Good morning, good afternoon and good evening, fashionistas and clothes-wearing friends. It is the third Thursday of the month which means it is time for Ageless Style 06.2023. Bo chose the theme for this month, leading ladies. Or famous media style icons. Another open-ended prompt! And I really enjoyed putting these looks together. So much fun!!
The third Thursday is a busy day on the blog as I also have the Tell Us About link up for which I am co-host. This month’s post is about curiosity. I have very little. So, what did I write about? Well, find out here.
Ageless Style 06.2023
It’s going to snow because this is the second month in a row I have been able to get a post together to join my Ageless Style friends. Could we be…turning a corner?? My blog has even been cooperative. I might just be safe til the next full moon in July.
But enough of that…let’s get on with today’s business at hand…
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Leading Ladies
When I started thinking about this prompt, I really, really wanted to go overboard with some kind of swishy, fancy long gown like the ones Amy Adams wore in “Enchanted.”
Maybe something like this.
Or this. I have my own Prince Charming after all.
Or even one of these simple frocks.
But where am I going to wear any of these dresses in the next 100 years?
Plan B. I started scrolling through my favorite website…you guessed it…Pinterest. Looking for how to dress like your favorite female movie character. I scrolled through images of the costumes of Dorothy, Leia, Hermione…none of which I could envision wearing out anywhere…until I came across a winner. Kelly McGillis as Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Blackwood in “Top Gun.” I have always LOVED her style. Her cool, every day, unfussy chic. And that hair. Oh, if only I could replicate that hair!!
I began searching for images of Charlie in her signature bomber jacket. And all that hair. Found these images on which I decided to base my leading lady look.
And then I found this pin.
And there I had everything I would need for Charlie’s bomber jacket/pencil skirt civilian Navy instructor look. BTW, did you know Charlie was based on a real military civilian? Yes, sir. I mean ma’am. Charlie was based on military contractor Christine Fox. Meet her here.
My Charlie Navy Instructor Look
For this outfit I did purchase 2 items. This Nordstrom Rack Essential black ponte pencil skirt. Worth every penny and I have just worn it once!! Pull-on styling with a modest slit in the back. Under $20. And I don’t have to iron it. BONUS!! Also picked up this black envelope messenger bag on Amazon. I like the hand band design but it also comes with a detachable shoulder strap. I think I will get plenty of use out of it.
My white blouse is an Express Portofino utility shirt, black Metaphor patent pumps and Johnny black moto jacket. I think I bought my pearl earrings at Versona. I love pearls. Oh, and picked up these Ray Ban-ish knock off shades. Too cool for (aviator) school. Everyone keeps telling me that NOONE wears hose any more. But Charlie wore smoke colored hose, thank you very much…so did I.
Up close and personal. You can see my sweet daddy’s Airborne pin. He was a paratrooper in the 89th Airborne Division as World War II came to an end.
My sweet PC indulged me by taking a few photos outside on our patio, catheter bag in one hand, camera in the other.
And the neighbor’s kitty who we feed and care for and have for 4 years joined me for some pictures. We call it a her and Fluffy. The neighbor calls it a him and Jasper.
My Charlie Motorcycle-Riding Look
This second look is styled after the casual outfit Charlie wore while leaning up against the plane (and Tom Cruise/Maverick) and riding the motorcycle with her main squeeze. I had all the pieces for it in my closet with the exception of the fun And1 high-top tennies I picked up at Walmart. Super comfy. I paired them with my Old Navy extra high waist balloon jeans which are a different cut from Charlie’s jeans but I like the nod to the ’90s. And the same Johnny black moto jacket from the first outfit.
Favorite White Tee
A few years ago, I did a little research on the best white tee shirt. I bought about 5 or 6 different tees that all came highly recommended all over the Internet. The one I am wearing was one of the two I liked best. It is an American Apparel crew neck, cotton tee. The length is especially nice – longer than a lot of other tee shirts these days – what is with all the boxy, cropped tees?? And it is a heavier weight cotton. I like the slightly higher neck, too.
Tried wearing a pair of distressed, cropped Loft jeans but they didn’t work – were too short but you can see them pictured above, too. The darker denim.
I have my sunglasses propped up on my head in these pictures. But have you tried the new square-shaped SqHair hinged headbands? They provide the same look and lift to your hair as wearing sunglasses on your head. I really like mine. Bought a snow leopard patterned band that kind of matches my snow leopard hair!! Meow.
