cinema style: the big chill

Last night I watched The Big Chill (surprising that it's taken this long when there has been a copy on our shelves for the last 15 years) and was left feeling not only a desire for a replica group of friends (this is no reflection on my own, you'll share my thoughts if you've seen the film) but also for the men's wardrobes. Jeff Goldblum's glasses, William Hurt's gold wristwatch, an array of shirts in moleskin and soft cotton, beige windbreakers, toffee coloured chinos and the creme de la creme; the matching running trainers the 8 characters wear in the middle of the film.

The gospel according to Kevin Kline, Tom Berringer, William Hurt and Jeff Goldblum sadly implies these get ups look better worn with broad shoulders, clean shaves and hairy arms, so male readers should especially take note. Don't mistake this as statement as a promotion of gender specific clothes; those of us without adam's apples should absorb these details too and while at work I've noticed hoards of brown tapered trousers which perfectly emulate Big Chill bottoms.

You can watch the trailer below but I'd recommend you save yourself as it's one of those annoying types that gives away the best lines and moments before you've even watched it. There are cheap copies over at Amazon (click here if you live in the UK) (or here for US) if like me you're living a frugal lifestyle..

cinema style: diana christensen

Faye Dunaway as the brilliant and psychotic television producer Diane Christensen in Network.

dudley, raleigh and ritchie

they know how to wear brown. on a sidenote, I think Dudley (left) is my new style icon. anyone who wears a cord shorts and a fishing hat with their name appliqued on deserves such a title.

Dudley's finest Royal Tenenbaum moments..

cinema style: somersault

When outside feels a little gloomy- overcast skies and the snow in that in between stage, stubbornly clinging to the ground but dirtied after days underfoot, I think of Somersault. I haven't watched it for a good few years, but the bleak landscape and the Australian winter doesn't look all that different to the view from my window at the moment. It's the perfect film for watching on a winter's night in a big jumper and a pair of knickers, a warm beverage and a thoughtful mood. There's a certain calmness to the film which is very appealing in January. The low-key interiors stick in my mind; bedrooms unchanged since the 70s and Abbie Cornish is fantastic as the peculiar Heidi who roams around in simple knitwear and unkempt wavy hair. The soundtrack from Decoder Ring is beautifully peaceful and a perfect match to the stillness of the film.

Watch it for yourself here
Please note, I recommend you watch with as few other programs in use as possible to prevent your computer being too slow, though you probably didn't need me to tell you that!)

cinema style: boogie nights

boogie nights
channel rollergirl and amber waves from paul thomas anderson's 1997 film.

rollerskates, spontaneous pool parties, sports socks, 1970s sunglasses, flares, jumpsuits, teeny skirts..

pics: superiorpics.com, imdb