Style Profile: Audrey Tautou

I decided to watch one of my all-time favourite films Hor de Prix, in English, “Priceless” with Audrey Tautou and Gad Elmaleh. Although her style is much more laidback than I aim for, her general demeanour and composure has an elegance that is to be emulated as much as possible! I myself aspire to be just as Frenchy-chic as she is!

I do adore her style, with laidback tailoring, she often wears silk blouses and relaxed slouch pants; it’s simple, easy, but brought to life with red lipstick and perfectly defined eyebrows. Here are some of my favourite snaps of this new-age Audrey Hepburn!

I love how easy her style is! She often uses shades of lipstick that do darken and define her lips, however don't overpower her skin tone - I think I'll be looking for some mid-shades of lippy that I can      wear during the day

Her evening looks are relaxed, yet still formal and elegant - this is where the red lipstick comes out. Keeping it simple seems to be her style code - it's a lesson we should all learn! 

Want to get Tautou's look? Here's what I'd suggest...

DAYTIME: OUTFIT ONE

THE TOP: As I work at Saba,  I'm most familiar with the pieces from our current collection - the 'Fitted Stretch Shirt' ($129.00 AUD) is perfect for achieving Audrey's look as it has a low set collar and no buttons (zip down the side) - available at saba.com.au

THE PANTS: Haute Hippie "Pleated Silk Pant" - saksfifthavenue.com

THE SHOES: Peeptoe "Munroe" Shoes in Patent Black - Currently on sale - peeptoeshoes.com.au

DAYTIME: OUTFIT TWO

 

THE TOP: Saba "Noelle" Top - $189.00 AUD - saba.com.au

THE PANTS: Also Saba - "Akira" pant - $229.00 AUD - saba.com.au

THE SHOES: Nine West "Quinty" Shoe in Patent Nude - $139.95 - ninewest.com.au

DAYTIME: MAKEUP

Keep it simple with a coloured, but basic lipstick and a nude eyeshadow palette + mascara of course!

Rouge Nude Dior Lipstick in "Twill" - myer.com.au

Napoleon Perdis "Ultimate Nude Palette" - $79.00 AUD - napoleonperdis.com.au

NIGHTTIME: OUTFIT ONE

 

This look is very similar to looks seen in Hors de Prix, a little more glamourous than Audrey's usual red carpet style, but is very frenchy-chic anyway! 

THE DRESS: Asos "Oh My Love Bodycon Dress with Sweetheard Neckline" -  $63.52 AUD - asos.com/au

THE SHOES: Michael by Michael Kors "Michela Patent Leather Sandals" - $178.87 AUD - saksfifthavenue.com

NIGHTTIME: OUTFIT TWO

THE DRESS:  Kirrily Johnston "Babylonia Drape Dress" - $620.00 AUD - greenwithenvy.com.au

THE SHOES: Giorgio Armani "Geometric Strappy Sandal" - farfetch.com

NIGHTTIME: MAKEUP

EYES: Chanel "Les 4 Ombres" - 93 Smoky Eyes [Take it easy with the shadow, the lips should be the feature]

LIPS: Chanel Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in 104 "Passion"

The Blazer

Blazers are a must have for this season - I thought I'd post a couple of pictures of my favourite blazers! Pair with a t-shirt, jeans, pair of pumps and out the door!

 Saba 'Uma Jacket'

 Saba 'Tuxedo Jacket'

 Top Shop Jacket - There's one in Hugo Boss in Westfield Sydney that keeps catching my eye as I go up the escalators: Not in my colour palette, but this is one of those pieces that you feature with neutrals

 Cue 'Cross Over Jacket' - This jacket is so cool on! Just another statement piece by Cue!

The Look: Christine Centenera - My Ultimate Style Icon!

This woman is my ultimate style icon! I've decided to "re-vamp" my wardrobe and Christine Centenera is going to be my inspiration along the way; I've therefore outlined what seem to be "Centenera's Cardinal Rules"

Rule Number 1: Don't be Afraid of Black
I'm terribly pale, so black has been the easiest colour/shade for me to turn to. I've always felt guilty buying more black clothes as I already have so many, but no more! The key? Still make sure black isn't the only thing you have, and for those like me a little scared of brighter colours, try looking into navy's, aubergines, dark autumn reds, and deep greens!  

Rule Number 2: Structure & Geometry Are  Your Friend!
Shoulder pads and very interesting edging seem to be part of the C.C. effect - especially in the skirt department. A lazy jumper, tee, or cardigan can be completely edged up if one adds a skirt with an interesting hemline!

Christine seems to have a thing for structured skirts, and so happens, so do I! Except they are particularly hard to find. A blazer adds structure to any outfit, especially one that has shoulder pads (don't go too overboard unless you want to look like Cindy Lauper) - the photo on the bottom right shows that a simple structured blazer can make a pair of slouch pajama-look pants look edgy and updated. 

