History of Style: Dorothy Dandridge

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Happy Monday! Superbowl Sunday has come and gone (Yay Giants!) and now it's time to get into the thick of February. As many of you know, February is Black History Month, a time when we celebrate the achievements of African Americans and our important milestones throughout U.S. history. And I thought, what better way for me to celebrate this month on my blog than discussing Black fashion icons! This will be a little series I'll do throughout the month where I'll choose an icon, analyze their style, and give you tips on how to re-create it today!

To start we'll talk about the gorgeous, classy, and impeccable Dorothy Dandridge...

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Facts About Dorothy Dandridge

• Dorothy Jean Dandridge was born on November 9, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio. She is also known by her nickname, Dottie Mae.

• Dorothy formed a singing group with sisters, Vivian and Etta Jones called The Dandridge Sisters. They headlined at the famed Cotton Club in Harlem and even appeared in a few movies. The group later disbanded after a year and a half of touring, and by then Dorothy was determined to become an actress;

• Dorothy's breakthrough role was in the 1954 film Carmen Jones. It landed Dorothy a nomination for an Academy Awards and she is known as the first African-American actress to be nominated for an Oscar in the "Best Actress in a Leading Role" category.

• Sadly, Dorothy passed away on September 8, 1965, due to an accidental drug overdose.

Dorothy Dandrige Outfit by kinksarethenewpink featuring jumpsuits and rompers

Dorothy Dandridge #2 by kinksarethenewpink featuring off the shoulder tops

Dorothy Dandridge 3 by kinksarethenewpink featuring bangles jewelry

Style Tips:

1. Stay Classy - focus on well-tailored shapes and silhouettes such as clean-cut blouses, dresses and trousers to create a timeless look.
2. Add Some Feminie Flair - Complement the classic look with distinct ladylike pieces such as gorgeous jewelry, sleek handbags, and delicate footwear.
3. Hug That Figure - Choose outfits that accentuate your figure, pieces that are body-skimming (but not dangerously tight!) and use belts/scarves to accentuate your waist.
4. Show Some Shoulder - Wear strapless or off-the-shoulder tops and dresses to show off your neck, shoulders, and decolletage

I love the timelessness of Dorothy Dandridge and how many of her looks would still be considered stylish today! What say you readers? Would you try styling yourselves a la Dorothy Dandridge?

'Till Next Time...