Wardrobe Recap: By The Sea

Sale PSA: The classic waxed cotton jacket from Barbour, now 25% off, a black silk sleeveless maxi shirtdress from Equipment, now 60% off, a pretty fringed lace up dress from ALC, now 70% off (final sale though), and a very chic zip up tweed jacket from IRO, now 40% off. 

Also! Remember how earlier I mentioned how Matches is cheaper on certain brands than the US? Here’s a prime example I’ve been drooling over – this classic camel Max Mara coat (which also happens to be reversible!). It’s just $1462 on Matches, versus $2690 at Nordstrom. These price differences don’t always last (Matches seems to sometimes adjust), so I’d grab the Matches coat if you love it! 

It’s been a while since I did a wardrobe recap, but thanks to a reader suggestion (hi T!) I decided to a review a movie which has been on my radar for a while: By The Sea, starring Angelina Jolie (or Jolie Pitt, as she was still credited as in this movie) and Brad Pitt.

I’d heard this movie had great fashion, but I had put off watching it because it had mediocre to horrible reviews. After watching it, I must confirm both points – great fashion, but the film itself was (very) tedious, and depressing. I’m usually team Angelina, but oh man.  Only the great scenery, including the outfits, kept me watching until the end…the best way I can describe the set is as one long Instagram of the French Riviera. That being said, there are some great, classic looks in this movie, set in the mid 1970’s (so very current day Gucci), so if you’re willing to suffer a healthy dose of pretentiousness for the sake of fashion, I’d give it a try. Otherwise, you can just read this recap! Enjoy!

One of our first shots of Angelina emerging – a nice little pointy toed leopard pump. Nice. If you want a forever pair like these I’d check out this pair by Jimmy Choo – otherwise there’s also a pair from Tory Burch with good reviews, and on sale, for under $220.

Our first good shots of Angelina’s outfit. I like the mustard scarf detail with the leopard hat, and the chic white dress. The glasses are vintage YSL and were one of my favorite wardrobe details from the film. Fun fact – these were one of the only actual “vintage” items! Most of the clothes were made in the present day specifically for the movie.

Also like the Louis Vuitton Alma handbag. Sometimes you forget Louis Vuitton has been around for so long.

Angelina with her coat off, in a simple white sheath dress underneath. There is something so gorgeous about the lines of this Roland Mouret version (and you’ll wear it forever…better, for that price) otherwise this Ellen Tracy version is priced nicely at around $100.

A quick shot of the vintage Louis Vuitton luggage. Most of their luggage is Louis Vuitton. I wonder what Brad’s watch is?

Angelina, lying in repose, in swaths of silk. A lot of the film is basically long, languid shots of this. Angelina is horribly melancholy but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have time to apply false eyelashes for every scene. You can look like her in this Natori nightgown.

Angelina, heading out for the day. I think her bag is vintage Louis Vuitton but I’m not sure. I like the little button back detail on her shirt. Doesn’t this look like a Banana Republic ad in the French Riviera?

When I saw this scene what really stood out to me was the flowy white skirt. Here’s a lovely, crepe version with still quite a few sizes remaining from Proenza Schouler, now 70% off! For a less expensive, more boho version I found this by Rip Curl, for around $50. I like the slits and the smocked waist! I’d probably go up a size or two due to junior’s sizing.

Angelina posing, contemplating her inner agony. Sorry if my commentary is annoying, these stills make it just too easy. But I do like the bow blouse and the hat, don’t you? I’ve been thinking for some time on splurging on a better quality sun hat, this is one I’ve been thinking about, by Eric Javits.

For bow blouses, I like this silk version by FRAME, and Ann Taylor makes a much more affordable one for under $50.

Oh! That’s enough for today. Angelina went back to hang out in her room in another gossamer robe.

A new day has begun! Angelina has changed clothes, but is still in the same pose. I found a version of her big black hat, also by Eric Javits. And here’s a lovely sheer black bow blouse from Equipment (inner layer or pretty bra underneath required).

The full on outfit, running into Melanie Laurent. If you’ve seen this movie, I kind of feel like Angelina took all the hair and makeup drama for herself and gave Laurent nothing. Laurent is still gorgeous but I feel like they could have given her something. She has a fun Jane Birkinish wardrobe at least though.

Spying on the neighbors in a lace robe (sorry for the dark lighting, the best I could do). This robe looks super similar to this one by Carine Gilson.

Outfit using most of the items we’ve already seen (I love that Angelina reuses clothes throughout this movie, like a real person traveling would, though that is one of the few aspects of her hair/wardrobe rooted in reality).

Oh! You think this is the same outfit, don’t you? It’s just a few scenes later, but we have swiss dot sheer bow blouse here and the white midi skirt from earlier. Still a gorgeous combination.

Gorgeous hair and makeup though? In a simple lace cami and black skirt.

The same white sheath dress as earlier in the movie, combined with a little white jacket and classic black Ferragamo handbag (here’s a lovely version of the same bag, with a useful chain strap). For a more modern version of the white jacket, check out this one from Tibi, which could easily also be worn with jeans.

A closer shot of the jacket. I also like this black tipped white blazer, from Veronica Beard. This is the happiest we see Angelina all movie.

 

Colors on Angelina! I really like this combination of the blush pink with the dark red skirt and blue head scarf. Very Anthropologie, no? I like this red lace midi skirt from Alice & Olivia, plus it’s on super sale.

One quick shot of Melanie Laurent – I just wanted to note her yellow blouse and long yellow key necklace. Looks like it could be from modern day, no? And the key could be one of those Tiffany ones.

Very similar outfit as the beginning of the movie, just substituting the swiss dot blouse.

And finally, I’ll leave you with one last despondent looking shot (but again, the clothes are beautiful). I love this version from FRAME with all the lovely little buttons, and a less expensive version is this romantic blouse from Vince Camuto.

Even though I’ve done a lot of moaning and groaning over this movie, I have to say now, having done the recap, that I think it’d be a decent “have on in the background while doing other stuff” sort of watch on HBO. Trapped in a movie theatre, sitting next to someone you’re having relationship problems with? No way. But multi tasking, occasionally glancing over to enjoy the beautiful scenery? Yes please. And of course, the clothes.

Also as a reminder, you can check out the rest of my wardrobe recaps, here.