Kill Bill Vol. 2

Alright, I know you’ve been impatiently waiting, so here it is, Vol 2 of my two part Kill Bill post. As promised, this one is going to focus on the supporting characters. A heads up, there is some traditional garb that I might not appropriately describe but I will try my best, forgive me!

Let’s start with the titular character, the “Snake Charmer,” Bill. His style is professional but with a ‘1950s western bad guy flair.’ Most of his outfits include a button down with a jacket or blazer over it. He also looks like Han Solo in this pic?

His brother Budd is far more casual. He lives in a trailer and works at a strip club, so a cowboy hat, wife beater and razor necklace will do.

Next up is Vernita Green, she was once an assassin but is now a mother to a young girl. When we meet her she is just hanging out at home so she’s pretty casual. She has a then very popular Juicy Couture track jacket (which I still love these and have two in my closet) and pinstripes pants.

Next we have my favorite one eyed fashion icon, Elle Driver. From left to right, we have three badass looks. The first is one of my FAVORITE costumes ever. It’s all Moschino and it looks as if all the detail have been hand drawn on for a super cool effect. She then changes in to her nurse costume which includes an eyepatch with a cross! Makes for a great Halloween Costume! Last would be her badass power suit. Black pants, blazer and eye patch with a white extra long sleeve shirt peaking out.

Let’s move on and talk about the gorgeous Lucy Liu as O-ren Ishii. She is ‘queen of the Tokyo underworld’ and super badass. She dresses in more traditional Japanese kimonos with her hair neatly in a bun held up by accessories. In her final scenes she is dress in all white, which looks amazing in the snowy garden and a great contrast to the bride’s outfit.

Lastly, and what is another popular Halloween costume is Oren’s bodyguard, Gogo. She’s dressed in pretty common japanese school girl uniform, but it’s topped off with a chain mace! Her sword has cute flower charms which is a really nice touch.

That’s all for “Kill Bill” postings! Be on the look out for upcoming Tarantino posts

Kill Bill Vol. 1

Dear reader, are we finally at the point where I get to talk about my favorite film of all time?? And not only that, are we at the point where I can dedicate two whole posts to it? We are? Cool!

So I really was just planning on doing one character and sticking to it, but I started hunting for pictures and got really excited and now all I want to do is watch all four hours of it for the 30th time.

For this post and for THE RECORD, Kill Bill is one giant film! Though vol 2 is better. But to stay on theme, I decided that the first post (Vol. 1, the post that you are currently reading) will be dedicated to Uma Thurman’s Beatrix Kiddo, while the second will be about everyone else.

Lets go out of order, it is a Tarantino film after all, and just start with the most ICONIC. The yellow jumpsuit. Just bask in its beauty for a second. Ok, good. You probably are aware that it is based off of a costume that Bruce Lee wears in “Game of Death”. But honestly Uma’s kicks the original’s ass. She has a matching motorcycle, helmet and jacket (with patches!).

There’s also a matching zip up, pants and shoes that say FUCK U on the bottom. Could you be anymore badass honestly?

Blood splatter not pictured

Next lets go back to the beginning with her wedding dress. She’s in hiding as “Arlene” but based on later outfits, the early 2000s boho look seems to be in line with her real personality. It’s a small shotgun wedding so the casual vibe works real well. The dress has a pretty lace bell sleeves, an empire waist and it’s tiered by the feet. She completes the look with a loose bow, sandals and a big ole hippie necklace.

In the final scene she wears a baby blue tank/maxi skirt set that is reminiscent of of her wedding dress. She drapes a peach shawl over her shoulders.

She’s also a fan of leather jackets, cause of course she is. She wears a brown leather jacket when she visits the Bell residence. Fun fact I drove way out of my way to see this house cause I’m a nerd! She also rocks a black leather. Both she pairs with really great jeans.

She also has a bunch or training or chilling casual outfits. She has to be able to move well in them so they aren’t constricting or anything, mostly baggy shirts. My personal favorite look is her “dumb American tourist look” which you can buy that shirt here and you should.

The Duchess of Bay Ridge

2013 was a good year for films. “The Wolf of Wall Street” was absolutely crazy, balls to the walls and SO MUCH FUN. Scorsese’s exploration of excess has to be the crudest Best Picture nominee of all time. We got some of my favorites, Leo, Jonah and then newcomer Margot Robbie, who was so pitch perfect in this role and her career’s been on fire ever since.

Set in the 80s/90s she plays Wall Street extraordinaire Jordan Belfort’s (Leonardo DiCaprio) trophy wife, Naomi Lapaglia, the “Duchess of Bay Ridge”. The main requirement for the role was to be extremely hot which clearly Margot Robbie covers just by being Margot Robbie, but she also excels in the role and brings a lot of unexpected sadness to the character.

