Movie Inspiration: Minimal Style for Women over 50

Over the holidays, I watched the movie, Stepmom, with Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon.  I have seen the movie many times, but this time, the clothing for Julia Robert’s character caught my attention. 

She plays the role of a successful photographer and was portrayed in a very classic, minimal wardrobe.

There are several minimalist fashion bloggers online and Instagram who I have followed for awhile. Every now and then, I will mimic their style, but I always throw on a necklace or scarf before I leave the house.  So, after watching the movie, I decided to copy one of Robert’s outfits exactly and I left the big accessories at home.  In the scene, she was working on a shoot, and wore black tights, a gray pencil skirt, a black knit top, and a black trench coat.  No embellishments.

I was minimal…right down to the lips…Infallible by Loreal.  The color is number 318, Bare Attraction.

I liked wearing the complete look…especially for a work day IN office.  But, it really isn’t me.  I am an accessory kind-of girl. I believe accessories often communicate my creative side.  But, I am glad I tried it for a day.  I often wear a classic, quasi-minimal, style…but there is usually some type of pop. 

Have you ever copied a style you saw on a movie or television?  How did it work for you?

These are great pieces to have in your closet…I would perhaps add a necklace…or two!

Happy Friday!

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23 Comments

  1. I agree. That look is perhaps a bit too minimalist for you. A statement necklace would have taken it up a notch.

    Would you mind recommending some of the minimalist blogger that you have followed? I'd like to take a look at them.

  2. Yep…..I've done this as well! After seeing "you've got mail" I went out and purposely bought clothing to copy her entire look throughout this movie….I even went so far as to get my hair cut in the same style she wore in this movie. Glad to know I'm not alone in this endeavor ?

  3. I too love the classic minimalist style, but I seem to always need to do an accessory POP as well. Accessories make fashion FUN! Great blog. Thank you for everything you do! You are in my favorite list of blogs that I check daily 🙂

  4. I would like to see the outfit without the coat. My overall impression is that it looks sad. [Been watching too much Nina Garcia!] But the colors do not reflect your vibrancy. The top is a pretty color and if it were more visible, the outfit might have worked once you got to your destination! But you're right, doing these experiments is fun.

    I need a pair of black leggings, and I haven't bought any in years. What do you recommend for something that isn't too expensive? Thanks!

  5. I kept the coat on, Patricia, because she wore one with this same type outfit in the move. But even without a coat, it needs some embellishment to be "my style," I really like the SPANX black tights because they wear well and last a long time. You can get them on sale with coupons from different retailers that carry them. The leggings? I like JJil and Soft Surroundings. But I did buy a pair a few years ago at Marshalls for $16 and the brand is Joan Vaas, carried by several high end retailers. I love them and the have worn very well. These three are my go to leggings.

  6. Hi Pam, sorry if you receive this twice. I think even the Stylish Murmers lady wears high contrast lipstick and jewelry as accessories. Part of the reason that outfit works on Julia Roberts is the high contrast between her hair and the clothing. Your hair, being darker, does not provide the needed contrast. I agree, a scarf or a necklace could have made that outfit work!

  7. My take on minimalism is using accessories so the same outfit looks different each time you repeat it. A scarf one time and statement jewelry the next changes this outfit.

  8. I also like Meg Ryan's style in French Kiss. I specifically remember an outfit with loose fitting linen or twill pants and a boat necked classic striped tee.

  9. I personally lean toward minimalism, but I do think it's more difficult to achieve. You need clothes that are very well cut and possibly more monochromatic. Rene Russo in The Thomas Crowne Affair and Gwyneth Paltrow in A Perfect Murder (both older movies) really nailed this look – classic styles that are still modern looking today.

    I love when we find our own style that looks great for us. Pam – you really rock the statement necklaces – I however look like a kid playing dress-up in her mom's closet when I try that LOL.

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