Vintage Style Inspiration from Queens of the Screen!

Girls on Film – we get some vintage style inspiration from the movies!

For decades, women in film have inspired how we have dressed. The iconic ladies of the screen have an incredible way of creating characters that bring out a desire to “BE” like them. Here at carousel we definitely find some new vintage style inspiration every once in a while that influences how we want to dress. Nine times out of ten, it’s definitely dictated by a character, actress, or women in history, that we really admire.

First, lets look to fictional characters: Take “Penny Lane and the Band Aids” In Almost Famous (2000) for instance. Penny and her gal pals exude the quaint essential 70’s chick style. Too cool for school (did they even go to school?) and always effortlessly styled in loose-fitting spring time vibes. Now I’m not saying we should all copy these characters, because that wouldn’t exactly be creative now would it? Instead, how about we imagine we were part of their gang. Now that’s way more fun! (And who doesn’t love a super cool girl gang?) So grab your groovy gal pals, stick on Tiny Dancer by Elton John and blast it out on a highway while wearing these cool threads:

Almost Famous 70's style movie inspiration

movie quote style almost famous

70s style vintage inspiration movies

Next up, a woman with on and off screen style: Let’s take it back to the 40’s and 50’s with the ever chic, Jean Seberg. Muse of French New-Wave director Jean-Luc Goddard, and all-roundminimal beauty. Jean encapsulates classic cool French style on film, and in her own personal style, with pastel blues, baby pinks, and adding an edgy touch to her classic feminine style with a short pixie cut. Which (be warned) you may even be tempted to try out a pixie cut  yourself if you fall for her like Goddard did.

inspiration movie style jean serberg

vintage style inspiration retro dress from Carousel

jean seberg movie style blouse carousel

And last but most definitely not least in our current girls on film loves: A woman with incredible personal style – the unfathomable Bianca Jagger. How is she even a real person? Too hot to handle, queen of the 60’s & 70’s, the ultimate risk taker. Bianca’s style was, and is not, for the faint of heart. But luckily enough, its not so hard to emulate. So get your stilettos and head scarf wrap on, and take a look at how we re-create her style.

bianca jagger vintage style inspiration collage

vintage style inspiration carousel

Celebrate Style Icon Anna May Wong this Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today, we’re taking a look at one of our favorite vintage style queens, and very influential lady, Anna May Wong! With a career that spanned from the 1920’s to her death in the 60’s, Wong (1905 – 61) smashed through prejudices in a deeply racist 1920’s Hollywood. She became the first Chinese American movie star, and gained international recognition for her talent. While she was often cast in roles that perpetuated Asian stereotypes, she paved the way and made a crucial first step for many Asian actors in the movie world.

Apart from her talent, and important role in movie history, Wong was also a stunning style icon! We love how she mixed elements from both Chinese and American fashion. She created a truly unique and glamorous look. We’ve picked out some of our favorite looks below, and get some inspiration from the great Anna May Wong!

anna may wong vintage style inspiration chinese

anna may wong vintage movie star style

anna may wong vintage style

anna may wong chinese new year

anna may wong old hollywood chinese

vintage retro glamour dress anna may wong

Vintage Valentines Style Inspiration: The Notebook

Valentines day is just around the corner and it got us thinking about our favourite romantic films. Classics like Dirty Dancing, Casablanca and Roman Holiday all made the list! All of these movies have given us some serious Valentines style inspiration as well!

Get Vintage Inspired Valentines Style!

Vintage Valentines style inspiration the notebook

The Notebook has to be one of the most romantic films of all time. Part of the appeal (apart from Ryan Gosling of course!) is the amazing 1930s and 40s outfits Rachel McAdam’s character Allie wears throughout the film. The blue dress from the poster is probably the most famous outfit from the movie, but some of the other outfits are equally gorgeous. Many of the dresses remind us of our own Ava (See them all here) and Ingrid dress (here) from Circus. They both have that easy to wear, everyday glamour that was so prevalent in 1940’s style.  What do you think? Perfect for a Valentines date!

Summer Movie Style Inspiration – Look 3: Dirty Dancing

And now, for the last of our series of Summer Movie Style Inspiration, we look at the ultimate girly movie, Dirty Dancing.

Dirty Dancing Summer Movie Inspiration

It’s the summer of 1963. The sweet girl-next-door ,Frances ”Baby” Houseman, joins her family at a holiday resort run by a patient of her father’s. Baby plans to attend college that Autumn and then join the Peace Corps…that is until she meets the ridiculously handsome Johnny and all plans fall by the wayside as she falls head over heels for him (literally!)

Dirty Dancing Summer Movie Inspiration

When we first see Baby she wears embroidered white tops and denim shorts…the picture of simplicity and innocence. As the story progresses and Baby starts to dance with Johnny we are treated to some sumptuous dresses that are all fit and flare. These dresses embody the passionate romance of the movie…and they are all about the femininity.

Dirty Dancing Summer Movie Inspiration

We went away and put  together our own Dirty Dancing inspired look for you. This fit and flare dress has all the femininity of Baby’s finale dress but is more wearable for daytime. Throw this beautifully soft cardigan around your shoulders and you’re ready to dance the mamba!

Dirty Dancing Inspired Outfit

 

Summer Movie Style Inspiration – Look One: Grease!

It’s the height of summer, and on those days when it’s just too warm to go outside, or you’ve already been out and about in the sun all day, we like to cool down by watching some of our favorite (and most stylish!) summer movies. Over the next few days, we will be revisiting our top 3 summer movies, and creating outfits inspired by each one! So first up is the colourful and rambunctious musical “Grease”!

Grease summer movie style retro carousel

A classic story about a good girl and bad boy falling in love, this movie is what we wish our summers in high school were like! Even though made in 1978, this movie still looked back to the 1950’s for it’s setting and style, and the outfits are to die for! With lots of retro fit and flare dresses, poodle skirts, cute little sweaters, bobby socks, and bad ass jackets, this movie is a treat for any vintage loving stylista.

Movie style vintage fashion carousel

Getting the Grease look for yourself isn’t too difficult. We really love lead character Sandy’s style throughout the movie. She has that classic prim 1950’s style – all big full circle skirts, petticoats and cardigans. To pay homage to the movies girl gang “The Pink Ladies” we’ve paired this cute pink polka dot shirt with this gorgeous anchor print full skirt. Just tie your hair into a prim ponytail, add a cardigan (worn on your shoulders only of course!) and a pristine pair of white bobby socks, and you have the Sandy look! If you want to represent Sandy’s “bad” (but oh so good!) side that emerges in the movie, you could pop the collar of your shirt and add these sassy vintage inspired cat eye sunglasses. 

Get Look Grease Movie CarouselCheck back soon for more of our favorite summer movie style – next up is “500 Days of Summer”!

Carousel xox

The Bling Ring

The Bling Ring

Only a few days left till The Bling Ring, Sofia Coppolla’s latest film, arrives in theaters and needless to say we can’t wait. We’ve been obsessed with her work since she showed up on the film scene with her major directorial debut, The Virgin Suicides, back in 1999.

The latest, The Bling Ring, dives into the seedy and privileged world of Hollywood’s wannabes. Based on true events, the film follows a group of fame-obsessed teenagers use the internet to track celebrities’ whereabouts in order to rob their homes.

The film stars Emma Watson, who we LOVE, and who is already earning her place as a true fashion icon. We can’t wait to hear the soundtrack, see the clothes and the undoubtedly dark side of Los Angeles through Coppolla’s eyes.

The Bling Ring is in theaters this Friday xx