A high choker collar dress covered in pattern sequins. From the Fall 1991 Versace collection.

Her hair and makeup are always perfect, bombshell looks. And, being an EXTREMELY wealthy character, her clothing is top shelf extravagance.  “We had a brilliant costume designer who was very specific about using the original brands. She looked at the pictures of Nadine (the real-life Naomi) back in the day and sourced those brands from the specific year the scenes were filmed in. That’s how accurate it was. It was really awesome trying them all on and we used to do hours of fittings. It was so cool seeing vintage Chanel, Versace, Armani…” X

Two dresses that are pretty similar to each other is her pool pool party dress and her ‘nursery seduction’  pink dress. Both are skin tight and short ribbed bandage dresses. The blue, a Herve Leger, has a diamond shape cleavage cutout and she pairs it with sunglasses, a chained mini purse, heels and hot pink nails. The pink Azzedine Alaia dress is an off the shoulder sweater dress that she pairs with hot pink stilettos.

Another good look is the casual and very 90s black maxi dress. It has athletic white trim, high slits up the legs and gold chunky chain as the straps.

But what I would say is my favorite (Margot Robbie agrees) iconic 90s look is unfortunately only on screen for less than a minute. It’s a head to toe Versace jacket-skirt-boots look with gold medusa embellishments. Boots and jacket pictured above.

I also like how well she tries to match her surroundings. Her European yacht trip look is something she probably bought at some fancy boutique in Italy. I believe that this one is custom made.

For her first date with Jordan, she wears an awesome LBD with a t-shirt cut top thats sheer and black stripes. She pairs this one with big black earrings, black sheer tights and anklet heels. At the end of the night she only has on the second half of that outfit…

Lastly we have to talk about her wedding dress cause she looks like such a princess in it. Super 80s with the poofed back hair and hair accessories. GIANT tule skirt and a beaded off the shoulder top. Total Disney princess fantasy dress that’s so much fun!

Just leaving you with a photo of the most attractive onscreen couple of all time.

Tatum

No, please don’t kill me, Mr. Ghostface, I wanna be in the sequel!

“Scream” was a big deal when it came out. It raised the horror genre from it’s grave, that in the 1990s, was as dead as a Michael Myers victim. Since its release there’s been lots of imitations, hell the “Scary Movie” franchise was born as a parody of this film, so it gets lost in the shuffle and sometimes not seen as particularly innovative. But it was a complete game changer at the time and still fucking rocks.

Horror legend Wes Craven directed the cast of mostly unknowns through one of the smartest and most self-aware horror films of all time. With lines like “Movies don’t create psychos, movies make psychos more creative,” if anything, this film is underrated.

And the characters are SO GOOD. There’s awesome dialog that’s super unique, along with great acting. We’re going to focus on Tatum (Badass Rose McGowan), cause she’s obviously the best character.

She’s the cool and snarky best friend of final girl Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and rocks some looks in her SPOILER: much too short screen time (RIP).

Tatum’s hair is a strawberry blonde color in the Rachael cut. Rose dyed her normally dark hair to differentiate from Neve in the film.

Let’s start with her first look. She wears a very Cher Horowitz like plaid mini with a short sleeved yellow ribbed turtleneck. She completes the outfit with white leather buckle booties. It’s a very 90s look and I love it.

Next up is her “Lolita tries out for the NFL” look. She wears red bootcut pants and a cropped jersey, probably a size 10 youth from Limited Too. She tops it off with pigtails, a zebra purse and a black belt. The shirt is based off of Johnny Depp’s character in another Wes Craven flick, “Nightmare on Elm Street,” so that’s another fun easter egg to the many that are scattered throughout this film.

Next, look at her cute sleepover jammies! I’m happy that I had veryyyy similar cloud pjs in the 90s. She also includes a on-trend big ole cloth scrunchie

Her final outfit is what she wears to the house party. Her shirt is a tight lime-green turtleneck and she rocks a psychedelic mini. Interestingly, it’s very similar to the skirt/shirt combo earlier.

I’m not sure if short sleeve turtlenecks are practical? Like what temperature do you wear them in? Either way they’re kinda cool and minis are always great. Here’s some links to create some great Tatum looks

Keywords- ribbed, short-sleeve turtleneck, plaid mini, cropped

Minis- X X X X

Turtlenecks- X X X X

The Ladies of Death Proof

As promised, here is the second of many Tarantino themed posts. “Death Proof” is kind of accepted as Tarantino’s worst film, both by him and critics. Fans are pretty split but it does have a bit of a cult following, and female fans tend to celebrate it for it’s diverse cast of actresses.

