Cold weather and co-eds.

Mrs. Robinson inspired an anthem, and Ben Braddock (almost) got into plastics, but when I watch The Graduate, it is Elaine who captures all my attention. Her style and beauty, so faithful to the era, leap off campus and out of the screen, as thoroughly modern as her dysfunctional family's values.

As the leaves turn here in New York and children scramble down sidewalks, backpacks swinging, I am inspired to sharpen a bouquet of No. 2 pencils, stick some pennies in my Bass Weejuns, and channel Katherine Ross's easy, breezy, Berkeley Americana. I've had Mike Nichols' ground-breaking film on repeat lately, trying to memorize every flick of her eyelashes, every turned coat collar, with the hope of emulating Elaine. Like Ali McGraw in Love Story, Elaine's style is earthy, preppy, and, yes, Northeastern. I always tend to forget that they (both Ross and her character) were born and raised in Southern California.

Of course in order to really become Elaine, I need a Benjamin to fall in love with me, but not before I track down her ivory toggle coat, some dark vintage Levis, and that to-die-for wedding dress, all executed (but not originally designed) by TV and film costume curator Patricia Zipprodt. In the meantime my camel princess cut coat by J. Crew, hot roller set, and stack of wool cable knit sweaters should keep my autumnal image classic and collegiate.

As sharp in Pasadena as it would be at Radcliffe.

As fresh in 2009 as it was in 1967.