I've posted a picture of one I bought today from Bardot at the bottom - they are not usually one of my preferred brands, however I walked past this one in the window and HAD to have it!  

Rule Number 3: Texture, Darling! 
Leather, Fur, Thatching, Denim, Lace - You name it she's worn it! Every outfit C.C. wears seems to have some element of textural contrast, which gives us a bit of an opportunity to play around with texture combinations - my favourite, fur (faux, that is) and leather. Now, for me personally fur is a bit out there, but I'm going to make sure that I don't dismiss those pieces that have fur from now on...just in case - who knows, they may become essential pieces of my wardrobe!

For those struggling with the concept of adding fur to your outfits, my favourite store seems to have the answer: http://www.greenwithenvy.com.au/search_results.php?keywordsearch=fur

P.S. - C.C. seems often pairs leather and fur together - this is definitely something I hope to experiment with soon

Rule Number 4: Neutralise Yourself
C.C.'s colour palette is usually very neutral, most flashes of colour are contributions from her designer boyfriend Josh Goot's collection, and any bright colours are made into the feature by dark neutrals. The colour rules? Navy, Black, Charcoal, Tan, Cream, and Ivory. Having pieces like this in your wardrobe means that it's incredibly easy to get dressed in a rush in the morning and still look fabulously coordinated.

My personal colour palette will attempt to use a maximum of three of these colours together in one outfit

 

Rule Number 5: Layering, Layering, Layering!

Christine seems to be the queen of layering -I myself try to avoid it at all costs as it requires a little more effort in the morning to look coordinated. Practice makes perfect however, and I've decided to try mixing four different staples: A jacket, a drapey cardigan, a tee shirt, and a silk/lightweight scarf. This seems to work for C.C.! 

Top Left: Alexander Wang 'Zip Collar Leather Moto Jacket'
Top Right: Saba 'Scoop Neck T-Shirt'
Bottom Left: Saba 'Shrunken Wool Scarf'
Bottom Right: Nicholas Merino Wool Leather Detail Cardigan

And Just Because:

I have been lusting after this Willow jacket...pretty sure it's my next purchase! It would also be a good layering piece worn open with a thin cardigan underneath...NEED IT!

Outfit of the Season: June 2011

The Clothes

START WITH: Camilla And Marc Spotted Garden Frock

The Shoes 

In the Day
Add to with SHOES: Nine West Korvino in Black

 

At Night :
Add to with SHOES: Nine West Time Piece in Red Suede (These babies are currently on sale @ $129)

The Accessories

IN THE DAY: Oroton Ltd Tunisia Bag

AT NIGHT: Oroton Heritage Sleeve Clutch (Must Have)

The Look

Daytime: Use a strong black eyeliner on the top eyelid only, pair with nude lipstick or a sheer lip gloss

At Night:  Sexy sultry smokey eyes with bright red lips. (Like below)

 

How very Soigné! - Shoes

Much of this blog will be dedicated to Shoes, and beneath I give you all an insight into why that is...

Shoes – An item of great significance to a large global population of people. More specifically, the term is used by women, referring to items that they gladly, willingly and expensively add to their person. Reasons for such will be explained below... 

As I look at my bookshelf which gives home to eleven pairs of gorgeous high heel shoes, boots and wedges, a sudden, possibly life-altering question, edges its way into my mind. Why is it that I love shoes? Surely many women around the world have asked themselves this same question –Shoes look lovely and come in many different shapes and sizes, but why is there a need to have so many pairs? Variety is good yes, but do I really need a total of 15 different pairs of shoes (excluding my running shoes) to feel contented? We all, as women, justify our lavish shoe purchases by saying that they are an investment, they define our calve muscles, make us taller, our bottoms look and seem smaller, and they are the perfect accompaniment to a suave handbag and a Little Black Dress. 

It would seem a good idea that I, and all other women alike who have a love of footwear, should contemplate why we love these oddly shaped objects so much, and why we insist on spending our dollars on something that we’ve already stocked our closets with. 

The Soigné Answer: Shoes, I think, have become more than just an attempt at a couple more inches – shoes have become much more than that, they have become an object that we associate with womanhood. I remember being a young teenage girl just waiting until I could have my own pair of four-inch stunners (like the big girls were wearing). We all, as women, revel in the activities of putting on a stunning and soigné outfit and going out, looking like beautiful, independent and powerful women. Shoes make us strut better (I mean strut, shoes do not necessarily making walking better or easier), we’re more confident, feel more powerful, feel more wonderful and delectable, we feel like women; more elevated and escalated versions of ourselves. They say who we are, and for that reason, they continue to be justifiable purchases...so in advance, I apologise to my money, that I will happily give a way for a pair of absolutely amazing shoes.

How Very Soigné! 

xox

Shoe One: Python Suede Metal Kid Wedges by Diego Dolcini from http://www.luisaviaroma.com/

Shoe Two: YSL Tribute Mary-Jane Pump

Shoe Three: Miu Miu Teacup Mary-Janes