Besides starring the amazing Audrey Hepburn, who deserves a blog post as a classic style icon all of her own, the film showcases the beauty and allure of The Eternal City, Rome. So what tips can we take away from this movie to help us live a simple but refined life, right in our own backyards?
1. Try a gelato on the Spanish steps and make the decision to live a little
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There is nothing more exciting, risky and/or exhilarating than a brand new hair style. Have you been wearing the same style for years and feel ready for a change? Making the decision to change our hair styles can be quite liberating. In Roman Holiday, Hepburn's character, Princess Ann, felt ready to throw off the childish shackles of her long, brown hair and embrace a more mature, albeit more fun, shorter hairstyle. For her, it was an impulse decision that reflected a deeper shift within her character. I don't advocate impulse hair decisions (especially big ones that we might regret later), but if this is something that you have been thinking about, then start to collect some images ready to show your stylist once the salons re-open.
3. Go for a bike ride
There is nothing more iconic than Hepburn driving her little moped through the streets of Rome, Gregory Peck holding on behind her for dear life! While we may not have access to a little, green Vespa right now, why not get on a bike and feel the wind rush through your hair and across your face? You don't need to stick to the city streets, but find a lake or a bike path that will allow you to pick up some speed and feel the freedom! And don't forget to smile and laugh while you do it! It's meant to be enjoyable!
4. Embrace a classic style
Once the weather warms, a midi skirt and a blouse or t-shirt is my go-to outfit. I love it and find it so flattering on all body sizes and shapes. Add a pair of ballet flats or sandals and I'm good to face whatever the day may bring. It's comfortable but easy and timeless. I can wear it to work or comfortably work around the house in it. Classic style is something I'm passionate about so expect to see more posts on this in the future. In the meantime, think about classic styles that appeal to you. Do you already adhere to a classic style? If so, let me know in the comments as I'd love to hear what inspires your wardrobe. Style is so individual and there really is no one-size fits all approach or checklist, but there is a notion of classic style that works for each of us - we just have to find it!
5. Take an aperitivo before your evening meal
This is a simple one that you can do at home, whether you drink alcohol or not. Although, traditionally, an aperitivo is a pre-dinner drink meant to signal the end of the work day and whet your appetite for the dinner ahed. I was first introduced to an aperitivo on my first trip to Italy, but it was during my time in Padua in 2004 that I got it down to a fine art. Uno spritz, made with Aperol, was my drink of choice: a splash of Aperol mixed with dry Prosecco and soda water, washed down with a bowl of nuts or potato chips. This is typical of Venice and Padua, being in the Veneto, adopted this bright and sunny drink as its own aperitivo.
Don't be confused with the Australian or American tradition of happy hour which often involves cheap (and sometimes nasty!) drinks, downed quickly within the space of the designated hour. Aperitivo comes from the Latin to open (aprire in Italian), signalling the opening of the meal. The little food that accompanies it can vary from the simple to more elaborate. To re-create this at home, consider a little taster plate of cheese and olives, a selection of cured meats or mini quiches. Or else keep it simple with potato chips or nuts.
If you don't drink alcohol, think of another drink that you enjoy that could work to signal the end of your work day and prepare you for the meal ahead. Sparkling mineral water, lightly flavoured with a squeeze of lemon works perfectly.
6. Choose a nightgown or pyjamas that you absolutely love to wear
This little luxury was never afforded to Princess Ann, always being forced into long, shapeless nightgowns. It was something that she mentioned a couple of times and these days there is no reason not to take the time and effort to find sleepwear that feels classic and refined, a little bit of luxury to end the day. You will sleep better and enjoy the feeling of slipping into something special to hop into bed. Ditch the holey, old t-shirts or trackpants and find something that makes you look forward to bedtime.
7. Take lots of photos!
Although you might not be in Rome enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, it can be fun to document the everyday at home. Photography as a hobby has really taken off during the pandemic, as people take photos of #lockdownlife to share on Instagram, SnapChat, Facebook or...(insert social media name here). I'm not necessarily talking about taking photos to share online (though that can be lots of fun too), but rather photos of you and your loved ones just living life. Documenting the everyday life means you will always have these memories to look back on.
8. Remember fondly friends that pass through your life fleetingly
Not every friendship lasts forever, but we can look back fondly on friendships that, although brief, played a significant role in our lives. This is where number 7 comes in handy! Princess Ann, when her day in Rome with Joe Bradley and Irving Radovich is over, is gifted an envelope of photos to remember her time in Rome. She won't see these two again but she will hold them in her memories forever.
For me, it is the two lovely boys that made me coffee every morning in Padua and greeted me with, "Ciao bella," Alistair, a Scottish boy and the only other student in my Italian class, Steine, a Swedish exchange student studying at the university of Padua, and Zeno, the only Italian amongst us who took it upon himself to act as tour guide, especially on day trips to Venice. I am not in contact with any of these people anymore but for six weeks they were my friends and family and I remember them fondly.
9. Have a day off every now and then
When you feel like life is just getting too much to bare, give yourself permission to take a day off. Instead of working or doing housework, choose to do only those things that you want to do. Recently, I made Fridays my day off, and I am enjoying them immensely. The way that we live these days is so conducive to an overload of worry, anxiety and stress - much the same that Princess Ann experienced at the start of Roman Holiday. While most of us are not carrying around a royal load of duties, the daily duties that we face, plus the pressure of external worries and the current state of the world, can be enough to tip most of us over the edge. To avoid a breakdown or illness in some other way, take a break before it gets too bad. Find things to do that you enjoy (like tip number 1 or 3) and dedicate a whole day to it. Why not?
10. Visit the sites of your town or city
Have you ever visited your own town or city like a tourist? Many of us are unable to visit Rome or any European city at the moment, but we can spend a day exploring the city where we live. Take the time to plan the day; what are some of the most appealing attractions that your city has to offer? Where are the best places to eat? To grab an ice cream or afternoon tea? Is there somewhere quiet that you can relax for an hour in the afternoon? A walk by a lake or along the beach? Make sure you are wearing something classic and comfortable (bring a jacket or cardigan along so you don't cold at dinner) and plan to spend the entire day out and about. If we can't be in Rome then we can embrace the holiday spirit right at home.
I hope you've enjoyed these lessons from Roman Holiday and that you can find some time to bring a little bit of The Eternal City into your day.
Kirsty x
This was a lovely 'tour' and gave me several very good ideas of ways to improve my daily life.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it Terri. It's such a timeless and stylish movie, full of tips for all of us!
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