To Catch A Thief Is In Vogue: Everything You Need To Know About This Vintage Style Trend

Hollywood has gifted us with another iconic moment from an eye-catching duo, but, unlike Kelly and Grant’s cinematic success, this one has landed, not in theaters, but on the pages of Vogue. 

Nearly 70 years ago, To Catch a Thief, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, made a French Riviera-style splash, starring Hollywood (and soon to be real-life) royalty and dripping with diamonds. Now, a new (yet no less infamous) director has reimagined the film’s aesthetic and plot for Vogue readers’ 21st-century viewing pleasure, and this modern photojournalistic take on the classic film is about to become a sensation.

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“The Heist of the Heart”

Blake Lively and Hugh Jackman were already enjoying an extended stay in the spotlight, due to their roles in It Ends With Us and Deadpool & Wolverine. But their stars shine even brighter on the pages of Vogue thanks to Baz Luhrmann, known for directing and producing such cinematic spectacles as Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby, as well as niche projects such as this breathtaking three-minute mini film for Chanel. 

Titled “The Heist of the Heart,” Luhrmann’s latest artistic effort reimagines the classic tale of To Catch a Thief through a breathtaking photojournalistic short story. But, instead of following the expected plot of the original film, in which Grant’s retired jewel thief character uses his old tricks for good, setting a trap for an unknown burglar known as “The Cat” (and, of course, falling in love with Grace Kelly’s diamond-encrusted heiress along the way), Luhrmann switched the roles, making Blake Lively a masked villainess and Hugh Jackman her enamored unsuspecting mark.

More than a photo shoot, this epic-film-in-a-photograph splashes across the pages of Vogue’s September issue as its feature story, and Luhrmann has a lot to say about his inspiration. “It started out riffing on To Catch a Thief, but recognizing that we also want to unshackle that story and plant it in more contemporary language,” Luhrmann told Vogue.

“I think the underlying idea – if this film were to be made – is that you have two people living a lie,” Luhrmann explained. “Both Hugh as ‘Interpol’s Diamond L’Ombre,’ and Blake as the fake heiress, whose glamor, charm, wit, and beauty are a mask for her reality – a young girl from the streets who, from day one, has had to hustle to stay alive and for whom expensive goods, objects of status, and priceless objects give her the license to play a role.”

Luhrmann added, “And yet she and Hugh’s character have had to shut their hearts off to love for different reasons, so I hope these images are both glamorous and beautiful…and a little bit tragic and sad.”

Despite the viral Lively-Reynolds-Baldoni drama (in which Hugh Jackman himself plays a bit of a walk-on role), none of it translates into the aesthetic of the shoot, which, although plenty dramatic in its own right, is filled with mystique, glamour, and a refreshing amount of old-fashioned elegance and femininity. (Also, who could ever turn down the opportunity to appreciate Jackman in a tuxedo?)

It just goes to show that, in the face of celebrity drama there is still elegance and class to be found in modern society – and Luhrmann, Jackman, and Lively have done a brilliant job of resurrecting a more traditional Grace Kelly aesthetic for a modern audience.

How To Live the Look

Embracing the lavish beauty of old-fashioned elegance and the thrill of suspense and mystique in the middle of a society in which “Underconsumption Core” is trying to become the next big thing isn’t easy, but it can be done. Just be prepared to do a little bit of high-society heist work yourself as you steal styles and aesthetics from some of Hollywood’s best-known vintage hits.

Before you tackle your wardrobe or hair and makeup routines, familiarize yourself with the vintage glam aesthetic – not just by following modern-day influencers (although they have some great tips), but by engaging with the actual source material. Examine not only what actresses from the ‘50s and ‘60s wore but also how they walked, talked, ate, danced, and lived in the context of their films.

Start with To Catch a Thief, of course, but don’t miss out on the inspiration found in Charade, Indiscreet, and Sabrina (and also appreciate the lesson in minimalism that these vintage flicks offer us from their titles alone). Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly are lauded as style icons, but notice that it isn’t just what they wear but also how they wear it that helps them exude elegance, femininity, and grace. 

