Faye Dunaway in 'Bonnie & Clyde'

Faye Dunaway is the queen of scarves, berets, and neutral tones. I've always been hard on berets because they've become a staple for stereotypical French fashion: the whole 'beret, striped shirt, and a baguette sticking out of a bicycle basket'. In styling this look, I found a new appreciation for them.

Bonnie & Clyde, directed by Arthur Penn, follows the true crime love story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, two disaffected youths in the midst of the Great Depression who began a crime spree: robbing banks and killing whoever got in their way. Bonnie, Dunaway, and Clyde, Warren Beatty, are one of the most iconic movie couples. They are sharp dressers, witty speakers, and have a wild need for adventure: everything one looks for in a power couple. They are 'professionals', when it comes to robbing banks, and they want to look the part. The outfits take on sleek and sharp cuts, subdued by beiges, tans, and browns.

Most people know Bonnie and Clyde's tragic fate, but if done right, you should be able to get everything you need for the plot in the first frames showing the color scheme, setting, and clothing. Through the desolate browns of the Texas desert mixed with the muted colors of the outfits, we are able to associate the characters with the dust in the wind that they will become.

Faye Dunaway echoes class. She doesn't allow her clothes to wear her. The sophisticated neutrals won't pop without the confidence of a girl in love and on the run.

Today, we will be recreating a look that Jcrew has nothing on:

The four key pieces of this look are:

Beret. Look for hats in tan and black, these are the most popular colors and shouldn't be difficult to find. With the beret it's all about how you style it. I recommend spending a little time in the mirror pulling and adjusting your beret. You'll find the right placement for your face this way. Do this especially, if you're a person who's convinced hats don't suit them. It might be worth it to pay for dry cleaning or wash the hat (if the instructions entail), just to avoid any unwanted tag alongs.

Dusty Toned Sweater. This seems like an easy one but those are always the hardest. With thrifting neutrals and basics, the cut and the way it lays is essential. You learn a lot about your proportions and will eventually be able to look at something and know whether or not it will fit and suit you. Details in the fabric, like the crochet pattern and texture of the above photo, are what will make your piece unique from all the other tan sweaters in the world. So, really examine that sweater! 

Neck Scarf. This is the piece your colors and patterns will come from. You'll need a large square scarf which you will fold into a triangle and wrap around your neck, tying in the back. Silk hangs the best. There are many ways to style a neck scarf. Steer away from anything too bright, you don't want to lose that dusty Southern look. 

Pencil Skirt. There is just something so powerful about a woman in a tight pencil skirt. This is the piece that brings the sharp professionalism. Again, it's all about silhouettes and trial and error. Look for neutral colors: tan, brown, beige, navy, black. For the length keep it around the knee. Pair with some sort of heel so you don't lose your legs in the skirt. 

My Recreation: 

photo cred: Sarah Howard

The Breakdown:

Beret: Gift Shop in Paris, France

Sweater: Goodwill- Lexington, KY

Scarf: Grandmother's

Skirt: Goodwill 123rd St, NYC

Bonnie, get your gun, kiss your Clyde, as money blows out the side windows of the getaway car.

If you want thrifting tips or how to measure yourself or a glossary of clothing cuts and styles or about the blog or about moi, then click the corresponding words above.