6 Brands For an Audrey Hepburn-Inspired Wardrobe

Wikicommons

Audrey Hepburn, despite being born in the early years of the twentieth century, remains a nearly universally recognized and beloved face whose popularity spans generations.

Rising to fame in 1951, Hepburn never truly fell from it. Fascination with her life, filmography, and personal style continues, even for those born long after the passing of the British actress.

One of Hepburn’s most enduring legacies is the simple, graceful, and sophisticated fashion sense with which she captivated the world. Famous for being collaborative with the costume designers for her films, Hepburn was an actress whose personal style bled into her onscreen roles—what you saw on the screen was all Audrey. In fact, after her films, the actress would sport different versions of her costumes.

You, too, can participate in her legacy by allowing her style to inform your own fashion choices. Capture a bit of Hepburn’s easy elegance—which goes far beyond the iconic black Givenchy dress—with these 6 brands that will revitalize your wardrobe.

Halter Dress

Shutterstock.com

Hepburn’s style was often the height of simplicity. She once gave her son the advice, regarding life, to, “Boil it down to what counts the most. What is the essence of what you are trying to do; what is the most important thing?”

She applied this philosophy to her fashion life, as well! Few fashion centerpieces carry the simple, carefree elegance of the halter dress that Hepburn so favored.

A regular appearance in Hepburn’s film and private wardrobes, this is simply a dress that runs behind the neck and leaves much of the back exposed. Available in infinite patterns and fabrics, you can this style of dress can be incorporated into any wardrobe and tailored for any personality.

For maximum Hepburn style, go for simple white or floral patterns that speak of sophistication. Don’t be afraid to show your wondrous shoulders and arms off to the world, as Hepburn did. This is a dress for anyone.

You can find a great example of this dress here.

Midi Skirt

Shutterstock.com

A perfect addition to your summertime style, Hepburn’s signature midi skirt is a swishy-sweet piece of clothing that will leave you looking smart and fun.

With its forgiving shape and habit of accentuating the waist, this skirt is flattering on just about anyone. The midi skirt, as you might guess, ends about halfway up the calf—it’s neither short, nor does it trail the ground, allowing for ease, comfort, and beauty.

Seen in Hepburn’s film, Roman Holiday, as well as in the actress’s personal life, the simple, white midi skirt has a popularity which endures today, largely because of her influence.

If you want to go a little more contemporary with this piece of clothing, choose unexpected prints and hues for a more modern look that still captures that Hepburn feel. Find what works for you, but keep the dress, itself, simple—avoid too many buckles or layers.

You can find an example of a Hepburn-style midi skirt here.

Plaid Shirt

Shutterstock.com

A large part of Audrey Hepburn’s appeal lies in the fact that she wasn’t just an elegant lady. She was also an expert at using masculine counterpoints to her more feminine wardrobe choices.

Any expert can tell you that contrast is important in fashion—you can enhance the individual parts of an outfit by choosing pieces which shed light on one another in a pleasing way.

Hepburn was often seen doing this with a plaid button-down, which she would contrast with, say, more feminine shorts and a pair of wedges.

For Audrey, this created an alluring tomboy look that was undeniably her. To create your own version, you can pair your plaid button-down with trousers or jeans, adding in sneakers for a casual look that stays within Hepburn’s fashion legacy. Remember—contrast is key, so look around for items of clothing that will balance out and highlight the masculinity of the plaid.

Check out this woven plaid for an example of this style of shirt.

Strappy Sandals

Shutterstock.com

Hepburn’s black flats may be her most recognizable footwear, but that’s an all-too-easy piece of clothing to find. Let’s take a look at some of her alternative footwear, namely, strappy sandals!

These sandals add an Italian flair to any outfit, giving you a look straight out of Hepburn’s films. Whether you’re just going out for bread or taking a boat-trip through the canals of Venice, these sandals will be just the right look, especially paired with the aforementioned midi dress!

When the weather warms, there is simply no better choice—the straps of these shoes will make your ankles and calves look great.

As a caveat, be sure not to make the mistake of substituting simple flip-flops for this look. If you want comfort, just go with Audrey’s black flats instead. You’ll thank yourself when you start getting stares instead of glares.

If you’re not sure what to look for, take a look at these sandals for an example of this style of shoe.

Striped Shirt

Shutterstock.com

Few pieces scream Audrey Hepburn like the black-and-white striped shirt.

The Breton striped shirt was introduced by Coco Chanel in 1917, and Audrey adopted the look in her 1956 film, Funny Face.

The design would go on to mark her wardrobe for the rest of her life—it became her hallmark, nearly the equal to the famous black dress.

Hepburn, herself, chose to pair this style of shirt with flats and denim for a more casual look, or with a skirt for a more elegant style.

Adapting this to the modern age is a snap—not much here has changed! If you’re one for plain, white t-shirts, swap one out for stripes for some added visual interest.

The beauty of many of Hepburn’s styles is that they can suit just about anyone, and are endlessly adaptable. Take a cue from Audrey, and try out a striped shirt l ike this one .

Black Turtleneck

Shutterstock.com

The black turtleneck isn’t the sole realm of the late Steve Jobs—Audrey Hepburn was rocking it long before.

A classic, this is a powerful piece of clothing that speaks of simplicity and bold elegance. It also brings with it an air of mystery, bringing to mind images of artists and philosophers and intellectuals.

They’re also comfortable, flattering, and can elongate your figure.

Audrey Hepburn loved the black turtleneck. And for good reason—this fashion staple embodied her philosophy of simplicity like little else. It looked great on her, just as it can on you!

The beauty of these ebony tops is that you simply can’t go wrong with them. Throw on a nice jacket, and they’re dressy. Pair them with jeans for a casual look. Layer winter clothes atop them for a textured, sophisticated feel. With a black turtleneck at the core of your fashion, you can go anywhere!

Check out this turtleneck, just in case you’re not sure where to grab one.