“THE AVERAGE AMERICAN GIRL POSSESSES THE VALUABLE QUALITIES OF NATURALNESS, HONESTY, AND INOFFENSIVE STRAIGHTFORWARDNESS; SHE IS NEARLY BARREN OF TROUBLESOME CONVENTIONS AND ARTIFICIALITIES; CONSEQUENTLY, HER PRESENCE AND WAYS ARE UNEMBARRASSING.” - MARK TWAIN
“SHE BEHAVES AS IF SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL. MOST AMERICAN WOMEN DO. IT IS THE SECRET OF THEIR CHARM.” - OSCAR WILDE
“WHILE YOU HAVE TO BE NATURAL, YOU ALSO HAVE TO BE DIFFERENT. IF, THAT IS, YOU WANT TO MAKE AN IMPACT” - SLIM KEITH
“I DON’T MIND LIVING IN A MAN’S WORLD, AS LONG AS I CAN BE A WOMAN IN IT” - MARILYN MONROE
So I’m working on this this thing for work right now that relates to defining American Style. Since I’m a narcissist, it’s impossible to define American style before I look within and ask how I perceive American Style for myself.
Lauren Hutton on a motorcycle with Robert Redford feels like a good starting point.
As much as fashion loves chic Parisians and romantic Italians and exotic, uncharted lands…there’s something incredibly inspiring about iconic and classic American pieces. What makes our style unique, as American women, is that we can be just as comfortable and just as feminine in a pair of jeans and sneakers as we can in heels and lipstick. And I think once we understand and harness that understated simplicity, our confidence and style are born.
Daryl Hannah
Meryl Streep
Diane Keaton in Annie Hall
Amanda Brooks, the previous Fashion Director of Barney’s New York
After much consideration, I have come the conclusion that Natalie Portman in vintage Christian Dior was my #1 pick for best dressed last night.
While the dress was not necessarily gasp-worthy (aka, Gwyneth in a good way, Angelina in a bad way), there was just something so incredibly timeless. I mean, Vintage Dior from the 50s? You can’t go wrong. I’m not sure if it would be the best dress to wear for a Best Actress nominee, but for someone presenting she could not have looked more elegant or graceful.
I think it may have something to do with this comparison I keep drawing in my head…
Other dresses that made my list:
Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford, obviously. By far the most fashion forward choice of the night.
Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli.
Shockingly….Stacy Kiebler in Marchesa. Some hated this look. I personally loved it. Fresh off the runway from New York last week.
Last but not least…my girl forever and ever..Meryl Streep in Lanvin.
In her own sweet words, her final comments in her Best Actress acceptance speech:
“I want to thank all my colleagues. All my friends. I look out here and I see my love before my eyes –my old friends and my new friends. This is such a great honor, but what counts most to me is the friendship and the love and the sheer joy we have shared making movies together my friends.”
