Style Inspiration: West Side Story

I love to look for style inspiration in old movies. Whenever I watch a movie from the 1950's or 1960's, I feel like I've stepped into another world. It's a world where women wear hats and gloves and people dress up for traveling and when they go to the theater. These days, it seems that jeans have become appropriate for almost every occasion and it's refreshing to imagine living during a time that was less casual.

West Side Story is one of my favorite movies for the story line and for the fashion. It's full of women in voluminous A-line dresses with cinched waists and low bodices. The clothes are feminine and they move beautifully with the film's choreography. Rita Moreno's arm raised as she begins her mambo and asserts her territory at the dance at the gym (about 3:30 minutes into the video below) gives you high drama and shows off her beautiful lavender frock to maximum effect.

For a modern take on Rita Moreno's look, try this:
Janey Cotton Dress from J.Crew $295

And of course, make sure you have a fabulous club or party to go to where you'll be able to dance in this dress. Imagine how you'll stand out from all the women in jeans!