Welcome to the tenth installment of my Ageless Style Series with my friend Elizabeth of the Vintage Contessa. If you are new here each month Elizabeth and I interview someone over 50 with great style. This month instead of an interview I am writing about someone whose style I have coveted since I was a teen, Ali MacGraw.
photo by Pamela Hanson Porter Magazine.
If you didn’t come of age in the 1970’s and haven’t seen the classic Love Story, then you should. It is still considered one of the great romantic films of all time and it starred the iconic Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’neal.
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Ali MacGraw was born in 1939. She is an actress, model, author, and animal rights, activist and ambassador for the IBU movement. You can read more about her history here.
photo above via Johnny Moncada 1968
She was nominated for an Academy Award for Love Story, garnered a golden globe and in 1972 voted the top female box office star in the world. Those of us that grew up in the 70’s Ali Mcgraw was definitely all that! She grew up in New York state the daughter of two artists. Her style was a mix of New England prep and Bohemian Chic.
I was tanned and had long dark hair in the 70’s, and tried very hard unsuccessfully to mimic her look and style.
Throughout the years Ali’s style has remained constant. She has rarely strayed from her trademark long hair and classic chignon.
In 2010, Ali told Oprah “she buys things to wear forever. “I’ve been wearing the same thing for 40 years, give or take a few necklaces,”
Ali MacGraw at 71.
And at 72 in Town and Country magazine photographed by Art Schreiber.
At 75 in an interview with Oprah Ali said she decided “enough was enough” and embraced her gray hair.
Her passion for design, art, and the handmade recently led her to a partnership with the IBU movement. ‘Ibu’ means a woman of respect, and “the emphasis of this movement founded by Susan Hull Walker is on the sustainable self-sufficiency of women through their skill in traditional crafts” Click on the picture below to see more of this fabulous collection.
In 2015 she also reunited with Ryan Oneal for a successful run of A.R Gurney’s 1988 play where actors read their “love letters” while seated at a desk, and with little rehearsal or memorization. The two have maintained their friendship over the years, Ali has stayed out of the spotlight since leaving Los Angeles for Santa Fe, N.M., in 1993. She said she was drawn to this play “about a pair of blue bloods who love each other deeply for decades, but never quite connect’ and her friendship with Ryan.
Ali at 76 at the Icons of Style wearing Michael Kors in her signature black and white. Note the laced pumps, very similar to those worn in some of her early years.
Recently Ali was photographed for Porter Magazine by Pamela Hanson near her home in Santa Fe. You can buy the digital issue here
five images above courtesy of Porter magazine
Do you love Ali’s timeless style as much as I? I would love to hear your thoughts. Now be sure and stop and visit the Contessa’s blog and see who she interviewed this month!
Also Artful Home started their summer sale today. Everything is 15% off sitewide!
Cindy,
Wow! Talk about “aging gracefully” Ali MacGraw is the epitome of age and grace. I admire her signature style sustained over the years – classic and timeless.
She is an inspiration to us all isn’t she Eugenia?
It works very well for me
Hi Cindy,
I am just reading this but so glad I saw it! I never, ever looked even remotely like Ali (I’m blonde and very fair) but I, too, have loved her style since the 70s. She’s been one of my fave examples of “growing old gracefully yet super-stylishly”!!! Love her jewelry, her bohemian yet polished style and her “artsy-ness”. She’s unique! Great post!
Thanks so much for commenting Carol! I am so glad you enjoyed it. I so agree with you!
I think I my just have a new style icon! What a style inspiration! I loved this! I’m so glad she embraced her gray hair. She’s absolutely stunning!
She is officially a member of our club Jill! Thanks for stopping by!
Lovely photos of this very stylish lady.
She looks incredible, great article, thank you
Thanks so much Amanda for stopping by and commenting!
Such a great choice, Cindy. I have always admired Ali, such class and composure. Thanks to you and Contessa for this fantastic series.
I am so glad you are enjoying the series Robin and thanks for stopping by!!
Hi Cindy,
I have been reading your posts and enjoying them so much, but have not commented before… I will never forget crying (sobbing) as a teenager watching Love Story, and I am sure many others have the same memory. She is an icon…in every way. Adore this post, photos, comments etc. Bravo to you and the Contessa for creating the Ageless Style series…it is a gift to all lucky enough to have found you both… xo
Thanks DA for your wonderful comment. I am so glad you enjoy the series!
