We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Audrey Hepburn remains an unparalleled fashion icon. From her casual oversized white shirts and black tops to her glamorous red carpet dresses by Hubert De Givenchy, Hepburn epitomized timeless elegance. Her style legacy endures, influencing fashion tastes across generations, including mine. To honor her legacy, I recreated some of her best outfits with a modern twist. Instead of replicating her exact pieces, I captured the essence of her style through a 2023 lens.
One of my favorite looks is the long sleeve shirt paired with a midi skirt and ballet flats. This ensemble is perfect for a chic golf outing. Audrey often wore voluminous skirts with a waist-cinching belt and ballet flats, reflecting her love for dance. Fun fact: Audrey always dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer, which explains her frequent choice of ballet flats. I recreated this look with a modern touch by opting for a slip skirt instead of a voluminous one, but kept the ballet flats to stay true to her style.
Another iconic look is the boatneck dress layered over a black long-sleeve top. Audrey demonstrated that simple outfits could be both fun and classic. I followed her lead by adding a blazer over my dress, a piece she often wore. The combination of navy and black added an unexpected twist, and of course, I completed the look with ballet flats.
Audrey’s impeccable sense of style is evident in her button-down shirt, midi skirt, and flats ensemble. This timeless look could easily be from a 2023 J.Crew ad. I recreated it with a crisp white button-down and a midi slip skirt for a modern update, but kept the ballet flats to maintain the classic vibe.
In another chic moment, Audrey looked effortlessly elegant in a trench coat and boots. A trench coat is a timeless piece, and knotting the belt adds a simple yet stylish statement. I paired my trench coat with knee-high boots for a sophisticated finish, giving the illusion of the coat being a dress.
Audrey also embraced menswear pieces like loafers and dress pants, adding feminine touches with accessories like a silk scarf. I recreated this look with a few tweaks, opting for a scarf tied around my neck and a pendant necklace. This outfit, paired with a trench coat and loafers, exudes a feminine and sophisticated vibe.
Audrey Hepburn’s style is more than just wearing ballgowns to red carpet events. Onscreen, she floated in custom-made dresses by Givenchy. Offscreen, she turned simple pieces like pedal pushers and unadorned tops into art. Her style moments made history, earning her a place in the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame.
Casual fans often associate Audrey’s style with the black dress from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” but her fashion sense was much more diverse. The black sheath dress, with its sleeveless silhouette, belted waist, and midi hem, is a staple in her style lexicon. Modern style icons, including the royal family, echo this look today.
Audrey’s bold pattern dress from an Amsterdam fashion show showcased her unique style. While bold patterns weren’t her norm, the curved collar and A-line waist were recurring elements in her outfits. Elbow-length gloves added a touch of elegance, a must-have accessory for Audrey.
At the 1954 Oscars, Audrey wore a tea-length floral dress with a bateau neckline, accepting the Best Actress award for “Roman Holiday.” This understated look wouldn’t be out of place today, proving her timeless appeal.
In “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” Audrey wore a black cocktail dress by Givenchy, accessorized with pearls, elbow-length gloves, and a coffee cup. This look remains one of the film’s most famous fashion moments.
For her second marriage to Andrea Dotti in 1969, Audrey wore a fashion-forward mini skirt paired with a chic headscarf. This minimal style continues to inspire modern brides seeking something different.
In “My Fair Lady,” Audrey’s monochrome outfit for the Ascot races, designed by Cecil Beaton, is another iconic fashion moment. Her keen sense of style was evident from a young age, as seen in a photoshoot at Kew Gardens at age 21, where she wore a checked belted dress with classic courts, elbow-length gloves, and a beret.
Audrey’s off-duty wardrobe included enduring classics like a chic camel coat and round-frame sunglasses, as seen at JFK Airport in 1968. Her casual style often featured cropped capri trousers, high-necked tops, and ballet pumps, sometimes coordinated with her husband Mel Ferrer.
In a sweet and simple style moment, Audrey was pictured writing a letter in a palm grove in 1955, wearing a gingham boat-neck top with a white midi skirt. This look, with its enduring appeal, wouldn’t look out of place at a summer event today.
Audrey Hepburn’s style continues to influence modern fashion, proving that true style is timeless.
