I adore Audrey Hepburn. I mean, who doesn’t? I wrote about Audrey for our “heroes” piece a while back, where I extol her innumerable virtues. But you can’t talk about Audrey without talking about her fashion.
As I’ve begun to wade into that oh-so scary world of adult fashion, I have a few styles that I often find myself defaulting to. And more and more often my “default” style is simple, clean, and classy. In one word: Audrey.
When people think of “dressing like Audrey” their thoughts go immediately to the iconic black dress from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” But you can emulate her style rather easily in everday life- without going broke. It’s all about having the right basics.
PANTS
Audrey was a pants girl. She prefered trousers to skirts when she had her choice. So if you want to emulate her style, get yourself a few good pairs of pants. For jeans, preferably boot cut or matchstick, not too tight, not too loose. Audrey loved the dark wash, ankle cut. Capris were a huge part of her style too.
For my Audrey look, I often find myself wearing a pair of American Eagle jeans that I got for $35, or my favorite pair of J-crew ankle-cut pants that look awesome as capris. You don’t have to go broke: the key is that they fit.
Hate real waistbands? LEGGINGS! No one said you had to dress like 1960’s Audrey. Leggings are awesome man. Pair them with a button down or looser sweater and flats and you are ready to go.
TOPS
My go-to tops are button downs. They’re easy, crisp, and help you look put together. Or loose, throw-on sweaters. I love the Gap sweaters- you can wear them with button downs, or you can wear them on their own. Audrey was big on turtlenecks, but I hate them, to be honest. If you like them, go for the plain black or the white. Or if you like sweaters, go with a boatneck cut.
For warmer weather, I love sleeveless button downs. They’re fun, easy to throw on and go, and they always look good. For an Audrey feel, try to stay within a neutral color scheme, with the occasional pop.
SHOES
My go-to shoes are my brown leather Steve Madden flats. But you don’t even have to spend that much. Audrey wore sneakers too. Grab a pair of Keds! I have a pair of bright orange lace-less slip ons from Target that I adore. I also have a pair of leopard print flats from Target that look great as well.
JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES
My go-to is my favorite pair of small pearls, stud earings, and the same two rings I wear every day. Audrey never wore a lot of jewelry- she kept it very simple. And of course you have to have the black glasses. I wear Ray Bans, but Audrey’s signature glasses were the cat eyes. Whichever type you pick, make sure they’re simple!
You don’t have to mimic her every outfit to channel Audrey: take the basics of her timeless fashion, and make it your own! Keep it classy, keep it clean, keep it Audrey.
hope! thank you so much for doing an Audrey Hepburn how-to. she has always been one of my fashion inspirations! she’s such a classic.