Top 5 Steal Her Style - Jane Austen Edition

Pride Prejudice and Zombies has just slashed its way into cinemas and as our new collection has just been released we felt a collaboration was in order. Here are our Top 5 modern fashion takes on Jane Austen’s leading ladies, 1800’s style meets spring/summer 2016. Expect some vintage style fashion and true statement pieces inspired by Jane Austen herself.

1. EMMA WOODHOUSE – EMMA (1996)

   
   Emma's wardrobe is very muted and features a lot of floral and wallpaper style baroque print in a sweet baby doll style that accentuate her bust. A modern day necessity for Emma Woodhouse lovers is our Suzie's Shapeshifter dress which features three print floral cami dresses with a sheer pinstripe overlay, helping to create Emma's washed out floral print style. Unlike Emma's gowns however, Suzie's Shapeshifter is short and sweet: perfect for spring days spent in the grounds trying to match make your friends for a summer romance.

2. ELIZABETH BENNET – PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (2005)

   
   Elizabeth Bennet's style is simple and layered with understated patterns though still features the classic 19th century high waited element. Her outfits are again in muted tones of white, grey and green mirroring her humbler background. Modern Lizzie's should look to Patti's Pearl silk blouse and Dusty's Drop skirt in grey for inspiration, muted tones, plunge neckline and button detailing create an hourglass silhouette similar to Elizabeth's, pinching in the waist and drawing attention to the bust whist still remaining elegant.

3. FANNY PRICE – MANSFIELD PARK (2007)

   
   Fanny Price's style is very typically early 19th Century, her gowns are very structured and feature plunging necklines and interesting sleeve detail in a pinstripe pattern. For a modern version look to Bridgett's Boogaloo in violet which features the same pinstripe style and long length in a washed out candy shade. Mesh fabric makes the garment floaty like Fanny's though is still figure hugging drawing attention to the waist and bust. The sleeves are a little more vintage Bardot and whilst the dress is high-low it helps make it modern and current. A true statement piece. Add a picnic basket, lace gloves and sandals and you're all set for spring.

4. MARIAANE DASHWOOD – SENSE AND SENSEABILTY (1995)

   
   Marianne's focus a lot on layering, the costume designers taking semi-transparent layers such as tulle and mesh as a base then layering with a dress and finishing finally with a a cape. Karen's Kyoto makes a nice modern twist on the young Dashwood sister's style, layered with Jackie's Jack plain silk blouse. The dress features similar colours to Marianne's gowns, the silhouette is also similar though a more modern take, the tie around the waist, accentuating the figure to an extent whilst still remaining loose and floaty which is perfect for late spring.

5. CATHERINE MORLAND – NORTHANGER ABBEY (2007)

   
   Next is vintage style fashion from the North. Catherine's outfits are fairly humble in Northanger Abbey, ranging in pastel and muted colours whilst featuring a lot of detail including lace, buttons and fastenings. Modern day Catherine's can find an almost copycat steal in Alice's Pig's Demi's Dallas coat, featuring a full skirt and button down detail as well as side pockets for storing all those book tokens. Pair with Lola's Lace dress, made from printed lace (a staple Catherine Morland piece). Finish the look with understated shoes and some lace gloves.

Watch this space for next week’s blog as we reflect on the style of our favourite queens of noise.

As always, stay weird.

Want more literature and fashion? Head over to Shakespeare in fashion

- The Little Pig