It lays into its exploitation/slasher/muscle car genres while most films would stay away. For this reason alone it’s not supposed to be “Citizen Kane,” but a fun modern take on crappy 70s D films. If this isn’t for you of course you wouldn’t like it, but if you’re here for some cool car chases and witty dialog then it’s a real fun time.

The film is basically split into two stories. The first half is more of a slasher roadhouse film. The second half is largely based around a car chase. They each have a different set of young 20 something girl friends. The first girls are a bit more catty ‘popular’ girls, and their story takes place in a dive bar.

Jungle Julia, Arlene and Shanna

They each have their short-shorts and graphic tees with flip flops. It’s really a relax vibe for a night out. Jungle Julia’s shirt is from her radio station, she’s the leader and showing off that she’s hometown famous. Arlene’s wears a cool San Francisco shirt, she’s from out of town so this shows that she’s traveled. Shanna’s has a graphic shirt from the cult 1965 film “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!,” a wild film about a trio of murderous women, which was a clear influence on “Death Proof.” 

The second group of girls is also very causal. Two of them are stunt doubles, Zoe and Kim, so they’re dressed more athletic and tomboyish.

Lee, Abernathy, Zoe and Kim

Lee is an actress and is wearing her bright yellow cheerleading costume. Abernathy has on slouchy unicorn t-shirt, tied baggy grey pants, cowboy boots and a silver bag… it’s interesting.

The costume design is definitely the most casual that I’ve cover, but it’s still kind of fun and relaxed. Below are some graphic t-shirts that fit the style of these ladies

X X

Hallie Parker and Annie James

If you’re like me and you were a young girl in the late 1990s/early 2000s, “The Parent Trap” remake was probably a significant part of your childhood. The total fantasy of finding your long lost twin at summer camp, becoming best friends, switching places and reuniting your parents made us all envious.

Matching tweed suit vs baggy jean jacket

The twins were both played by a then 12 year old newcomer Lindsay Lohan. Hallie’s the laid-back Northern California cool girl while Annie is the proper Brit. Their wardrobes are complete opposites but are equally fabulous to any preteen girl watching.

Annie’s looks are DEFINITELY more formal than her sister, and probably more formal than most adult women. She wears a plaid suit to a summer camp for crying out loud! She also rocks this powder blue suit with a matching headband on a lunch date. Her mother is a designer so it makes sense but my gosh!

Halle wears a lot of sportier/chill outfits. She lives on a vineyard ranch so baggie flannels and sweatshirts are a lifestyle.

When the girls are together they coordinate their outfits far better than apart. We have a lemon-yellow poolside outfits. A matching polo shirt set. And adorable camping trip looks.

I think what are the most notable outfits to young viewers are the girl’s late 90s formal dresses, which they wear on the boat during their parent’s date. Hallie wears a silk Chinese inspired dress with chopsticks in her hair. Very in-style then but questionable today. Annie’s dress is, not surprisingly, more proper. It’s a 90s does 60s mod shift dress with a shade of blue that I remember seeing a lot of in my early childhood. She of course includes a matching headband.

From the first time I popped in the VHS I’ve been planning mine and my imaginary twin’s scheming outfits. Here’s some 90s vintage looks that would fit right in-

90s Dresses-X X X X

Camp looks- X X X

The Worleys

Today’s the the first post of what’s going to be a long running Tarantino appreciation tag. He’s my FAVORITE director and completely formative in my interest in film, I owe a lot to his work. We’re going to start out with a early film that he wrote but Tony Scott directed, 1993’s “True Romance.”

The film is a love story… Tarantino style. A call girl and an Elvis fanatic get married after a night together. They kill a pimp, steal his suitcase of cocaine and hit the road to LA, you know your usual romance story.

Alabama and Clarence Worley (Patricia Arquette and Christian Slater) styles scream trailer trash chic but more like if they were the bright pink lawn flamingos in the yard. Dripping in bright blues, pinks and reds and adorned in dollar store plastic sunglasses, they are hard to miss even while on the run.

Electric baby blue is Alabama’s color, she wears this and an occasional hot pink several times throughout the film. She’s also a big fan of animal print, including a cheetah coat, hot pink cheetah leggings and my favorite, a cow hide skirt. She looks crazy but she totally owns it.

Clarence’s color is red. His style is also really fun and colorful, I mean his main outfit is a hawaiian shirt and he rocks the tackiest gold glasses.

