by Courtney Rogers

Movie star turned Princess Grace Kelly lived a life little girls (and at least one college student) dream of. A modern day fairytale, Grace was the toast of the silver screen when she caught the eye of Prince Rainier of Monaco, a man who would sweep her off her feet and convince her to give up movies for a royal lifestyle in a tiny but beautiful seaside country. Even better, amidst all of this whirlwind romance Grace never missed a beat when it came to her personal style.

I may not be able to tell you where to find a prince (trust me I’ve been looking), but if it’s a summer fashion fairytale you’re after, here’s how to get Grace Kelly’s look without a royal budget.

The look: When shopping, keep an eye out for retro-inspired silhouettes. Look for fuller circle skirts, dresses with a defined waist and v-necklines. If you’re looking to modernize this ultra feminine look, try different proportions such as a more masculine jacket. When it comes to accessories, the statement you’re trying to make is chic, simple and bold. Big sunglasses are a must and a great scarf adds instant polish. For jewelry, you can be whimsical but I’d recommend avoiding loud costume jewelry and favoring pearls, sterling and turquoise.

Where to shop:
Accessories: There’s a lot to love about the J.Crew accessories department. Although their clothes for the summer season favor a “California Dreamin’” aesthetic, their shoes, bags and jewelry have glamorous, 1950s undertones. Their latest selection of patterned ballet flats add some fun to a shoe that’s recently become rather monotonous and their Esme printed platform sandals beg to be worn to a decadent party. Skip the slouchy hobo bags in favor of their ribbon rosette clutch and for jewelry, the crystal glamour bracelet can go from day to night with ease.

Daytime: First time visitors be warned, Modcloth.com is an overwhelming cache of adorable clothing and you will probably want every fifth thing you see as you scroll though their seemingly endless supply of dresses. Though there’s a lot to choose from, favorites emulating Grace Kelly include the simple but charming Most Memorable dress, the sleek Lost in Grace dress and the lovely Bow Business style. Word to the wise, styles sell out in the blink of an eye so don’t procrastinate if it’s your dream dress!

Evening wear: In my quest for finding Grace Kelly’s style on the web, I found the perfect cocktail dress at Banana Republic. The BR Monogram Deep Vee Back Zip Dress has beautiful pleats and quiet elegance while the mixture of black and white adds a playful quality. Although they’re better known for their tee shirts, C&C California pleasantly surprised me with their One-Shoulder Maxi Dress in black. The cut is classic and refined rather than bohemian while the choice of cotton makes it comfortable and modern.

Happy shopping!