Anna Karina in 'Band of Outsiders'

Odile, portrayed by Anna Karina, is the star of my favorite Jean Luc Goddard film, Bande a Part or Band of Outsiders in English. Goddard is probably the most recognizable name in the 60's French New Wave. Anna was his muse. She has soft features and unblemished skin, highlighted by a certain sorrow she holds in her eyes and mouth. She is a #sadgirl and has one of the best faces for micro/baby bangs.

At its core, Band of Outsiders is a film about loneliness and a need to play make-believe in order to give the world some sort of magic. We begin with a dramatic reading of Romeo & Juliet to be translated by the students in an English class. The scene read is when Romeo finds Juliet 'dead'. The tone is set from this point on. The three characters decide to act out a scenario that can only end badly: deciding to rob the house of/with a girl they just met, both guys falling for the same aloof girl, and living mainly off of passions and thrills with no real trajectory. 

Odile, though an adult, dresses and acts like a classic, naive schoolgirl. All the characters meet in an English class, which associates these characters with youth and those who've not grown up (who wants to?) Many aspects of French fashion follow the same rules as the school girl look. Neutrals mixed with one pattern or color is one of those rules. Believe it or not, black & white film dictates much of the recreation. You are able to ixnay colors and replace them with shades of grey, black, and white and patterns. 

This look can range from preppy to grungy depending on the accessories; plaid skirts paired with a black sweater has elements of each. Her haircut, namely the mirco bangs, is a perfect example of the similarities in these opposing sterotypes. With bangs, the shorter you go, the more of a contradiction they become: soft but edgy. She often wears ribbons or two little buns in her hair. So, put on some Serge Gainsbourg and cut your bangs until you think they are too short, then keep going.

FUN FACT: Quentin Tarantino named his production company after this film: A Band Apart.

Dance your way into the new wave with this iconic 60's look:

The four key pieces to this look are:

Plaid Skirt. I recommend getting a just-above-the-knee length skirt. You can go shorter but don't get a mini skirt. Get one with pleats so you can move when you dance the 'Madison' and run through the Louvre in record time. Or a loosely fitting skirt. I would go with more muted plaids. Look for ones that have a black or dark green backing. Better yet, go to a store that sells school uniforms and buy a skirt from the teen section. 

Black Tights or Knee Socks. Nowadays you can pick these up anywhere. I go to H&M/Forever 21, etc. and they usually have a bulk amount in different shades and colors for like five bucks. Check it out near the end of winter. Stock up. 

Black Sweater. The sweater should be a little baggy and hit below the waist, preferably to the tops of the thighs. This sweater is a men's size small from American Apparel. The broader shoulders and longer length effect can be found in men's cuts. This is where you get to play with neutrals. Anything that would've shown as black on film works paired with the skirt; colors like Grey, Black, Brown, or Dark Green.

Black Hat or Beret. In the film, Anna wears a black felt Porkpie cut hat. For your recreation, it can also be replaced with a beret. The brim must be small and comfortably sit on the back of your head.

My Recreation: 

photo cred: Sarah Howard

The Breakdown:

Skirt: Goodwill-23rd St NYC

Shoes: Doc Martin-Mary Jane

Knee Socks: Forever 21 

Sweater: Housing Works, 23rd St NYC

Beret: Gift Shop in Paris, France

"An upcoming film will reveal, in Cinemascope & Technicolor of the tropical adventures of Odile & Franz" (and never spoken of again)

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