I have nothing but total respect for Ms. Streep, of course, but she is not known to be a terrific dresser (for THAT honor among glamorous gals of her generation, see Helen Mirren. And then see Helen Mirren again. And just SEE HELEN MIRREN, because she is FABULOUS AND I BOW DOWN).
Speaking of Helen Mirren, I finally saw “The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover” about six weeks ago, and I am still not over it. So disturbing, and the music is — as in all Peter Greenaway films — haunting in the way that you’ll be brushing your teeth and suddenly you’ll just hear it in your mind. *chills*
So here’s the wondrous Madame Streep at some sort of movie premier, wearing her a very typical (for her) red and black color combo.
If I was Streep’s stylist, I would have dressed her differently. She prefers these 1950’s housedress sillhouettes that do flatter her figure but are distinctly non-sophisticated. They don’t communicate anything in particular except comfort and “I’d like to get out of here as fast as possible so I can go do something interesting, please” (not a bad message, actually). The length is okay, but the fit on top is horrid, and these shoes are strangely sexy for her decidedly frumpy ensemble.
She has great posture. Look and learn. And a tremendous vibrancy to her bearing. Learn that, too. Don’t expect to genuinely feel it every day. Just bring it. That’s part of your job when you’re in public. And… trust PeaceBang on this… when you “bring it” (a term that I prefer to “faking it,” because making an effort to bring an energized presence to our ministry is not faking. It is being faithful to our obligations. Do you think Jesus always felt like shining on the people around him? No, of course not. There were undoubtedly times when he would have rather been sitting in a corner of his father’s carpentry shop with a bar of chocolate and a good book. Or a Good Book. But I digress), you’ll begin to actually feel it.
ANYWAY, my real problem with this outfit is that Ms. Streep’s belt is BIGGER THAN HER HEAD. It’s an issue of proportion. Again and again and again I say, no matter how awesome a garment or accessory may be, it has to work for YOU. Seeing something in a store or catalog or online or in a friend’s closet and loving it is great. That doesn’t mean you should own it or wear it. As in all things, your fashion dictum must be “Know Thyself.” Know your proportions. Know your reality. That will keep you from being worn by your clothes, as Meryl is being worn by this belt in this photo. She’s Meryl Freakin’ Streep, for heaven’s sake! She has more Oscars than anyone else on the planet (and if I’m wrong about that, please don’t correct me — I’m having a hyperbolic moment!)! I should not look at her and immediately see not her face, not her fabulousness, but that monstrously huge BELT across her waist.
Out of respect for Meryl Streep’s talents, I shall refrain from commenting on her hair.
Make sure that you, not anything you happen to be wearing or carrying, are the focus.
Ms. Streep hits my heart as she hits the big screen. Ah, something like: “What does a woman profit if she wouldst gain Oscars and loseth proportion and thence henceforth loseth her face?!” Rock on, Ms. Streep with your amazing life – and face! Thank you, thank you! 🙂
She needs the stylist and hairdresser she had for “The Devil Wears Prada.” It’s the most fabulous she has ever looked.
I saw this and thought: “Mrs. Santa.”
I must confess that I’m not the biggest Meryl Streep fan, so I never really look at what she’s wearing.
That being said…if she really is into the 50s thing, she oughta find somebody who will make her outfits from the Vintage Vogue pattern collection, http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/vintage-vogue-pages-850.php . That way she could still have comfort and the style and sophistication that you’re looking for from her.
I don’t think the belt is that bad…it would work great with a different outfit. But since the purse she is carrying is so small, the belt looks so much bigger that it really is. A belt that size REQUIRES other big accessories.
btw….about the 50s housefrau thing….take a look at the sitcom moms from the 50s. The shoes Ms. Streep is wearing resemble them a lot, even with the peep-toe. And I’m surprised you didn’t mention her toenail polish which merits a whole different discussion.
At MS’s height she may not be able to wear Vintage Vogue patterns–back in the day, women just were not as tall as we are now. [Well, some of us are now.]
Yes to The Devil Wears Prada. But the hair was a wig.
The thing I find interesting about La Streep’s clothing is – you can never actually tell the shape of her body. It morphs in intriguing ways.
The beauty of patterns is that they can be adjusted. So if MS doesn’t fit neatly into one size (very few people do), her couturiere can adjust the pattern to fit her.
I stick by my recommendation of Vintage Vogue.
+1 on the Vintage Vogue. With proper measurements of the intended wearer, it is relatively easy to add length to a garment in the places where it is needed. I also agree that the bag is just too small, and round. If it were a rectangular black clutch, it would compete with the belt, and be in better proportion.
Consider that it depends upon where Ms. Streep carries her height, which I am not sure from the photograph. I can be three inches taller than the original wearer and at one time could fit into my mom’s vintage clothes. There wasn’t a significant difference in the back waist length, and the skirts were made longer and were still below the knees at a reasonable length. Typically, I cannot buy pants unless they are sold in lengths as well as sizes, but I am not especially tall.