Patti Hansen's Keys to Rocking 70s Fashion Today
Rock star royalty Patti Hansen and daughters Theodora and Alexandra (Patti's husband, Keith Richards, is their dad) show off retro styles—boho chic, the new suit and disco glam—with modern twists.
By Clarissa Cruz and Megan Deem
Photo: Chris Craymer
Good Jeans
Three denim looks—a long buttoned skirt on Alexandra, 28; subtle bell-bottoms on Patti, 58; and pretty patchwork on Theodora, 29—do the hustle with peasant blouses, fringe, and chunky heels. Proper fit and artful layering keep the vibe modern. "When you're around long enough, you see some great looks come back!" says Patti, who designs a '70s- and '80s-inspired handbag line, Hung on U.
From left, on Alexandra: Top, Calypso St. Barth, $350. Skirt, 7 for All Mankind, $225. Sterling silver necklace, Me & Ro. Beaded necklaces, Mary Louise Design. Cuff, Cynthia Desser. Bracelets, Kendall Conrad. Belt, Lauren Ralph Lauren. Bag, Hung on U. Shoes, Casadei. On Patti: Jacket, Figue. Top, Comptoir Des Cotonniers, $215. Jeans, DL1961, $178. Arrow necklace, Heather Benjamin. Silver necklace, Dinny Hall. Belt, B-Low the Belt. Shoes, Tory Burch. On Theodora: Jacket, Scotch & Soda, $505. Top, Sophie Theallet, $490. Jeans, Hilfiger Collection, $850. Ring, Sylvia Toledano. Cuff, Kendall Conrad. Shoes, Hilfiger Collection.
From left, on Alexandra: Top, Calypso St. Barth, $350. Skirt, 7 for All Mankind, $225. Sterling silver necklace, Me & Ro. Beaded necklaces, Mary Louise Design. Cuff, Cynthia Desser. Bracelets, Kendall Conrad. Belt, Lauren Ralph Lauren. Bag, Hung on U. Shoes, Casadei. On Patti: Jacket, Figue. Top, Comptoir Des Cotonniers, $215. Jeans, DL1961, $178. Arrow necklace, Heather Benjamin. Silver necklace, Dinny Hall. Belt, B-Low the Belt. Shoes, Tory Burch. On Theodora: Jacket, Scotch & Soda, $505. Top, Sophie Theallet, $490. Jeans, Hilfiger Collection, $850. Ring, Sylvia Toledano. Cuff, Kendall Conrad. Shoes, Hilfiger Collection.
Photo: Chris Craymer
The New Suit: His and Hers
Menswear patterns take on feminine mystique in a fitted top with voluminous side-tie pants. A jaunty beret, a wide cuff, and sky-high platforms finish the Annie Hall–meets–Sonia Rykiel look, which suits our model just fine. "My style is a little kooky and colorful," says Theodora.
Top, REDValentino, $595. Pants, Thakoon. Hat, Lola Hats. Scarf, Echo Design. Cuff, Sarah Magid Jewelry. Shoes, Charlotte Olympia.
Top, REDValentino, $595. Pants, Thakoon. Hat, Lola Hats. Scarf, Echo Design. Cuff, Sarah Magid Jewelry. Shoes, Charlotte Olympia.
Photo: Chris Craymer
The New Suit: Mix Master
A statement-making trench and flares steal the spotlight here, but that doesn't mean accessories have to fade into the background. A python bag and stacked heel sandals add eclectic, fashion-forward touches. "My mom taught me to always be comfortable in what you wear, and that confidence is key," says Alexandra, who DJs around the world and helps promote Patti's handbag line.
Coat, Burberry Prorsum. Top, Tory Burch, $275. Pants, Rebecca Taylor, $295. Ring, Stephanie Kantis. Bag, Bally. Shoes, Tory Burch.
Beauty Highlight: Easy Does It
According to New York City hairstylist Peter Butler, soft, sexy hair needs a minimum of fuss.
For Alexandra's tousled, touchable look, Butler limited himself to three products: mousse, volume spray, and oil. "When you want hair to look natural, the trick is not to overwork it," he says. Butler started by blow-drying Alexandra's hair with a volumizing mousse (Redken Full Frame 07 is a good one). Then, to lock in wave, he sectioned the hair and misted each piece with a volumizing spray (try Dove Oxygen Moisture Root Lift Spray) before curling it with a medium-barrel iron. "Afterward, I broke up the ringlets with my fingers," he says. To tame any flyaways, he finished with a bit of oil (try Nexxus New York Salon Care Oil Infinite Nourishing Oil) from mid-shaft to ends.
Coat, Burberry Prorsum. Top, Tory Burch, $275. Pants, Rebecca Taylor, $295. Ring, Stephanie Kantis. Bag, Bally. Shoes, Tory Burch.
Beauty Highlight: Easy Does It
According to New York City hairstylist Peter Butler, soft, sexy hair needs a minimum of fuss.
For Alexandra's tousled, touchable look, Butler limited himself to three products: mousse, volume spray, and oil. "When you want hair to look natural, the trick is not to overwork it," he says. Butler started by blow-drying Alexandra's hair with a volumizing mousse (Redken Full Frame 07 is a good one). Then, to lock in wave, he sectioned the hair and misted each piece with a volumizing spray (try Dove Oxygen Moisture Root Lift Spray) before curling it with a medium-barrel iron. "Afterward, I broke up the ringlets with my fingers," he says. To tame any flyaways, he finished with a bit of oil (try Nexxus New York Salon Care Oil Infinite Nourishing Oil) from mid-shaft to ends.
