There is nothing that induces self-congratulation quite like having an idea reaffirmed by Vogue.
Whilst perusing my emails I happened upon an article by Kristen Anderson expounding upon unlikely style icons. At the forefront of their alternative list was Erin Brockovich. The article eschewed the Bardot/Hepburn archetype of that which is classically thought of as style, praising the off-kilter looks championed by the likes of TLC, Burmese punks and Brockovich as played by Julia Roberts.
As I wrote in my previous post, I enjoy Bardot's namesake blouse and my trousers are rarely without a crop, however, there is something endearing about the aesthetic overkill of Roberts' Brockovich. She's at once intimidatingly cool yet devastatingly insecure, a dichotomy of character that is manifested in the play with fashion evident throughout the film. It is blatant yet fragile - brash prints on delicate camisoles, arse-grazing leather mini skirts paired with a cardigan set. The jarring contradiction of her look is enticing.
What opens with an unassuming floral slip dress, denim jacket and mules, segues into a melange of leather (pleather?), structured corsetry (as daywear) and teetering sling-backs. All ensembles are of the carbohydrate repellent, bodycon variety and are accessorised with a baby perched nonchalantly atop hip. Outfits are unashamedly brash in their blatant disregard for co-ordination as Brockovich's style is all inclusive, showing no prejudice towards any colour, fabric or pattern. More is definitely more.
At her most 'corporate', Roberts' Brockovich dons a Barbie pink skirt suit, replete with side splits for full leg exposure for her already exposed legs. On the topic of which, how short is too short? Is there such a thing? Her look has single handedly dismantled my pretty solid belief in legs or chest being an either/ or thing. Heck, channelling the Erin Brockovich style of life, I might even throw in a slash of midriff while I'm at it.
The dichotomy of exposure and concealment is constantly at play and becomes a powerful motif for owning ones' body and unique sartorial perspective. The clothes might be miniature in length and fit but they are impactful in their 'I-dont-give-an-eff' insouciance. Her hair is almost as big as her attitude and her one-liners are the sassy accoutrement that ground her eclectic style in the true grit of real life (or movie real life at least).
The chaos of Brockovich's style is visually provocative, the panache of her look is disarming, a visual overload that is almost too much to process. Perhaps that's what is enticing, you never quite figure her out. Her style is not a movie gimmick, it's a material display of a complicated character. Her IDGAF attitude is clearly manifested in her stylistic proclivities and is just as much a tribute to the IRL Erin Brockovich as it is a display of creative stylings.
Whilst I'm not sure leather vests and 24/7 corsetry will feature in my workwear rotation, my homage will be far less literal, more a harnessing of the Brockovich spirit. "I think that I look nice and as long as I have one ass instead of two, I'll wear what I like" (Julia Roberts as Erin Brockovich). Now you can't argue with that.
(None of the images are my own: rogerebert.com, bustle.com, nydailynews.com, telegraph.co.uk)
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