Not since Diane Keaton in 1977's Annie Hall has one of Woody Allen's films spawned a style icon of such merit as Vicky Cristina Barcelona 's María Elena (for which Penélope Cruz bagged the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role).
Allen, whose films are largely set in hot, sultry locations (or at least Americans-on-vacation type scenarios), is largely known for his penchant for traditional, somewhat normcore wardrobe preferences: think loafers, slacks in dad-friendly hues, and not much else (see Owen Wilson in Midnight in Paris, as a prime example). But Cruz's torrent of a performance as Javier Bardem's unstable and insatiable ex-wife (they are, of course, married in real life) brings with it an equally riotous style, largely consisting of too much eye makeup, Bardot hair, nighties as dresses, and sexed-up cheesecloth (is that an oxymoron?). Ahead, see some of our favorites.
See what we meant about the hair? Her mod/Bardot 'do deserves its own Tumblr, and that's a smokey side-eye to kill. We're into using wine glasses as accessories on vacation, too, and this one sets off her too-boho-to-function dress.
Photo: Weinstein/Everett/REX/Shutterstock.
Her stance, her poise, her eye contact: Whoever said great things come in small packages clearly knew their own Maria Elena. We love how this summery dress with split sleeves is black rather than floral; it's much more fitting for her character.
Photo: Weinstein/Everett/REX/Shutterstock.
Only Cruz could make a squashed pork pie hat look remotely cool. Literally, the only one.
Photo: Weinstein/Everett/REX/Shutterstock.
Ahh, the lingerie as daywear trend. This is what true sex appeal looks like, no?
Photo: Weinstein/Everett/REX/Shutterstock.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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