Faithful to Fashion

“Elegance is the only beauty that never fades”

_{– Audrey Hepburn}

With some of the most recognizable looks in movie history, Audrey Hepburn has certainly earned her place in the movie history books. But it is her everyday signature style and her decades long friendship with Hubert de Givenchy that earned her a place as a fashion icon. Her style has remained the blueprint for timeless elegance. No matter what trends come and go, it always holds up. So when it comes to fashion inspiration, she will always be a go to for me. Here’s a few things Audrey has taught me:

Simplicity is key. Often donning mono or dichromatic looks with few accessories, Audrey was a believer in less is more. But even though simple, her usage of bold colors and patterns ensures that the looks are still eye-catching. In a way, I do think this is why her style is so imitated. The simplicity somehow makes it attainable and able to withstand any changing trends.

Create a capsule wardrobe. She has to be one of the blueprints for this. Simple, high quality pieces that never go out of style is pretty spot on in describing her wardrobe. Items like a white button up blouse, little black dress, black capri pants, solid colored long sleeve shirts, and a trench coat have all found their way into my closet. It really does simplify the getting dressed process every morning, and I have no doubt it’ll still hold up decades from now.

Accentuate the waist. During the early days of her career, Dior’s “New Look” of 1947 was popularizing the cinched waist and full tea length skirts. A look Audrey definitely became the standard for after her early movie roles often saw her in these types of dresses. But even in her everyday wear, you’ll often still see her with the cinched accentuated waist. The shapes and silhouettes it creates just add another layer, and makes the whole look more interesting to look at.

Both on screen and in real life Audrey Hepburn has cemented herself as an icon. Her acting legacy certainly could stand on its own, but her artistic ability did not stop there. Instead she used it to create an exquisite personal style. As I work to hopefully do the same one day, I will say there is no one I look to more for inspiration than the legendary Audrey Hepburn. But at the end of the day, as Audrey herself said “Why Change? Everyone has their own style. When you have found it, you should stick to it.” So remember to use these tips as guidance not rules on your own journey.