Details Ditails

I was thinking last week that it would be wonderful to be able to dress like Dita von Teese. Not the nipple tassles and G-strings when she’s doing her burlesque act, (I may have lost weight, but I don’t quite have the body for that, and it’s not exactly work-appropriate attire for my job) but the perfectly put together style she has when not working. Her hair is always styled in some fabulous 1940s or ’50s do, nails manicured, painted red lips and carefully selected accessories. It’s the attention to detail I love.

When researching how to achieve some of those old-school hair styles Dita wears, I came across this fabulous blog, where there was detailed instruction on how to achieve a rockabilly hairstyle, and the woman’s outfits are all so retro cool.

There’s such commitment to achieving a particular look. I imagine it takes a lot of time to create such a fully realised style. But I am intrigued about the level of work and commitment and time involved, so I think I might attempt a week of detailed dressing.

Blair Waldorf epitomises that ultra detailed style I’d like to achieve. She tends to have lots of accessories, particularly favouring a headband. I actually tried on this blue and white dress when I was in New York, but while it looks amazing on Blair Waldorf, on me, not so much.

Her and Chuck are the perfect sartorial match. He is also all about attention to detail, and their outfits are often coordinated.

I went shopping on the weekend and about bought some cute vintage-style dresses, peep-toe heels, a ruffle-neck shirt and a mint-green hooded vintage coat. I think the fact that all my purchases apparently require hyphens may mean I’m getting the hang of detailed dressing.

I guess we’ll see tomorrow morning whether being able to wear a highly detailed level of style to work is achievable for mere mortals like myself…

Because no matter where you run, you just end up running into yourself

I watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s on the weekend. It’s the first time I’ve seen it in years, and I think it may be even the first time I’ve seen it as a grown-up.

It kind of amazed me how contemporary the themes still are, and it seemed like it would have been so daring and racy in 1961. I know we tend to think of the ‘60s as a time of daring, but the free love and riots and sexual revolution all seemed to be more at the end of the decade. 1961 sensibilities would not have been much different to those of the 1950s, I would imagine.

It’s the kind of film that really still has something to say about the quest for identity and love and belonging and a woman’s place in the world and taking control of our own destiny.

I also love Holly’s idea of the mean reds.

Holly: You know those days when you get the mean reds?

Paul: The mean reds? You mean, like, the blues?

Holly: No. The blues are because you’re getting fat and maybe it’s been raining too long. You’re just sad, that’s all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you’re afraid and you don’t know what you’re afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?

And, of course, the style is immaculate, which doesn’t hurt, and continues to provide inspiration.

All About Gossip Girl

I was so in love with the styling on Gossip Girl this week (season three, episode six) during Blair’s All About Eve-inspired dream.

Blair looked amazing as Bette Davis, but you would expect that.

What was truly surprising to me was how gorgeous Vanessa looked. I’m not a huge fan of how they style JS on GG, particularly those hideous dread-like hair extensions she’s been sporting quite often this season, but she looked divine here in this Reem Acra.

Olivia Wilde from House (and The OC, if you remember) wore this dress to the 2008 Emmys, but I think it suits JS better because of her skin tone.

And a gratuitous Chuck and Blair pic to finish with…