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| Via |
I adore Cate Blanchett and so I went to go and see the movie,
Blue Jasmine.
Blue Jasmine.
I was excited when Jill from Everything Just So did a post on the movie and posed an interesting question about its theme.
Now before I start, let me preface this post by saying that my experience with this discussion regarding clothes is entirely my own. I have for the most part lived in large cities but I have also spent some time in medium sized cities and I think that clothes have a different significance depending on geography.
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| Suzie Bezinger, wardrobe stylist for Blue Jasmine Via |
I thought the wardrobe stylist Suzie Bezinger for the most part
did a great job portraying a certain type of
wealthy and urban woman.
did a great job portraying a certain type of
wealthy and urban woman.
The only outfit where I thought she over pitched it was when she put a Chanel jacket with an Hermes belt at the same time.
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| Via |
That was bordering on WAG and Real Housewives territory.
But then I realized that Jasmine was wearing this combo after she lost her financial and social status so perhaps it was based
on a woman putting all her fashion armour and artillery
to "face the world"?
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| Via Everything Just So |
I also agreed with Jill that the Birkin bag was not used as a shield as the wardrobe stylist stated. Plus I think she erred a little in the way Cate was sometimes made to carry the Birkin was the way a very new purchaser of the bag might hold it which is with the flap over and/or the leather straps fastened.
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It is customarily worn loose and open.
If not, it's silent code for nouveau nouveau or WAG.
(PS I am just the messenger,
I am not the one who makes these rules.)
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| Looking amazing in that Carolina Herrera dress Via |
But otherwise Suzie Bezinger got the uniform of a well to do and urban socialite down pat. Carolina Herrera, Fendi, and Alberta Ferretti were the main staples of Jasmine's wardrobe.
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| Via Vogue |
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| Via |
This is the sort of wardrobe that goes into future fashion anthologies.
We all have a uniform even if we are not in the military.
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| Via |
But this movie awakened in me the power of clothes.
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| Via |
Jasmine may have been broke;
financially needy enough to take a job as a shoe salesman in Manhattan risking bumping into her former social circle.
But she understood the silent power and masonic entry into a niche in society gained by wearing a Chanel jacket and a Hermes bag.
Wearing a Chanel jacket seems to convey the following:
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| Via I am elegant. |
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| Via I want to be portrayed as elegant. |
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| Via I am a good girl. |
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Forget the past, I am a good girl now.
.JPG)
Via
You may be as wealthy as me but I take myself seriously unlike
You may be as wealthy as me but I take myself seriously unlike
you wearing, hmm, what is the name for them again?
Ah yes, jeans...
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| Via I really want to marry your son and will be a good future daughter in law. I promise. |
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| Via Ingredients of Style I do have a great sense of humour but I will not be the one cracking the jokes. |
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| Via I can't be bothered to think about what to wear at lunch so let me just put that Chanel jacket on. |
But I must say that this movie is a must see for not only the clothes but the acting is superb all around and
I do think Cate Blanchett will win the Oscar!
I loved Cate in this movie, have always admired Woody Allen's movie magic, and I love the sartorial choices! Love (sorry I'm overusing this) what you think a Chanel jacket conveys. Thought I was looking at K Mid but twas Olivia Palermo! Don't think K Mid owns a Chanel. Dressing up (especially in the right brands) really opens the right doors and gets the right nods. Jasmine seemed to have been left with only one Birkin. The crocs were perhaps auctioned off. My mother has 1 rule about dressing up: she says you must also wear the best underwear anytime any day coz you might need to be taken to the ER and don't wanna be in a horrific scenario where your clothes have to be cut and you're wearing unsightly undergarments. Haha x
ReplyDeleteShe was superb as usual. The choices were well reflected as well. I don't think KMid would wear French labels for various reasons - she already got flack for being too fond of Zara due to its Spanish ownership. It would be good for her to promote British fashion. Yes good underwear is a must! Apparently French women spend the most of their disposable income on underwear. In Asia some gyms are old fashioned and have attendants in the change rooms for extra help if needed and there was one woman who was dressed to the hilt but wore underwear with holes in them and no one took her seriously because of it.;) xx
DeleteLOL at the Asian lady story! I loved this film, like you I rarely go to the cinema. As well as being interesting clothes eye candy I was also quite moved by the storyline. Seems the dvd version will soon be out too. Elle
DeleteI love Woody Allen so much, for his movie making! This post is so so good~you have made me craving to see this movie~eve if only for the styling!
