One of the things about Marilyn Monroe that is often overlooked was her sense of style. Her enduring status as an icon and as a sex-symbol often overshadows the fact that she had a well defined sense of personal style that was, surprisingly, a lot simpler than many of her contemporaries. The candid shots of her dressed in casual wear are some of my favourites, although it would seem that she had a fair amount of control over her on-screen wardrobe as well.
Whether reading at home or acting on film, she is rarely seen in printed fabrics and although many of the shots of her are in black and white, it seems that her preferred colours were just that...black, grey, beige, cream and white, with some red thrown in for good measure.
One of the things I've noticed with my sewing is that I tend to sew garments in printed fabrics, but the clothes that I buy ready-to-wear are usually solids. It was only in studying and admiring Marilyn's style that I had a lightbulb moment - no wonder I haven't been wearing many of the things I make!!! I love the bright, shiny, original aspect of prints and colours and all that craziness but the pieces I wear are usually monochromatic. I may have to rethink my sewing stash...looks like everyone's getting a quilt for Christmas!
I will leave you with one of my favourite Marilyn quotes, and a photo where I can only imagine those words escaping her lips...
"Ever notice how 'What the Hell' is always the right answer?" Marilyn Monroe
xox Elle
