How to Achieve Grace Kelly's Signature Style

Little did Grace Kelly know, nearly 30 years after her death that she would become a modern-day style maven. Yet, in a post-recession return to classic understated glamor and timeless endurance pieces, Grace Kelly '50s understated style is being reinvented for a 21st-century wardrobe.

This spring season sees leading online luxury designer retailer Net-A-Porter currently highlighting pieces for 2010 which embody Grace Kelly’s effortless style. This coincides with London’s Victoria and Albert Museum's tribute to the former movie star and princess’s status as a style icon.

Grace Kelly and Her Capsule Wardrobe

Grace Kelly was master of the capsule wardrobe. She chose unfussy key pieces to work her wardrobe around and wore them continuously. She purchased new outfits on a modest scale and wore her outfits for years. Throughout her life, Grace proved as loyal to her clothes as she was to her old friends.

Although as a princess she became patron of international fashion houses like Christian Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Cristóbal and Madame Grès, Grace remained faithful to her simple signature Kelly style, even after becoming Princess Grace of Monaco.

The real-life princess favored paired-down pieces which encapsulated easy glamor. She shied away from blatant curves, too tight dresses and lavish furs. From her flat loafers, fitted jumper and Capri pant combos, white shirts, jeans, safari jackets, swing skirts and shirt-waisted dresses, she was revered by Women’s Wear Daily in the 1950s for her “conspicuous good taste.” . During the 60s however, she fell in love with Emilio Pucci prints and added some colorful caftans to her collection.

Grace Kelly's Famous Fashion Accessories

Grace Kelly also understood the power of fashion accessories as once write my essay guru company described. She is renowned for wearing her signature single strand of pearls, short white gloves, colorful headscarves and horn-rimmed spectacles. She was also responsible for causing a boom in the sale of sunglasses in the ‘60s as she touted her tortoiseshell-framed shades come rain or shine.

Her most famous fashion contribution, however, was her Hermès crocodile skin frame handbag, which Hermès later dubbed the Kelly bag, in her honor.  remains a status symbol and iconic piece today, with a long waiting list and a luxury price tag.

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Grace Kelly Style Icon – V&A Exhibition

The Victoria and Albert Museum's exhibition reveals some of Grace Kelly’s style secrets. Over 50 pieces from her wardrobe go on display for 5 months from April 17th until September 26th 2010. The museum highlights her journey in fashion from Hollywood movie star to real-life princess, spanning 3 decades. It is broken down into 3 sections from Oscar-winning actress to her wedding day to her final role as Monaco’s princess.

The exhibition features such key Kelly pieces as her wedding dress made by MGM costume designer Helen Rose, a collection of her haute couture gowns, and the original Hermès Kelly Bag.

Achieving Grace Kelly's Signature Style

To achieve a modern-day Kelly look, fashionistas embrace a effortless glamor of timeless single-color block pastel pieces like beige Capri pants and crisp white shirts. Shirt dresses are a firm favorite on the Spring summer 2010 runways, in classic neutrals including white-on-white. Full swing skirts, Grace Kelly style get a modern makeover along with safari jackets and relaxed pants. This effortlessly elegant style spans generations.

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