RIP Lauren Bacall: The Sweater Girl’s Classic Style

The iconic Lauren Bacall shows off the simple style that made her a star.

Screen legend Lauren Bacall passed away today at age 89.  A former Vogue model, the star with the sexy whiskey voice rose to popularity with a classic style that is still relevant and wearable today.  Ms. Bacall’s look was always tailored, but not snuggly fitted.   Here’s a look back at some of Ms. Bacall’s fashion staples.

Bacall with Bogie in Key Largo. Her wardrobe staples were a shirt with stand-up collar and a full skirt with a belt.

In her early films and photos Ms. Bacall’s look was classic. In the 1940’s she was known as one of the “sweater girls.” She was photographed in a variety of simple turtlenecks and preppy sweaters with her wavy hair pulled back from her striking face.   In her early films,  Ms. Bacall also liked shirts with stand-up collars and full skirts nipped with a belt .

Catnip Reproduction Vintage Clothing’s 1950’s Lauren Bacall blouse

Catnip Reproduction Vintage Clothing has designed a  a nice homage to Lauren Bacall  by naming their stand-up collar blouse with dolman sleeves after the actress.

Model Lauren Bacall on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar. She wore a white crepe blouse with a ruffle at the neckline, sold at Saks Fifth Avenue via Couture Allure Blogspot.

In the 1950’s Ms. Bacall wore the tailored suits of studio costume designers Irene Lentz and Helen Rose.   In the 1960’s Ms. Bacall migrated to sheath dresses and even minis like Jackie O.  Later in life, she went back to her sweater girl look with wide leg trousers and pants suits which she popularized in the 1940’s.

 Ms. Bacall later in life. Beautiful until the end.

Several years ago, while lounging at the pool at Hotel Bel Air, I had the privilege of seeing Ms. Bacall.   It’s something I can never forget.   I was there in my deck chair when I heard this deep throaty voice talking about her grandchildren, and some kids named Leslie and Steve. I thought, “Who is that? ” It sounds just like Lauren Bacall.  Of course, I had to turn around and look, and there she was not 2 feet away from me.  She had to be in her 70’s but she looked fantastic in a one piece suit under a swim cover-up.  Like any proud parent or grandparent, she was telling the poolman about her family.  It turned out that she had been staying at the Hotel Bel Air over the years and knew many of the staff very well.  One  of the staffers told me, it was not unusual for her to visit with staff members she knew whenever she was a guest at the Hotel.

RIP Lauren Bacall. The world will miss your style, class and good taste.  I’m so glad I looked up from my book that day at Hotel Bel Air to see you.  To quote Ms. Bacall, “Here is a test to find out whether your mission in life is complete. If you’re alive, it isn’t.”  For the screen legend her mission in life is now complete.