Be Beaux Arts: Dancers of Degas

BBA is a series in which I use a piece of artwork as fashion inspiration. This time I have chosen Edgar Degas' 1878 Dancers, a beautiful, lyrical work that showcases one of his inspirations: ballet. I am feeling drawn to soft shades of pink and grey, as you can probably tell! The hazy quality of the Degas pastel is so evocative of smooth silk, rustling tulle, and the lithe bodies of the dancers. It's such a calming world.

Pink and grey are classic ballet colors. They are simple and quiet, but when combined with interesting shapes and a dancer's attitude, these two unassuming colors become electrifying! Of course you must get the shades right: light pink and dove grey or slate grey with a touch of blue are ideal. Wrap sweaters, like the ruffled grey one from Anthropologie, immediately nod to ballet. Lush layers of fabric like the ruffled pink sweater from Anthropologie and the white empire dress from Max Studio are like tulle skirts, but much more wearable for everyday. And you don't need to wear ballet flats to get the ballet look. Pink and grey on any round toed shoe will suffice. Both shown are from UO.

Be Beaux Arts: Medieval Maiden

For this installment of BBA, I have chosen Dante Gabriel Rossetti's Jane Morris (The Blue Silk Dress), 1868. Rossetti was one of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood of the 19th century, a group of artists who borrowed from the styles of the Old Masters, often choosing to paint Medieval subjects. Interestingly, the dresses they chose for their models - deep, saturated colors in silks and velvets - became somewhat of a fashion trend in the 1860s, known as the Artistic or Aesthetic Dress Movement. They were usually loose fitting, with puffed sleeves, and quite plain otherwise. The focus was on the simplicity of form, and the sensual pleasure offered by swaths of luxurious fabric. One was expected to have the same reaction when viewing these stunning works of art, which often featured vivid color, striking contrasts (the play of light and dark, for example), and texture.

So if you want to be the heroine of a Pre-Raphaelite painting, like Jane Morris, you'll need one lovely dress. This Calypso one is perfect, as it just happens to be blue silk, and of course the style of the dress is very simple. Large, ornate earrings hint at a time gone by. Roses frequently made appearances in Pre-Raphaelite paintings, with their many sensual connotations. Lay this gorgeous pink one on your lap, tuck it behind your ear, or insert it into a leather bound journal to keep track of your many dreams.

Be Beaux Arts: The Rainy Day Flapper

Welcome to my new series, Be Beaux Arts! You may recognize this idea from a post I did a while ago on dressing the part of Marie Antoinette at Le Petite Trianon, based on a painting by Vigee Le Brun. Well, I liked that a lot, so I decided to make this a regular thing. I love art, and I think that it is a wonderful place to gain fashion inspiration. So, for today's venture, I have chosen this lovely 1920s fashion illustration. Not exactly fine arts, but beautiful nonetheless!

You're not a flapper until you have the drop waisted dress. This little number has a pleated skirt, and looks like the foundation of a Suzanne Lenglen tennis ensemble. To emphasize the garconne look, a pair of shiny black oxfords let you stride through puddles just like the boys. And don't forget a little deco inspired shrug to keep the chill off. Top it all with a green brolly and jaunty cloche and you'll be the bee's knees!

Be Beaux Arts: That Special Je Ne Sais Quoi

As the temperatures rise and the flowers bloom, don't you feel like adopting a simplistic, natural lifestyle? Don't you have the urge to become a dairy maid at an Austrian farm, and wear nothing but grass sweeping linen dresses? Well, queen of style Marie Antoinette did. At her own mock farming village nestled in the Rousseau-esque gardens at Versailles, she could let go of all of her cares and frolic in the sunshine. Determined to remove herself from the rigors of court life, Marie Antoinette secreted herself away for hours or even days at her little retreat, and dressed the part of the simple country girl. Take your summer style cues from the decadent and unabashedly trendy queen and learn to live the good life.

J. Crew's white linen Talitha dress perfectly captures that carefree attitude. Lounge by the pond or enjoy a pique-nique in this confection of a dress. No need to worry about grass stains - they'll add a level of realism to your fantasy that is hard to fake.

Protect your fragile locks from the sun with a wide brimmed straw hat, also by J.Crew. Perfect for throwing coquettish glances at your handsome farm hand.

Though going barefoot would be more au naturel, no self-respecting queen could resist a little sparkle. These jewel encrusted flats by Kenneth Cole remind people why you deserve the title.

For when you get a bit chilly, casually toss on this ruffled scarf from Anthropologie. Really bunch it up for a dramatic effect.