Exotic locations. Flirtations. Espionage. And best of all, fabulous ‘60’s clothes.
Need I say any more about why I’m obsessed with ABC’s Pan Am?
Mad Men’s 2007 premiere made fashionistas everywhere dart to thrift stores to secure some vintage clothes, and ABC’s Pan Am, which premiered this fall, is continuing that trend. The four stewardesses wear some beautiful ladylike looks when they’re not in uniform (seriously, where can I get my hands on this gorgeous green lace dress? The uniforms themselves are classy, too. Here’s how you can get their look in your wardrobe!
1. Flying Eyes
The ladies of Pam Am always have their flight attendant wings pinned to their jackets. But the wings don’t stop there—they also love winged eyeliner. Almost every female character has rocked this coquettish look. There’s no question why; winged eyeliner is both ladylike and flirty, and it flatters almost every eye shape. It’s kind of like having a permanent “smize,” if you’re a Tyra Banks fan (I’ll admit it, I’m addicted to America’s Next Top Model).
The best way to create a winged eye is to use liquid liner. Now, don’t panic—you can make it work without looking like you splatter-painted yourself! CoverGirl makes great liquid eyeliner that you can hold like a pen for easy application. Just draw a line on your top eyelid as close to your lashline as possible. The harder you press down, the thicker your line will be. Then draw the outer outline of a wing on the corner of your eye (you may have to hold your eyelid taut to do this well) and fill it in to your liking. If your eyes aren’t even, use a damp Q-tip to fix it up.
2. A-line dresses
The ladies of Pan Am can’t get enough of A-line dresses. This silhouette is universally flattering and is great for playing up your curves because it hugs the slimmest part of your body (your waist) and relaxes around your hips. Not to mention, it’ll make you look positively ladylike and feminine. The stewardesses play up that refined quality by choosing dresses with square or boat necklines, hemlines below the knee and dainty sleeves. For a classic take on the stewardesses’ favorite silhouette with a higher hemline, try Banana Republic’s Mad Men collection. If you want to keep it classy but add a little sex appeal, check out this Tracy Reese dress. It has a swingy skirt and a high neckline, but the cutout gives it a ladylike seductiveness.
3. Suitable Staples
There’s something classic and attractive about the original Pan Am stewardess uniform–maybe it’s the white gloves, the bright blue hue or the adorable hat. But what really makes this outfit work is the crisp cut of the uniform. Tailored pieces can accentuate your body shape in a subtle way and give you a clean look.
While wearing a suit to class isn’t the most comfortable or feasible idea, there are ways to get this tailored look without looking like you’re going to a job interview. The key is to pick one suit-like item and incorporate it into a more relaxed look. One good tailored piece can rein in a casual outfit and amp up your style.
This Olivia Moon blazer is pretty literal Pan Am, but it would look great with skinny jeans and flats or boots. Contrast the solid jacket with a loose floral or polka dot printed top underneath, and your look will go from formal to more relaxed. A pencil skirt is another great way to add tailoring to an outfit. This pencil skirt from Banana Republic gets bonus points for the bow on the front, not just because it’s adorable but also because it prevents the skirt from being too tight and unflattering against your stomach. A pencil skirt will definitely make your look dressy, but adding flats and some fun tights will make it more class-appropriate.
4. Chic Carry-on
When flying meant status and Pan Am stewardesses were the epitome of glamour, the Pan Am bags were the ultimate emblem of class. Today, the Pan Am bags can add a touch of retro to your outfit (and help you carry an extra pair of shoes!). Marc Jacobs even designed his own version of the classic bag in 2007. ABC gave away Pan Am bags to promote the pilot episode, and the bags have inspired sold-out knockoff versions.
If you want the real deal, the Pan Am website sells 11 different versions of the original bags on their website, ranging from $45 to $189. For a less literal version that still captures the original bags’ spirit, try this blue Kate Spade bag.
Sources:
Pan Am Promo (photo): Comic.Con.Blog, http://www.upcoming-movies.com/Articles/new-pan-am-promo-spot-and-the-real-stewardesses-of-pan-am/
Winged Eyeliner (photo): ABC, http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/pan-am/photos/characters/colette-valois/_m_PAN102015
A-line Dress (photo): Kat Chat, http://kechats.blogspot.com/2011/09/soup-season.html
Pan Am Uniform (photo): Real Style Network, http://www.realstylenetwork.com/blogs/fashion-and-style/tag/pan-am-clothing/
Pan Am Bags (photo): Popwuping, http://www.popwuping.com/bags/flight-one-pan-am-bag.php