SMU Style

Here’s to a style feast: French glamour, explained.

The French are responsible for some of the most fashionably influential women in the world: Coco Chanel, Carla Bruni, and Audrey Tautou just to name a few. I find the French actresses from the ’60s and ’70s the most inspiring for any fashionista. The drama and glamour of the period made for beautiful clothes and looks. The female French actresses exhibit the qualities I love most and the trends of today often pull from this source of inspiration.

Brigitte Bardot in “Le Mepris”: Bardot was the first to coin the term “blonde bombshell.” Spotted on camera: heavy black cat-eye makeup with an adorable French-chic striped shirt. The look is timeless and could still be worn today!

Anna Karina in “Pierrot Le Fou”: In this movie, Karina plays a carefree woman on the run from the cops with her lover. Her pink dress and cardigan are striking. The light pink dress juts out at the bottom making for a beautiful silhouette.

Catherine Deneuve in “Les Demoiselles de Roquefort”: Deneuve plays a young, single girl in the South of France and wears a happy yellow dress throughout the movie. Dolce & Gabbana and Versace pushed bright dresses this spring with fixed shapes that gave a sixties vibe to it.

Lucy Blair Akin