Though Grace Kelly only acted for five years, in 11 films, her classic beauty and understated elegance won admirers and emulators for decades to come. From her red carpet gowns, to her chic shirtwaist dresses, to her use of an Hermes scarf as a sling for an injured arm, she remains a style inspiration.
Unlike many Hollywood actresses of her era, Grace Patricia Kelly’s tale is not a “rags to riches” saga. She was born to John Brennan “Jack” Kelly, a self-made millionaire and three-time gold medalist sculler on the U.S. Rowing Team, and Margaret Katherine Majer, famous for founding and becoming the first coach of the University of Pennsylvania Women’s Athletic Teams. Her sophisticated upbringing goes a long way toward explaining her style—as both glamorous Hollywood royalty and actual royalty, when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
Both on screen and off, Grace used wardrobe as a way to express, not overshadow, her character. “I think it is important to see the person first and the clothes afterwards,” she said. Costume designer Edith Head, who worked with her on Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window,” once said, “I have never worked with anybody who had a more intelligent grasp of what we were doing.”
Just Right
Grace Kelly understood the importance of choosing clothing and accessories to suit her face and body type. In general, follow this rule: If you’re tall and curvy, try larger patterns, big hats, wide belts, and heavier accessories. If you’re petite and thin, the opposite will suit you better.To not overwhelm her soft features and smaller frame, Grace favored simplicity, often choosing one main color to build an outfit around, and only simple patterns, if any. She never wore clothing too big, nor too tight; pieces were well fitted and of good quality. A thin-to-medium belt often accentuated her waist.
Jewelry, judiciously chosen, meant simple yet elegant pieces that were not too heavy. Pearls were a favorite; Grace knew how to make a casual twinset with Capri pants look chic with the addition of an elegant string. “I favor pearls on screen and in my private life,” she said, explaining, “The pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens.”
The Whole Picture
Grace Kelly’s look goes beyond clothing, with a keen attention to detail seen in her always immaculate hair and less-is-more makeup, as well as her strict dancer’s posture and poise, a holdover from an early dream of becoming a ballerina. Mind the little details; they all contribute to your final look.
Inner beauty shines through, too. “I would like to be remembered,” Grace once said, “as someone who accomplished useful deeds, and who was a kind and loving person. I would like to leave the memory of a human being with a correct attitude and who did her best to help others.”
