style icon: jean paul belmondo

in college, i took a class on cinema and we watched several french films. jean-luc godard’s breathless was on that list. if you haven’t seen that movie and have patience for subtitles, i highly recommend it. it was the start of french new wave cinema and jean paul belmondo’s breakthrough role.

one of my main takeaways from breathless was “f**k! this dude (belmondo) is cool.” belmondo exemplifies french style in the 60’s – a kind of effortless look that would look like you were trying too hard today. belmondo wasn’t necessarily good looking, but had a natural confidence about him that translated to the way he wore his tweed jackets, trilby hats and silk socks with loafers. dude always looked like he didn’t give a s**t. and if you want to know where your pants should meet your shoes, belmondo provides a good example: keep it on the short side (thom brown knows what’s up). oh, and one last thing, anna karina is a total babe.