Coco Before Chanel

When Audrey Tautou brought the spark and sophisticated Parisian style of Coco Chanel to brazen life in the flick Coco Before Chanel, we got hooked on the iconic designer in her earlier years. How to adopt Coco's youthful vitality and style? It's about a smart jacket, a string of pearls, the ubiquitous striped top, and lots of menswear elements: wide trousers, vests, a hat. To make it modern, add casual elements to these more tailored, classic pieces. For example, mix a boucle jacket with a t-shirt, skinny jeans, and brogues. Or try wide-leg trousers with a slouchy silk shirt and tons of bracelets. We've gathered the best elements for a chic, ladylike wardrobe that is just a little smart 'n' sassy. Coco, we hope you would approve.

Entertainment time! Ready to beef up your ever-growing list of movies to watch? Here are the big DVD releases hitting today.

Coco Before Chanel

My friend Fab said she enjoyed this look at the fashion icon's life in her pre-label days, so I'm dying to get a glimpse of Coco Before Chanel at home — in the comfort of my very un-glamorous sweatpants, of course. Amelie actress Audrey Tautou stars as Gabrielle Chanel, the seamstress who used her handiwork (and her tenacity) to create a fashion empire. The Oscars have already recognized the film's pretty costuming, but I'm equally anxious to watch it for her love affairs and for Chanel herself, a total rebel and an incredible plum female role.

Extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes and an audio commentary.

65%

Law Abiding Citizen

Warning: Beware if you have a queasy stomach. Law Abiding Citizen is a thriller about the justice system, but Saw-like killing sprees abound. The film centers on Gerard Butler as a family man who goes on a slasher bender after his daughter and wife are murdered. Jamie Foxx costars as the lawyer he's targeting for revenge. For the sake of full disclosure, I was not a fan when the movie came to theaters, but you may want to consider it if you love Gerard Butler — or just pure, bloody entertainment.

Extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette, audio commentary, and a mash-up trailer.

25%

One more release to check out when you read more

I thought I had a good handle on the woman, the legend, Coco Chanel: Gabrielle, a magical seamstress, androgynous, smoker. Little did I know when I sat down to see Coco Before Chanel that I was going to embark on an emotional roller coaster — beautiful, deep, tear-inducing.

Naturally, a big part of the film is the wardrobe, but don't go expecting extravagance. Remember, this is Coco before Chanel, when she would make hats at home and sew her clothes out of her lover's closet. Menswear influences — bow-ties, vests, bowler hats — are major players. Pearls and tweed came much later; perhaps there should be a sequel, Coco After Chanel.

Read my review and see more photos.