girl crush

Fashion Inspiration: Black Swan

- Sarah 8 Comments

Darren Aronofsky’s psycho-sexual thriller Black Swan may not have been my favorite movie of the year, but it did have some of my favorite costumes. How the Academy failed to nominate the film for Best Costume Design is beyond me, but nonetheless, I was inspired to create a few looks based on the movie. The two more formal looks were inspired by the White and Black Swans, while the everyday looks were inspired by ballerinas Nina (Natalie Portman) and Lily (Mila Kunis).

Look #1


Black Swan- The White Swan

Dress- Delia’s; Headband- Nordstrom; Clutch- Accessorize; Ring- Forever 21 (Canada); Sandals- Ralph Lauren.

This outfit was actually inspired by two different looks: the White Swan costume Nina wears, plus this beautiful white gown Nina wears when she’s introduced as the company’s new prima ballerina (you can see the dress sketch here). The look is classic and delicate, with a close attention to detail. This modest lace dace is a great foundation for this look. Keep the accessories simple, with this rhinestone headband and beautiful bird ring. Throw on silver strappy sandals and grab a lace clutch, and you’re good to go.

Look #2

Black Swan- The Black Swan

Dress- AX Paris; Clutch- ASOS; Necklace- John Lewis; Sandals- Payless.

This outfit is great for the more adventurous – the Black Swan is very daring. Again, it’s all about the dress, like this fabulous tiered lace one – it takes a LBD to a new level. Make a statement with this bibbed necklace, and grab a fearless feathered clutch. Complete the look with an edgy pair of sandals. Smart and seductive.

Look #3

Black Swan- Nina Sayers

Tank- Madewell; Henley- Tilly’s; Cardigan- Jane Norman; Skinny Jeans- Forever 21 (Canada); Scarf- Dorothy Perkins; Gloves/Armwarmers- MUJI; Moccasins- Payless.

If you think models off-duty have great fashion taste, check out up-and-coming ballerina, Nina. She stays cozy and comfortable in soft fabrics, and wears a palette of pretty, muted colors like pinks, gray, and cream. Layering is the key to comfort here. Start with your basic tank, henley, and skinny jeans, then throw on a cardigan, like this one with a unique shape. Bundle up with an oatmeal-colored scarf and pink champagne arm warmers, inspired by the leg warmers Nina wears during rehearsal. Slip into faux fur-lined moccasins for the ultimate in cozy comfort.

Look #4


Black Swan- Lily

Lace Tank- Deb Shops; Razorback Tank- Abercrombie; Jeggings- Peacocks; Trench Coat- Old Navy; Earrings0 Girl Props; Pashmina- Lori’s Shoes; Flats- Payless.

The final outfit is inspired by Lily, an edgy and sensual newcomer to the New York ballet scene. She’s often seen wearing slim fitting pieces in shades of black and gray.

That doesn’t mean her ensembles are boring – layering and textures add interest. Layer a black razorback tee over a heather gray lace tank, and slip into some jet black jeggings. Keep things mysterious with a black trench coat to keep warm, and wrap yourself up in a quintessential New York pashmina (street vendors preferred). Add on fun details like dangly peacock feather earrings and leopard print ballet flats.

So what do you think? Were you as inspired by the costumes in Black Swan as I was? Which look was your favorite? Let me know in the comments! And for more Black Swan inspiration, check out this post on College Fashion.

~ Sarah

Link Love

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Tumblr_leh6n7w0tq1qd3sjuo1_500_largePhoto Credit

What do Millenials Want? According to a Pew Study, this is what my generation is concerned with.

My girl crush Natalie Portman seems to be hitting her stride: Oscar buzz, an engagement, and a baby. Here’s a look at her upcoming movies.

Two words: slipper socks. Two more words: must have. Perfect for dormlife!

Her Campus tells us how to make your winter break count.

And while you’re  being productive, Every College Girl tell us how to improve our resumés.

A look back on the funniest tweets of 2010. And maybe a look forward to sports tweets in 2011?

Which links are you loving this week?

~ Sarah

Girl Crush: Zooey Deschanel

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Deschanel in the Aug. 2009 issue of Self Magazine.

As Summer Finn in the indie hit (500) Days of Summer, Zooey Deschanel set many hearts aflutter. It wasn’t until last year that this blue-eyed beauty became instantly recognizable, but Deschanel has actually been acting for the last decade. The Los Angeles native was born into show business: her mother is an actress, her father is a cinematographer, and her older sister Emily stars in the television series Bones.

Deschanel made her film début in 1999, with a small part in the Mumford. (Yeah, I’ve never heard of it either, but it still counts.) Her big break though came the next year in the critically acclaimed movie Almost Famous, in which she played another supporting role. She worked on several more independent projects but she didn’t play a lead role until 2003’s All the Real Girls, which earned her a nomination for That same year Zooey co-starred opposite Will Ferrel in the Christmas hit Elf.

Weird, right?

Afterwards, Deschanel became more of a familiar face, appearing in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Failure to Launch, Gigantic, and Yes Man, as well as on the television showWeeds and the mini-series Tin Man. Then she reunited with Joseph Gordon-Levitt (a co-star in Manic) and starred in the title role in (500) Days of Summer, last year’s breakout indie hit. (If you haven’t seen it yet, I’m not sure what you’re waiting for.) Thanks to the film’s success, she and Gordon-Levitt are verifiable A-listers.


Deschanel also has a blossoming career as a singer-songwriter. She has contributed to many movie soundtracks, including Elf and Yes Man. Deschanel and fellow singer-songwriter M. Ward form the indie pop duo and they have released two successful albums, Volume One and Volume Two.

Not only is Deschanel talented, she also has a growing reputation as a fashion icon because of her quirky and vintage style. College Fashion did some great inspiration posts on Zooey, which you can see here and here. She’s also one of the new faces of Rimmel London (her campaign is set to debut next month), but that shouldn’t come as a surprise because she’s, you know, gorgeous. Deschanel’s beauty has a freshness to it- she’s not your ordinary starlet.

So what do you think? Are you a fan of Zooey Deschanel?

~ Sarah

P.S. Thanks to Wash and Repeat‘s Sarah for inspiring me to write this post!