Audrey Hepburn Movie Star Icon
December 16, 2014If you’re looking for a style icon to emulate, then you’d do well to choose Audrey Hepburn. She is as much an icon of class and style as she was during her lifetime. Her style, like McQueen and Monroe is timeless, and not out-of-place in today’s fast paced world.
Audrey Hepburn 1956.
Paramount-photo by Bud Fraker, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Audrey Hepburn Movie Star Icon
Legendary partnership
Her partnership with Hubert de Givenchy is legendary. After their initial meeting in Paris where Audrey Hepburn was looking for costumes for her latest film Sabrina, it started a lifelong partnership that would see Givenchy providing her personal as well as professional wardrobe. So impressed was Hepburn following their first meeting that it was written into her contract from then on, that she would only wear costumes for her films that had been designed by Givenchy.
They would also go on to create the first “celebrity” perfume by creating L’Interdit or The Forbidden in 1957. For the Oscars in 1954 she would wear a dress from the film Roman Holiday, but altered by Givenchy to suit the occasion.
Audrey Hepburn − Sabrina, 1954. Edith Head and Hubert de Givenchy gown
Dr. Macro, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Films and unforgettable dresses
Between them they created trends and new styles that were emulated by millions of women, both then and now. From Sabrina’s organza evening dress to the tea length wedding dress from Funny Face, the mod look of the mid-sixties in How to Steal a Million, to the floor length black dress of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Hepburn’s style inspired a generation of women.
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s trailer screenshot.
Trailer screenshot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A taste of Hepburn
We’re talking bateau necklines, little black dresses, tea length wedding dresses and the importance of accessories. If you want to dress a la Hepburn, you need just a few hints and tips to get it right. You can buy vintage, retro or brand new to get the Audrey Hepburn style. Her fashion staples were simple, stylish and confident.
Red lipstick is the simple finish to any outfit, especially for the evening and looks especially striking when matched by a black dress. Audrey Hepburn wore them long or short, with elbow length gloves and without.
Accessories – No wonder Gok Wan used to talk about gloves and scarves for he understood the importance of accessorizing an outfit, and so did Audrey Hepburn. Short gloves for the day and elbow length of the evening. Stylish gloves and preferably matched by a scarf or hat. Don’t be afraid to wear something unusual, in terms of hats, go for something different, Hepburn took fashion risks and so should you.
In Funny Face trailer, 1957.
trailer screenshot (Paramount Pictures), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Dressed down or up – Audrey Hepburn got it right every time
Striped tees and cropped pants are just as relevant now, and worn with cropped haircuts gives it a vibrant look. Audrey Hepburn loved Capri pants as did Monroe, and Hepburn wore hers with collared shirts and fitted sweaters. Dresses were simple, if the patterns were loud the cut of the dress was uncomplicated, if the dress was dramatically cut the colour was tamer. A simple dress allows you to accentuate all your other qualities, your features, long arms/legs, a good complexion. Let the dress fit you like a glove and allow the rest of you to shine.
Belts were good as an accessory and Audrey Hepburn would wear hers cinched in at the waist giving the body shape. She would team a bow tie with a suit complimenting it with a feminine haircut and immaculate make up.
Keep things simple
Simple block colours, chunky sandals (wedges are good), eye-catching earrings, and loafers were all signature styles and all can be worn with confidence today. Shades with a little black dress, classic bags and once piece bathing suits. Dark eyeliner to accentuate almond-shaped eyes and those simply filled in lips.
Audrey Hepburn – Older but never boring
As Hepburn got older she dressed youthfully without ever looking out-of-place or too old to be wearing what she wore. Long lashes, young dresses and beautiful jewellery were her signature. After all, did Holly Golightly not say that diamonds should only be worn by someone past 40?
Hepburn style is good for the young or the old – but one thing that Hepburn had and Monroe, and McQueen for that matter had, was confidence, they were all confident and happy in their own skin. And that is the key to Audrey Hepburn’s style and yours – wear clothes you feel comfortable in and just as importantly, wear clothes you can be yourself in.
