The real style bibles

She might not have the curls, or the blonde, but Kristen Stewart, who plays Marylou in Walter Salles' cinematic adaptation (out now) has this dishevelled, beatnik look down.

She might not have the curls, or the blonde, but Kristen Stewart, who plays Marylou in Walter Salles' cinematic adaptation (out now) has this dishevelled, beatnik look down.

Published Nov 6, 2012

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London - “Vain trifles as they seem,” writes Virginia Woolf in Orlando, “clothes have, they say, more important offices than merely to keep us warm.”

Fashion, aka the art of dressing up, has always been about creating a character for ourselves and some of the best-loved literary creations are inseparable from their sense of style – from haute-couture heroines such as Truman Capote’s Holly Golightly with her “slim cool black dress, black sandals [and] pearl choker” to Patrick Bateman’s obsession with the perfect Armani suit in American Psycho. Fashion has caused a few epic downfalls, too.

Take housekeeper from hell Mrs Danvers forcing the second Mrs De Winter to commit the ultimate fashion faux pas and wear a dress just like Rebecca’s, or Emma Bovary’s addiction to “all sorts of elegant trifles” which made her shop till she literally dropped.

And now, in a case of reality mimicking the art that previously took its lead from reality, fashion’s biggest international names have clearly been reading up, and the latest fashion key trends have been inspired by some literary classics.

ON THE ROAD – JACK KEROUAC

Kerouac’s Beat classic beloved by teenagers, stoners and all those who just want to escape the system, is also the first hipster fashion bible. Moriarty’s teenage bride Marylou is your muse, described by Kerouac as “a pretty blonde with immense ringlets of hair like a sea of golden tresses”.

She might not have the curls, or the blonde, but Kristen Stewart, who plays Marylou in Walter Salles’ cinematic adaptation (out now) has this dishevelled, beatnik look down.

But you know a bohemian dream has died when it gets trademarked by Prada. Their 1950s resort collection was inspired by American road-trippers – think striped tees, high-waisted shorts and Capri pants. And for the boys? Sal’s sentimental attachment to his wool plaid shirt makes it a must-have. And if you can get your hands on a 1937 Ford Sedan, all the better.

THE GREAT GATSBY – F SCOTT FITZGERALD

The enigmatic Jay Gatsby’s gaudy “white flannel suit, silver shirt and gold-coloured tie” make him the epitome of style over substance. His manufacturing of myth and the emptiness behind the glamour make The Great Gatsby both a hymn to fashion and a critique of its artifice.

Daisy Buchanan weeps over Gatsby’s wardrobe like a menopausal fashion editor.

“They’re such beautiful shirts,” she sobs, her voice muffled in the thick folds. “It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such beautiful shirts before.”

The 1920s Art Deco trend is still roaring, ahead of Baz Luhrmann’s film adaptation finally hitting screens next year, and Ralph Lauren and Tory Burch sent their models down the catwalk in drop-waisted dresses and sequinned headbands that would have had Daisy all a-flapper. Accessorise with mint juleps all round. And call everyone “old sport”.

JANE EYRE – CHARLOTTE BRONTË

Say goodbye to neon brights and colour-blocking at the end of this summer, as next season you’ll be seeing your wardrobe in black and white. And maybe grey. Quakerish governess Jane “Plain” Eyre would certainly approve of this obsession with minimalist chic.

When Mr Rochester tries to dress her up in satin and lace party frocks she insists on keeping her dour grey-and-black uniform. A way of asserting her independence as well as her sense of identity, in case “I shall not be your Jane Eyre any longer, but an ape in a harlequin’s jacket – a jay in borrowed plumes”.

Roland Mouret, Céline and Stella McCartney obviously agree. Their pared-down, monochrome looks for the northern hemisphere’s spring/summer 2013 are severe, simple and devastatingly cool.

DRACULA - BRAM STOKER

It’s ironic that Dracula’s victim Lucy Westenra should not “take sufficient interest in dress to be able to describe the new fashions”, as her transformation from the lady to a vampire makes her bang on trend as designers get bitten by all things gothic. See Lanvin’s chunky chokers, Christopher Kane’s leather and lace looks, and Dolce & Gabbana’s obsession with every count’s favourite accessory, the cape.

But forget the teenage goth listening to The Cure in a graveyard, Gothic 2013 has all the sexiness of Dracula’s “three sisters”, with their “brilliant white teeth that shone like pearls against the ruby of their voluptuous lips”.

Go for a high-necked, tight-waisted Victoriana look as seen at Chanel and mix it up with dark textures.

ANNA KARENINA – LEO TOLSTOY

Although Kitty might arrive at the ball trussed up as if she’d been “born in net and lace”, it is, of course, Anna Karenina who steals Count Vronksy’s heart in a “low-necked, black velvet dress which exposed her full shoulder and bosom”. It’s probably the best LBD (little black dress) ever.

Silk, velvet and brocade were all waltzed down Europe’s autumn/winter catwalks of Balmain, Versace and MaxMara. In fact, if it looks like something you’d wear in 19th-century Russia, it’s probably just right for next winter. That includes opulent fur hats (faux, obviously), tapestry bags and lots of pearls and expensive-looking bling. Preferably given to you by your illicit lover. – The Independent on Sunday

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