Blue Jasmine, her wardrobe, and the power of a Chanel Jacket

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I adore Cate Blanchett and so I went to go and see the movie,
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.

Suzie Bezinger, wardrobe stylist for Blue Jasmine
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I thought the wardrobe stylist Suzie Bezinger for the most part 
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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 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"?

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.)

Looking amazing in that Carolina Herrera dress
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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.

Via Vogue

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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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It's like Emmanuelle Alt's "uniform" I discussed here.

But this movie awakened in me the power of clothes.

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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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I am elegant.

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I want to be portrayed as elegant.

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I am a good girl.

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Forget the past, I am a good girl now.

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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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I really want to marry your son and 
will be a good future daughter in law. 
I promise.

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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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!