Style Inspiration at Tiffany's
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As the winter chill increases so does the inclination to lounge on the sofa and lose yourself in the wonderland of Hollywood. One of the best Sunday afternoon movies has got to be Breakfast At Tiffany's, starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. Based on Truman Capote's book of the same name, the film is a less acerbic, certainly more stylish, interpretation of the frenzied escapades of Miss Holly Golightly and struggling author Paul Varjak (or 'Fred' as Holly prefers to call him). Offering relaxation, the film is also a good source of sartorial inspiration, especially for the winter. It has long been an influence for Jason Regent, as followers of his Pinterest and Instagram pages will know.
Whilst few readers will have a clothing budget provided by a wealthy – and married – woman, Fred's wardrobe can be easily imitated by following some simple rules:
1. Colour. Throughout the film, Fred's wardrobe makes use of a limited colour palette: soft browns, greys and navy. A restrained palette provides maximum flexibility for work and leisure and will look fresh at any time of the day, and even across decades; remember that Breakfast At Tiffany's was released in 1961.
2. Texture. A limited colour palette can be lifted by incorporating different textures into your wardrobe. In the film, Fred often wears squared-ended woven silk ties, for example. This style of tie is more casual than plain silk but its greater weight and matt finish are well-suited to autumnal or winter looks. Think about the contrast between jacket and trousers as well; Fred's blazers are typically cut from a heavier cloth to that of his trousers, which will provide greater warmth and visual interest. He is also a dab hand at layering and wears a thin grey cardigan over his shirt. Layering in winter, whether with cardigans or jumpers, will ensure you remain stylish and snug. Multiple layers of thin clothing will also make it easier to don an overcoat. Fred's choice is the classic beige mac.
3. Cut. The colour and texture of Fred's wardrobe looks remarkably contemporary, but the cut of his clothing is what makes his dress stand out so much. Throughout the film, Fred wears slim-fit chinos with the hem finished just above the ankle. Wearing trousers in this way is now commonplace, and it is typically linked to Thom Browne's menswear designs, but Fred's look demonstrates how a subtle hike in the length of the trouser can make for a more youthful silhouette, especially when paired with suede or leather loafers and moccasins.