Grace Kelly’s style is defined by her two personas: Hollywood starlet and Princess of Monaco. In both of her real-life roles, she was elegant, polished, and poised, giving us all an eternal study in how to be chic. Read her rules below (then adopt them, stat).
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Lesson 1: Wear the dress; don’t let the dress wear you.
Whether attending the Academy Awards or walking down the aisle at the Palace of Monaco, Grace’s eveningwear always stunned. While the gowns themselves made an entrance – with floor-length voluminous skirts or allover lace – she never let a dress wear her. Nipped-in waistlines that complemented her frame and simple accessories (except when crowns were involved) let her shine.
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Lesson 2: Simple can still be festive.
One of Grace’s most memorable outfits? A pair of black trousers and a white blouse that she wore to the Cannes Film Festival – proving that not every special occasion calls for a midi dress. With patent flats and pearls, the outfit was the perfect mix of feminine and polished.
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Lesson 3: Have a signature accessory.
Grace was the first person to have an Hermès bag named after her: the “Kelly.” While we can’t all have designer handbags with our names on them, we can rock her other trademark extras: tortoiseshell sunnies and a printed scarf. Grace stuck with what worked for her, and that’s one mantra we can all embrace.
By Elizabeth Burns, Fashion Editor
