A Guide on How to Add that Instant Hollywood Glamour to Your Outfits

It’s that time of the year when you want to go all out, experiment with bold-colored outfits, and sport the brightest red lipstick to channel your inner Audrey Hepburn out. Yes, you want to attain that perfect old Hollywood look because ‘the weather will finally allow you to do so. Now is the perfect time to not worry about your make-up melting away or fixing that top-notch hairdo time and again. 

‘Tis the season to be jolly, mi amor!

Well, now that we have maintained that this is the perfect weather to put our Grace Kelly look on display, let’s hop on to the ways to achieve that old Hollywood look.

Hollywood style inspired outfits

How to Pull off that Hollywood Retro Look

Old Hollywood elegance is still a fashion inspiration for many of us. The divas’ sense of style has managed to woo us over for years. And now that we are at an age where we can replicate those iconic looks, what else to look back to than our forever favorites, Bette Davis, Grace Kelly, Greta Garbo, Elizabeth Taylor, etc.

That era’s feminine aesthetics are ageless. Yet, the stars still manage to inspire most of the make-up, fashion, and clothes industry trends. If you’re exploring fashion trends for a dissertation you can buy articles online or need inspiration for a red carpet event, these classic Hollywood styles have timeless appeal.

Now that we think of recreating those looks, we feel discouraged. Even the thought of recreating that mamma mia looks daunt us. Without the right skills and make-up assistants to prep us up, we feel we’re out of luck. However, we’re here to tell you this is not as tricky as it appears to be. So read on to learn the tips for acing your old Hollywood fashion game.

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Tips for Old Hollywood Glamour Dresses

First things first, you won’t get it right on the first try. Practice makes it perfect, baby. It takes time and effort, but you will eventually get there. Don’t lose heart. 

Before you start, own your flaws and feel comfortable in your skin. That is how you will look your best. It would be best to acknowledge that each of us is different; we have different body shapes and features. It is not about reciprocating the entire look but seeing what looks best for you, your body, and your face. Attaining the old Hollywood look is all about highlighting your best features and finishing it up with a sensual smile.

Old Hollywood Fashion

Things that You Need

You need at least one fantastic attire that has a retro vibe or is similar to something the Hollywood starlets used to sport. In addition, it needs to be stylish. Period. 

If you can’t find one in your wardrobe, look for retro-inspired dresses created by popular evening wear designers for inspiration (Sherri Hill has several) or head to your mom’s or aunt’s house and ask them for a vintage dress they wore at ball parties back when they were young.

Now, find some underpinnings. First, of course, it is a given that you cannot put your a-game on without those puffy drooping shoulders. I mean, that’s the natural charm of those vintage Hollywood looks.

Protip: Get a good bra, pronto! You have to have a good bra that fits your body perfectly because we all dig for that oomph factor. Also, if you can, find a matching panty to go with it. You’ll feel more confident that way. 

If you’re not in the mood for a flowy, luxurious dress, you can always go for a suit with lace tops and stylish trousers to go with it. But, please don’t wear those shabby pants or ill-fitted trainers. You don’t want fashion to fail there. 

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Dress like you are a diva!

First, you need to pick a dress that will make you look undeniably confident. Your outfit represents your inner diva with a spice of luxury and class. Therefore, it must be Sleek and alluring! You need to get into that frame to achieve the classic look. Think of yourself as a star, and then choose what you will carry!

Now, to display a look as your exclusive style, I will give you a golden tip. Whenever you are following the dress of your favorite star, add your personal twist to it. Therefore, even if it is a classical Audrey Hepburn look, iconic Elizabeth Taylor, or modern glamorous Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson, your spice will lighten up your look.

To appear glamorous, you need to add dramatic colors to your dress with various silhouettes and accessorize your look with glitzy pieces. Hence, you will wear elegance with boldness that will undoubtedly appeal to everyone.

The thoughts may cross you that am I going for the red carpet with such a sassy look? Absolutely not! You may not have a red carpet event or paparazzi to click you. There are plenty of other reasons to dress up. Thus, you deserve to look your best and most glamorous. Pamper yourself with sultry dresses and looks. It will enhance your optimism for life.

Hollywood Fashion

Essential elements of Glamorous style

Take on all that is glittery

 Glitter is something sparkling that lightens up the entire look. If you prefer a glamorous look, there is no way that you can dislike the glitter. Instead, sparkling will give you the glamorous look that you are looking for! Let it be the pearl, sequins, jewels, or beads. You are surely going to love it!

Your glittery style will create magic, and you definitely want to flaunt this exquisite style!

Do you think that what is so different about Sparkling items? Well, it is the gold standard of glam. Things that glisten stand out and give positive energy. Hence, you will get inspiration for higher goals.

However, it is entirely in your hands to keep the balance. Your only goal is to appear sassy and glamorous, so make sure that you don’t look tacky.

If you don’t want to go for sequins work, I have another option for you. My hot favorite is silk or satin, as they give similar effects with a blend of elegance.

Wild over soft:

We all want comfort with the glam. Thus, adding soft and fluffy outfits to the wardrobe add luxury and comfort in a blend.

