• Style Guides
    • All Style Guides & Tips
    • Boho Style Essentials
    • Classic Style Essentials
    • Edgy Style Essentials
    • College Wardrobe Essentials
  • College
    • All College Articles
    • Dorm Bedding 2020
    • College School Supplies Checklist
    • Dorm Color Scheme Guide
    • Dorm Organization Tips
  • Outfit Ideas
    • All Outfit Inspo
    • College Outfits
    • 21st Birthday Outfits
    • Cold Weather Outfits
  • Sorority
    • All Things Sorority
    • Sorority Rush Essentials
    • Sorority Rush Outfits
  • Shopping
    • All Shopping Guides
    • Best Budget Fashion Stores
    • Where to Buy Sweaters
    • Best Online Thrift Stores
    • Timeless Jewelry Guide
    • Amazon Favorites 2021
  • Beauty
    • All Things Beauty
    • Makeup Essentials Guide
    • “No Makeup” Makeup
College Fashion
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Write for us

Fashion Inspired by Art: Renoir’s “Le Moulin de la Galette”

Breezy and vibrant looks inspired by one of Impressionism’s greatest paintings.

Last Updated on January 31, 2019 by Isa - University of California Berkeley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our links. Please read our full disclosure here.

This week’s Fashion Inspired by Art post centers around a lively work from the Impressionist period: Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s Le Moulin de la Galette. Keep reading to see three refreshing looks inspired by the famous painting.

Le Moulin de la Galette

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Le Moulin de la Galette, via Wikimedia Commons

About the Artist

Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) was a French artist who helped shape the Impressionist period.

True to the observation that “Renoir is perhaps the only painter who never produced a sad painting,” Renoir’s works always featured happy, lively subjects. Cheerful women, flowers, sunny leisure portraits, and other traditional subjects of “prettiness” and “beauty” dominate Renoir’s many paintings. It’s no wonder so many others have taken inspiration from his works.

About the Painting

Le Moulin de la Galette, painted in 1876, remains one of the most loved art pieces of the Impressionist period. Also known as Bal du Moulin de la Galette, the title originates from the name of a popular outdoor café at the time.

The painting lacks clear-cut outlines, only distinct patches of color to distinguish separate subjects. This unstructured form follows closely to the typical Impressionist style. Mimicking a photograph, Renoir cut figures off from the frame as if the scene extends beyond the painting.

Most interestingly of all, Renoir did not use black paint in his works. He did not believe it was a color, and used only very dark blue for shadows.

Café Ensoleillé

Hat- Rent the Runway, Tank Top- Zara, Shorts- Topshop, Espadrilles- Nordstrom

I put together this look with the sunny café in mind. The loose, flowing fabrics and soft textures are as breezy and fun as the subjects in the painting. If Renoir’s café-goers lived in 2015, I would imagine them wearing something along the lines of this outfit.

This periwinkle Zara tank top (now on sale!) adds a fresh vibrancy to the color palette. Billowing shorts and simple espadrilles add a resort feel to the café vibe. I topped the outfit off with a classic sunhat– this Rent the Runway hat matches the subjects’ straw hats and is perfect for a casual summer day.

Avec du Livres

Blazer- Zara, T-Shirt- Zara, Oxfords- Amazon, Shorts- H&M, Bag- Sincerely Sweet Boutique

I imagine the person wearing this look reading a weathered paperback while sipping on a no-nonsense coffee in a cozy local coffee shop. In this outfit, I took inspiration from Renoir’s painting technique. His deconstructed, fragmented communication of form lends to a hazy narrative.

As such, I loved the idea of destroyed denim shorts and an uncommonly shapeless jacket. In line with Renoir’s preference of navy instead of black, I picked a dark navy blazer. (Here’s a less expensive option from Forever 21.) A simple tee keeps the look casual, while this adorable scallop trim bag and these classic oxfords are the perfect accessories to transition into fall.

Galette en Plein Air

light blue maxi dress, jacket, and boooties

Dress- Zara, Zip-Up Jacket- StyleMoi, Draped Jacket- H&M, Shoes- Forever 21

For this last look, I took inspiration from the billowing dresses the women in the painting wore. I opted for a pastel maxi, pairing it with a structured jacket to give the look some formality. For a less structured option, the draped jacket, from H&M, is fluttery enough to capture the whimsy in Renoir’s works. 

While you can finish the outfit with a pair of elaborately-strung sandals (like the model, pictured left), I thought a pair of neutral-colored cutout booties would give the look some added interest. This look would be a quaint option for a night out.

Final Thoughts

I find the idea of a café very romantic. The smell of freshly brewed and baked somethings, many people together in one place yet in their own worlds, or maybe just years of listening to “Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop”… When cafés are not pretentious Starbucks franchises or $10 pretty latté designs (or even when they are!), they can be breeding grounds for every kind of inspiration.

Renoir beautifully captures the vivacity of the moment in his French town: a joyous venue to dine, laugh, and dance. 

What do you think?

Is Renoir also your favorite Impressionist artist? Do you love to study in cafés? Do cafés also inspire you? What is the most you’ve ever paid for a coffee? Let me know in the comments below!

Tags : Art, Fashion Inspired by Art, summer outfits

1 Comment
Originally published on August 5, 2015
Previous Music Video Inspiration: Selena Gomez’s “Good for You”
Next The Baby-Sitters Club Fashion Inspiration: Claudia

Related Posts

Effy Stonem from Skins

Skins Fashion – How to Dress Like Effy Stonem...

Game of Thrones Fashion: Inspired by House Stark

Game of Thrones Fashion: Inspired by House Stark

A Week in Her Style: Cara Delevingne

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jessica Goodenough says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:52 pm

    Avec des* livres. 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • pinterest
  • bloglovin

SEARCH CF

Get the latest CF updates! (Delivered weekly, no spam ever, unsubscribe anytime.)

Addison Rae

Addison Rae’s Clothes: How to Dress Like Addison Rae

Dress like a TikTok star: these are the key items for getting Addison Rae’s style, for less.

Bridgerton outfits

I Dressed Like Bridgerton Characters for a Week and Here’s What Happened

After becoming a smashing success, Bridgerton captured our fashion-attention. This week, I brought Bridgerton’s style to the 21st century.

Vintage Posts

Copyright © 2007-2021 College Fashion LLC | Contact • Privacy Policy • Terms of Service • Disclosure • Write for Us