Guardian fashion May 14, 2014

Why the Grace Kelly biopic isn’t fit for a fashion princess

Nicole Kidman’s new film, Grace of Monaco, is ‘so awe-inspiringly wooden that it is basically a fire-risk,’ according to the Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw. But what about the fashion? We compare the real Grace Kelly to Nicole's version

WEDDING IN MONACO, Grace Kelly, Prince Rainier, 1956 — **The real Grace:** Grace Kelly could make a ceremonial sash look chic. With Prince Rainier in 1956. Photograph: Rex features Photograph: Everett Collection/REX

Nicole Kidman as Grace Kelly in Grace of Monaco — **The movie Grace:** The Grace of Monaco film gives us Nicole Kidman with a nice facsimile of the look, but the red jars a little. If only it had been shot in black and white. Photograph: Allstar Photograph: Allstar/WARNER BROS./Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar

Italian singer-songwriter Don Backy, born Aldo Caponi, shot in a spontaneous pose while he points a pen at someone who is out of the framing addressing with a funny expression. Milan (Italy), 1972. — **The real Grace:** The princess did tone-on-tone brilliantly. This, from 1972, shows how sugary pink can be very elegant indeed. Photograph: Getty Images Photograph: Mondadori/Mondadori via Getty Images

NICOLE KIDMAN Character(s): Grace Kelly Film 'GRACE OF MONACO' (2014) — **The movie Grace:** This take from the movie isn't quite cutting it – where pink-on-pink looked classic, purple on teal looks dated. A teal hat would have been better. Photograph: Allstar Photograph: Allstar/WARNER BROS./Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar

American actress Grace Kelly (1929 - 1982) with MGM publicist Morgan Hudgins, at the RKO Pantages Theatre for the 28th Annual Academy Awards, Hollywood, California, 21st March 1956 — **The real Grace:** Kelly was famous for her ballgowns, and always brought something extra to the look. In this case, her leftfield take on the stole and her dainty white gloves are terribly chic. Photograph: Getty Images Photograph: Jack Albin/Getty Images

NICOLE KIDMAN & TIM ROTH Character(s): Grace Kelly, Prince Rainier III Film 'GRACE OF MONACO' — **The movie Grace:** The trad stole placement modelled by Nicole Kidman just isn't cutting it, partially because it looks a bit Tie Rack. Photograph: Allstar Photograph: Allstar/WARNER BROS./Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar

No Merchandising. Editorial Use Only. No Book Cover Usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Moviestore Collection/REX (1580530a) Grace Kelly — **The real Grace:** The princess did a great line in cute crew-neck cashmere jumpers – an understated fashion perennial. Photograph: Rex Photograph: Moviestore Collection/REX

NICOLE KIDMAN Character(s): Grace Kelly Film 'GRACE OF MONACO' — **The movie Grace:** Not bad but, then again, the difficulty factor in recreating a jumper is pretty low. Photograph: Allstar Photograph: Allstar/WARNER BROS./Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar

This is how to wear a headscarf: a plain shift dress provides the perfect counterpoint to leopard print, while the shades and gloves add drama. Hitchcock heroine, indeed. Photograph: Mondadori/Mondadori via Getty Images — **The real Grace:** Here's how to wear a headscarf: a plain shift dress provides the perfect counterpoint to leopard print, while the shades and gloves add drama. Hitchcock heroine, indeed. Photograph: Getty Images Photograph: Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

Grace knew when to wear a glove and when a glove would be overkill... — **The real Grace:** She knew when to wear a glove and when not to wear a glove. Photograph: Rex features Photograph: EUROPRESS/REX

President Charles de Gaulle welcomes Princess Grace of Monaco (Grace Kelley) to Elysee Palace for a luncheon. Paris, France 1959 — **The real Grace:** It's a brave woman who accessorises a skirt suit with a turban. Bravo. Photograph: Getty Images Photograph: Loomis Dean/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

Nicole Kidman in Grace of Monaco — **The movie Grace:** Very nice suit, but where's the turban? Photograph: Allstar Photograph: Allstar/WARNER BROS./Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar

Grace Kelly had a wonderful way with florals, as in this dark, stormy take from 1956 — **The real Grace:** The princess had a wonderful way with florals, as in this dark, stormy take from 1956. Photograph: Alamy Photograph: Everett Collection Historical //Alamy

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Why the Grace Kelly biopic isn’t fit for a fashion princess

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