Paul was a real trooper and indulged me in a field trip to the Border Patrol Museum about 2 miles from here for some shots on ‘location.’ There has been a vintage Border Patrol helicopter on display outside the museum for years. I thought it would be an appropriate El Paso version of the “Top Gun” set. But darn it, wouldn’t you know it wasn’t there today??!! Where could it have gone?? So, we improvised like all good actors do. And I posed by this space age U.S.BP dune buggy.
Oh, my gosh, this was so fun. And we were overdue for a little fun.
In doing my ‘research’ for what would Charlie wear, I came across an article identifying 5 style secrets from “Top Gun” – primarily Kelly McGillis as Charlie. Two of the secrets were her hair, 2 of the secrets were her great bomber jacket and the last one was Tom Cruise. Who needs TC when I have PC? But I would take her hair!!
Your Turn
All of the Ageless Style challenges are fun but this one was especially so. And I can’t wait to see what my blogging buddies have put together. Think anyone else chose “Top Gun?” Or “Enchanted?” Let’s go find out!!
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Joanne ~ My Slice of Life
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Rosemary ~ Distinctly Southern Style
Blog / Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook
Please link up your style related post with us below. And be sure to show some love to a couple of others joining the fun.
What a long 10 days this has been. We return to the doctor on Friday to have PC’s catheter removed and to discuss the results of the biopsy done during his prostatectomy. Hope we can do something fun this weekend and finally relax a little. He is recovering so well but I am ready to fast forward a couple of weeks when he is back to 110% again.
Praying this post saves and posts!! Fingers crossed. Here goes. Thank you for spending a bit of your day here with me.
Hugs and kisses,
Marsha Banks
Oh, Leslie! This is the bee’s knees for sure! I think you definitely personify Kelly McGillis from the movie! You just look so rocker chic and like you’re going to kick a$$ and take names! Love, love, love this!
Hugs to PC for being such a trooper!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Leslie Roberts Clingan
LOL – you always make me smile!! Thank you, doll.
jodie filogomo
Oh, girl. I love how you put this together and even went on location!!
Bravo!!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you. I was sad the helicopter was no longer available. But maybe it will reappear and I can incorporate it into another prompt down the road!!
Joanne
Oh my goodness! You knocked this one out of the park. I love both looks that you came up with. Too bad the helicopter was no longer around for the photo opp. but you still nailed it.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you so much. I really had fun with this prompt. Hope I can start enjoying them more and not get so worked up about them. I am no fashionista but this was a lot of fun.
mireille
Well, after reading your blog post, you are definitely my favorite of our group this go around. I love your style of writing and I always read every word you write and both looks are just plain awesome and really look like you. I love that you added your dad’s pin and that you went on location for the 2nd set of pictures. Bravo! Love love it!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Sally in St Paul
You knocked this one out of the park! I love that you put together two Charlie looks and went “on location” for your photo shoot.
Cathy
So totally enjoyed your post and everything looks awesome on you!
Rosemary Davis
Wow! You nailed this month’s theme perfectly!
I love your two outfit interpretations of Kelly’s role.
And adding your Dad’s pin brings everything to a new level.
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
You nailed it, I think! I love this look on you too with and without the jacket. Charlie was def. a natural beauty in that movie and yes her hair was just perfect!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Laura Bambrick
You rocked this Leslie! I love your end result too. It’s such a great outfit and I like the edgy vibe!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, darling friend. I felt good in my Top Gun outfit. Now to wear it somewhere!!
Deb
What a fun post – well done on copying her style! You really nailed it!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you!! I usually get very wrapped around the hub about trying to be just half as stylish as my Ageless Style counterparts. But this prompt was fun and I had a good time getting dressed up! Hope we can start going on dates again and get back to church so I have more occasion to dress up.
Amy Johnson
Oh, the Amy Adams character from “Enchanted” would have been a hoot! I wish I would have thought of that. You could have done an “Inspired” look of hers and not an actual re-creation. But I also love the character you picked too. Such a great idea!
Jill
How fabulous is this! I always loved Kelly McGillis’s character in Top Gun, and you nailed her looks! You look so edgy and chic!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you so much!! This was a fun challenge. I always loved Kelly McGillis’s look.