HACKING MONICA BELLUCCI'S STYLE SECRETS

Hello dear readers! Today we'll be hacking Monica Bellucci's style secrets. Monica Bellucci is an Italian actress loved by many designers, including D&G duo and Dior. She is known for having a very feminine style of dressing.  One could definitely call her a style icon. So, why not analyze her style? 

In this post, we will  start with identifying the key items in Monica's closet and then we are going to examine them. Finally, we'll hack her style secrets. I already wrote a bit about her style when I analyzed Malena's (character played by Monica Bellucci) wardrobe. The reasons why I have decided to write about her again is because of her timelessly elegant and chic style. 

I happen to think Monica Bellucci has a very classical style of dressing that is quite ageless and universally flattering. In fact, you probably already have at least one of Monica's Bellucci key items in your closet. 

When we see someone being stylish, we sometimes forget that style can be analyzed and even hacked. There is a way to break down someone's style secrets, and it's not that difficult. All you need to do is pay attention. That's exactly what I did! Scroll down to learn Monica Bellucci's style secrets. What is it that makes her look so effortlessly chic and put together? 

KEY ITEMS IN MONICA'S CLOSET

The key items in Monica's closet are classical ones. That is what makes her style easy to emulate. Items such as a black dress, a white shirt, a tailored suit, a leopard item and a floral dress are really items most of us ladies could use in our closets. In other words, her 'essentials' are perfect items for anyone who wants to nurture that effortlessly elegant Mediterranean lady chic. 

1. A WHITE SHIRT

A white shirt should be in everyone's closet. This essential item is a perfect way to elevate any outfit. You can wear a white shirt with jeans for a clean and chic look or pair it with a skirt for a more feminine one. Simply said, you cannot go wrong with a white shirt. Monica Bellucci sometimes wear shirts with jeans, but since she doesn't wear jeans that often (at least we don't have it on record), she typically pairs her shirts with white suits or skirts.

2. A BLACK BELLOW THE KNEE OR MIDI LENGTH DRESS

Another key item in Monica Bellucci's closet is a black dress. A black dress is a great piece that we can always rely on. Most of you already have a little black dress in your closet. As long as it is not too short it will be perfect for emulating Bellucci's iconic style. Monica doesn't wear short dresses or skirts often, instead she opts for bellow the knee or midi length. This makes her all black dress outfits look more sophisticated and lady like. You can also opt for a black maxi if that is what you prefer. The effect will be similar. The secret is in keeping the sense of mystery and not showing too much skin. Don't forget to wear heels with your black midi dress for an increased dose of femininity. 

3. A PATTERN MIDI DRESS (FLORAL OR POLKA DOT DRESS)

 When it comes to patterns, Monica loves to wear classical ones such as floral and polka dot. Just like with her black dress, she prefers a bellow the knee or midi length. I feel like a midi floral dress is a quintessentially Monica Bellucci look. She relies on polka dot dresses a lot as well. Once again, heels are a must for recreating the feminine allure of Monica's floral midi dress signature looks.

 4. A CLASSICAL BLACK SUIT

A tailor black suit is a must have. A nice black suit is something you can wear for any occasion. With power suit trend on the rise again, a black suit look is super relevant (not that it even really goes out of style). If you don't own a black suit, perhaps it is time that you dig through your closet and see if you have a black blazer and matching skirt or pants. Monica Bellucci wears a lot of black. Among her black items, a key place belongs to a classical black suit. A combination of a black blazer and pants (or a skirt) is a timeless one. There is something empowering about wearing a black suit. 

5. A RED DRESS 
Monica understand 'the lady in red appeal'. Red is the colour of love and passion. Monica often reaches for red dresses when it comes to her red carpet appearances and she's been to rock them for everyday wear as well. If you want to really make a statement, opt for a vintage red dress. If you need to wear something over your red dress, make sure it is a coat in a neutral colour. Monica Bellucci's style isn't too colourful.

6. A PENCIL SKIRT 

Now, when it comes to pencil skirts, Monica Bellucci often wears basic pencil skirts. However, Monica sometimes wears patterned pencils skirts or even mixes patterns with her skirts. We're still talking about classical patterns, though. Monica could for example pair a floral pattern pencil skirt with a polka dot blouse or the other way around. Nevertheless, most often she will wear pencil skirts in neutral colours opting either for a black and white contrast or a whole black and white look. That is where our style differs a bit. While I enjoy wearing pencil skirts, I like to pair them with more vibrant colours. My outfits with pencils skirts are typically not as classical as Monica's. However, I do depend on pencil skirts. I couldn't imagine my wardrobe without them. A pencil skirt is flattering to most body types and it adds such elegance to every outfit. 

7. A WHITE DRESS 

A white dress is another staple in Monica Bellucci's closet. A white dress is seriously one of the most underestimated items. A little white dress is a perfect substitute for a little black dress. It is easy to dress up and down (and what not). Monica is aware of that. While Monica Bellucci doesn't wear white dresses as often as she wears black ones but she wears them often enough. Just enough to refresh her appearance. Again, she keeps things simple.

8. A LEOPARD BLOUSE (OR ANY LEOPARD ITEM REALLY)

Monica Bellucci wears leopard like second skin. I can think of so many iconic leopard outfits by her dating all the back to the nineties. Monica treats leopard as a neutral pattern- and it really is just that. Monica's been known to rock all leopard looks pretty often. If you don't have the confidence to rock a full leopard look, you can always start small and wear a leopard blouse, a leopard scarf or a leopard pair of heels. That is why I put- any leopard item above. It can be any leopard item. The secret is to wear it with confidence and unleash your inner wild cat. 

9.  A MAXI DRESS

The final key element of  Monica Bellucci's style is a maxi dress. A maxi dress is such a feminine yet comfortable choice. If you want to channel your inner Bellucci, keep it simple. You will notice that Bellucci doesn't wear much accessories. The same is the case with her outfits featuring maxi dress. Less is more if Bellucci is to be consulted. A nice pair of feminine shoes and that's all you need to finish your maxi dress outfit. 

If you remember my first post about Monica Bellucci, you know about the 10 style lessons that can be summed up in ten fashion commands:

1. KEEP IT CLASSY (DON'T SHOW TOO MUCH SKIN)

2. WEAR BELLOW THE KNEE OR MIDI LENGTH SKIRTS AND DRESSES

3. OPT FOR BASIC COLOURS (DARK BLUE, RED, WHITE AND BLACK)

4. CREATE COLOUR CONTRASTS USING BASIC COLOURS 

5. WEAR CLASSICAL PRINTS (FLOWER, LEOPARD AND POLKA DOT PRINT)

6. WEAR CLASSICAL AND TIMELESS CUTS (THINK TAILORED SUITS, PENCIL SKIRTS AND DRESSES)

7. HEELED SANDALS ARE A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND (SAY YES TO HEELS)

8. FEMININE DETAILS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE (SAY YES TO BOWS)

9. BELT IT! ALWAYS WEAR A BELT TO ACCENTUATE YOUR WAIST.

10. GO FOR SIMPLE AND CLASSICAL MAKE UP LOOK AND HAIRDO

MONICA BELLUCCI'S STYLE SECRETS:

Like Malena's outfits, Monica Bellucci's looks are typically well balanced in terms of skin exposure. Her dresses and skirts are never too short, too tight and/or provocative. Monica often wears dresses and skirts that emphasize the waist, but they are not too tight.  Instead of revealing too much, Monica retains a sense of mystery and allure by keeping it classy. She often wears dresses with sleeves. Monica typically wears a dress that is more open and sleeveless only when she wears a maxi dress. However, she also wears sheer fabrics. Still even in her 'sheer' looks, she knows how to keep it classy.

