fashion and film

By Caroline Elizabeth, Women’s Style Editor

Though the 1964 film “My Fair Lady” starring Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle has several memorable fashion moments, my favorite is the Ascot Racecourse scene when the entire crowd is outfitted in to-die-for black and white outfits.

In fact, this is one of my all-time favorite fashion in film moments and just goes to show how important costumes are to the overall mood and story of a movie. In this scene, Audrey herself is outfitted in a white lace dress with black and white striped trim and a hat so big, I don’t know how she can balance it on her head!

Now, you don’t have to go directly to lace and feathers (or a giant hat) when planning your own look, but you can certainly do so if you’re feeling gutsy. Just remember that black and white is the key! I created two very different outfits to work off of for your own unique look. The first is a striped dress and matching accessories for a daytime, semi-formal event, and the second is a more casual evening or night out on the town with a striped blazer as the staple piece.

Dress, $11
Black blazer, £16
Cotton shorts, $36
Dune ballet shoes, £55
Modalu clutch handbag, €69
Dorothy Perkins clutch handbag, $59
White House Black Market drop earrings, $34
Black ring, £4
Sun hat, $87
Feather hair accessory

Making a statement with your look is fun, and so is going over the top, as long as you feel comfortable and confident. However, please remember to substitute Audrey’s lace parasol for a modern black or white clutch, and if you decide to don a fabulous hat take it down a few notches in size! Now, I can only dream that you will be surrounded by others adorned only in black and white, but you will just have to leave that part up to the imagination.

By Caroline Elizabeth, Women’s Style Editor

Reese Witherspoon’s sweet, talented, and stylish portrayal of June Carter makes it easy to see how she won the affection of Johnny Cash, played by Joaquin Phoenix in the Cash biopic “Walk the Line”.

When June and Johnny first meet in the 1950’s in the film, I was instantly drawn to June’s simple but feminine look, complete with a floral dress, a pair of kitten heels, and bouncy curls.

It’s important to add your own touches to this sort of ensemble unless you’re like me and don’t mind looking like you’ve walked out of a year 60 years prior to the current day.

Flower print dress, $90
A Wear floral dress, £54
Flower print dress, $118
Kitten heels, $99
A|Wear kitten heels, £55
AllSaints tote handbag, $198
DKNY genuine leather handbag, $219
Genuine leather belt, £41
Lodis hip belt, $58
Karen walker sunglasses, $180
House of Harlow 1960 round sunglasses, $108

I suggest adding sleek, modern sunglasses, a big slouchy bag, and a bold belt to your 50’s-style dress. Don’t go overboard on the accessories, but do add some to keep it fresh. This look is perfect for any summer day’s occasion, from a picnic, to a wedding, to a stroll in the park.

As the film moves through Cash’s life and his relationship with June, we see the fashion change from the 50’s to the 60’s, and June’s look becomes sleeker with the times. Her hair is not only straighter and longer, but her dresses are less full too.

Print dress, $78

Oasis paisley dress, $95
Komodo floral shift dress, £63
Nine west wedge, $69
Nine West high heels, $94
G by Guess high heel shoes, $55
Chamak by Priya Kakkar crystal bangle, $60
Clara Kasavina hoop earrings, $50

You can achieve this look with a hair straightener of course, and a more fitted, still feminine dress in a paisley print. Accessorize it with glamorous, fun earrings bracelets. I’d also suggest adding a pair of strappy heeled sandals to modernize the look.

Your new look inspired by June gives you the perfect excuse to throw your friends an outdoor, summertime tea party Nashville style, and play a little Cash in the background.