Grace Kelly's Timeless Style Lights Up the Rodeo Walk of Style

 

Pictured: Grace Kelly's old MGM Publicity Photos Graced LA's Rodeo Drive Tonight (photo, M. Hall, The Recessionista Blog)

Tonight, one of the 20th century's great style icons, the beautiful Grace Kelly, lit up Beverly Hill's Rodeo Drive. Princess Grace received the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style award tonight for her contributions to fashion and entertainment. Honored along with the Princess was French jeweler Cartier. Although Cartier is sadly out of the budget conscious price league, Grace Kelly's style is not.  Her style is as accessible and fresh today as it was over 40 years ago, when she reigned as a Princess here in Hollywood. Many people believe the style of Betty Draper on the TV show Mad Men is derived from the style of Grace Kelly. When I look back at old Grace Kelly photos, or watch her in To Catch a Thief or Dial M for Murder, I think of her beautiful accessories and her simple strand of pearls. There are many things today's fashionista on a budget can learn from Grace.  Grace's fashion lexicon was simplicity of style and classic pieces. No matter what she wore, she remained the focal point. When I think of Grace's style, her look can be emulated either with well chosen pieces from a discounter or with luxury fashions from or a high-end store.   Whether you are a fashionista or recessionista, Grace Kelly's style is priceless.  Here are a few of her style staples.

Scarves

A colorful scarf wrapped around the neck accents her outfit like a piece of jewelry.

The Kelly Scarf: A simple scarf wrapped around the head.

 

 

Jewelry: Pearls; whether it's costume or Mikimoto, a simple strand adds luster.

 

Clothing

A Grace Kelly look book recreated with Polyvore

• A simple shirt dress with a cinched-waist
• Capri pants with ballet flats
• Tailored suits

 

 

Hairstyle: Hair swept back from the face or in an updo

The invitation to the Grace Kelly Walk of Style Event, Grace with her hair up, when she was Princess of Monaco  (photo, M. Hall, The Recessionista Blog)

When I saw the ceremony to honor Grace on Rodeo Drive, I couldn't help but think about why Grace remains an enduring style icon over 20 years after her death. She wore the clothes; they did not wear her. She choose classic pieces, and she kept things simple, elegant and chic. This is why her look still inspires today.

 

Read more at: http://editorial.huffingtonpost.com/tmp/individual-entry-archive6.html

 

Follow Mary Hall on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Recessionista

Comments

[Jane Minogue - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks, Mary. I never thought Grace Kelly's look was obtainable on a budget, but you're absolutely right.

[Aesthete]

Classy lady---as beautiful on the inside as on the outside.

[MyGuyO]

I remember the day that Miss/Princess Grace died in that terrible car accident. When the news came over the radio at work everyone (and the world) was shocked upon belief. What a loss

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-hall/grace-kellys-timeless-sty_b_331116.html

[MyGuyO]

This lady oozed with class. What a flawless beauty.

[Pupadup4oBama]

That is a face that could launch a thousand ships.
Timeless, classic, elegant...­.describes her to a "t"

[Chloe33]

One of the truly regal.

[Choubelle]

Even today the shades with the scarf thing always elicits "movie star" a la grace kelly! ...I wonder when America will take a turn towards classic fashion again? A lot of my (college age) generation seems to have missed the beat when it comes to incorporating the classics.

• Choubelle •

[LMPE]

Grace Patricia Kelly is always on my mind. Her first name describes everything about her.

[abliss2379]

The remarkable thing to me is that she, like Audrey Hepburn, wore clothes that could easily be worn today and not look at all dated--isn't that the definition of classic?

[Pupadup4oBama]

yes