Your Fashion Influences: Raiding ___________'s Closet

This week, I've been asking folks on Facebook to tell me their greatest style influences. Be it on the big screen, real life, or somewhere in between, people have responded with some great answers so far!

Today's topic is about wardrobes as a whole. We look up to certain people because they seem to posses an innate sense of style, an ability to make even a trip to the grocery store seem like an occasion to dress up. When I asked "If you could steal anyone's wardrobe, it would be ________________________," posters responded as such:

"I would definitely steal Beyonce's wardrobe.. She always has the most fabulous designer pieces!" (Magda T.)


"Joss Stone!" (Samantha O.)


"Hands down - Victoria Beckham. Imagine all those shoes and handbags!" (Jennifer S.)


"Kat Von D. Love the hair and the rockstar outfits. She's not afraid to dress how she likes." (Holly B.)


"Dita Von Teese and Christina Hendricks. They have such ladylike glamour, and they're fair-skinned like I am, so I know what I'd be 'borrowing' would look good on me!" (Jamie, blog author)



"I would steal the wardrobe from the main character in the French film 'Amelie.' Audrey Tautou looked fabulous - somehow boho, simple, girly,and natural all at the same time with a big dose of French chic thrown in." (Julia V.)


"SJP!" (Brenda M.)


"I would steal [IADT professor] Kathleen Haines-Finley's wardrobe, but I would have to steal her body too! :)"(Monica P.)


"Jackie Kennedy." (Regina K.)


"Reese Witherspoon or Jennifer Garner...they always looked pulled together and stylish, even when casual." (Cathy J.)



Great style inspirations and even greater closets to raid! Thanks for the input, ladies!

Your Fashion Influences: Day-to-Day Life

While fashion and style influence can come from nearly anywhere, a great place to begin is your day-to-day life. Who--or what--in your life inspires you to try a new look or instills confidence in you? A few sample responses from Facebook...


"My boyfriend. Whenever I'm getting ready to go somewhere he always makes suggestions about my outfit, and alot of times he's right! but mainly he inspires my fashion because he makes me feel like I can wear anything and still be beautiful." (Beth B.)


"Marilyn Monroe. She is the ultimate definition of a WOMAN. Her style was absolutely flawless. She carried herself as a strong, and beautiful woman just like any woman should. Well, her and Oprah, haha. :)" (Kayla R.)


"Nature, in all it's evolving seasons, climates, elements, nuances, it's fibers, dyes and designs:)" (Laura S.)



"In my day to day life? Well, while I still had him, my cat. :) Whatever his fur wasn't on was wearable. Or Eddie Vedder." (Dave S.)


So who influences YOUR day-to-day life and style?

Your Fashion Influences: The Movies

Alright, lovely blog readers, this week's posts will involve YOU and what you think. How you see the world of fashion and style, and how it relates to your life. Let's call the whole thing "Your Fashion Influences" and start at a point we all find inspiration from: THE MOVIES.


When I was five, my little sister and I saw "The Muppets Take Manhattan" at our hometown theatre (The Pickwick, in Park Ridge IL), and I instantly fell in love with the Porky Diva herself, Miss Piggy. How could you not? Her teased 80's hair, loads of attitude, and fabulous wardrobe were like nothing else I'd ever seen (take that, She-Ra!), and I told my mom that someday, "I was going to go to UCLA to be like Miss Piggy." The jury's still out on that one, but her influence on me was undeniable.

When I asked the question "Which movie(s) or movie character(s) style influenced you, and why?" on Facebook, I got some great responses! Some excerpts...

"Back in the early-mid 90's, I loved (& still do) the whole girly dress with black or gray opaque tights and ugly black shoes, usually Docs, look exemplified in Reality Bites, Truth About Cats & Dogs, & Singles. Usually a natural face just a little black eyeliner and red or raisin lips rounded out the look - girly but tough - the anti-Cher of Clueless. And of course, Uma in Pulp Fiction, especially the Chanel Vamp on her nails." (Anna V.)


"Flashdance, for sure! The way Jennifer Beals would cut out a huge neckline from her sweatshirts and then it would slip off one shoulder...she taught me how to take off my bra without taking off my top! Also, her men's faux tuxedo shirt front and black lace tights during the lobster eating scene left an indelible impression!" (Julia B.)



"I was fascinated by how the girls dressed in the movie Clueless. I wanted to dress like them with the knee socks, short skirts and tiny backpacks, but I did not have the self-confidence or the money to pull off that look. A movie character that I did identify with (fashion-wise) was Neve Campbell in Scream. Her style was very girl-next-door and SO 1995!" (Tracy F.)



"Any movie with Kate Hepburn or Audrey Hepburn.
[Also] I've always loved the simplicity and elegance of Jackie Kennedy...you could do an entire book about her influence." (Regina K.)

Excellent responses! Tell me, lovely readers: which movie character's style influenced YOU?