They’re wearing each other’s colors aww

Alright so obviously you’re obsessed with the costume design and now you’re wondering where you can also get a mini suitcase purse. Fear not, heres some items that you look so cool

Accessories- X X X X X

Animal print- X X X X X

Barbarella

“Barbarella” is a crazy, campy, 1968 sexploation cult film. It was used as a sex symbol vehicle for Jane Fonda and directed by her then husband Roger Vadim. It’s a truly wild film that could be quickly described as a 41st century sex road trip through SPACE . If you aren’t sold yet, maybe the opening spacesuit strip tease to a bubblegum pop theme song will help? X

Barbarella is completely naive and genuine and sweet. She doesn’t understand “old-fashioned” sex, and she doesn’t wear her sexy outfits to seduce but probably just because she looks fabulous in them.

Designers Paco Rabanne and Jacques Fonteray made all the costumes larger than life. There’s lots of shimmery metals, cutouts, boots and plastics. Every outfit plays with contrasting textures and elements. It falls into the 1960s mod space age style but amplifies it. Quick history on space age style here

We’re lucky enough that that there was promotional shoots of Jane Fonda in all eight of her “Barbarella” costumes, which can be seen in full here

So of course these are one of a kind creations and they’re too over the top to find anything incredibly similar but I found some pieces that fit that “1960s futuristic space babe vibe”

Silver –X X

Paco Rabanne-X X X

Vinyl- X

Rollergirl

So “Boogie Nights” is one of those films that if you say is one of your favorites you might get some strange looks or comments because of the subject matter, but it’s so darn good! In my opinion, there’s not a film that does a better job capturing the style of the seventies from retrospect. It’s also HILARIOUS with so many funny moments and lines. If you’re a super fan like me, there’s a great, um ‘oral history’ of the film here.

It also features a fantastic ensemble cast where each character is incredibly unique and memorable. I mean Burt Reynolds, Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, Heather Graham, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly and Luis Guzman. It’s wild. Although all the clothing is extremely fun, it’s late 1970s California after all, we’re going to focus on Heather Graham’s Rollergirl. Who I think is one of the more memorable characters and a bit of an icon for the film.

Rollergirl is a bit younger and more naive then the other characters. She’s surrounded by “parent figures” and just seems a bit babied. I think this is reflected in her clothing, of course her outfits are still sexy but there’s definitely childlike elements to them. First things first, she NEVER takes off her skates, they’re her absolute signature. If you’re inspired to copy her style but don’t want to skate around all day, her knee-high striped tube socks would do.

For bottoms she wears lots of hot pants and high-waisted-barely-there shorts. Her tops are baby doll t-shirts or more of a halter top style.

Her hair is worn pretty natural, beach waves with a occasional braid or two. Her makeup when she isn’t shooting is also pretty bare. Her other accessories besides her skates include a Polaroid camera, a walkman and yellow Lolita style heart sunglasses.

A lot of her casual pieces aren’t too far off from items that you can still find in stores today. But I’ve dug deep into some Seventies finds that would really put an outfit to the next level.

Search Keywords- 70s, terry, silk, hot pants, high waisted, halter, roller, ringer, baby doll shirt

Rompers/sets – X X

Shorts- X X X

Tops- X X

Penny Lane

Almost Famous is my go to ‘happy movie’. As someone who is really passionate about 60s and 70s rock and its history, this is a near perfect film for me. Based on director Cameron Crowe’s experiences touring with bands as a teenage journalist, the film is fairly autobiographical. This love can be seen in every detail, from the soundtrack, characters, script and of course, the fashion.

Interview HERE with the costume designer, most of the clothes were custom made!
THE jacket

Our focus is on the Miss. Penny Lane, who is the leader of Stillwater’s groupies band aids. She’s has a modern 1973 bohemian “I’m with the band” style and her larger than life personality pulls it off perfectly. She basically has my dream wardrobe, and I’ve definitely tried to cop it.

Penny’s signature look is her oversized green suede statement jacket with fur trim. For accessories she tends to rock platforms, wired sunglasses with colored lenses, and her tackle box as a travel kit. She wears minimum makeup and her hair is always in wild blonde curls. She also wears a lot of flowy and barely there sheer tops and lots and lots of suede.

My personal favorite item is Penny’s Jerry Edouard boots. They come in a lot of different color options and run around $700, if you’re lucky. If you’re like me and that’s way too far out of budget or you also have size 10 feet that vintage shoes don’t cater to, Jeffrey Campbell recently made great knockoffs which are my favorite pair of shoes I own X

So if you want to join me in building a time machine and traveling with a 70s band, here’s some vintage Etsy finds that will let you fit right in-

Search Keywords- 70s, suede, groupie, bohemian,mini,granny boots, laced boots, platforms, rock n roll

Big fluffy suede jackets – X X X

Suede minis – X X X

Shoes- X X X