Kim France and Andrea Linett, in their book, The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style (Conde Nast Publications, 2008) call the bombshell look “labor-intensive … (that) take(s) us out of time, away from trends and practicality; they exist as something luxurious and utterly feminine.
This is a look to be taken on only by the woman who wants a lot of attention. More than women’s clothing and fashion accessories, this is a look about attitude. To quote Sophia Loren, “Sex appeal is 50 percent what you’ve got and 50 percent what they think you’ve got.” So make certain those high heels come with a healthy dose of confidence.
Essential Women’s Clothes
The bombshell clothing style is about luxurious and feminine clothing. The look is influenced by the 40s and 50s so look through books about the fashion of this time and watch movies of this era as much for the fashions as for the plot. Clothing doesn’t have to be vintage but it should have the shape, polish, and sparkle that time period suggests.
Lingerie-look items, corsets, and bustiers look in place as do other vintage-inspired and retro-look items. Pants can be fitted or wide-legged. Skirts can be swishy and pleated to high-waisted and pencil straight. Belted jackets, tops with a sweetheart neckline, and wide collars all accentuate this look.
Essential Fashion Accessories
Plan on a closet full of high heels – or at least ultra sexy flats for when the feet need a break. Bombshell jewelry is dramatic but in a feminine way as opposed to an artsy, sculptural jewelry sort of way. Glitz is good, even for daytime. Look for waist-cinching belts and ladylike bags that won’t hold everything, but those things can go into a separate clutch.
Go for the drama and wear gloves. For deep-down elegance, wear coordinating vintage-inspired lingerie.
Pulling Together a Clothing Style
This is a look that can’t be pulled off in under fifteen minutes. And, chances are, this woman will always look more dressed up than everyone else in the room. This is a clothing style that involves make up and a maintained hair style, not to mention a perfect manicure and pedicure.
Look for clothing in vibrant colors or dramatic color combinations (pale pink with black). Clothing should be fitted and body-conscious without being tight – this look is sexy in an elegant, not slutty, way. Check the final outfit in a full-length mirror (or better yet, a three-way mirror) before heading out the door.
For the woman who can’t imagine devoting this much attention to her appearance, this may be a look to pull out on special occasions.
The bombshell fashion style is one The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style calls an iconic look and it can be accomplished by any woman who is willing to devote the time to her appearance while conveying a confident attitude so the woman wears the clothes without her clothing wearing her.
