Cinema Connection--Timeless 1950s are On Trend for Summer

One of the biggest trends for Summer 2012 is the influence of the 1950s.  Its style has been seen in endless editorials and features for all the magazines recently--W, Vogue, Allure, and Glamour just to name a few.  Another was Harper's Bazaar (shown here), which hired famed photographer Terry Richardson to capture model Miranda Kerr in "Flirty Fifties" inspired fashion.  Not surprisingly, the shoot was styled with two icons of the era in mind--Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe.

As fans of GlamAmor know, the 1950s never goes out of fashion.  It's timeless.  Marilyn and Grace both show this through their individual and iconic style.  Marilyn, as we've been discussing throughout the month, was overtly sexy and worked with designers like William Travilla and Jean Louis...men who emphasized every asset through body conscious cuts.  Very voluptous and va va voom dresses.  Grace, on the other hand, was much more subtle in her sex appeal and dressed by designers like Edith Head and Helen Rose...women known for their understated elegance. Very ladylike and refined dresses and separates.  Together these stars show the full spectrum of style in the 1950s and whether onscreen or off, their fashion choices continue to be an inspiration for us all.

So take a look and remind yourself just how inspiring the 1950s can be.

One of the iconic (and Oscar winning) illusion dresses by Orry-Kelly for 1959's Some Like It Hot

and the influence manifest in Oscar de la Renta (at top)

The little black tank dress by Donna Karan echoing the design of one

Marilyn wore for photographer and designer (My Fair Lady) Cecil Beaton in 1956

Elegant suiting by Louis Vuitton influenced by

Grace's engagement suit while visiting family with future husband Prince Albert of Monaco

Easy classic separates from Marc Jacobs hint at 

Grace's iconic style courtesy of Edith Head in 1954's Rear Window

Best Beauty--My Product Picks for Sexy Summer Legs

Summer is officially here!  This is my favorite time of the year...when the weather is at its warmest and legs are on full display in flirty skirts, shorts, and sundresses.  Marilyn Monroe has been our inspiration on GlamAmor recently...first for her hair and makeup and then for her stylish swimsuits, which also make us long for those enviable legs of hers.  Those legs became a national treasure in The Seven Year Itch (1955) when Marilyn was in the best shape of her life.  Youth certainly played in her favor--Marilyn was 28-years-old at the time--and she was clearly genetically gifted.  That said, though genetics are always key to the shape of any woman's legs, exercise and even the products she uses also play a large part.

Marilyn liked to jog for exercise (great for legs, but hard on joints) and added a few free weights afterward to tone her arms.  In addition, you'll notice that she stayed fairly pale through her career, which showed her opposition to tanning since she thought it unhealthy.  Marilyn was clearly ahead of her time on both fronts.  She also simply preferred the look of pale skin in order to "feel blonde all over."  Unfortunately, I am unaware of her favorite body products, but friends and readers have asked me to share the ones I use to make my own legs a little bit lovelier.

First and foremost, exercise in sunny Southern California is spent outdoors...usually riding my bicycle down to the beach or hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains.  Both are great workouts that are fairly focused on keeping your legs in shape.  Then there's surfing, a full body workout, which gets weaved into each week once the ocean finally warms up in June.

As for products, you'll find most of the ones I use below.  All my choices are extremely budget-friendly and can be found at your local drugstore.  They are also tried and tested on my very sensitive skin so they should work for everyone.  In addition, I have included a page from Lucky magazine that features their own editors' product picks.

So go ahead and get started.  Enjoy the summer and be proud of showing off those gorgeous gams!

Step #1:  Exfoliate

Try:  St. Ives Renewing In-Shower Exfoliating Body Polish

Why:  Feels great and is one of the few scrubs that doesn't leave an oily mess in your tub.  Also comes in a Moisturizing Oatmeal & Shea Butter formula, which is equally as good.

Step #2: Shave

Try:  Gillette's Venus Embrace Razors and Kiss My Face's Moisture Shave (fragrance free)

Why:  In contrast to the experience of razors with only two or even three blades, the five blades of the Venus Embrace protect against irritating the most sensitive of skin.  And the Kiss My Face shaving cream feels like the most lubricating around...soothing while giving the smoothest shave possible, including in the bikini area.

Step #3: Self-Tan

Try:  Jergens Natural Glow Express and Daily Moisturizer

Why:  This, the first gradual self-tanner on the market, is still among the best and for a third of the cost.  I tend to do one day (or two) of the Express, then follow and maintain the level of my tan with the Moisturizer.  Choose the formula based on your current skin tone, not the one you want to have.