Soft outfits will give you a cozy feel. Moreover, it will convey a look of needlessness. You are giving yourself the comfort and warmth needed. Thus, you don’t lack anything. How bold it is!

You can add more drama to your guise by introducing animal prints. You will see Hollywood actresses from Kylie Jenner to Rihanna rocking in leopard print. Such additions will increase the standard of your outfit from elegance to truly sassy!

Choosing dramatic colors:

When we address the glamorous look and style, nothing can compensate for the standard of black and white. You have a choice to carry them all alone or wear them in contrast; in any way, they will give you a classy look. Although they are entirely opposite colors, they are extremely dramatic. Therefore, they will provide you with a clean, complete look with the utmost class. Moreover, these are the colors that we all have in our wardrobes. So, there is no need to fret if you want to build on your look with black and white color. And as said by Coco Chanel, Simplicity is the keynote to success, so Black and white are synonyms for elegance with simplicity.  

Now, this doesn’t mean that you will exclude all other colors. Metallic and shiny colors such as silver and gold will also give you a glam look. Moreover, such colors add a unique richness to your look. You have the choice to use them as part of your look in the form of jewelry, shoes, or make-up. However, your entire look in such colors will make you stand out.

Here specifically, I am talking about the color red. Red is a statement color that will make you look chic like no other. It represents passion and love, so you can dress up in it on your date nights.

You can also go for one statement piece in red or accessorize yourself in the same color to add boldness to your look.

Getting the perfect cut and Silhouette

Your dress should be custom fit on you like a glove holding your hand that is not too loose or not too fit. Your outfit should reflect your ethereal beauty and class. There is nothing more glamorous than an accurately fit outfit.

Here you need to know yourself properly. As it is fundamental for self-love, you must embrace your shape and size and know your grooves perfectly. The next step is to choose a dress that expresses your curves in an alluring manner.

Focus on the necklines you want to look incredibly sexy and glamorous. If you want drama, I recommend you go with V-neck and don’t forget that the deeper, the better. Exposed back will also add spice to your style.

You can consider the length of the dress to look taller. Moreover, a sleek cut will give a tall and dramatic look. You can pair your high-waisted trousers with a crop top to add length to your look.

Moreover, you can also go for off-shoulder or cold shoulders as it will add a glam look to your look and make you look elongated.

You don’t have to frustrate yourself. Every individual is different from the other, so one style doesn’t fit the other. To find the best dress that compliments your body, know yourself well. Expect that you may need to alter your dress to fit the best, so befriend the tailor around. It will ease the hassle. 

Audrey Hepburn in black dress holding a white cup

Old Hollywood Glam Hair and Make-up

When has one perfected a look without a hairdo and on-point make-up to go with it? Never is the answer, my girls!

It would be best if you did something about the two to bring out your inner Marilyn Monroe. 

What will you need?

You can achieve an old Hollywood look with retro spiral curls and bold red lips with fur to go along, but a tiny bit of effort here and there will make it worth the struggle.

To achieve that flawless look, you need to keep your face all matte and make sure it looks porcelain. Don’t go overboard on that contour and the highlighter palette. Keep it as subtle as possible. Next, you need to top it up with that classic winged eyeliner. Plus, point, it’s all the rage even in the current times. Now that you have winged your eyelids, how about you bring the look up a notch with fake eyelashes. But, it would help if you kept them short, don’t go for the 3D ones. We have to maintain the 50’s vibe. 

It’s time to do the eyebrows now. You can’t just leave the look in the middle. The eyebrows need to be on-point as well. If you think they look bushy, then a little threading might be the best step to take. It would help if you made them look well-maintained. Now use that eyebrow pencil and give it a proper, evened-out shape. 

Finally, finish that look with sultry, bold red lips. Make sure you dab it out from the edges.

Ooh, this already sounds like a whole other deal in my head.

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Time for the Hairdo

Who doesn’t dig for those long, spiral curls or that hair tied in a bun like Audrey’s? All you have to do is wet your hair and let the hot rollers sit in them. Leave them there for an hour or two. Once you’re done, loosen those curls a little with a hairbrush. 

The Audrey Hepburn Bun

An old Hollywood look gets terrific with the Audrey bun. For this step, tie your hair in a high ponytail. Next, twist your dangling hair around the pony and make it into a bun. Now grab some bobby pins and place them at different points in your hair to keep the hair in place. Lastly, grab a chunky hair clip and place it in an upward position on the higher end of the bun. Voila, you have achieved that perfect Hepburn bun!

Time to Accessorize Your Look

Well, girls, you cannot just head out of the house without amping up your look with the perfect accessories.

So, you need one statement accessory (it could be those big chunky earrings, a statement handbag, a vintage turban, or those cat eyeglasses). Pick the ones that you like the best and attain your favorite retro Hollywood look.

Parting Thoughts

That wraps up our step-by-step guide for today. But, before leaving, we’d like to leave you with some words of wisdom. 

This guide shouldn’t be your holy grail. There are a plethora of ways to get the classic Hollywood glam look. You can always add your touch to these steps to highlight your unique features and sense of style. 

These are the ways that we have figured out over time. You can do yours. Look up your favorite Hollywood starlets and put them under a microscopic lens. See what they did and try to replicate it with your style.

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