The Vintage Hollywood Series: Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor Inspired

This weekend, I finally got to put into motion an idea that I’ve had sitting in the back of my mind ever since I did my historically-correct flapper makeup. Since so many of us in the vintage community have vintage style icons – Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe, and Grace Kelly just to name a few — I have always wanted to do vintage-icon-inspired transformation videos. But, since I’m not a makeup artist OR a hairstylist, I never really had the courage to try.

Until now. I have grown so much in my vintage hair styling, and gotten so comfortable with vintage makup looks, that it seemed like the perfect time. Now, I’m not saying this is a perfect look; I will likely always have things I want to fix. But for the first episode, I think it’s just fine!

We decided to take photos down by the water in our little touristy town. Surprisingly to me, Gig Harbor is mentioned on a few “best tourist places to visit in Washington” lists because it is quaint and picturesque. They just recently overhauled the waterfront park, installing entirely new public restrooms that now have a balcony/seating area on the top, and it affords you an amazing view of the harbor.

While we were taking these photos — in this setting in particular — I was getting self-conscious because several people were staring and pointing, and I felt so very out-of-place in this jeans-and-tees-and-hoodies wearing town. Finally, a woman who didn’t look much older than me — and whose boyfriend/husband/partner dressed like a highschooler — came up and asked “are you getting your senior photos done?”

I was so surprised to be mistaken for an 18-year-old (I do not think I look even remotely in my teens any more, and I’m happy with that) that I sputtered for a minute before my husband reminded me “blog, youtube.” I told her I was a blogger and doing a YouTube series on Old Hollywood fashion, and that this was my Elizabeth Taylor inspired look. And, disappointingly, she just said “oh…” and walked away.

Through that, and asking a few friends if I really looked like an 18-year-old, I came to realize that many people make assumptions based on current events. It is getting close to the end of the school year, and many highschool seniors will be getting their photos done. So of course, to see me dressed to the nines in the middle of the afternoon on a Saturday, what other assumptions could one make at this time of year?

The Woman in Red

I decided on this red dress after some long research on Elizabeth Taylor’s style, because it matched the gorgeous jewelry set I found in a lot from eBay. I debated whether this was really the perfect gown — you’re more likely to find her wearing purples and greens, from what I could see — but decided to just go with it because it’s what I have. I briefly considered my eShakti cocktail dress, but since my styling would have basically been the same as this post, I went for something else.

I found this beautiful (and very comfortable!) dress at Goodwill, which should be no surprise to anyone. It was brand new with tags, and I was happy to see it’s a brand I have purchased before from Amazon. If you’re looking to get more into pinup styles, MUXXN is comfortable, pretty, and very affordable. I know very well what it is like to want to dress pinup or vintage but not be able to afford the (well deserved) prices that come with a vintage dress or a high-quality reproduction.

With Muxxn (and thrifting!) I feel like I can look the way I want to look while still being flexible and unafraid of messes as a stay-at-home mom!

I am excited to continue on with other Old Hollywood babes; my list includes Judy Garland, Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn, Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo, and SO many more! If there is someone you want to see me “transform” into — though I don’t consider it really a transformation so much as taking heavy inspiration, since nothing will be exact — let me know! I hope to continue this series… for who knows how long. Maybe forever, because it’s fun!

And let me know what you think of this inspired outfit! How would you have mimicked Elizabeth Taylor?

Dress, MUXXN (thrifted) | shoes, ModCloth (similar here)| jewelry, eBay | fur shawl, vintage/thrifted | purse, vintage/thrifted

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