun, no matter what she was doing.
• Fearless lingerie- Bettie often made her own lingerie and photo shoot costumes. This phone costume ensemble is one of my favorites!
• Pencil skirts show off your wiggle in a curve-hugging pencil skirt, paired with a simple blouse or sweater.
• Long black gloves- Bettie was rarely photographed without a pair of long back gloves. It takes guts to pull off but Dita (who draws a lot of inspiration from Bettie) often pairs them with a dark day dress or blouse and they look incredibly elegant.
• Patent leather accessories- This bad girl was the queen of leather….but not in a wearing it while going grocery shopping kind of way, if you get my drift. Try patent leather in a belt, shoe or classic vintage handbag that you really can wear anywhere.
• Classic pumps- Bettie had quite a collection of specialty shoes for her films and photo shoots, many made for her by clients wanting something exotic and strange but a modern day pin up girl can never go wrong with classic black pumps, peep toes or sling-backs. Her high heels were made for pain but we should always wear heels within our comfort zone. There’s nothing alluring about a girl limping around from too-high heels!
• A fun loving attitude- Photographers loved working with Bettie because her personality really showed through in her photos.Learn more about the fascinating life of the girl that lit up the camera with interviews from Bettie, her friends and photographers in the documentary, Bettie Page Reveals All.