Retro Elegance

Three Ways to Steal Elegance

An homage to the refined upper-class lady look of the ’50s and ’60s, Retro Elegance is the third bold trend jente is exploring for this fall season.
    

Retro + Elegance

Think about the iconic opening scene from Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961): Audrey Hepburn dressed in classic black Givenchy gazes dreamily into the windows of Tiffany’s in New York. Her timeless look: long gloves, over-sized sunglasses, a pearl necklace and an updo topped with a dainty tiara. How could you better capture upper-crust sophistication mixed with unexpected playfulness? Audrey’s style here remains an undeniable masterpiece in the fashion world to this day.

   

Movie <Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)> opening scene ©forbes.com

      

1960s icons like Hepburn and her peers from that era possessed an elusive quality that honestly, today’s stars rarely capture. It’s that unique essence. Their poise, mystique, and almost timeless elegance which cements their iconic status in our memories. Let’s try to pinpoint the heart of those qualities.

       

Lauren Bacall

Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman ©today.com ©pinterest

    

Elegance. We’d dare to say that’s the answer. Elegance that’s as understated as it is undeniable. Conveying depth with minimal pieces and avoiding excess while still leaving a lasting impression. Retro Elegance is a trend inspired by this ineffable grace. Yet, elegance is one of the most challenging qualities to master. Here we must look to the past for guidance.

   

      

Like a Swan

Black & White

True elegance’s essence is found in simplicity. Coco Chanel spent her life studying the sophistication of women and she defined it best when she said that real elegance lies in embracing one’s natural shades. Instead of bold, flashy colors, consider monotones to reveal true refinement.

  

CHANEL's 2024 FW collection stands out in this vein. By emphasizing the harmony of black and white as core elements, CHANEL crafts fully realized outfits without relying on other colors to catch the eye.

 

CHANEL FW24 ©vogue.com

    

Alaïa’s color palette is also a symphony of monotones. Don’t be fooled by the understated hues, there’s nothing bland here. The palette shifts from sharp and modern to soft and gentle depending on the warmth or coolness of each shade, demonstrating the remarkable power of tone. Shaping the first impression, it subtly transforms character and mood with each hue's unique depth.

     

Alaïa FW24 ©vogue.com

PRADA FW24 ©vogue.com

    

Emphasizing the Silhouette

We can unlock a unique, elegant allure by focusing on the silhouette of the human body. Particularly this fall, we’re seeing a diverse range of necklines. From daringly deep cuts that reveal the collarbone, to soft-edged variations that add subtle sophistication.

     

MIU MIU FW24

KHAITE FW24 ©vogue.com

The peplum style, which features a flared skirt-like detail around the waist, is another key silhouette for this season. It’s a versatile design that can balance proportions by adding volume to a lean frame or creating visual interest in order to distract from certain areas. The peplum subtly enhances the waistline, making it an ideal choice for a flattering, elegant look.

     

Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini FW24

LOEWE Ferragamo FW24 ©loewe.com ©vogue.com ©wwd.com

   

The Right Accessories in the Right Places

Another key to adding a personal touch without disrupting simplicity is the strategic placement of your accessories. First think of gloves, which exemplify the 1950s-60s upper-class lady look while being the perfect blend of functionality and decoration. MIU MIU's leather gloves straddle the line between retro and modern, and are versatile enough to complement a wide range of looks making them a chic and practical addition to any outfit.

    

MIU MIU, VALENTINO FW24 ©vogue.com

MAX MARA FW24 ©vogue.com

     

Recent years, the mini bag has quietly returned to fashion, pushed aside by the dominance of oversized totes and crossbody bags. A true retro-elegant lady would choose this compact accessory over cumbersome bags. Its charming size allows it to hold only the essentials, offering a fresh color palette, shapes, and elegant embellishments not easily seen in larger bags.

     

Dior FW24

Sandy Liang, FENDI FW24 ©vogue.com

    

Kitten heels are the ultimate expression of this trend when it comes to shoes. There's something undeniably captivating about a stiletto height that challenges your balance to leave behind the alluring scent of sophistication. When every detail from head to toe must be flawless, this level of discomfort is more than worth it. Feet used to the comfort of sneakers won’t be happy, but there's no avoiding it. To glide through life like a graceful swan, sometimes you have to endure the struggle.

  

GUCCI FW24

PRADA, MIU MIU FW24 ©vogue.com

      

Inspired by the past but with a modern twist, Retro Elegance is reborn as a new form of sophistication. At its core, the right attitude must always come first. As Coco Chanel said, "Elegance is refusal". For those trying their own twist on retro elegance, it may be better to put down the big jewelry and flashy clothes and go back to more simple styles and luxurious fabrics that can be worn forever and still look great every time.