ReplyDelete(='.'=)
Lauren at adorn la femme
Lauren, this movie is an all rounder. So many reasons to watch this film x
DeleteSpot on as usual .... Can't wait to c the film. Thx for the preview...May your Birkin always be casually undone!
ReplyDeleteAnd may you wear your Kelly only because you want to and not need to! xx
DeleteInteresting! I really know nothing about Chanel jackets or Birkin bags (except for a very far distance!) so likely a lot of the code would be completely lost on me - so fascinating!
ReplyDeleteIt is rare that a wardrobe isn't purely decorative but actually trying to send a message. You have to watch the movie as Cate will win the Oscar surely. But birkin bags and its wearers could be a post of its own actually!!
DeleteI haven't seen this movie because I heard it's a little depressing, but hey - the clothes look good! That early pic of terribly serious world famous designer Vicky Beckham is priceless. I hate designer bags that look brand new, a few scuffs and creases give them more character.
ReplyDeleteit is rather depressing but in London there are a few Blue Jasmine types ever since Lehman's went bust although not as severe as her case but more or less similar so I found myself thinking this was such a movie of its time. In New York they also had the banking crisis but they also had loads more people who suffered due to Bernie Madoff. It's funny you don't like new designer bags - Christies and Sotheby's now due Hermes bag auctions at least once a year and the old ones fetch as much as the ones selling retail right now in the actual boutiques!
Deletesorry ipad issues! they now do hermes auctions is what I meant to say.
Deletei loved loved loved the film, but it left me in a really sombre mood....which highlights again the amazingness that is Cate. She should get the Oscar. I find it unlikely someone can outperform her this season..
ReplyDeleteNow I totally see why I thought the Birkin looked weird! But don't you think maybe it was to highlight how precious everything was to her and having it closed was demonstrative of how shut off she became? Anyway! Loved it and loved your Chanel jacket rundown...oh Vic! How far you have come!!! xxx
I was exhausted after it! It was so zeitgeist though in many ways. But perhaps you are right, she was covering the contents of her bag because it was her way of safeguarding it now that she had so little? Although she should have just ebayed her LV luggage and her birkin but then again reason was out the window. Yes hasn't VB come a long way? xx
DeleteLove your analysis of the ways to wear a Chanel jacket. If I ever get a Birkin I'll now know how to wear it so I'm not tagged a newbie, though I'd never spend five figures on a handbag. Had to look up WAG, lol.
ReplyDeleteYour post sent me on an tangent and here' a social commentary ... I often hesitate to use what I consider common expressions because almost everything is something nasty according to the Urban Dictionary ... I am so, so tired of that.
too funny! i just looked up the definition of WAG on urban dictionary and it is pretty vile. I was in London when they started coining the term and WAGS are quite a big thing over in the UK so for me it is just a "type" now. It isn't nasty though ( to some ) because in certain cities and social circles - it is an aspiration without any irony at all!
DeleteWAG isn't so bad, it was a different word I was going to use instead of "tagged" that was nasty according to the UD.
Deleteand oops, why did I have "an" for tangent? must have had another word in mind that could have been vile as defined by somebody. ;)
Call me nouveau but I Like the flap down and the tag things closed because it looks better.
ReplyDeleteI loved the movie too, esp that Missoni cardy . Hope C gets an Oscar for her trouble.
x
Not everyone has your discipline of being so tidy and kept FF! I always do think that pickpocketers must have thought their Xmases came all at once with the popularity of birkins. So easy to dip in.
DeleteI really liked the Ferretti beige dress except two spanx would be needed.
She has to win plus the Oscar committee loves a mental breakdown they do! xx
SOLD! Your post has inspired me to watch this film! Have never really been a fan of Cate's films but this storyline sounds right up my street!
ReplyDeleteRegarding your comment about the Birkin, I've never really looked at the different ways wannabees or otherwise carry them - well spotted, I'm going to look out for this now and when I get mine at Christmas (zzzzz) I'll be sure not to fall in to the wrong category lol!
