Style Icon Inspired-The Shift Dress

{ sources:  Jackie, Audrey, Grace }

When we think of summer, we usually think of paring down our wardrobe, wearing less when the temperature rises.  I love summer clothes.  No bulk, no fuss. Just pretty simple.  And if you know me, I like to keep things simple...and the shift dress is exactly that.

There seemed to be a common thread amongst my style icons…most particularly their favorite designer, Givenchy (which is not the most readily accessible to most people).  I think Calvin Klein, who designs with simplicity in mind, is like our modern day Givenchy.


Here are a few dresses I've found that are inspired by the ones worn by Jackie, Audrey and Grace.  

These can be found online at: Zappos,  Lord and Taylor

I'll definitely be wearing these dresses this summer...I found these exact dresses at Winners (TJ Maxx/Marshalls in US) in the colours below.  

Found at Winners for less than $60 (as of June 2011)

As usual, I stuck to neutral colours...so these dresses will be fashionable for more than one season.  I also believe, the lighter the colour, say white, the more you should invest in a known name, as clothes that are better made usually have a lining, and will conceal any unmentionables underneath.  The white Calvin Klein dress is nicely lined.

It's amazing how classic and simple never go out of style, and can stand the test of time!

Style Icon Inspired-Simplifying a Wardrobe

The Hermes Birkin Bag, the epitome of

classic, clean lined design.

Since I don't have that dream walk-in closet I showed you last week, I'm working on simplifying my wardrobe, so everything fits into the closet I do have.

There was a rumour that Grace Kelly was able to pack for a week's travel, with everything fitting into a bag not much larger than the famous Hermes Birkin "Kelly" bag (the one, of course, named after her).

I think she, like the other style icons listed here, Jackie Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn, had something in common...that they wore simple, classic designs in neutral colours. Dresses instead of separates. Muted colours instead of bright colours. Their clothes, while simple in style, always looked effortlessly beautiful.

Elegant, refined, sophisticated chic. Here are a few examples of what I mean.

Elegant

Favorite Designers:  Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent

{ source: Life }

Refined

Favorite Designer: Oleg Cassini (who inspired Givency at the time)

{source: Life }

Sophisticated Chic

Favorite Designer:  Givenchy

{source: Life}

Upcoming in my next post will be the first "style icon" segment...for each season, I will highlight one key design style that these ladies had in common, compare how they wore this style and find similar clothes that you can find today (in a more approachable price range, of course)...to show how easily achievable it is to be simply beautiful with these timeless and elegant looks.