Bettie Page is gone, but her signature look carries on

Bettie Page understood the value of a signature look. She never tried to reinvent her style or change that tune. Her look -- blunt, thick bangs in the shape of an upside down horseshoe, arched brows and upturned cherry-red lips -- became as recognizable as her name. She was soft, sensuous curves from head to toe, and the eye could rove her entire form without bumping up against an angle.

The pin-up model -- read a thoughtful L.A. Times obit here -- died yesterday at 85, and in her later years she did not care to be photographed. Bettie wanted to be remembered for her beauty and vitality. She didn't want the record to skip on her flaws and the tune to play differently.

And it's that very tune that women still access today, more than 50 years after she made waves as a Playboy model. What makes it so appealing is that Page made it easy for us to sing along. Just as she made bondage look as innocent as baking a Betty Crocker bundt cake. Like Marilyn Monroe, Katharine Hepburn and other great style icons, she gave us the greatest gift: an easy opportunity to mimic her look and try her on for size.

Even today, websites offer tips on how to get Bettie Page's bangs. (Pop stars like Christina Aguilera and Katy Perry have been spotted recently with a similar short forehead fringe. And who can forget Uma Thurman's itsy-bitsy bangs in "Pulp Fiction"?) In Las Vegas, there's a shop called Bettie Page Clothing, which sells everything needed to be Bettie -- from hair bows and purses to dresses like the Peggy Denim, (right, $126.) Leighton Meester, as Blair Waldorf on "Gossip Girl", wore the Captain dress (left, $155) and the fashion blogs went crazy.

Stars today are so stingy and fickle with their style. They flit from coif to coif and go from curvy to gaunt in a flash. Why is it that actresses are so quick to dive back into the cocoon and reemerge as a brand new butterfly? I, for one, appreciate a woman who sticks by her signature look. Monroe died too soon, but Hepburn's trademark fondness for trousers and blouses ripened and aged along with her. That other Hepburn, Audrey, never wavered from her capri pants, flats and gamine style.

Ladies, take a cue from Bettie's legacy and find a look that works for you. Is it bangs, red lips or a high ponytail? Maybe a predilection for wide belts or ethnic jewelry? Find that one thing that makes you feel confident and unique -- even sexy or chic -- and keep it close. Practice by playing that tune over and over again. Do like Bettie and learn the lyrics until they become your own. 

-- Monica Corcoran

Photo credits: Top, Associated Press; bottom, BettiePageClothing.com

Comments

[Palo]

Bettie Pages's beauty was real. By contrast, in today's world, almost all the famous women have breast implants, liposuction, cheekbone implants, hair extensions, nose jobs, personal trainers, etc. It makes Bettie's natural look even more impressive.

[Jonny Kaces]

Worst haircut ever; why do all the hipsterettes love it so? I wish _it_ would die. Honestly.

[Eldora]

Nothing so pitiful as an old lady sporting a too youthful and/or out of date hair-do and clothing. Mutton dressed as lamb as mutton as the British say.

This is bad advice.

[Arlette]

To me Bettie Page is and always will be one of the greatest show people on the planet. She will be severly missed.

[Sean Cougar]

Betty Page had style and grace. She was a real classice like some things from her era. The '55 T-Bird, The '56 Chevy, the '54 vette, 501's and black leather. She had classic eroticism with an innocence never seen before or since.

[Jim Koy]

Say a prayer for the charismatic Bettie Page--who deserves a place in Heaven for bringing great joy and aesthetic value into this oftentimes sad and ugly world; she is a true Sex Goddess, with nearly-perfect hips and sensuous moves, who'll never be forgotten.

[Michael Philip]

She was and will live on in the most essential and adorable categories. How could anyone deny this dear ladies charm and grace? She certainly endured so many personal demons yet exudes such light and innocence. Rest in Peace Bette, you are unique and a joy...

[Mila Reynaud]

Goodbye Bettie,your smile will never die...

[Booky]

Betty believed in Jesus as her Savior. He promised, "whoever believes in Me has eternal life". She believed that promise. Today, she lives with Him.

For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. — John 3:16

[Yelmik]

Inflated breasts and little bits of fabric is sexy - NOT!

Betty, I've loved you for 50 years and will continue to do so until I die.

[pwarkentin2pc]

Bettie helped personified that je ne sais quoi that defines an icon. She has fans spanning generations and made the world a more accepting place. She will be missed and always remembered for her smile and joy of life in those early days.

[Oli]

Bettie, you will be missed, but not forgotten. We love you Bettie, your twinkle of your eyes and your graceful smile will be in our hearts forever. Thank you for leaving your mark in this world.

R.I.P

[KB]

Eldora: Nothing so pitiful as an old lady sporting a too youthful and/or out of date hair-do and clothing. Mutton dressed as lamb as mutton as the British say. This is bad advice.

Whoa, Eldora, you sound like a very bitter, cranky person who finds the negative in everything. Who said anything about "old ladies" dressing like this? Even if they did, I would not have a problem with it. The dresses shown above are classic and very cute. And there is nothing out-of-date about Bettie's haircut - it's been back and going strong for about 10 years. She had a great look and I love to see girls in this look. Very sexy in a slightly prim but cool way. I don't find mutton dressed as lamb very appealing either but this look isn't that at all. Are you even paying attention?

[VERA]

BETTY PAGE WILL LIVE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS! SHE WILL ALWAYS BE THE QUEEN OF PIN-UPS. NO ONE CAN EVER REPLACE HER. SHE MADE HER FAME BY THE BEAUTIFUL PERSON SHE WAS NOT ONLY ON THE OUTSIDE BUT, THE INSIDE AS WELL. I WILL ALWAYS REMEBER HER SMILES THE SHE SHARED WITH THE WORLD. NOW SHE'S WITH THE ANGELS ABOVE. RIP BETTY PAGE YOU WILL BE MISSED BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN.

[VERA]

BETTY PAGE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED IN OUR HEARTS. SHE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN AND WILL NEVER BE REPLACED. SHE WILL ALWAYS BE THE QUEEN OF PIN-UPS.SHE WAS NOT ONLY BEAUTIFUL OUSIDE BUT, INSIDE AS WELL. I WILL NEVER FORGET HER BEAUTIFUL SMILE SHE SHARED WITH THE WORLD. I WILL MISS HER RIP BETTY PAGE. NOW SHE'S AN ANGEL IN HEAVEN AND SMILEING AT ALL THAT LOVED HER.