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Perhaps no time and place in fashion history is as famously extravagant as 18th century aristocratic Europe. And it goes without saying that the era's guilded excess and over-the-top riches were seemingly tailor-made for the Hollywood big screen. So when filmmakers decide to craft a movie that was born from this era,
it is actress Keira Knightly that is on speed dial. The go-to-It-gal for period dramas, arguably, no one looks better in petticoats and panniers than Miss Keira. And in her new film The Duchess, she proves once again that corsets might not be a girl's best friend, but they make the wearer cut one amazing silhouette. Costume designer Michael O'Connor had Keira's "Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire" character sporting a wide range of mid 1700's fashions, from etheral daywear confections to metallic brocades and feather bedecked wigs that were several feet in height (so heavy were these pieces that a chin-high stand had to be custom-built for Keira to rest her head on in between takes). |
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But it's the ensembles that have a bit of an edge, with some menswear influence, that seem especially in tune with this season's fashion interplay between masculine and feminine. Rows of gold buttons, velvet details, and sharply tailored jackets look surpisingly fresh. And the good news is, you don't have to be of a blue bloodline to take this particular style and make it your own. There are plenty of current pieces that have a The Duchess-flavor which will have you feeling decadent without making you look like you're living in your very own costume drama. Fitted military jackets are an easy find. Just pair one with a frill-neck blouse and menswear vest. And for those who take risks? Cropped knicker-length trousers are the way to go atop opaque tights. The finishing touch is a pair of super sweet ankle booties. Who knew that the 18th-century fashion could attain such rock star status? |
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