Ali is classy and elegant. For the most part, she’s part Bohemian, part minimalist, and her jewelry and accessories really make her understated style stand out. If only I had more hair… thicker hair… I would go gray as well. She’s leaped to the top of my fashion role models. BTW, sometime ago I ordered the first blue and white IBU tunic she’s wearing. It didn’t look as good on me, plus I was missing all of those necklaces. She’s a great role model for all of us in so many ways. Loved this piece, Cindy, and happy to be in her company on your list of stylish women. Thank you, Brenda
I wanted to order that same tunic! I am so impressed with that line!Thanks for stopping by. Loved your online dating post today hilarious!
Thanks so much for the lovely comment Brenda. I love that IBU line as well!
Hi Cindy,
I’ve never commented on your blog before although I’ve followed you for quite awhile. But I just couldn’t let this post go without sharing my two cents!
Ooh Ali! She always seemed so exotic and elegant to me, in high school I wanted to look and dress like her but could never come close! I think she looks even better now, amazing really, with a life full of interesting experiences under her belt. With her unique style, perspective and outlook on life she really is someone to emulate!
Xo Heidi
Hi Heidi
Thank you so much for commenting. I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Please share your insightful comments more often. We love to hear them!
I love that you chose to highlight a style icon with a true calling and a very rich life. Her poise, intensity and generous spirit are really inspiring. Thanks for making this post so intresting. You and Elizabeth have quite a great concept with this series. I have enjoyed it. <3
Thank you so much for your lovely comment Mary. I am so glad you stopped by.
Ali has always had an amazing sense of style. An original. Loved her in the movie Goodbye Columbus an adaptation of a novella by Philip Roth. She was striking in this movie. Not only is she stunning she’s a wonderful human being.
I have always loved her style and like you, wanted to look like she did in Love Story. I had a big crush on Ryan O’Neill too! She is such a steller example to all of us as we age. Be true to your self and continue to make an effort to look your best self.
Thanks for this post!
karen
Truly fabulous, she is an inspiration to everybody to look after oneself. She is so natural and yet so elegant. I too just love that photo in the long grey dress, amazing figure, what a fabulous lady. Really enjoyed reading this, thank you xx
Have always loved her and tried to imitate her look. She is beautiful now and always was. She has amazing genes as no surgery could make her look that beautiful or cause her to stand so beautifully. Every time I see her my very next thought is about her relationship with the handsomest man ever born, Steve McQueen.
She is still beyond gorgeous!
Oh, Cindy. How fun to see these photos and ‘catch up’ on the life of a timeless beauty! I especially loved seeing the photos of Ryan O’Neill and Ali then and now. So beautiful! 🙂 Thanks.
Hey Pam! You probably remember me unsuccessfully trying to copy her style. For those of you who don’t know…Pam and I were high school and college friends….we go way back!
I always thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world, and I loved her style. I was a dishwater blond girl with blue eyes, and of course i was hopeless for me to try to look like her
Ha ha!
She’s always been stunning. I could never emulate her. But when she switched to Grey hair! Wow, what a difference.. She became even more stunning and unusual. I think I need a white top with blue trim. Of course you look fabulous with your grey hair and I think kind of a new do. Lovely post about a lovely woman. Remember when she was married to Bob Evans, I think she refused alimony, and lived to regret it. She was also married to Steve McQueen. What a life!.
Such a great post Cindy !! Love the power and confidence that Ali radiates in these great photos. What an example for all of us advancing ladies to follow. Or any age for that matter! Ibu has such dreamy clothing too. Thanks for sharing xo
I agree Shawnee…Ali introduced me to IBU…love everything in the collection. Of course she would endorse it. It is all about her style and what she believes in. Thanks so much for commenting…
It’s astonishing to see photos of her from the 70’s and note that the outfits would be suitable today. Now, that is classic, timeless dressing.
I agree Kathy. Going through her phots I was so intrigued by that. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Love Ali McGraw for her philosophy of life, classic style, and ageless beauty. Thank you Cindy for this post.
Thanks Karen for stopping by. I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Hi
Stopping by from La Contessa. So pleased she sent me. Ali McGraw is one of my icons. Yes she’s done a bit to erase some lines. But she has retained her natural beauty. She left Hollywood and became her own person. Younger women should get to know her story
Bonnie I agree wholeheartedly. She is someone for younger women to admire.