I guess with the economic climate as it is, there will be a few more Jasmines looming around. My mum calls it "red hat and no knickers"! x
You have to watch it!! it isn't funny at all though ok? What color will you be going for? Yes with the economic uncertainty of the last few years, cities with heavily based finance industries have spawned a few Jasmines and it is really sad and uncomfortable to see. Ha! Love the red hat no knickers xx
DeleteDoesn't matter if it is not funny.
Deleteha.... the zzzz meant in my dreams lol, but in my dreams I'm going for a burgundy/plum type colour x
love burgundy lately - would suit you sir suit you! x
DeleteGreat post! As always!
ReplyDeleteThx Robin!!
DeleteHilarious and thoughtful post. I LOVED it! Thank you for mentioning me, that was so kind of you, and I got some of the movie pictures from the Daily Mail in the UK! I do hope Cate wins an Oscar for this one, and I would love to see the costume designer pick up a statue as well. I could not stop laughing at some of the very tacky ensembles she put the foxy Bobby Cannavale in. I thought he was really good. I hope he at least gets a Best Supporting Actor nomination, he stole every scene he was in! Or is that just my crush talking? I know it's awful but Cate made that Chanel look so good, even at the depths of her misery, I want one exactly like it! Great post, my new favorite! XO, Jill
ReplyDeleteyou know what? i just realized i completely forgot to write about Jasmine's sister, Ginger's wardrobe and of course Bobby's sexy ensembles! They were also so intrinsic to the reflection of each character...Oh well. But you are right about him - I think he deserves best supporting and Ginger for best supporting actress as well. I wonder if Alec Baldwin will get nominated? Suzy will win for sure. The sweat marks on Cate's silk blouses were excruciating though...xx
DeleteMy gosh, you are clever. Truly. I didn't see these nuances.
ReplyDeleteI loved the movie and Cate was amazeballs.
I am just considering whether I have a uniform..... I just try and make the best of what I have, and use clothes to enhance my mojo when I feel it is lacking....
I've got several uniforms which I might show in a post soon. But I really must rethink my personal approach to attire which has been terrible the last few years! This movie in its own way was a great reminder.
DeleteGreat post N. I've been dying to see this -love all Cate movies, and I think this one is so topical. Fashion as armour is so true. I know if I'm going into something that I'm feeling nervous about I like to wear something that makes me feel good. Quite an interesting take on the costume designers take on it, but I did laugh at your assessment of the bag (and the fact there was only one). And doesn't Posh look lovely in that Chanel psychadelic spearmint green Chanel jacket too. xx
ReplyDeleteOh Heidi, please watch it bc I want to know what you think! It was most interesting and whether you liked the clothes perse is secondary bc I was taken aback at how pivotal it all was. Without over stressing it, the wardrobe had anthropological weight. But it wasn't funny at all so don't watch if you want something light. But Posh has really evolved hasn't she? Xx
DeleteI wish I got to see this. I also love anything Woody Allen. All his films are styled so well. As far as the Birkin, it is pretty, but to spend that kind of money on a bag is fundamentally crazy. I just don't get how women can walk around flashing that they spent that kind of cash on a purse. It's shallow when the world is desperate and needing in so many places. That the Kardashians all have them seals it for me as a display of shallowness. I think the scarves are lovely and worth the price the cost, but the Birkins have gone to the dogs to me.
ReplyDeleteLove to see all the clothes. I guess I'm going to have to rent it!
xKim
Not too late Kim!! You must bc you would love it. The Birkin is a funny one but it seems to exert this odd power on the carrier and on those who desire one. Did you read bringing home the Birkin? You must if you haven't. The bag polarises people for sure. I am more of a Kelly girl and I don't know what that psychologically means!! Xx
DeleteI have not seen this movie yet but I might, just to see Cate in action and to see the clothes. I laughed out loud at your analysis of the Chanel jacket (BTW, I had nearly forgotten that I had posted that old pic of Inès in the Chanel jacket! I actually acquired the J. Crew bouclé jacket mentioned in that post, but instantly regretted it - it made me feel very old lady-ish, and now I think I am over the whole idea of a tweed/bouclé jacket.) I had no idea about the Birkin bag flap, but I had always thought if I ever was lucky enough to own one, I would keep the buckle closed.
