When Bonnie Parker, or Bonnie of Bonnie and Clyde, donned a beret one morning in 1933, she would have had little idea of the future fashion implications. Dead a year later, she would have had little idea of much future at all. But, partly thanks to the 1967 film telling of her gang’s 1930s exploits, Bonnie, as played by Faye Dunaway, is now both part of an American folklore – a tough broad, a symbol of rebellion and disruption – and a card-carrying member of the fashion icon gang. The beret, knitwear and scarf alone provide immeasurable inspiration for the current season. Here are five reasons why – 50 years on from the film, 83 years from Parker’s death – her outfit matters now.The beret
I’m willing to bet that Maria Grazia Chiuri had Bonnie and Clyde playing on loop in the Christian Dior atelier in the runup to the autumn/winter show. It featured berets on every single look. The hat also associated with strings of garlic, Breton tops and bicycles is officially the headgear of the season. See also: Alexa Chung on the cover of June Vogue.
The pencil skirt
Sure, the pencil skirt seems as if it’s not on speaking terms with the rest of fashion right now. But with Raf Simons on its rebranding team,it will only be a matter of time before there is a rapprochement. Bonnie’s tweedy skirt is a bit playing-secretary when you take it out of context. Instead, update the look by perusing Simons’ Calvin Klein collection. An ode to outsiders in America, the block colours of knitted pencil skirts are like Bonnie 2.0 (Beyoncé’s take notwithstanding). Adjust your skirt-thinking accordingly.
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