Margaux

Love in the Afternoon: The Wardrobe of Ariane Chavasse

Outfits inspired by Audrey Hepburn's wardrobe in Love in the Afternoon.

Ariane Chavasse (Audrey Hepburn) rescues business magnate Frank Flannigan (Gary Cooper) from his own demise in Love in the Afternoon (1957). The daughter of private detective Claude Chavasse (Maurice Chevalier) leafs through her father’s infidelity cases with romantic, rose-colored glasses. She initially encounters the American Frank as the subject of a surveillance photograph taken by her father. A devoted cellist, the young French woman can be seen carrying her instrument in and out of the Ritz Paris. Here’s her wardrobe reimagined (cello included).

Works Sighted

Cuyana robe; J.Crew pants; Margaux ballet flats; Hora cello; Staud dress; Christian Louboutin pumps; J.Crew shirt; J.Crew blazer; J.Crew Martie pant; Margaux ballet flats

J.Crew dress; Christian Louboutin pumps; Mark Cross bag; Ralph Lauren Collection dress; Badgley Mischka heels; J.Crew dress; Christian Louboutin pumps; Cornelia James gloves

Further Reading

How to Steal a Million: Nicole Bonnet’s Wardrobe

The Open-Front Cardigan

J.Crew cardigan, linen shirt, and Martie pants. Margaux black ballet flats.

The open-front cardigan is an item of clothing that I didn’t own prior to working from home but have since acquired. The cold weather presents limitless opportunities to incorporate a third piece into my daily looks. With the spirit of comfort in the air, I’ve been giving my trusty grey blazer a break. Note: the term comfort is not synonymous with the extreme level of informal dress that has prevailed across the U.S.

If you’re not sure what a third piece is, permettez-moi d’expliquer. It’s an item that is layered on top of your outfit’s base. A third piece enhances your look. The base consists of a top, a bottom, and a pair of shoes. Jackets, blazers, vests, and cardigans are all viable third pieces.

I find that the open-front cardigan simultaneously adds polish and comfort to my button-up shirt/Martie pant uniform. Think of the opening sequence to Mister Rodgers’ Neighborhood. The first thing Fred does is replace his suiting jacket with a sweater and his dress shoes with a pair of canvas sneakers. In an instant, he’s ready to teach the kids. I don’t have children, but I do have a cat who likes to be held. An open-front cardigan is more conducive to snuggles than a blazer.

Works Sighted

J.Crew Factory cardigan (old); J.Crew slim perfect shirt in Baird McNutt Irish linen (old); J.Crew Martie pant; Margaux Demi flats (black)

5 Essential Pieces of Outerwear for Moderate Weather

Cropped wool jacket over Hearts and Found dress. Margaux ballet flats.

Trench Coat

My favorite piece of outerwear, the trench coat is polished and highly versatile. Acquire a traditional, khaki-colored one that suits you in water-resistant cotton. It’s fine if you’re eyeing trench coats at Burberry, but, I don’t want to see you in the street covered in Burberry plaid. You should limit that to your coat’s lining. Here’s another example of what not to buy at Burberry. The name of the brand should only appear on your coat’s inside label.

Utility Jacket

For outdoor adventures in nature, you’ll need a utility jacket. Whether it’s waxed or unwaxed is up to you. When I lived in the UK, I wore my navy Barbour Bedale jacket on daily walks through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. When I’m stateside, I also wear a green utility jacket (sans wax) from J.Crew in moderate weather.

Activewear Jacket

I’m currently on the hunt for an activewear jacket that can be worn on brisk walks to and from the gym. Something that weighs less than a trench coat but is heavier than a disposable plastic poncho would be ideal. Also, I need it to be long enough at the back for my liking.

Vest

When it comes to acquiring a vest, you have two options: a puffy vest or one of lesser thickness. The puffy vest can be worn over sweaters, knits, and other tops with long sleeves. However, it might be too thick to tuck under another piece of outwear. I own one vest, and it’s on the thinner side, which gives me a lot of flexibility in the ways that I wear it. I especially like wearing it under my cape during the colder months.

