Three Levels of Dress: Gamine Summer Casual (Bonjour Tristesse)

If you’ve been waiting for the palette comparison–I have the photos ready, although getting them was challenging, since I’m so far north that I don’t have many daylight hours, but I’ve been sick, so I haven’t had a chance to sit down and work on the post. I decided to write this post first because some of the items are on sale, so it’s a little more time-sensitive.

Lately, I’ve had some interest in the Gamine Kibbe recommendations. I don’t know what we’re supposed to do with the recommendations for Gamine, Natural, and Classic–David Kibbe hasn’t given an answer to this, and I’m not sure if we’re supposed to be able to work them into our Soft or Dramatic/Flamboyant Image ID recs or ignore them altogether. Regardless, I actually see a lot of things in the Gamine recommendations that work for me, like the tailored dresses and geometric shapes. There are also Gamine celebrities I feel a connection to that David hasn’t moved to SG or FG yet, like Paulette Goddard and especially Jean Seberg. The comparisons to her I’ve gotten were one of keys to figuring out that I’m FG.

Last night I decided to watch a movie, and I checked out Otto Preminger, since I loved Laura so much. Once I saw he had directed Bonjour Tristesse, that was it for me. (For some reason, I had always thought it was a Godard film.) I started watching it immediately, and when I saw this title card I almost had to pause the film out of excitement:

title_card

Givenchy in the credits: Always a good omen for gamine fashion.

Indeed, the little black dress in this movie may be one I fantasize about having in my wardrobe even more than the one in Sabrina:

little_black_dress

jean_audrey

But the real star of the movie for me–and the reason behind this post–is Cécile’s (Jean Seberg) French Riviera summer wardrobe. I’ve always had a hard time when it comes to dressing for summer. I find dressing easier when I can make use of layers. I usually end up in an oversized Ramones tank top and some frayed denim shorts and call it a day. But seeing Cécile’s version of summer inspired me. It still looks so fresh and chic, despite being nearly 50 years old. I see this a lot with gamine styles, actually–they don’t really tend to look dated.

Her frequent use of men’s shirts in this movie is iconic–this hasn’t ever really been a look I’ve been into very much myself, but she makes me like it. I wonder what DA color would work best… The traditional light blue isn’t really for me.

mens_shirt

A hangover has never looked so chic:

hangover

And yes, a sleeveless blouse and high-waisted shorts are definitely going on my list:

gingham_bike

I love this kind of collar, but it’s hard to find nowadays:

rolled_neck

rolled_neck_3

The only thing I’ve seen it on recently is this dress from Boden, but it definitely doesn’t fit into the “summer casual” theme.

BodenMarisa Dress

Marisa Dress, Boden, $103.60-$118.40

Another fun outfit is this one, with a white button-down blouse that is kind of a modified sailor shirt, with a regular front but the rectangular collar in the back, so from the front it looks kind of like a hooded shirt:

white_shirt

It’s paired with patterned cropped pants, which I’m also going to hunt for:
patterned_pants

But my absolute favorite outfit is her striped-shirt-and-white-shorts outfit:
stripes_outfit

The neckline of the t-shirt makes it just a little more interesting than your basic shorts-and-a-t-shirt combo:

stripes_closeup

Accessories-wise, in the summer, she doesn’t go much beyond sunglasses and sandals or white flats, but she pairs the stunning Givenchy black dress with some slightly oversized studs and a pearl bangle:

earrings

I think the simpler approach to accessories is so fresh for summer.

While we’re still in the midst of winter, since there have been so many sales going on, I’ve already picked up a few things, mainly accessories.

bag/earrings/shoes

1) Rebecca Minkoff Small Darren Leather Messenger Bag, Nordstrom, $172.49; 2)Type 3 Leopard Lover Earrings, Dressing Your Truth, $8.78; 3) Ingrid Sandal, Boden, $43.20-$54.00.

1) Rebecca Minkoff Small Darren Leather Messenger Bag, Nordstrom, $172.49.
Olive is a great neutral for me, and gold hardware is a must. The small size keeps the bag from looking too Classic, and it’s also just right for my needs.

2) Type 3 Leopard Lover Earrings, Dressing Your Truth, $8.78.
Oversized studs are Cécile’s main accessory throughout the film. I love the geometric shape and nod to leopard print in this pair.

3) Ingrid Sandal, Boden, $43.20-$54.00.
Obviously, some simple sandals are essential for any easy summer look. These have the added bonuses of leopard print and rose gold.

Other things on my list:

1. Simple linen shorts.
I’m not going to go as short as Cécile does in the movie. I like these because they don’t have any visible buttons or cuffs. Very clean.

Boden Shorts

Richmond Shorts, Boden, $27.40-$41.10

2. High-waisted shorts.

3. Men’s or Men’s-style shirt.
Still on the lookout for the perfect color.

4. A simple gold bangle.
I think a bangle would really complete things. Something super simple, like this Kate Spade bangle:

Kate Spade  Bangle

Heart of Gold Bangle, Kate Spade, $32.00

5. Simple necklace.
I have a necklace at my mother’s house that was hers in the 60s that would suit this perfectly.

6. Sleeveless blouse.

7. Patterned cropped pants.

8. Plain cropped pants.

9. T-shirt out of thick material with a high neckline.

10. Lightweight but stiff long-sleeved shirt.

Have any movies inspired you, fashion-wise? What are you dreaming about wearing in the summer?

10 Comments on Three Levels of Dress: Gamine Summer Casual (Bonjour Tristesse)

  1. Anat
    December 26, 2016 at 5:16 pm

    I am more of Soft Autumn, but as a fan of layering aith men’s shirts, I personally like them in shades of olive, dark green and different shades of tan. There is also a surprising variety of shirts for men and menswear inspired shirt in very DA shades of wine colors.

    Reply
    • stylesyntax
      December 26, 2016 at 5:23 pm

      Tan is a good one. I’m a bit worried about olive because my bag is olive… I’m a little more comfortable with bottoms matching accessories than tops. Wine, maybe not so much for summer.

      Reply
  2. Jana
    December 26, 2016 at 5:39 pm

    Great inspiration! I bet you’d look amazing in a DA navy men’s inspired shirt…I have to admit I’m a sucker for the whole nautical look…

    Reply
    • stylesyntax
      December 26, 2016 at 5:49 pm

      ooh, navy, yes. I have seen a lot of dark blue shirts in menswear lately.

      Reply
  3. Cory
    December 28, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    That striped-top/shorts combo is the best! Do you sew at all? That top looks quite achievable, you’d just need a simple pattern and the right knit material.

    I live in a hot climate where “winter” is minimal and short. It’s my favorite style period because at last, some opportunities for layering and scarves!

    Reply
    • stylesyntax
      January 6, 2017 at 2:25 pm

      I don’t really sew. It’s something I want to get back into.

      Where I live now it’s basically winter half the year :/

      Reply
  4. Nancy
    January 6, 2017 at 2:50 pm

    Great chic styles for summer!

    When I saw the photo of that fold-over collar, I immediately thought of the Boden dress that has it — I’ve admired that dress for a while and got it for Christmas. Then I saw that you thought of it, too! 🙂

    Reply
    • stylesyntax
      January 6, 2017 at 3:17 pm

      I didn’t pick it up, but I hope they come out with more designs with that collar. Lucky you!

      Reply
  5. kristina
    January 8, 2017 at 3:26 pm

    Great inspiration. Two of my favorite dresses from a local designer have this collar but it seems to be impossible to find a top with it on my light/Springy colors so I’m putting it on my ‘to have made’ list.
    ———-
    and then there was the Gamine moment in the movie that made me smile:

    – The dress is marvellous.
    – It’s really marvellous.
    – But?
    – No, the style is too.
    – Everything you design is perfect.

    – But you think that’s too young for you? You’re wrong. A more sophisticated style would only make you look more of a child.

    Reply
    • stylesyntax
      January 8, 2017 at 4:09 pm

      I loved that exchange too 😀

      Reply

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