Classic Style Inspo from the Hollywood Golden Age — Trendii

The actresses in the golden age of Hollywood were also style icons! What they wore set the tone for everyday fashions in much the same way celebrity works in the fashion industry today. While many of todays fashions are short lived trends, the ground breaking, elegant and iconic looks of the Hollywood golden age gave us some classic staples that you’ll still find in stores today. There’s a lot to be learned from these looks and the motivation behind them.

Golden Age Hollywood movie stars were basically owned by their studios. They were under strict instructions regarding their bodies, behaviour and public persona, so at all times they had to maintain an uphold a look that everyone else aspired too. This obviously had an influence on their personal style and while they often had to adhere to guidelines many of their looks were groundbreaking and pushed the limits.

I’ve chosen 4 iconic looks as style inspo and found current options using the Trendii app. As usual thanks to Trendii I’m giving you options for any budget. Don’t forget to keep an eye on the popups for even more options.

Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Audry Hepburn

CASUAL CHIC

Even on a day off, actresses like Marilyn Monroe maintained that Hollywood glamour they were known for through elegant yet comfortable causal looks. High waisted, tight, straight leg pants known as Capri pants or Cigarette pants became all the rage for women and were an exciting alternative to skirts and dresses. Trousers were actually banned for Actresses until Katherine Hepburn refused to give them up. Before long they became a staple of every stylish woman’s casual wardrobe and the best bit is they are extremely flattering! Often made of thick fabric which flattens and shapes, they show off the legs and highlight the waist. They also never went away and are still considered an essential staple.

They were often worn with cute knits like this black high neck one, or button down shirts, with the sleeves ruched to just below the elbow. You’ll see many causal looks of the era where women roll or push up the sleeves to get that three quarter look. It was considered to look casual but chic and showed off the hands and forearms creating elegant lines.

Marlene Dietrich, Audry Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe

THE CLASSIC TRENCH

The first version of the Trench Coat was created by Thomas Burberry in 1850! Since then its become a staple classic, found in the wardrobes of the chic for decades. Movie stars though out the ages and around the world have adopted this effortless yet sophisticated look. Worn over a dress it becomes an outfit on its own and I think that was often the apeal. The belt is almost always tied in a quick casual way, rather than using the buckle provided. It can be dressed up or down for any occasion making it your most versatile outerwear option and worth investing in a good quality one.

THE FITTED STRAPLESS GOWN

The golden age of Hollywood was the era of the Bombshell! The woman who could stop traffic and silence a room merely through her presence. The fitted strapless gown showed off every curve and alluded to nudity by showing off bare shoulders and décolletage. For those not quite as daring, pale or nude coloured dresses also gave the same desired effect. Modern versions include thigh high splits as well as one shoulder and waterfall drapes as if the dress could unravel at any moment. While these dresses are sexy they are still seen to have the classic elegance of the movie stars that inspired them.

This Black strapless gown was worn by Rita Hayworth in the movie Gilda in a scene where she improvises a quick striptease and was seen as risqué and sexy. It was also named one of the 10 best fashion moments in film!

Jane Russell, Ava Gardner, Lauren Bacall

THE STRIPE & CROP TOP

The crop top or bare midriff became popular as early as the 1940s with dresses including cut outs and progressing to sets with short tops. Grace Kelly in her cute striped two piece is the perfect example of a popular style by the 50s. The looks still involved a high waisted skirt, shorts or pants as showing the female navel was seen as too sexual and taboo and was actually banned in western culture and films into the 1960s. Even though we’ve thankfully moved on from that, the high waisted option is still the preferred style for a classic and chic silhouette.

Bold & coloured stripes were also popular at the time as the Mexican culture began to influence American fabrics and furnishings. Stripes have continued as a classic style staple. Check out our post all about stripes “Stripe Tease” for everything you need to know about styling stripes.

I hope you enjoyed this different kind of style inspo. With Apps like trendy you can really take looks from any era and find modern takes. This is one of my favourite eras for fashion because it’s really flattering on most body types and it was a time when women were revered and celebrated. This allowed women to have a platform and boundaries began to be pushed both socially and in fashion.

Would love to hear from you! Leave a comment bellow and tell us what you want us to explore next!