Photo: Chris Craymer
Boho Chic: Pretty Pleats
She may be the former face of Calvin Klein, Courrèges, and Revlon, but Hansen, who has also appeared on dozens of magazine covers, isn't a slave to trends. "My style is the same as when I was younger," she says. "I know what works best for me." This subtly sheer pleated apricot dress is swingy enough for Studio 54, but bold gold pieces by a fellow '70s icon, jewelry designer Elsa Peretti, bring it back to the future.
Dress, Issa. Earrings, necklaces, and bracelet, Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Beauty Highlight: Blithe Spirit
Simple steps to a relaxed, fancy-free look.
To create a playful hippie vibe, New York City makeup artist Denise Markey outlined Patti's eyes with Lancôme Black Ebony Le Crayon Khôl pencil and gave her lashes several coats of Maybelline New York Great Lash Washable Mascara in Blackest Black. She defined her brows with L'Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Designer pencil, using short, feathery strokes. Lips were equally subdued—just a swipe of Nars lipstick in Honolulu Honey, a beige shade.
Dress, Issa. Earrings, necklaces, and bracelet, Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Beauty Highlight: Blithe Spirit
Simple steps to a relaxed, fancy-free look.
To create a playful hippie vibe, New York City makeup artist Denise Markey outlined Patti's eyes with Lancôme Black Ebony Le Crayon Khôl pencil and gave her lashes several coats of Maybelline New York Great Lash Washable Mascara in Blackest Black. She defined her brows with L'Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Designer pencil, using short, feathery strokes. Lips were equally subdued—just a swipe of Nars lipstick in Honolulu Honey, a beige shade.
Photo: Chris Craymer
Boho Chic: Flower Power
A romantic floral print looks as stunning on a pleated maxidress as it does on a flirty bell-sleeved mini. Colorful platform wedges ground the outfits and contrast beautifully with the ethereal vibe. "The '70s were all about flowing fabrics and outrageous prints. It was a fun time to experiment with style," says Theodora, who collaborated with her father last year on the children's book Gus & Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar.
On Alexandra: Gown, Cynthia Rowley. Necklace, Lana Jewelry. Shoes, Rupert Sanderson. On Theodora: Dress, Cynthia Rowley, $398. Earrings, Lana Jewelry. Necklace, Me & Ro. Shoes, Eugenia Kim.
On Alexandra: Gown, Cynthia Rowley. Necklace, Lana Jewelry. Shoes, Rupert Sanderson. On Theodora: Dress, Cynthia Rowley, $398. Earrings, Lana Jewelry. Necklace, Me & Ro. Shoes, Eugenia Kim.
Photo: Chris Craymer
Disco Glam: Wrapper's Delight
Diane von Furstenberg's wrap dress, created in 1974, is iconic for many reasons: It flatters virtually every body type, is easier to put on than jeans and a tee, and exudes just the right balance of polish and heat. "A sexy, chic look is what I go for," says Alexandra. "Combining a classic wrap with fire-engine red pumps and fun, crazy hair does the trick."
Dress, Diane von Furstenberg, $398. Bag, Mark Cross. Cuff, Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Pink ring, Kenneth Jay Lane. Gold ring, Links of London. Link bracelet, Jennifer Fisher. Necklace, CC Skye. Shoes, Sergio Rossi.
Dress, Diane von Furstenberg, $398. Bag, Mark Cross. Cuff, Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Pink ring, Kenneth Jay Lane. Gold ring, Links of London. Link bracelet, Jennifer Fisher. Necklace, CC Skye. Shoes, Sergio Rossi.
Photo: Chris Craymer
Disco Glam: Do the Bright Thing
More is more when it comes to the colors and textures in this outfit. A sequined minidress sparkles under a feathered jacket; hot pink satin pumps and a mesh metallic bag are a fresh way to finish the look.
Jacket, Adrienne Landau, $225. Dress, Parker, $396. Earrings, CC Skye. Bag, Whiting & Davis. Shoes, SJP.
Beauty Highlight: It's Electric
Forget what you've heard about playing up only one feature. Go for broke with full-on makeup.
"In the late '70s, the trend was bold makeup on eyes and lips," Markey says. Here, she layered gray shadow (we like Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Eye Shadow in Smoky Steel) on top of black pencil to create a smoldering smoky eye, emphasizing the outer corners. Then Markey dusted a deep peachy bronze blush (try MAC Powder Blush in Sunbasque) in the hollows of Theodora's cheekbones to add definition. For more '70s pizzazz, she filled in Theodora's lips with Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Lip Pencil in Pink and topped that with Stila Raspberry Lip Glaze, creating a burst of bright color.
Jacket, Adrienne Landau, $225. Dress, Parker, $396. Earrings, CC Skye. Bag, Whiting & Davis. Shoes, SJP.
Beauty Highlight: It's Electric
Forget what you've heard about playing up only one feature. Go for broke with full-on makeup.
"In the late '70s, the trend was bold makeup on eyes and lips," Markey says. Here, she layered gray shadow (we like Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Eye Shadow in Smoky Steel) on top of black pencil to create a smoldering smoky eye, emphasizing the outer corners. Then Markey dusted a deep peachy bronze blush (try MAC Powder Blush in Sunbasque) in the hollows of Theodora's cheekbones to add definition. For more '70s pizzazz, she filled in Theodora's lips with Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Lip Pencil in Pink and topped that with Stila Raspberry Lip Glaze, creating a burst of bright color.
From the March 2015 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine