Photo Love: Retro Chic a la Marilyn Monroe

October 17, 2011
If you’re gonna be two-faced at least make one of them pretty.
Marilyn Monroe
Michelle Williams in Vogue US October 2011

Is it any wonder that style via the “Mad Men” era of the 1950s is so popular now?  It was all about perfect red/nude lipstick, tousled hair, and form-fitting, but still elegant apparel.  Marilyn Monroe was and still remains one of the quintessential style sirens.   Retro chic is about apparel that celebrates the female form while still leaving something to the imagination.

Savvy options today: back then and today, chic options are the iconic halter dress with flared skirt (the polka dot print on this Victoria’s Secret one is cute!), tight sweater dresses (metallic makes it modern, like this Express one), and midi skirts (this printed Topshop one is cute).  Hemlines were longer, but fiery spirits and the role of women as simply housewives was becoming a memory.  I love how these styles remain, but are owned by the modern woman.  

What retro chic apparel do you love?

Have a lovely week!
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  • honey my heart October 17, 2011 at 07:06

    i heart the eye make up, hair styles, and shoes of the era. it’s all so chic.

    ps, i’m totally excited for the movie to come out. michelle williams looks great in it.

  • Spanglish Chic October 17, 2011 at 07:39

    She is gorgeous!!

  • The Queen of Hearts October 17, 2011 at 08:20

    Although Michelle looks absolutely amazing, I really want the industry to stop referencing Marilyn. For me, it is to a point where it appears the industry just doesn’t have any creative juice left and recycling what has been done (to death, literally) is the only option.

    TheQueenofHearts

  • Vale ♥ October 17, 2011 at 08:49

    Awesome post, love Michelle and this Marilyn look is perfect for her ! Your blog is great and I am gonna follow as soon as I can go on the pc cause my IPad is not loading the GFC widget for some unknown reason lol

    http://www.fashionandcookies.com

  • Plami October 17, 2011 at 08:56

    The entire spread is gorgeous! I absolutely love it!

    XoXo
    Plami

    http://www.fashionthrill.com/

  • The Dainty Doll's House October 17, 2011 at 10:41

    Love the last photo the most 🙂 I have trousers like those and they are so relaxing 🙂 I hope you have a great Monday doll!! xx

  • Diana Mieczan October 17, 2011 at 11:02

    Michelle Williams looks incredible in those photos. Im truly in love with retro-chic:) Happy Monday, sunshine. How was your weekend? xo

  • The Blonde Duck October 17, 2011 at 12:11

    I’ve always loved fifties attire!

  • Tanvi October 17, 2011 at 12:48

    I know. I wonder now why did the 50’s ever go out f fashion in the first place … it is such a classic-forever-kinda look! Love Michelle Williams as Monroe. Looks spot on!!!

    ♡ from © tanvii.com

  • Kim October 17, 2011 at 13:47

    I love all of these looks, and the fact that they flatter women with curves! Great inspiration, and gorgeous Michelle Williams photo!

  • Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird October 17, 2011 at 13:58

    Absolutely GORGEOUS.

  • Kristin H October 17, 2011 at 14:05

    I just love how gorgeously comfortable she looks while reading. Can’t wait for the movie:)

  • Lau Figueiredo October 17, 2011 at 14:18

    Love it, and I love Michelle Williams, a perfect Marilyn Monroe 🙂

    Lau
    http://thenewblacksheep.blogspot.com/

  • Tiffany October 17, 2011 at 14:35

    So gorgeous, I love this editorial and the styling.

  • {The Perfect Palette} October 17, 2011 at 15:12

    michelle looks great.

  • amy b.s. October 17, 2011 at 15:17

    wow. these photos really are quite stunning.

  • Heather October 17, 2011 at 16:14

    I love the Mad Men look, and these outfits are awesome!

  • Tamra {walkswithBella} October 17, 2011 at 16:53

    She was perfectly casted and did an amazing job really embodying marilyn’s spirit.

  • Punctuation Mark October 17, 2011 at 17:46

    she looks fantastic like that… really want to see her new movie!

  • Ashleigh October 17, 2011 at 17:51

    I cannot wait to see this movie!
    I’m adoring everything I see in PanAm right now, especially the ladylike manners 🙂

  • MizzJ October 17, 2011 at 18:11

    Michelle as Marilyn looks great to me, although I’ve seen other comments by people saying she is nothing like the original, which to me is pointless b/c who could ever be? That era had some epic fashions. I’m a huge fan of the fitted sweater cardigans and red lips and of course anything sweetheart necklined!

  • the nyanzi report October 17, 2011 at 18:24

    love the last shot. beautiful.

  • Jessi Haish October 17, 2011 at 18:58

    she looks fantastic!

  • Satin And Salt October 17, 2011 at 19:43

    My favorite retro chic styles I love right now are cropped trousers! I’m really tall (over six feet) and I love that cropped styles are showing up again. I can never find pants long enough so its night when the trends work with my body, do you love that?

    -Nico

  • Mr. Taylor and his Lady October 17, 2011 at 19:48

    these images are just so beautiful!! i ADORE michelle williams! so perfect!!
    xo TJ

  • Aquí October 17, 2011 at 19:55

    what a gorgeous re-creation of this timeless beauty! Love the michelle williams spread!

  • Oh to Be a Muse October 17, 2011 at 20:58

    i think the halter dress with the flared skirt like the one from VS is adorable. and michelle williams makes a great Marilyn Monroe.

  • Shia October 17, 2011 at 21:35

    These photos are gorgeous!!! Why did we ever stop dressing like this?

    ♥ Shia

  • just tututiny October 18, 2011 at 00:24

    Love the style and make-up of this era. Its so chic and sexy. I can’t believe Michelle Williams is playing Monroe, I would never have thought she could fit the role but these photos really make her look like one. Thanks for sharing.

    http://justtututiny.blogspot.com/
    Thu

  • Annemarie @ Brunch at Saks October 18, 2011 at 01:19

    I cannot wait for this! I’m so excited. She makes a gorgeous Marilyn! xx

  • Alena: Oh, It's Just Perfect! October 18, 2011 at 02:49

    I’m all about the retro dresses, but I don’t quite have the nerve to pull them off 🙂 Guess I need to find something kinda modern, kinda retro and go from there. Hope you had a wonderful weekend!!

  • Dirt On The Rocks October 18, 2011 at 03:03

    marilyn monroe is my favorite. seriously her style and her flair is fantastic.next would be audrey hepburn she’s just gorgeous!

  • skippysays October 18, 2011 at 03:20

    Man, she’s absolutely stunning. I’ve always loved her. I love the silhouettes of the 50’s!
    http://www.saysskippy.blogspot.com

  • Sarah Roads October 18, 2011 at 04:29

    I want to do a photo shoot like this! They really captured Marilyn. Why don’t women look like this now, so chic.

  • bridechic October 18, 2011 at 16:07

    The 1950s is one of my fave eras for clothing. I’ll never stop exploring the possibilities for adapting it to modern couture . . .

  • Blonde hair, Blue jeans October 18, 2011 at 20:12

    loved this pictures, and the quote at the beginning of the post! 🙂

  • Mary Lane October 19, 2011 at 17:21

    She looks beautiful! Sexy, yet sophisticated.

    http://www.stylish3.com/marylane

  • Constantia Timotheou October 19, 2011 at 20:39

    I am in love with this fashion era! These pictures are stunning! http://www.thekeytoconstantia.blogspot.com xxx

  • Café Bellini October 21, 2011 at 07:42

    I didn’t recognise her! I do love the way they looked back then.

  • Kimberlee October 23, 2011 at 00:36

    Love this spread – hope I love the movie just as much!

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