As my “What They’re Wearing” posts might have hinted to you, I love the role clothing can play in storytelling. Even if I don’t describe my characters’ clothes, I know what they’re wearing and why.
In a similar way, I tend to use what I wear to tell a story about myself — even if it’s just to myself. It’s been hot lately and I’ve felt a little worn down. I needed something to make me feel lighter, exuberant in the heat, as if being outdoors could offer a brand new adventure. So what better inspiration than Audrey Hepburn as Princess Anya in Roman Holiday?
Has there been any better makeover than when Princess Anya, free and on her own for the first time in her life, takes to the streets of Rome, has her hair cut, exchanges her pumps for Italian sandals, rolls up the sleeves of her blouse, and ties a jaunty scarf around that long neck of hers? Change three things, change from a stifled and proper princess to a young woman discovering the world. Audrey has five costumes in this movie, if I recall correctly — a princess’s ball gown, a night gown, the skirt and blouse, Gregory Peck’s pajama shirt, and a full-skirted lace dress with matching hat. But it’s the simple skirt-and-blouse outfit that is iconic. It’s what the princess is wearing when she eats gelato on the Spanish Steps, drives a Vespa through ancient streets, and smashes a guitar over a man’s head.
So it was obvious: I needed to construct a modern version of what Princess Anya wore in Rome. Here’s my inspiration spread (or mood book, as they say on Project Runway).
I chose black for the skirt because that strikes me as what Audrey herself would have worn — and also because it’s what I most often wear. A bold necklace replaces the scarf, with flashes of the mint green of a classic Vespa — it also alludes to the bold jewelry Audrey would later wear in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. (Alas, this one is sold out or I would buy it. Yesterday, I saw a necklace with a pendant made of 2000-year-old Roman glass at Costco, and I am thinking of returning to buy it.) Metallic leather sandals add interest to a classic look. The shine is picked up in the sequins on the tank top (as ubiquitous as a white blouse once was). And of course you need the wide belt for the trim-waisted look. You’re on your own in finding a modern version of Gregory Peck to squire you around Rome. I had Mateo.
An outfit like this makes me want to walk with a bounce in my step to make my skirt swing and hold my head high to show off my neck and collarbone. Below the jump is what I put together with what was already in my drawers and closet.
I’m lacking a good necklace, but otherwise I felt very Audrey indeed. (Usually I wear a fine silver chain with a small silver sircle stamped with “m.”) I wore it at a cafe and shopping at an Asian market. Apologies for my overly serious expression on the left. The entirety of my outfit came from Target, which means it probably cost less than $75 for all of it. The top is ecru with a silver crackle pattern and the skirt has an open stitching detail at the hem. The sandals are bronze metallic faux leather. I’m wearing dark gray nail polish on my hands and black on my toes.
