How to wear pastels and look chic not chintzy- look at Tilda Swinton & Marion Cotillard for style ideas

I’ll Have What She’s Having: Sophisticated dusty pale colors that never scream juvenile

You must know that I’m not a fan of grown up women wearing baby pastels… in one wrong wimpy shade, you instantly take a hit to your personal power right down to that of  a kid.

>>> MORE: Do you need more style inspiration? Read how Michelle Obama wears pastels to look chic

But strong women CAN pull off pastels– particularly on these unbearably hot days (ok, not if you dealt with the freaky snow in Jackson Hole, WY this week)– if they know how to wear pastels to look chic and not chintzy.

How?  It REALLY IS all about the shade and how you wear the pastels… just look at Tilda Swinton & Marion Cotillard at Cannes for celebrity style inspiration, and you’ll see my point.

Marion Cotillard

 Stylist tips on how to wear pastels to look chic & sophisticated…

Raoul Icon Chiffon Midi Dress at ShopBop has that flirty 1960's feel

• Think of fabrications as the great elixir and mix texture on texture. See Marion Cotillard’s slinky T-shirt against a filmy chiffon midi skirt. And, Tilda Swinton’s chiffon mauve top against a dusty periwinkle shantung skirt.
• Look for colors found in nature and not in Ben and Jerry’s flavors.

>> MORE: Cannes Do Chic

• Avoid any style that screams “young” and opt for otherwise urban silhouettes with the unexpected hit of a dusty pale color.
•  I love the kicky feel of Cotillard’s skirt that reminds me of a VERY modern take on 1960′s Cyd Charisse dancing dresses. This Raoul, Icon Chiffon Midi Dress has the same flirty retro feel.
• Add an unexpected touch of metallic, like Cotillard’s gold belt.

Tilda Swinton

• Keep makeup natural and not like that poor girl I spotted the other day with green eyeshadow that MATCHED her green shirt. Oy.
• Hair should be simple, yet chic to avoid the old school pageant mom reference.

• Try on some of these dusty pastels to cool off on a hot summer day…

  More French Connection…

  

  Photo:focusonstyle.onsugar