MSN Shopping, May 16th, 2007
“How do I look?”
“Very good. I must say I’m amazed.”
George Peppard’s classic line in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, delivered as Audrey Hepburn sweeps into the room in a wide-brimmed hat and black A-line dress, sums it all up.
Gamine, doe-eyed and devastatingly elegant, Hepburn defined a style so timeless, that you’ll find its echoes in fashion even today. Perhaps it was that her wardrobe, lavish as it was, never overwhelmed her innate charm and grace. She favored simplicity over ostentation and conveyed a more subtle sex appeal that set her apart from the more over-the-top screen vixens of the era. To better get a handle on what makes her such an enduring fashion icon, let’s take a look at some of the head-to-toe elements that add up to the Audrey effect.
The hats
From the petite mushroom style she wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to the classic ‘60s pillbox and the signature broad-brim, Hepburn was a woman of many hats. Given the persistence of the ubiquitous baseball cap, a stylish chapeau still offers you a chance to stand out in the crowd.
The scarves
Audrey could work miracles with a scarf. She wore them casually knotted at her throat a la Roman Holiday or just as often on her head, wrapped under her chin and tied at the back of her neck. If you can’t spring for a Hermès, look for colorful patterns in the finest silk you can afford and experiment.
Those eyes
Audrey’s lovely brown eyes were fathoms deep. Wide and innocent with a coquettish gleam, they
enchanted and captivated. You can capture some of their allure with judicious application of eyeliner on the top of the eye, a liberal use of mascara and by filling in your brows. Don’t draw attention from those peepers with dark lipstick. Opt for sheer pinks and corals instead.
The shades
Hiding those glorious eyes behind sunglasses always seemed a bit like turning a masterpiece to the wall, but Audrey loved dark lenses and oversized frames. It’s a look that’s returned in the last couple of years and finding a pair of shades like she wore in Charade or How to Steal a Million is a snap.
Tops and pants
Somehow she could make the simplest casual outfit look fabulously sophisticated. Of course her sylphlike figure helped. At 5’7” and 110 pounds, you can find lots of flattering things to wear. (During the Second World War in Holland, young Audrey suffered from malnutrition when her family was reduced to eating tulip bulbs and bread made from grass, a diet that permanently affected her weight.) If you count yourself among the svelte set, top things off with a white shirt in 100% cotton. Tie at the waist, roll the sleeves and pair it with slim Capri pants or tuck it into a long, full skirt. She was also fond of black turtlenecks over stretch pants for a Left Bank look. Try a boatneck tee and a wraparound blouse. And don’t forget the polo shirt, a Hepburn staple on and off the screen.
The dress
If you happen to have a friend by the name of Hubert de Givenchy, you’re all set. But if designer gowns are a mortgage payment or two beyond your reach, stick with Audrey’s two basics – the sleeveless sheath and the little black dress. The former offers the perfect way to set off a summer tan. Look for a classic A-line neck and a hemline just above the knee. For a little retro touch, you can add a simple cashmere cardigan tied around your shoulders. The little black dress flatters in a hundred different ways, but for true Audrey chic, skip the plunging neckline. Go for a simple and demure look that befits a goddess. Backless is beautiful.
The shoes
Hepburn favored flats over a spiked heel any day and ballet flats were her shoes of choice, especially in the black and pointy style she wore in Funny Face. Versatile, comfortable, adorable and even better yet, affordable -- they look great with everything from cropped pants to the little black dress.
The jewelry
As with so much of Audrey’s style, when it came to jewelry less was always more. Although as Holly Golightly might have agreed that diamonds are a girl’s best friends, Hepburn probably did more for pearl earrings than most oysters. She never let her jewelry distract attention from the clothes she wore, preferring to showcase one elegant piece at a time. Often she appeared wearing no jewelry at all. Of course if you must add a little dazzle to your ensemble, you could always top it all off with a tiara, darling.