Step #4:  Moisturize

Try:  Aveeno Positively Ageless or Palmer's Cocoa Butter lotions

Why:  Aveeno's lotion from its Positively Ageless line will make your skin smoother than you've seen or felt in a long time.  I also alternate with Palmer's Cocoa Butter, which I love for its classic formula that evens skin tone and chocolate-y scent.

Step #5:  Glow

Try:  Palmer's Cocoa Butter Body Oil or Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs

Why:  A little body oil down the front of your legs--whether Palmer's or another brand--goes a long way to getting your glow on.  Choose one with a similar scent to your perfume and you'll enhance the fragrance while giving it staying power.  If you need a little extra help, the Airbrush Legs gives you more color (ranging from a light to tan glow) without rubbing off on your clothes.  Hollywood stylists (including for the Oscars) swear by it.

Step #6:  Polish

Try:  Essie's Bachelorette Bash

Why:  Essie is my favorite nail polish line.  This is a hot pink that is perfect for a summer pedicure and goes great with every skin tone.  And every outfit.

More products for great legs suggested by Lucky magazine

Marilyn Monroe Models Swimsuits and Adds Sizzle to Summer

From the earliest days of her career, Marilyn Monroe posed in swimwear for the camera.  The then 19-year-old brunette Norma Jean Dougherty had a love of Jean Harlow and dream of escaping her challenging childhood by becoming a model.  In an effort to do so, she enlisted the help of many young and eager photographers looking to jump start their own careers.  Her first shoot with California photographer Joe Jasgur (shown below) was the beginning of a long love affair with the camera.  Others followed including Milton Greene, Cecil Beaton, Bert Stern, and a long list of other great photographers...many whose careers centered around their work with Marilyn.  Several of these sessions created iconic images we know today.

Everyone discovered very quickly that Marilyn was a natural for still photography.  The camera loved her...and the feeling was mutual.  She felt safe in front of the camera.  She was able to create a character there that was fully under her control.  And as you'll see from the photos I've gathered and organized from her shoots, she learned what works and her persona evolves--from her hair and makeup to her figure.  Reports say her weight fluctuated some 20 pounds during her career--anywhere between 119 to 140 on her 5'5" frame--but that never ever affected her confidence in front of the camera.  Marilyn understood every one of her assets and intuitively knew how to pose for the camera.  Every woman needs to take note.

Last year I chose Esther Williams as our summer inspiration and you'll see a lot of the swimsuit style she made famous here on Marilyn--the one-piece maillot.  Of course she took it one step further and really made the white one-piece iconic.  I'm an enormous fan of white bathing suits and Marilyn looks gorgeous in hers, going a long way to showing just how sexy a one-piece can be.  If you're interested in similar styles (in all colors), modern classics can be found at Popina Swimwear, J. Crew, Victoria's Secret, and Lands End.  But since the retro trend is in full effect for fashion this summer, just about every brand is carrying their own versions now.

These swimsuits are yet another way that Marilyn stays so relevant in fashion and unforgettable in our minds--beloved by men and women alike.  Regardless of what style you favor, enjoy the photos and let Marilyn inspire you to have your sexiest summer yet!

Joe Jasgur's 1946 photos of a then brunette 19-year-old Norma Jean

One of Marilyn's iconic moments--in a white strapless one-piece during
a 1949 shoot on Santa Monica Beach for photographer Andre de Dienes

Circa 1950 (Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve) in a sculptural velvet strapless one-piece maillot 

and strappy platform heels that she started to pair with swimsuits to add height

A 1940s Catalina maillot (sold on Etsy) similar to the one that Marilyn wore for her shoot

Platinum blonde hair is now a part of Marilyn's image 

while poolside in a black one-piece with Cary Grant, her co-star in 1952's Monkey Business

Marilyn now has "The Look" in makeup (and earrings) that she had as of Niagara (1953)

while in a high-waisted white bandeau bikini and strappy clear platform heels

A change of pace for Marilyn in a polkadot bikini with plenty of ruffles,

which also still inspires swimwear designers today

Another iconic shoot--this time with photographer Sam Shaw on Long Island in 1956

in the white one-piece she became known for

Fishing with then husband Arthur Miller

Lawrence Schiller captured Marilyn in a nude string bikini by the pool

during her last movie shoot for Something's Got to Give (1962, never finished) 

Breathless on Santa Monica Beach in a red ruched halter bikini

captured by George Barris in 1962 during one of her last photo shoots