It’s so wonderful to see older women showcased like this!! That’s exactly why I show my mom and stepmom on my blog too!! We are just as beautiful when we get older, and Ali is the prime example!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thank you Jodie for your comment! I am going to stop by your blog!
Gorgeous ~ I adore all the long skirts & boots
Hi Suzanna so do I! Such a great look for women our age!!
Elegant. Beautiful. Classic. Comfortable in her own skin.Her life has not been an easy one, but she triumphs with her honesty and grace.
Hi Patty
I always appreciate your thoughtful comments. Well said my friend.
Cindy great post. I love Ali’s style and she looks even more stunning now with her white hair. I have the Porter magazine and saved it. Just love when they feature women who look real and are older than 20! She is proof you can keep wearing the same things and still look great! I always love this series you and Elizabeth do! Have a good weekend. Kim
Do you subscribe to Porter Kim? In researching the photos I noted that the photographer has photographed many other women I admire!
“Where do I begin”? With “gray” hair, Ali McGraw looks even more elegant, if that is possible. I love her Ali4ibu collection. She has the most beautiful bone structure making a natural beautiful face. I love all of the photos of her – I think especially the one of her with the falcon. I admire that she is wearing mostly the same clothes for 40 years. Classic style!
Hi Ellie’s Friend!
Welcome and thank you for your comment. I adore that photo with the falcon as well. She is incredibly beautiful.
Oh my, she’s such an inspiration! Better than ever Ali ❤️ Absolutely wonderful post. Thank you!
Thank you Jennifer for stopping by and commenting. I am so glad you enjoyed the post. She is iconic for sure!
Oh, Ali McGraw, I knew the name but didn’t know what she looked like (I do live under a rock with some things) – doesn’t she look amazing? You can see she hasn’t changed a jot over the years, just look at her poise and grace. Good posture really is key. That and the fact she is beautiful enough to have inspired a generation!! (Well at least we can work on sitting up straight!…)
I’m visiting from over at The Contessa’s. It feels like I’m doing the social rounds, leaving a little calling card in the hallways of elegant women. You have a lovely blog.
Welcome and thank you so much for stopping by! Ali is such an inspiration to those of us “of a certain age”. Her beauty is natural and timeless.
I too am so attracted to her style. It’s so “her”. When I’m in Santa Fe I always secretly hope to run into her! Incredible icon and also so fun that you wrote about her as I can see some of your style notes in her. You rock, Cindy! Love YOUR style!
Oh Brenda I spent my younger years trying to emulate her style. I tried to dig out a pic to prove my point but couldn’t locate!! WE should do a girls trip to Santa Fe! Wouldn’t that be fun! Love that town!
Yes‼️‼️💃🏿💃🏿‼️
Ali was and still is absolutely gorgeous. Love her style. Great article Cindy.
Thanks Pal! I think I spent my high school years trying to emulate her!
Wow!! I can’t believe I am ‘sharing’ the stage with Ali MacGraw, as I am the featured ‘Aging With Style’ on the Contessa’s page. This was such a beautiful article. I love it that she has embraced her gray. I agree with the comment above that she is even more lovely. Cindy, I enjoy your blog so much.
Hi Kathie! I love your spirit and style! So enjoyed the post and am off to check out your books!
Gorgeous lady. I saw her a couple of years ago in Love Letters and she is just as beautiful now as she was when she was young. Have a great weekend, Cindy.
Hi Katie! I so wish I would have seen her in Love Letters. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!
Ali looks gorgeous. She was always a very beautiful woman. I loved her in ‘Love Story’.
She looks even more lovely with her hair gray instead of dyed. Just my opinion, but the gray is softer and less harsh. She’s inspirational.
Thank you.
Hi Cara
I agree with you about the gray hair, but I am partial to gray hair! Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting!
I LOVE This!
The Grey Dress Shot by Porter Magazine I want!Who makes that Please?We Both need that!!!!
She has become more Beautiful as time flys by!!!Gorgeous from head to Toe‼️
Yes we do need that dress! I am not sure it would be in my budget however! You could pull it off with your height and style!
Every shot makes me ooh and ahh. She is still incredibly beautiful. And she looks not a decade younger but two. if not more. While not seeming stretched and pulled artificially (so if she had work done, it was done well, and if not, then she has great genes!).
That profile shot in the long gray dress proves the value of good posture.
I agree. If she has had work done, she has done it right! I am mad about that shot with the gray dress as well! Thanks so much for commenting!