Cropped Jacket

A jacket that pairs flawlessly with every or almost every dress in you wardrobe may be a little difficult to come by. But, don’t rush your search. (By the way, I’d steer clear of boleros and shrugs if I were you.) I own two cropped, military-inspired jackets in navy and camel. They pair well with my sleeveless A-line dresses and skirts.

Honorable Mention: Raincoat

I don’t own a raincoat, and I won’t be in the market for one until my next trip to Scotland. (The winds in Edinburgh will turn your umbrella inside out until you become fatigued and give up.) Stateside, I prefer to wear my trench coat in the rain with an umbrella and Le Pliage.

Works Sighted

Hearts and Found Elizabeth dress (on Etsy); Margaux Demi flats (platinum); navy cropped jacket (an obscure brand; purchased at a now-defunct discount clothing store)

Margaux Demi Flat

Margaux Demi ballet flat in platinum.

I’ve kept at least one pair of ballet flats in my shoe collection since I was in high school. However, it’s taken me quite some time to find what I would consider the perfect pair. I’ve come across two styles that meet my expectations, but today we’ll focus on the second of my discoveries, the Margaux Demi flat. (The other style, the Havana flat by Blue Velvet Shoes, isn’t available to ship to the U.S.)

I’ve never had a more glamorous shoe shopping experience than the one I had at the Margaux showroom in 2017. The business was located at 37 W 20th St. back then, and I’d made a special trip into the city for the occasion. (They’ve since moved to 387 Bleecker St.) Before the pandemic, I’d make up any excuse to be out and about in Manhattan. The building on W 20th was a high-rise with multiple business suites, and Margaux lived in number 1206. The plain, white hallway gave no indication of the beautiful decor beyond the door. The soft grey walls, the picket-fence-white shelving, the circular table that reminded me of a tree, the plush seating…all of this was surpassed by the sales associate who made sure I was trying on the proper size. Before departing the studio, I placed an order for two pairs of the Demi: one in black and another in navy/black. Having my shopping sent to me felt luxurious, like an experience from an era long gone.

When my Demi flats arrived, I put them to work right away. My two original pairs have since been put out of commission; they’re sitting in my closet awaiting new insoles. I recently purchased the style in platinum. In fact, I’m wearing them as I write this. They look pretty in the light of my desk lamp. Not only does the style’s low vamp accommodate my high instep, but the insole is comfortable and cloud-like. It has a little bit of a heel (not including the inside padding, I measured about a half inch). The grosgrain drawstring that is mean to be tied in a bow on top of the vamp isn’t just for show; it also functions. A feat of engineering indeed!

Works Sighted

Margaux Demi flats (platinum); Brooks Brothers Red Fleece skirt (old)

Easing into Autumn with Above-the-Knee Woolen Skirts

Loft shirt, Brooks Brothers skirt, and Margaux Demi flats.

It’s that time of year when the daily temperature ranges between 50 and 70°F. The forecast leaves you baffled. You’ve put the summer-specific clothing away, but it’s not quite time to pull out the tights. You keep a few lightweight jackets and sweaters on standby in case the temperature plummets. Your winter coat is patiently waiting to be dry cleaned. It’s still too warm for your blazers, cashmere, heavy woolens, and boots.

Autumn is the most difficult season to transition into, and anyone who does so successfully deserves a standing ovation. My advice: ease into your cool-weather wardrobe. Start with your above-the-knee woolen skirts. Your lightweight button-up shirts will complement them well. As it get colder, you’ll want to add on warmer layers.

Works Sighted

Loft shirt (old); Brooks Brothers Red Fleece skirt (old); Margaux Demi flats (platinum); Fitbit Alta HR; GLDN Yue Necklace

Further Reading:

Brooks Brothers Red Fleece wool-blend trumpet skirt; Celtic & Co. Celt wool skirt; Boden Fairlie full mini skirt; Boden Poppy boiled wool skirt; Boden Eloise mini skirt