How to Dress Like Louise Brooks

Louise Brooks was the quintessential flapper. She often wore short hair, a short skirt and glamorous makeup. Her dramatic features were further accentuated by the color contrast of black and white films. Brooks' 1920's look still resonates in fashion today. With a geometric black bob and blunt bangs, Brooks' style remains a modern classic. She was also a modern girl with liberated views on love and sex, having affairs with both William Paley and Charlie Chaplin. The silent film star is best known for her breakthrough film role, "Pandora's Box." It was due to her notoriously suggestive role in "Pandora's Box," along with her choice not to do "talkies," that Brooks became blacklisted in Hollywood. Look to rule-breaking Brooks for fashion inspiration.

Things You'll Need

• Pearls
• Flapper dresses
• Short ballerina dresses
• Pageboy hat
• Sailor-inspired clothing
• Fur coat
• Jacket
• Collared button-up
• Trousers
• Vintage hats

Instructions

1. 

   Get menswear. Brooks played a boyish character in "Beggars of Life." Her signature outfit consisted of a pageboy hat and a suit.

2. 

   Get pearls. Brooks looked elegant in classic pearls.

3. 

   Wear flapper dresses. Brooks had a closet filled with short dresses that were considered scandalous during her era.

4. 

   Shop ballerina-inspired dresses. Brooks looked darling and daring in a short black dress that ended in a tutu.

5. 

   Wear sailor-inspired outfits. Brooks had her own twist on sailor outfits--her version was made out of silk and she wore ultra short shorts.

6. 

   Get fur. Brooks was often seen in fur. If you either can't afford the real thing or are against the use of animal fur, consider getting faux fur.

7. 

   Get vintage hats. Brooks topped her style off with a stunning collection of hats.

Resources

• Style.com: Louise Brooks
• Miss-Vintage.com: Icons of Style: Louise Brooks
• 1920s Icons Movie Stars Greta Garbo Louise Brooks Royals
• Bella Donna: Louise Brooks