“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” 1961 (Photo credit: Paramount)

Pastry in hand, Tiffany baubles before me and charge card in tow. I can’t help but think of Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” as she stands before the window of the famed jewelry store intermittently nibbling on a pastry and sipping coffee; the store is closed and she is there to window shop, something we have in common.

The only difference is, as the sleek Miss Golightly is adorned in her little black dress trimmed by a row of pearls, I sit complacently before my computer contemplating how stylish women characters have set the stage for decades of on-screen inspired style.

Audrey Hepburn, with her lithe figure was oh so dazzling as the quirky but chic Holly Golightly in Truman Capote’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Throughout the film Holly sports everything from elegant evening gowns to a trench coat and oversized sunglasses. But the fashion trend from this film that has become a style phenomenon is the little black dress; there have been many versions, ruffled, flared, A-line and pleated — whatever cut, every chic woman knows the importance of at least one in her wardrobe.

“Carmen Jones” 1954 (Photo credit: Bohemian.com)

Nearly a decade earlier it would be color and curves that would drive trends. Dorothy Dandridge in the title role of Carmen Jones would sizzle screens in flirty, bold-colored, waist-cinching ensembles. As Carmen would move rhythmically across the screen bellowing angelic tunes, she was also capturing audiences with the sensual allure of her off-the- shoulder blouses paired with cocktail length, form-fitting skirts.

“The Seven Year Itch” 1955 (Photo Credit: news.bbc.co.uk)

It would be Marilyn Monroe’s quintessential role as ‘The Girl’ in “The Seven Year Itch” that would create an unforgettable scene in film history. Who is not familiar with the image of Marilyn pushing down the wispy skirt of her white halter dress? This scene surely launched the look of the full and A-line styles of skirts and dresses.

“Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” 1958 (Photo credit: imdb.com)

In contrast to the A-line skirt was the slip dress. Maggie Pollitt (Elizabeth Taylor), the passionate, neglected wife in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” joined the ranks of stylish women characters with her simple, lace-trimmed slips. The demure look of the slip has proven to be a style staple and has even revamped itself in the form of slinky camis and tanks.

Today, our favorite characters bring us stylish trends that some have lasted for a few months and others that still remain. But if not for the chic characters Holly, Carmen, Maggie and ‘The Girl’, fashion just might not be the on-screen allure that it is today — thanks ladies.

Chicly Yours,
The Chic Spy