It seems that Monica Bellucci's favourite skirt and dress length is just bellow the knee.  She is fully aware of benefits of opting for such a classical length. She knows how to create a classy look. Bellow the knee and midi lengths can be very flattering when worn the right way. Monica Bellucci often chooses pencil skirts and dresses that complement her hour glass figure perfectly. One thing is for sure, Monica Belluci has mastered the effortless lady chic. She stays aways from trendy colours, patterns and cuts, often opting for classical outfits. Monica colour choices are typically traditional. Monica is often mesmerizing in all black or in black and white combos. In some ways, her style even makes me think of Parisian chic, because it is so effortlessly elegant at times, but in total, I'd say her style is more dressed up Italian one. It is  a very feminine, elegant and chic style. Monica wears a simple colour palette dominated by dark blue, black, red and white.

KEY  COLOURS: PRIMARY COLOURS (RED, BLACK AND WHITE)

KEY PATTERNS:  FLORAL, POLKA DOT AND LEOPARD PRINT

KEY CUTS: TAILORED, MIDI LENGTH, PENCIL CUT DRESSES AND TROUSERS BUT ALSO WIDE TROUSERS AND MERMAID DRESSES

INSPIRING QUOTES BY MONICA BELLUCI 

BEAUTY IS A GIFT 

"Beauty is a gift, just like good health or intelligence. The only thing is not to be proud of being beautiful. Because you didn't do anything - it was given to you."

Monica Bellucci

FEMINITY CAN BE STRONG 

"Sometimes when we think about femininity, we think also fragile. But I think you can be feminine and very strong. I think make-up goes with that femininity. I think it's a natural gesture for women and one they do more for themselves than for others." Monica Bellucci

MONICA BELLUCI PREFERS TO WEAR BLACK, WHITE AND BLUE BECAUSE SHE LIKES TO BE SIMPLE 

"My body is very shaped, and I like to be simple. I don't like to use so many colors. My best colors are black, white and blue. " Monica Bellucci

WHAT IS TRUE BEAUTY? 

"For me, true beauty has nothing to do with wrinkles and everything to do with the fact that my maternal grandmother raised five children just after the war and remained a fighter throughout her life. True beauty is the slick of red lipstick my paternal grandmother would put on before going to church on Sunday." Monica Bellucci

THEY DON'T FEEL PRESSURE TO BE BEAUTIFUL

"I grew up in Perugia, Umbria, in a world outside of fashion, so I didn't learn about it until I was older and moved away. In Milan, the women are really into fashion, and all the big fashion brands are based there, but I don't think they feel pressure to look good all the time."

Monica Bellucci

THE OTHER KIND OF BEAUTY

In France, they call the beauty of youth 'the evil beauty.' You don't have it because of you but because you're born with it. The other kind of beauty is your own work, and it takes forever.

NOT AFRAID OF GETTING OLD

I've had old people in my life that I really loved - especially women - so I'm not scared about getting old. It's what's inside that makes us beautiful on the outside.

A LIPSTICK IS THE MOST VALUABLE WEAPON

Lipstick is the most valuable weapon in a woman's make-up kit. It has the power to transform the appearance and mood of the person wearing it, and, at the same time, arouses the admiration of everybody else.

Monica Bellucci

 That would be all for today. This post took ages to compose, I hope you have enjoyed it. 

It was also  interesting to compare my own style with that of Monica. I'd say that her style is more classical, I like to experiment a bit more, wear more colour and try a trend or two. 

However, I'd say that her style secrets are well worth learning. Monica Bellucci does know how to dress like a lady.  She always look so elegant and feminine. I like how Monica is always so true to her style. 

Bellucci almost always collaborates with the same designers and seems to have a unique (if classical) personal sense of style that is hard to find in celebs.  

What do you say? Have I managed to hack all of Monica Bellucci's style secrets?