The Holly Golightly Lifestyle.

No matter what people say, loving Audrey Hepburn and Breakfast at Tiffany's will never be cliché. I once overheard someone saying, "Ugh, an Audrey Hepburn poster? I had that when I was like 13." Since when did having an AH poster become childish? (And yes, I do have my own poster in my room right now.) Audrey was absolutely beautiful, classic and had an amazing grace to her. And there is no movie that shows her off more, than Breakfast at Tiffany's.


So like many girls, I pretty much want to be Holly Golightly. And since there is no way to time travel back to 1950s New York City, I've compiled a list of how to live the Holly Golightly lifestyle. Some points aren't exactly realistic, but like any girl crush, you can't help but be inspired.


1. CLASSIC, MINIMAL WARDROBE.

I know my wardrobe right now is so cluttered, full of clothes I never wear, and lacking in classic pieces that I NEED to have. It seems like Holly would only have, let's say, 15 pieces in her wardrobe. But these are classics- a little black dress, pink party dress, a trench coat, sweater, black trousers, and an orange coat. Then she has accessories to make her really stand-out: sunglasses, oversized hats, earrings, purses, and head scarfs. It wouldn't even look like she is wearing the same pieces over and over because 1) they are all fabulous and 2) accessories can change an outfit up. 

So, STEP ONE: De-clutter the closet, throw out the clothes that you'll never really wear, and keep the classics!

2. EMPTY DECOR.

When Paul first walks into Holly's apartment, he looks around and says, "Nice little place you got here... you just moved in, too, huh?" Nope, but her empty decor would suggest so. I know some people live for interior design and fun DIY projects for the home, but I'm not really one of them. I would not mind living in Holly's apartment at all! She has the essentials: a couch (or a quirky bathtub cut in half), telephone, bed, mirrors and of course, a vanity. In the living room you can see a suitcase full of odds and ends and a table with records and magazines on top.. who could need anything more? Plus her decor suggests she could pack up and move at any second, as if she has a non-permanent lifestyle full of adventure and travel, and that would be alright with me. It almost suggests that she spends all of her time outside, exploring the city and shopping-- too busy to care too much for home decoration.

STEP TWO: Don't overboard on the interior design. Simplistic & minimal.

3. SIGNATURE MAKE-UP.

Do you ever have those make-up "lull days", where you get up in the morning, sit in front of the mirror and just don't know what to do with your make-up? Whatever you've been doing previously, you just aren't digging it anymore. That happens to me often. Holly Golightly has this natural make up with amazingly long lashes, pink lipstick (see Classic Ten: Lipstick),  and elegant eyeliner. And it's like she just wakes up looking amazing. I've looked up many tutorials for her makeup on youtube, but none are short or simple enough to do every morning. Ah, the wonders of make-up artists and movie make-up. However, just having a natural look with dramatic, flirty eyes is great for everyday. (How to get that look-- up to your own interpretation...) 

STEP THREE: Find your own signature, natural make-up look.


4. SOPHISTICATED ACCENT.

As if I could just change my accent into some sort of British/Transatlantic/French accent without people thinking I've gone mental. Perhaps whenever I move to New York into my barely-decorated, white apartment in a couple years is when I can change my speech. But in my fantasy world, I would just be able to change my voice without anyone noticing. Holly constantly calls others, "dahhling," says statements like: "I'm in a terrible rush" and throws in some French phrases into her conversations. It just seems so romantic and a fluid way of talking. 

STEP FOUR: Intelligent speech with a romantic inflection in the voice... Easy right?...

5. LIVE IN YOUR DREAMWORLD.

Similar to Belle, in Beauty and the Beast, I feel like Holly's head is always in the clouds, living in her own dream world. She's so busy with fantastical ideas and living her glamourous persona that she forgets where the telephone is, misplaces her alligator shoes, wanders around Tiffany's at five in the morning, and forgets what day it is and that she must go to Sing Sing. I'm not saying one has to be forgetful to be like Holly Golightly, just have an imagination. Rather than worrying about insignificant details and other headaches, she lives at her own pace, looking elegant the entire time.

STEP FIVE: Don't worry about little details or about living a conventional life. Walk the streets of Fifth Avenue at 5am!

6. INDEPENDENCE.

Holly lived alone in her apartment, moving through the city at odd hours, getting money her own way, most-likely spent a lot of her time alone (before Paul showed up), and was still this social butterfly at parties, very confident and the girl every guy kept an eye on. In modern times I feel like a lot of people are afraid to be alone-- in every way, not just a relationship. Groups of girls travel together everywhere. I personally know people who can't even stay in the room by themselves for ten minutes. Cell phones and texting allow constant communication-- but that doesn't mean we need it. Holly took care of herself and thrived on her own! Friends are great, but sometimes you just need to support and spend time with yourself.

STEP SIX: Be able to take care of yourself and live your own, independent life.

7. ALWAYS FABULOUS.

Whether having to tell Doc goodbye, spend time with a rich, Brazilian man or kiss your true love in the rain-- Holly always looked fabulous. Now, it's impossible to look Audrey Hepburn-perfect everywhere you go, but being fabulous is more than just looks. It's the attitude you have towards yourself. I couldn't imagine Holly selling herself short or leading an aimless life. She always had a plan (even if it was to marry rich after her brother Fred died...), but she also learned from her mistakes. She did, after all, allow herself to love Paul when she realized she was cutting herself off from everything he had to offer. So, being Holly Golightly-fabulous means being confident, living with purpose, and looking UH-MAZING while doing it. (And hey, there is nothing wrong with trying to look like Holly everyday!)

STEP SEVEN: Always think of yourself as fabulous.


- Raquel x