Take, for example, this iconic clip from Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant’s Charade. In it, Audrey’s character is eating a sandwich. As a matter of fact, she delivers the entire line with food in her mouth. And, somehow, she does it with such poise that the impeccable Givenchy coat and stylish leopard-print hat simply add to her already existent elegance and poise, rather than diminishing it.

Dressing the part in your own life story is important, yes, but make sure you also know how to play the part. If you do, you’ll have no problem wearing your clothes and jewels like a star.

Dressing the Part

Once you’ve polished your poise and manners, it’s time to work on your wardrobe. Although jewels and designer pieces, the likes of which Blake Lively wears in Heist of the Heart, are far beyond most of our reach, we don’t always have to shell out a year’s worth of cash or resort to burglary to add a touch of luxury glam to our look.

My favorite places to go for discount designer pieces are T.J.Maxx, Marshall’s, and Nordstrom Rack. Last week, I scored a 100% linen Halston blazer (originally $850) for $11, and I’ve had similar luck with brands like Jason Wu and L’Agence. But, if you’re stranded in a land without discount stores or simply prefer not to have to dig for your wardrobe pieces, there are plenty of inexpensive online options that can still help you achieve a vintage glam look à la Heist of the Heart just in time for fall. 

Although we might think of sparkling jewels and swishing ball gowns when we first view the photo-story, there’s another piece among the pages that must not be overlooked: Blake Lively’s shoulders-to-toes cat-burglar suit. While it might not be your best bet to show up to your next evening event masquerading as a thief, we can all take a cue from this look and add a black jumpsuit to our wardrobe. I’m particularly fond of this sleek open-back number and this angular, asymmetrical version. 

We all would likely fall and break our necks wearing stilettos while creeping around on the rooftops of the French Riviera, but Blake Lively seems to be doing just fine. And we might be able to manage the height of such heels during our own – less illegal – evening activities. I love a good designer shoe, which is why I’m obsessed with these Jimmy Choos on The Real Real (dare I say they’re a steal?), as well as these rhinestone-studded Badgley Mishka heels on Amazon.

Every good burglar needs a stylish bag to stuff full of jewels, and I love my oversized Coach tote for the daytime hours. When you need to dress up your look, however, this silky Badgley Mishka handbag comes in clutch, so to speak.

Feeling like an accessory splurge? These cat-eye sunglasses from Tiffany & Co. are on sale for $175 of classic elegance with a bejeweled twist, making them as perfect for shielding your eyes from the sun as they are for hiding your identity from the authorities. (Not that you’re actually going to go on a crime spree or anything…)

And, of course, if you’re going to get the full Heist of the Heart effect, then you must have some jewels of your own. These glittering diamond hoops make a big statement despite their small size, and, while this gold chain features no diamonds per se, its diamond-cut gold sparkles and twinkles like a string of a thousand gems. This diamond and sapphire ring is delicate, but it makes a statement with a flash of Mediterranean blue sapphires, and this gold and pearl beaded bracelet is the perfect chunky bridge between old-fashioned elegance and modern-day style.

All of these accessories go beautifully with a black pantsuit, but they’d also be just as striking with a little black dress (this one, perhaps?) for a more conventional vintage effect. But, no matter how you choose to accessorize your little black outfit, keep a few key things in mind.

The Vintage Style Bible: Three Rules to Keep in Mind

1. Stay classy. One of the most alluring aspects of Old Hollywood glam is that it does leave a little something up to the imagination. And, in a tech-focused, AI-fed digital age, a dash of intrigue does wonders for your aesthetic.

2. Keep it simple. Opulence comes not out of excess but out of restraint. If you’re going for a glitz-and-glam look, then pair your flashiest jewels with your most understated outfit, or vice versa. It’s all about balance!

3. Wear your clothes with style. No matter how fabulously dressed you are, the true test of elegance comes down to the way you move, how you speak, and – above all – the way you treat others with kindness, graciousness, and respect.

So, what are you waiting for? Vogue has given us all a chance to reclaim our femininity and embrace a luxurious blast from the past through its new cover feature. Grab your girlfriends and go shopping for a brand-new vintage look. Just remember, if you live with grace and dress with grace, soon you’ll look like Grace (Kelly, that is).