ReplyDeleteTweed needs a lining but it still scratches around the neck. Yes I loved that pic of ines in Chanel. It was from the 80's I presume. I really can't recommend it enough Louise. It's a truly zeitgeist movie all around. But if you get a Birkin you should wear it like lady gaga - anyway you like! :)
DeleteDying to see this movie! It sounds delectable in fashion and acting sensibilities. As I see all of this post-it's definitely a must!
ReplyDeletexx, Heather
Get a move on girl and buy that movie ticket bc it will be on the oscars! Xx
Deleteyour blog is genius.
ReplyDeletewe never read magazines in the same way without thinking of your virtual voice and looking for that "artful throw" oh-so-casually draped-in-shot and your silently raised eyebrow
and now - movies and clothes - and the Semiotics of a Chanel Jacket.
genius.
we'll say it again.
Too kind and so flattered coming from you!! But it's just me sprouting out unfinished sociology essays I should have done at uni!! X
DeleteJust left a comment on your Pinterest! The belt and jacket together was a social tannoy announcement
ReplyDelete" I am an arriviste who will never belong in this world"
I had to look up tannoy! I swear you always teach me new words...
DeleteYes the saddest thing was not to be happy in one's skin. The second skin aka her clothes just couldn't hide it. So tragic when at the end even her clothes had armpit stains. Was tough to watch!! But I would have pawned her luggage if I was her sister...
Love Woody and loved this post, now itching to see the movie. Loved all the commentary on the clothes - so spot on. Kate
ReplyDeleteYes but also don't forget to look at everyone's wardrobe bc it was suitable for each and everyone. There were so many issues in that film that I could do about another four posts on the movie! If you love woody then you will love this although his least funniest movie!
DeleteHaven't seen the movie yet. Hope to soon. But I'd be clutching my Birkin close after that Milan robbery last week. x
ReplyDeleteYou just gotta! But as some women say if they ever god forbid got mugged, they would ask the mugger to take contents but let them keep the bag!
DeleteThis Chanel jacket post is GENIUS! You have hit the nail on the head. Actually we were saying after seeing the movie that she would have really really stuck out in the Bay Area even among the wealthy, no one here wear Chanel or name belts or anything like that.
ReplyDeleteYes I am sure in SF it is different and I notice cities have their own language and culture but I am still surprised Woody chose SF as the new city!
DeleteI read this post and then watched the trailer for the movie twice, dang I can't wait to see it! Great analysis.
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to watch it and let me know what you think!
Deletelooks interesting, I wasn't interested at first but maybe it's worth trying :)
ReplyDeleteMelo - as a movie goer you would love this movie for sure!!
DeleteThe sociology of clothing is an interesting subject. In some ways your post evokes the late, great, Erving Goffman.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Allen movie is "Crimes and Misdemeanors."
I loved that movie too! but i will look into Erving Goffman - thanks for the tip as per usual!
DeleteGreat tip, I must watch this pronto! xo Caroline
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen it but I'd like to!!!! Cate Blanchett is said to be exceptional in this movie!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Love your analysis of the Chanel jacket personalities!
ReplyDelete@Caroline, you will love it!
ReplyDelete@Gloria, yes Cate is amazing and will not disappoint in her Oscar dress!
@merry wife, thanks!
I´ll probably never get to see the film, so it was a treat to read your review about it.
ReplyDeleteThe Chanel jacket. Not for my frame, and I´d never settle for a copy of an original Chanel jacket.
The Hermes bag. Not very functional. Hermes does have more practical ones, only we don´t have their shop over here. Which is a blessing, as I easily get obsessed about just anything ( ; .
I know what you mean by not settling bc one doesn't comport oneself in the same way oddly enough but Mette you would love the film!!! yes not having Hermes must be a great time saver :)
DeleteI never put so much emphasis on the clothes - in real life or in movies. But apparently I'm missing out, stylists actually want to "say" something with their choices (I really liked your explanation of a Chanel and an Hermes piece worn together). And your reasoning for wearing a Chanel jacket made me realize why I don't like the brand and will never wear one.:D I'm not trying to be elegant, a good girl or anyone's daughter in law.:)
ReplyDeletei liked so much your analysis about leather jacket and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete