The other day I read this piece, in W Magazine (RIP) about how stylists are ruining red carpet fashion. By Sofia Coppola! Whose byline alone would have been enough to interest me, because I have never read a fashion article by Sofia Coppola. The article was very interesting on its own (the sort I’d link for a Weekend Update) but it also got me thinking about Sofia Coppola. Because I love her style. Given how strongly she feels about the topic of her article, I think I’d revisit some of my old favorites and also look up how her style has evolved. Some lessons from Sofia Coppola, below.
Look like yourself. This is a line from the W article. I love it. And I think Sofia embodies it perfectly, no? Whenever I see photos of her I always think she “looks” like herself, whether she’s super casual or dressed up. Examples above – Sofia at school dropoff, Sofia at the 2019 Prada fashion show. She looks exactly how I think she’d look for each one. She has a point that when actresses have stylists you don’t really know their own style – for example I really like how Brie Larson has dressed lately for red carpet appearances but I have no idea what her actual style is.
You can stay the same. Okay inelegantly stated but what I basically mean by this is…if you like certain styles of clothing, you can keep wearing them. Your style doesn’t have to “transition”. The two outfits above are eleven years apart. Can you tell which one is the older picture, which one is newer? The top is from a Chanel 2019 show, the bottom is from 2008. Which brings me to…
Classics really are. Classic, I mean. Just look at my last point! Eleven years! But at the same time they don’t have to be boring. The first photo above, of her in a trench and Birkin, I think is quite old. And she looks great. The second is of jeans, the classic Chanel ballet flat, the classic Chanel jacket, and again she looks great…but a little bit more no? The jacket adds something, it is a striking color, a great tweed. Classics are awesome and you can still make them yours.
Some more favorites of Sofia. Some notes on her style:
- She wears a lot of pants (but also dresses, but when they are dresses, they tend to be little black and navy ones)
- She likes a statement shirt but not as often statement pants
- Favorite pieces: white blouses, stripes, classic Chanel ready to wear like cardigans/jackets, classic handbags (Chanel/Hermes variety), GREAT jewelry (Cartier/Verdura)
- Lots of peacoats and jackets
- Tends to be a little more conservative – almost everything she wears could be worn at a work party. Which fits her image. She’s a director, not a starlet, though I wouldn’t mind seeing her in an incredible daring gown. But then I guess she wouldn’t look like herself, would she?
6 Comments
Diane W
May 21, 2019 at 7:55 amI have always loved Sophia’s style. She seems to have a really clear understanding of how she wants to look. I’m so glad you chose her for a “recap”.
Rachel Metz
May 21, 2019 at 8:32 amThank you for sharing the article written by Sofia Coppola. I quite agree with her, and feel the generic stylist look is quite a bore. There are seasons now when the same lipstick color is worn by all of the ladies on the red carpet, and the gowns may vary, but they are all “perfect” and lack individuality. I quite like Sofia’s understated, elegant style.
Abby
May 21, 2019 at 10:52 amSofia is the poster child for spending your money on good jewelry!
Jaime
May 21, 2019 at 1:06 pmThat’s where I put mine!
Keshia
May 22, 2019 at 3:34 amInteresting perspective and I agree with her. As I was reading your post I immediately thought of the actor and actresses without access to these designer classic brands (that they couldn’t access without those stylists). Sometimes a high end accessory or a perfectly tailored pant elevates an outfit. I suppose that reinforces how important it is to know your style because you can improvise until you can afford the quality items.
Jaime
May 22, 2019 at 7:25 amExactly!