'Virgin Suicides', Killer Summer Wardrobe

In honor of it reaching eighty-eight scorching degrees in the past week, I now deem summer's sweaty arrival as here. And with summer being here I cannot help but search for inspiration. In this search for inspiration, I tend to ritualistically return to the book and film The Virgin Suicides. 

The Sophia Coppola films dreamlike aesthetic has influenced an entire generation of wishful girls by defining female fashion choices in the 70's: coyness versus skimpiness, childhood fabrics against new coming sexuality, lace dresses, muted florals and pink bras covering crucifixes. Although sad in a sense, the movie focuses on five sisters imprisoned in their own super feminine, frilly, childlike rooms created by parents who are afraid for their daughters to grow into women. 

A quick summary (via google) : In an ordinary suburban house, on a lovely tree-lined street, in the middle of 1970s America, lived the five beautiful, dreamy Lisbon sisters, whose doomed fates indelibly marked the neighborhood boys who to this day continue to obsess over them. A story of love and repression, fantasy and terror, sex and death, memory and longing. It is at its core a mystery story: a heart-rending investigation into the impenetrable, life-altering secrets of American adolescence.

But! This is not meant to dwell on the tragedy of the Lisbon sisters. It is to once again point out the beautiful, dreamy style the film encourages. 

1. Prom night

While the girls were subject to extra fabric and length (aka white sacks) there are plenty of breezy, floral dresses, but midi and maxi, that just get the epitome of summer effortlessness. The Zimmermann silk cotton floral dress is exactly that. 

2. Twirling in lace

Cecelia Lisbon twirling in a lace, chiffon dress. While this one is notoriously TVS, there are alternatives that speak directly to summer. A broderie-anglaise cotton dress or crochet off-the-shoulder linen dress will suffice.

3. A sign of the times: striped and cropped

The pattern. Oh, the pattern. Striped tops in the 70's were a massive trend that is still circulating today. 

4. Ruffled tops at the party. 

You already know my love for ruffles. And I know your love for ruffles. On the pricey side, Elie Saab's ruffled crepe gown is my number one pick. But my pockets suggest a Topshop sleeveless shirt.